Chapter 138: Isabella
Isabella Renoir.
The martial arts genius of the century, born in France 25 years ago.
Awakened at just ten years old. In the 15 years since, she shattered countless records.
The representative martial artist of the new third-generation Awakeners.
A noble appearance.
Matched by her equally groundbreaking skills. France wasn't enough—the whole world went wild for her.
Queen of the Awakener world.
Legendary martial arts prodigy.
The Awakener with the highest endorsement fees on the planet.
Sure, in Korea she got memed as “baguette martial artist” or “goat girl” and all sorts of other nicknames, but that was just petty jealousy toward an unreachable ideal.
Korea?
A weakling nation in the Awakener game.
A country where world-rankers like Isabella virtually never showed up.
And that was the reality.
The only glimpses Koreans had of Isabella were news clips, NewTube videos, or maybe her face on billboards.
But…
—Isabella's coming to Korea? This real?
—Her private jet's flight path says yeah lol. Lands at the airport in like 4 hours.
—No reason given?
—Oh, news dropped. Something went down at the Sky Auction.
—?
—Looks like Kim Minwoo snatched all her items lol. She's flying in pissed af.
—For real?
—Two special items, she bid up to 57 trillion and got outbid lol. Blockbuster went for 5k more.
—How'd they even know it's her with the mask?
—Only one Awakener with that kinda cash lol. Her moves when approaching Kim Minwoo were a dead giveaway.
—Carrying 57 trillion in cash?
—Queen of endorsements. Cosmetics and luxury brands pay her billions per deal. You know she's loaded? lol
—Yeah, her fanbase sells out anything she shills instantly lol.
—And this rich girl got outbid by 5k? Real?
—Dumped her pocket change trying to snag that stone tablet lol.
—Kim Minwoo had way more left too. Total humiliation lol.
—For real legendary. First half 40T + dice game second half 60T + stone tablet 57T. Burned 157T in one auction fml lol.
—(Note) 2% fee on top. That's like 160T total.
—(Horror) Auction admin said he still had tons left after that.
—Where the hell does that money even come from? Even Ilsung couldn't handle it.
—Trusted Abdullah bro lol.
—Neighboring prez chipped in too?
—Anyway, airport run?
—Already here? lol
—Yup, tent pitched and waiting lol.
—You simps. Y'all trash her nonstop, now this? lol
—World star ain't a joke? lol
Incheon Airport, where she was expected any minute, was already swarming with people.
Over half a million, easy.
And that wasn't even everyone yet. Folks just hearing the news late were en route.
Finally, her private jet touched down.
The moment she appeared from the plane, a massive roar shook the surroundings.
Isabella scanned the crowd with a blank expression.
Broadcast crews, smelling a scoop, swarmed for interviews.
“Isabella! What's the reason for your visit to Korea…?”
“Your schedule this time…?”
Tough bodyguards or not, reporters hurled questions relentlessly.
“Just a personal visit.”
She answered fluently in English and pushed through the crowd.
Her usual robotic, no-nonsense demeanor was on full display.
‘Damn.’
‘This won't do.’
First time in Korea ever. Miss this, and there might never be another shot at an interview.
‘Time to spice it up Korean-style.’
Some reporters' eyes sharpened.
“Isabella! Heard you failed to snag your items at the Sky Auction!”
“Is the 5,000 won difference really true?”
She stopped dead.
Her eyes narrowed sharply. The question had hit home.
“Rumor has it you pressured Kim Minwoo aggressively before the auction ended! Is this visit because you hold a grudge?”
“… No. Nothing like that. No such intention. Excuse me.”
* * *
Isabella.
A straight-shooter if there ever was one.
Most celebs would sightsee a bit, kill time when visiting another country.
But she? Straight to Korea, somehow digs up my phone number, calls at night, and shows up at the family home right away.
Ding-dong!
The intercom screen showed a familiar face.
“… My god, she's really here.”
“Whoa! It's Isabella!”
From Mom on down to Naye.
Eyes wide at the sudden star appearance.
Even Chairman Kim was fidgeting, staring at the screen.
Isabella.
How famous was she?
How sky-high her standards?
An Awakener who generated buzz bigger than her skills sometimes. Anything she endorsed sold out.
Not one of the world's top 100 companies hadn't tried courting her.
Ilsung was no exception.
They'd reached out through agencies every time. Got rejected 100 out of 100, but still.
Money?
Meant nothing to her.
She only picked companies as elite as her “world's best” rep.
Sadly, Ilsung fell short of that mark.
Same for Korea as a nation.
She'd spent her life bouncing between the US and France. This was her first step on East Asian soil.
I'd told the family she might drop by.
But seeing her at the door for real? Everyone was blinking in shock.
