Chapter 89

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 89: Helping a Past Connection

I momentarily doubted my ears.

Was he really talking about destroying Kalvine?

Is that even possible?

[Even if the dragons have forgotten me, I am still their god. I can give them one absolute command. Since I've lost their faith, it won't last long, but…]

Well, he is the Dragon God, so it makes sense.

But would just giving a single command really lead to destruction?

[I will order the dragons to pour all their magic into casting the ultimate 9th-circle spell—Meteor Swarm. I will summon a massive number of meteors onto Kalvine and annihilate the planet.]

I was shocked by how extreme that sounded.

Wait, isn’t that just a meteor-fall spell?

He boldly declared he’d destroy it, and with a plan like that, it might actually happen.

If all the dragons on Kalvine cast that spell simultaneously…

But is there really a need to go that far?

[Thor is relentlessly pursuing me, and this thoughtform will soon be captured. If my fragment is taken alive, my memories could be extracted. That could put you in danger as well. It’s better to use up all my power and disappear.]

Ah.

Yeah, getting captured is a problem.

But then, wouldn’t just using up your power be enough?

[It’s a world that’s already been destroyed, isn’t it? Aren’t you curious? If I destroy it, will time simply rewind without any impact? Or will a different outcome emerge?]

Hearing the Dragon God Drakia say that did make me curious.

Still, planetary destruction felt a bit extreme.

[In any case, I have made up my mind. I came to inform you, that’s all. You can watch the results safely from Earth.]

With that, Drakia's voice cut off.

This guy is pretty intense…

Well, I can’t deny that I’m curious about the outcome, too.

“Mr. Kim Jiho?”

Aria called out to me as I sat there, lost in thought.

Her words snapped me back to reality.

“If I still can’t enter after three days, where do I level up? Am I stuck here?”

“If it’s still inaccessible after three days, we will give you the opportunity to choose another broken world. I sincerely apologize.”

“Hah. If I miss three days, that’s a lost chance for leveling up. That’s disappointing.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

Hearing my response, Aria lowered her head apologetically again.

“I will contact you as soon as the broken world reopens.”

“Alright. Got it.”

I went home and waited for the results.

So, a three-day break…

I stopped by a nearby convenience store, grabbed a few cans of beer, and returned home.

After cracking open a beer, I opened the Apostle’s Garden.

Did she absorb the Dragon Heart yet?

I’m curious about the efficiency.

Drakina looked absolutely radiant.

She had been dissatisfied before, but now that she had eaten the Dragon Heart, her face was glowing?

This feels like some kind of training simulation game.

I checked her status window.

[Name - Drakina]

Class - Red Dragon (Humanoid Form)

Guardian Deity- Kim Jiho

Titles -

Level - 87

Physique - A

Magic - S

Martial Arts - C

Luck - E

Retrievable SP - 281

Drakina had jumped 20 levels just from consuming a piece of the Dragon Heart.

And her magic stat is at S?

Even after eating five pieces, mine only reached A…

Just because she ate a heart from her own kind, the efficiency is this good?

What a brutal species!

Now I understand why she looks so pleased.

I closed the status window, feeling envious, and turned on the TV.

There wasn’t anything interesting, so I flipped through the channels until I came across something called the Hunter Channel.

It was a casual discussion program where hunter-specialist journalists gathered and chatted.

Two men and two women sat together, deep in conversation.

[People who transition into special classes are said to be incredibly strong, right?]

[Yes. Hunter experts analyze that they can overpower regular classes by a margin of at least ten levels.]

[That’s why former C-rankers feel so deprived. But! There was a big announcement from Valkyrie Captain Aria a few days ago.]

[You mean Aria, who leads all Valkyries on Earth? She’s already a hot topic because of her beauty.]

As they spoke, an image of Aria appeared on screen—yes, the same Aria who had bowed and apologized to me earlier.

Wait, she’s in charge of all Valkyries on Earth?

That would put her at about the same level as Liana in my previous world.

[Yes. She announced that once a hunter reaches B-rank, they can choose another class!]

[Oh wow, really?]

[Yes! She also advised everyone to distribute their stats evenly in preparation. That way, they might unlock a hidden class.]

[A hidden class? You mean like the giant-type class that’s dominating right now?]

[There are supposedly even greater classes beyond that. I’m really curious to see who will be the first to reach B-class!]

Distributing stats evenly… so they’re trying to create soul-type Awakeners?

But thinking about it, the neutral faction can only choose Soul Reaper.

Soul Mediator belongs to the Order faction, so they can’t create one.

Well, I guess they have their own plans.

Ring ring.

The name on my phone screen was Lee Jinseong.

Ever since the world changed and everyone forgot about me, this guy was the only one who kept calling me.

