Chapter 192
Chapter 192
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: Bold Proposal
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The 「World Hunter Association」 is composed of an intelligence alliance of the nine major countries.
The United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Germany.
And South Korea.
This alliance system, formed by the world's hunter superpowers, is solidly maintained, with seamless sharing of classified information among them.
Of course, numerous other countries participate as well.
But they were merely participants, not full members of the alliance.
“Thanks to that, communication with alliance nations is smooth. Now, where was it...? Ah, here it is!”
“Hmm...?”
I raised an eyebrow as I sat in the VIP lounge, twirling my coffee cup.
Chairman Choi Tae-seung, seated across from me, handed over an elegant envelope.
“What’s this?”
“After you made your request, Ranker-nim, I dug through every classified file in the Association. But no matter how much I searched, there was no information on the ‘Ancient Magic Fragment.’ I was about halfway to giving up when... somehow, this came. Take a look. You’ll understand.”
What on earth could it be?
Click!
Untying the string on the envelope revealed a black card.
Written on it in golden cursive was 「Oxford」.
“...This is?”
“Yes, it’s from the Magic Tower.”
“The Magic Tower.”
The organization of the world’s strongest mages.
Ranked 4th in the world, led by the Sage of Oxford.
Where Sophia Silvers tone served as Tower Master.
“Hmm?”
Curious, I scratched my cheek and flipped the card over.
The message was simple.
- Information on ancient magic is a Level 1 secret of the Magic Tower.
- Don’t bother digging through the Association for nothing. Come to the Magic Tower.
- We’ll discuss the details there.
“I think it’s a sort of warning letter. Since I was poking into a secret the Magic Tower is sensitive about.”
“That could be.”
As I nodded, Choi Tae-seung looked apologetic.
“You’ve safely returned the Russian citizens and even wiped out the Russian mafia... You’ve achieved world-class feats, yet I’ve only managed this much. I’m truly sorry.”
“No, no. Haha.”
I smiled warmly.
Ancient magic = Magic Tower.
It was a bit obvious, but hey, information was information.
No need to take the long way around.
Just being able to head there with 100% certainty saved time.
“I had to visit there anyway.”
Suddenly, the Tower Master’s face came to mind.
- Joo Dong-hoon, right?
- Just go for now, but come visit the Magic Tower sometime later.
- Yeah. Since Delaila helped you, I might be able to help too?
Sophia, who had shown goodwill upon our first meeting and even invited me.
Had she foreseen this situation?
“Ah.”
Choi Tae-seung’s eyes widened.
“Come to think of it, you have a connection with the Tower Master, don’t you, Ranker-nim?”
My relationship with the Tower Master was already famous.
I’d publicly laid claim to her at the world ranker announcement ceremony, so it’d be weirder if it wasn’t.
Some speculated I was her secret lover.
Others claimed I was her experimental subject.
That would explain jumping from outside the top 1,000 to high ranker overnight, they said.
“...”
Judging by Choi Tae-seung’s expression.
Was he suspecting something too?
Nah, probably not...?
“Anyway, thank you.”
Rustle.
I slipped the card back into the envelope and stood up.
With my destination set, there was nothing more to say.
“Ah, so it’s settled now?”
Whoosh!
Choi Tae-seung stood up as well.
“Yes, time to get ready. Though compared to the request I made... what I got feels a bit lacking.”
I’d gone through hell in Russia.
And all I got was a single card from the Magic Tower.
It felt like the scales weren’t balancing.
“Ah.”
Choi Tae-seung smiled and clapped his hands.
“Don’t worry about that. I’m human too—do you think I’d wipe my mouth clean after this?”
“Right?”
I smiled back.
Yeah, that’s more like it.
“Contact the Association anytime you need help. I’ll assist until my body gives out. I couldn’t help much this time, but the World Association’s intel network is vast.”
It could’ve come off as upsetting.
But there wasn’t a hint of that.
What a remarkable person.
No wonder he held the position of leading the organization.
“Just hearing that makes me feel secure. Thank you, Chairman.”
Smiling, I escorted Choi Tae-seung down to the first floor of the workshop.
* * *
About 30 minutes later?
A message floated in the air.
[The Guide invites you to the ‘Chat Window.’]
[‘Chat Window’ name - Demir Workshop]
[Member count (5/50)]
‘Oh.’
A new chat window.
I’d mentioned it last time, and they’d finally made it?
Guild-exclusive, with capacity set generously to 50.
I shifted my gaze to accept the invite.
[Skeleton King has entered ‘Demir Workshop.’]
[Member count (6/50)]
The count ticked up by one.
[Kim Jin-ah: Whoa.]
[Kim Jin-ah: You’re here, Workshop Master?]
[Kim Jin-ah: Wow, anyway.]
[Kim Jin-ah: This is seriously amazing.]
[Kim Jin-ah: It writes whatever you think?]
As soon as I entered.
Our deputy workshop master was spamming excitedly.
[Guide: Hoon, this is what I mentioned last time. Capacity can be increased anytime, and if you want to add anyone new, just tell me.]
[Dark Emperor: ???]
[Thunderclap: What is this?]
[Absolute Invincibility: Heh, suddenly we have two chat windows.]
The chat members, including me, totaled six.
[Kim Jin-ah]
[Dark Emperor]
[Thunderclap]
[Absolute Invincibility]
[Guide]
[Skeleton King]
Like this.
Kim Jin-ah had no epithet, so it showed her real name.
‘Nice.’
The guild was newly established, but the executive lineup was already solid.
[Kim Jin-ah: I’ve hired some employees, but don’t invite them yet.]
[Kim Jin-ah: Only people we can trust 100% here.]
[Kim Jin-ah: Got it?]
[Guide: Understood, Deputy Workshop Master.]
Ho ho.