“She's got a temper.”
Racing over in a single day, who knew.
Combine the stone tablets, and it'd make one hell of an item.
What else would drag her here like this.
Chairman Kim asked, dazed.
“Did you call her, Minwoo?”
“Yeah. Got some business.”
“The 5k outbid at the auction real too?”
“Waste money just 'cause you got it? Gotta save every penny. I'll bring her in.”
“W-Wait!”
“…?”
“Since she's here, ask her for some autographs too. Got it?”
“You a fan?”
“N-No, ahem. It's for Naye. She loves her.”
“Yeah! I want an autograph too!”
Naye looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
Scene really drove home Isabella's fame.
First time on Korean soil, and they're already begging for signatures.
Fine, whatever.
No big deal, so I nodded.
Stepped out to the front door and opened it.
“What brings you here so late at night?”
“Stone tablet. Let's talk.”
“Sure. Do some fan service first.”
“…?”
“My family's fans. Easy, right?”
Nod.
Led her inside as she nodded.
Choi Yuna had even snuck up from the basement.
Family's eyes lit up at Isabella. Chairman Kim especially.
“That's my dad, Mom next to him. Down there's my little sis. And the tenant alchemist.”
“…?”
She tilted her head at the intro, but only briefly.
“I-I'm Chairman Kim of Ilsung. Longtime fan.”
“Oh. I see.”
“Yes. Especially your performance at that Marigo Gate incident. Truly impressive. If it's not too much trouble, a handshake…?”
“Sure.”
Isabella extended her hand casually. Chairman Kim grabbed it, grinning ear to ear.
“Ahem! Thank you. And an autograph too…”
“Oh! Me too! Me too! Sis, shake my hand!”
“Alright.”
She bent down, offering her hand to Naye.
Naye seized both hands and clung to her arm.
“Heehee, you're cold.”
“Awakened yet?”
“Nope?”
“You're strong.”
“Yeah! Naye's super strong! Teacher said I'm a pro wrestler! Sis, carry me!”
Naye's trademark killer charm.
Even Isabella couldn't resist.
She scooped Naye up and turned to Mom and the alchemist.
“You two need autographs?”
“Hoho, I'm good. This guy's obsessed with you. But you look just like on screen.”
“Uh… I'd be super grateful if you did…”
Choi Yuna slyly offered a alchemy tool. Isabella took a pen in one hand and signed it quick.
Chairman Kim got his golf club signed.
Naye's kindergarten bag too.
“Heehee, gotta brag to my friends!”
Family beaming.
Solid fan service done.
“Now, let's talk.”
“Y-Yeah! Make yourself at home, Isabella. Stay the night if it's late. Treat it like your house.”
Left Chairman Kim's pleading behind and headed upstairs to my room.
Isabella sat and stared straight at me.
“Stone tablet. What're you doing with it?”
“Bought it, so I'll use it well. Problem is, you got one, I got one… Wanna sell? I'll pay top dollar.”
“No. Not selling.”
Figured.
Knew she wouldn't.
If she wanted to sell, no way she'd rush over like this.
“Counteroffer. Sell it to me.”
“I got money too.”
She stared.
Then sighed.
“I got my first stone tablet from a hidden gate. Dangerous one.”
“So?”
“Combining two probably jacks up the difficulty big time. Could be life-threatening. Looks like we need to team up. Straight talk: I don't trust my back to someone unreliable.”
“Doubting my character? Or…”
“Skills.”
Her eyes went flat.
“Character? Irrelevant. Kill 'em if they suck. But no skills? Headache waiting to happen.”
“You saw me in action…”
“If that's all you got, problem.”
He nodded.
Fair enough from her.
Even her haters never questioned her skills.
Level?
Blasted past 1,000 ages ago.
Talent?
World-class.
Gear?
France's endless love wrapped her in ancient-grade stuff with high level caps.
Awakener with levels, talent, and gear maxed. That's why she's a world ranker.
Walking strategic weapon. Can't downplay her just 'cause her achievement skills are S-rank—she'd proven too much.
Arrogant? Justified.
Even I, Kim Minwoo, admitted it.
‘She's the real deal.’
Honestly, fight her now? I'd lose.
My bound skills, +9s.
Overpowered gear setup.
Plus talent: monster dubbed best in martial world.
To take down a beast this level, I needed time to grow.
But not so far apart we couldn't party up.
“You're missing something.”
“…?”
“Verification ain't one-way.”
“Is that so?”
“Yup. Who knows if your skills got fluff? World might wonder.”
“Mutual check needed then.”
“Nothing beats a spar.”
“Agreed.”
“Handy training ground out front. Sturdy one.”
“Saw it. Nice setup.”
No more words needed.
We both stood at once.