[Hey. What are you up to?]

“Watching TV.”

[Are you off tomorrow? Want to grab a drink in the evening?]

"Okay."

[I'll pay tomorrow.]

"Huh? We're not eating at home?"

[You moved to G Apartment in Seongsu-dong, right? How could you even think of moving to a place where a B-grade dungeon appeared? Just move somewhere else already.]

When I was doing dungeon labor, he called me once, and we talked about it.

He really scolded me back then.

Then, he came over once to check out my place but insisted we meet outside.

This guy… such a scaredy-cat.

"I have my reasons. You should invest in an apartment too."

[No thanks. That apartment’s price dropped to a tenth of its value and still isn’t selling. Let’s just have some barbecue. Come to Gangnam Station.]

"Okay."

Gangnam Station.

It was always packed with people, but after the Hunter Association set up its headquarters in Yeoksam Station, it became even worse.

Since a lot of people from the association came here for after-work gatherings, there were tons of hunters, and even more people who came just to see them.

And, of course, plenty of regular people, too.

When I arrived at Exit 11, I saw Lee Jinseong standing tall right in front of it.

With his massive build, he was easy to spot.

"Long time no see."

"Yeah. I booked a barbecue place. Let’s go."

He gave a small wave and turned around, walking ahead.

I followed him up a hill for about five minutes until we arrived at a high-end Korean beef restaurant.

"Want to get a private room?"

"Just the two of us? Are you crazy?"

"Heh, it’s been so long since I ate with just one other guy that I blurted it out automatically."

"What, do you have a girlfriend now?"

"Nah, no way. Let’s just sit and talk."

Lee Jinseong ordered two sets of premium beef and some soju.

The staff offered to grill the meat for us, but he insisted on doing it himself.

"Let’s drink."

Man, it feels great to be out eating barbecue after so long.

We started drinking, chatting as usual, and downing soju.

Jinseong was drinking faster than usual.

I kept up with his pace, and before I knew it, we were drinking more soju than eating meat.

In less than an hour, we had already emptied six bottles.

Jinseong’s face was flushed red.

If he weren’t a hunter, he’d probably be completely wasted by now.

"Heh, ever since I hit C-rank, I don’t get drunk as easily, but I’m finally starting to feel it now. You haven’t been picking up my calls lately. Have you been stuck in the Broken World all the time?"

"Yeah. I’m aiming for B-rank."

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

"Tch, you should live your life like me… Man, you never know when the world’s gonna end again. You should be having fun while you can."

Jinseong downed another shot.

"These days, Gangnam’s nightlife is booming. Hunters aren’t even thinking about the future anymore—they’re just blowing their money left and right. Back in the last world, I saved up like crazy, but now I regret it."

"Are you spending like crazy too?"

"Of course. I’m not tying myself down to one woman anymore. Just living freely and having fun. Ever since the last apocalypse, even women are going freestyle. The scene has completely changed."

He pulled up his phone and showed me his messages.

The screen was filled with profile pictures of beautiful women.

Damn.

This ugly, bald, musclehead is this popular?

No doubt he’s using his C-rank Hunter status to reel them in.

"Hey, what’s with that look? Just look at my body. These days, looks don’t matter—muscles are king. It’s the age of beasts, man."

"Sigh. Is this Sodom and Gomorrah?"

"Huh? What’s that?"

Jinseong tilted his head in confusion.

Oh, right.

Religion switched to Odinism after the apocalypse.

"It’s from Sex and the City."

"Huh? Did I mishear? Anyway, I’m telling you, these days, the nightlife is insane. Even on a Tuesday or Wednesday, all the rooms are booked."

Then he smirked and leaned closer.

"You’re a C-rank warrior too, right? Girls are crazy about Hunter warriors now. I have a meeting with some models tomorrow. Wanna come?"

Sigh.

This bastard…

Some of us are busting our asses leveling up to save humanity, and he’s just out here partying?

"Here, show me their photos."

"Figured you’d say that. I already have them ready."

He pulled up photos on his phone.

Three women in swimsuits.

In the past, I might’ve thought, Wow, they’re pretty, but…

After meeting Diana and Drakina…

They just looked like plastic surgery cases.

I wasn’t interested at all.

Damn.

My standards have gotten too high.

"I’ll pass."

"What? Kim Jiho, do you have a girlfriend? Or… did you get your memories back?"

Jinseong smirked.

Wait.

Was there some fabricated past I don’t know about?

"Memories? Why? Was there something in my past?"

"Oh, you know… that one time—"

"Team Leader Lee Jinseong."

"Ugh."

A sudden voice made Jinseong flinch.

I turned my head toward the source.