She’d invited me last, so it seemed Kim Jin-ah was handling control.
‘She really is impressive.’
A non-ranker controlling rankers?
Something past-me couldn’t have imagined.
[Kim Jin-ah: Oh, and Workshop Master?]
Kim Jin-ah called me.
[Skeleton King: Yes?]
[Kim Jin-ah: Come to the entrance of Murung Do-won right now.]
Murung Do-won entrance?
[Kim Jin-ah: Hurry, hurry!]
What?
Had the workshop’s decorum hit rock bottom?
Now she was bossing me around too?
* * *
Getting there was easy.
I could make portals anyway.
And I was already in the workshop.
“What’s goi—huh?”
Upon arrival, my jaw dropped.
The entrance looked completely different from usual.
The Murung Do-won entrance was on a high plateau.
The highest peak in the area.
Which naturally offered stunning vistas.
And yet.
A luxurious pavilion had been built atop the cliff, enhancing the scenery even more.
“What’s all this? When did you build this?”
“Hehe, killer, right? I asked Demir specially.”
Kim Jin-ah stretched toward the sky, hands clasped behind her head.
“Come here. Stand right here, and you get a full view of the city Demir’s building.”
It was true.
The open fields and vast expanse felt refreshing just to look at.
The bizarre rocks lining the cliffs on either side made you forget worldly cares.
I’d boldly declare.
Put this anywhere on Earth—could there be a natural view to match?
“This will be our workshop’s special VIP lounge from now on. Customers placing orders or visitors will be overwhelmed just by the sight. Sometimes, intimidated too.”
“...It’s impressive.”
This place was now.
My home.
A home and community I could access from anywhere, anytime.
Why was that?
The same old view, but standing here, my chest swelled even more.
“Oh, right. And Workshop Master.”
“Yes?”
“That Bong Jae-young guy. The thug ranker—how on earth did you win him over?”
“Hmm?”
Bong Jae-young?
I’d forgotten about him momentarily.
Something happen?
“He applied to join the workshop recently. Begging to be accepted.”
“Bong Jae-young?”
“Yeah, Iron Fist Bong Jae-young. He’s so infamous as a thug around here that I put it on hold, but he seems desperate. Already submitted papers three times.”
“...”
“Plus, take a look at this?”
She approached and held out her smartphone.
The screen showed articles Kim Jin-ah had compiled.
I clicked one.
[Newly promoted high ranker at #99, Iron Fist: “This isn’t my real strength. It’ll reflect properly at month-end.”]
Bong Jae-young was ranked 99th.
Originally 101st, but Andrei and Zima died.
Rankings update immediately upon deaths.
Month-end or year-end recalculates including ability.
So, he was 99th now.
But he’d drop after month-end recalc.
‘Obviously.’
He’d burned so much life force with his viciousness.
That power didn’t recover—it vanished permanently.
‘Probably.’
He’d fall somewhere between 500th and 800th.
That’s what I’d estimated.
Scroll!
I checked the other articles too.
[Iron Fist apologizes for past wrongs: “If I hurt anyone, it’s all my fault. I’ll become humble and reflective.”]
[Russia incident, Bong Jae-young: “Skeleton King is my lifesaver.”]
[Arrogant Iron Fist: “Skeleton King is a god. He’s the real deal.” Overwhelming praise.]
“...What’s this?”
My jaw dropped again.
What had this guy been up to behind my back?
“That’s what I want to know.”
Kim Jin-ah pouted at me, then sighed.
“Sigh. I knew from the start, but... how much are you hiding...?”
Ah.
She was still sulking about not telling her about Delaila’s trial?
“And separately, applications came from the Druid and Asura too.”
“Them?”
“Yeah, smitten by your kind nature or something...? So I’m planning to accept all three. That okay? Rankers in the guild are always a plus.”
“Well...”
I nodded.
“Personnel decisions are deputy authority anyway.”
As I’d said before.
I was hands-off on workshop management.
My sole goal: #1 rank.
That alone was a mountain of work.
“Whew, as expected of our Workshop Master. Cool and decisive—love it.”
As Kim Jin-ah flashed a thumbs-up and grinned.
Rustle! Thud thud.
Someone appeared at the entrance.
“Hey, Deputy. Why’d you call?”
“I’m here too.”
Phloa and Gi So-yul walking out together.
“Heh, this view slays every time, huh?”
“I got called too.”
Maxi and Kapu following behind.
All six chat members gathered.
Why all of a sudden?
What did Kim Jin-ah want?
As I looked at her puzzled.
Clap clap!
She boldly clapped twice.
“With the Workshop Master here, I wanted to share something after seeing all the executives’ faces.”
“Something to say?”
“Do you remember what I said when I joined the workshop, Workshop Master?”
“If it’s what you said that bold day you showed up demanding to join... of course I do.”
I shrugged.
What Kim Jin-ah had said back then.
- That Demir Workshop you’re trying to build up, Dong-hoon? Let’s grow it together! I’ll make it bigger than a company—no, a guild!
Her declaration, laced with ambition to turn the workshop into a major guild.
“Yes, exactly. My dream and goal. But I’m not aiming for just any large guild.”
Kim Jin-ah met our eyes.
Her voice brimmed with unconscious resolve.
“At the very least, like America’s Demon King Legion, Britain’s Oxford, or our Heavenly Demon Divine Church...”
Groups called near-national forces.
Earth’s strongest organizations.
“I want to create one on their level—or surpassing them.”
A group standing level with them, no—towering above.
“So, here’s the thing.”
She straightened her sleeve.
Come to think of it, she’d prepared.
Kim Jin-ah wore a crisp suit.
“With the aggro from the Russia expedition... how about we ditch the Demir name and launch as a new organization? Workshop Master?”
As always.
A bold proposal.