A sharp-looking woman with short hair, dressed in a suit, was glaring at him.

Wait.

I’ve seen her somewhere before.

"Our team’s performance this month has been disappointing… Oh, Kim Jiho?"

"You know me?"

The short-haired beauty looked at me in shock.

Who is she, and why is she surprised to see me?

As I remained confused, a group appeared behind her.

“…You really have lost your memory. Do you not recognize me either?”

The one speaking was Kang Shia.

She was still as beautiful as ever.

As she appeared, the surroundings grew noisy.

Since she was already a celebrity and occasionally made the news due to her ties with the Daehyun Guild, it seemed like some people recognized her.

Hmm… I’ll just pretend not to know her.

“Yes. I heard from Jinseong. He told me that I used to be your personal secretary. But I’ve lost my memory, so I’m focusing on leveling up.”

Kang Shia stared at me intently.

A few seconds passed as I quietly met her gaze.

She let out a deep sigh.

“Even your eyes are different. You’re not the same Secretary Kim Jiho from back then.”

“You couldn’t even meet Miss Kang’s eyes before…”

The bob-haired beauty behind her looked astonished.

Oh, I remember this woman now.

She was Kang Shia’s friend, the one she made that bet with.

But what do they mean, I couldn’t even meet her eyes?

What kind of person was I in their memories?

Kang Shia’s dark expression lightened, and she smiled at me.

“Kim Jiho, you were incredibly skilled when you worked with our team. Even if you’ve lost your memories, that ability won’t have disappeared. If you’re not affiliated with any group right now, would you like to work with us again? I can promise you the best treatment in the country.”

She wants me to be a secretary again?

Oh, dear.

You were actually my secretary.

Who messed with everyone’s memories like this?

They should have just erased them, not played around.

I should turn her down nicely.

“Thank you for the offer, but I have things I need to take care of. If I ever decide to join a guild, I’ll make sure to apply to the Daehyun Guild.”

“…I see. Alright, I’ll look forward to that day.”

With a regretful expression, Kang Shia stepped back.

Her friend kept glancing at me, mouthing, “Hey. Why? Are you crazy?” and giving her sharp looks.

Why is she talking so casually like we’re close?

I just shrugged, and Kang Shia and her friend left the pub, looking somewhat dejected.

“Ah… Jiho. Stay here and have some more meat. I’ll step out for a moment.”

With that, Lee Jinseong followed after them.

Is it because she’s his boss?

I guess you can’t escape the gears of an organization.

About ten minutes later, Jinseong returned and downed a drink the moment he sat down.

“Damn. No wonder she seemed a bit down overall… Looks like the contract negotiations aren’t going well.”

“What contract?”

“The B-rank weapon rental contract.”

B-rank weapon rental?

I flinched involuntarily.

Kang Shia was in charge of weapon rentals, but now things seemed off for her.

Hmm…

“You wouldn’t know since you’re always hanging around in the Broken World, but for a month at a time, Valkyries lease out B-rank weapons. The rental process is apparently quite strict. Our guild’s standing has dropped a bit too…”

Jinseong sighed, explaining how many high-level members had left the guild, making the atmosphere tense.

If even the weapon rentals fall through, things could get messy.

“…Damn. Let’s have another drink.”

“Shut up and go to bed.”

After drinking through the second and third rounds at Gangnam Station, I barely managed to shove the completely drunk guy into a taxi.

Weapon rentals, huh…

Should I help out a little?

I practically got that greatsword for free before, so I might as well repay the favor.

On the third day, I got a call from Aria.

[Mr. Kim Jiho. I sincerely apologize, but the Kalvine Planet entry restriction will be extended further.]

Is the Dragon God still rampaging?

Three days here would mean about a month has passed on that planet, but it looks like things still aren’t resolved.

The progress rate of the Dragon God’s awakening remained stuck at 7%.

It had been at 7% since yesterday.

“Does this mean I get a chance to choose another world?”

[Yes. I’m very sorry…]

“Hm… Alright. By the way, about weapon rentals.”

[Weapon rentals?]

“Yes. I’d like to allocate an appropriate amount to the Daehyun Guild. But don’t overdo it.”

If we give too much, it’ll attract unwanted attention.

It’s best to just ease their difficulties slightly.

[The Daehyun Guild? Understood. I’ll make sure to include a reasonable bonus as per your intent.]

This much support should be enough as severance pay for my time as Kang Shia’s “secretary.”

[Now that that’s handled, didn’t you say leveling up was your top priority?]

“Yes.”

[Then how about heading to Eshtar?]

“Eshtar?”

That beginner-friendly planet?

[Yes. It’s on the verge of resetting. Right now is the perfect time for leveling up.]

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]