Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Raies Fleur
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"I passed on your message properly, right?"
"Yes. Of course."
The lobby looked just like one from the modern world.
And behind the reception desk stood a neatly dressed woman dealing with him. She was sweating bullets at the sight of Shin Jinpae.
Her tone was calm, but inside, she was roasting on the flames of anxiety.
"...Really, properly?"
"...Y-yes."
Her anxious voice proved that things hadn't been handled right.
'Damn it.'
Shin Jinpae sighed inwardly.
Bringing him in gentlemanly and politely was meant literally.
He had zero interest in picking a fight with Seven Dre like some idiot.
'That kind of stupid crap was more than enough that one time.'
The woman in front of him had a reputation for excellence, and Shin Jinpae had thought the same.
But who knew she'd be the type to just follow the manual without any flexibility...
'The chairman's not making any moves either... Damn it. Seven Dre. That Seven Dre? What the hell is he thinking? He should pull him to our side right now and erase any bad blood.'
Shin Jinpae scratched his head irritably.
He was usually the picture of refinement, always striving to stay calm and kind, so his unexpected roughness made the female employee's cold sweat flow endlessly.
"Contacting the Gold Sun Clan? Fine, say that's already done and can't be helped."
"Yes."
"So make sure to relay my opinion crystal clear, with no room for misunderstanding. Those damn fools chase goals beyond their league or follow their own whims, so you need to hammer my intent home clearly, properly, relentlessly."
"I-I understand perfectly."
Her repeated emphasis made the employee want to cry.
"Yes. Please do. If they twist my words into 'just behave in front of me~' or some bullshit, I really won't be able to hold back."
"Yes, got it!"
The usually cool and professional employee now looked like she might actually tear up.
Right then.
"That's enough, don't you think?"
"......"
A man in a suit approached from afar, grinning sleazily.
"...Enough?"
"Ah, my apologies, Senior. I was too curt."
His apologetic face showed no regret whatsoever.
Shin Jinpae felt a surge of anger but exhaled to suppress it.
"Hoo. Whatever. So what is it, Nakamura?"
"No, just... isn't this a bit much?"
The two men stared at each other for a moment.
Shin Jinpae cracked a smile first.
"Too much? When turning the hottest potato into an enemy for both our users and the Elryunar natives? No user—not even that monster Strong Sword Il, or the top three rankers called Beyond Heaven—could beat Almiras, but this guy crushed him in their first encounter?"
"I get that Seven Dre's impressive, but don't you know our analysis team's thorough review?"
Thorough review results.
Otherworlder Killer. Almiras.
He'd easily beaten a group of a hundred average users including one ranker murderer, and even overwhelmed Continent Sword Strong Sword Il... A top-tier user whose rumors had simply fallen short.
And Seven Dre had beaten that Almiras.
But there was a reason for it.
"Yes, Almiras is amazing. But you know, right? He can only beat rankers thanks to that cheat skill, Privilege Seal."
"So?"
"So, Seven Dre isn't the type who relies on privileges. He's like Reina or Makia Pristan—a 'talent privilege' type. He isn't heavily bound by privilege seals, so he beat the Otherworlder Killer who has no specialties outside skill seals or martial arts. But against other rankers, his loss probability skyrockets."
Shin Jinpae blinked, then sighed.
"...Ha."
Not even worth praying for.
This annoying junior, always bucking him and eyeing chances to climb over, could spout this nonsense because he didn't know Seven Dre.
'I want to spell out his past that only the chairman and I know.'
No point; he'd just laugh it off as a lie.
Shin Jinpae decided to explain in terms even this idiot junior could grasp.
"How long do you think it's been since that guy arrived here in Elryunar?"
"Hmm, less than ten years maybe?"
*We arrived around three years ago, and he thinks ten?* Shin Jinpae sneered inwardly, but Nakamura didn't know his connection to Seven Dre.
Suppressing his scoff, Shin Jinpae replied.
"My guess? Barely half a year. Probably less. That's why no one knew about a powerhouse like him until now."
"Hm? So you're saying he just arrived recently, and users didn't notice? Like most people think, maybe he was hiding on purpose, building strength in secret?"
Shin Jinpae shook his head.
"Everyone's speculating wildly, but does that make sense? Normally, after warping to this world, Elryunar, you level up, do quests, and nearby otherworlders—users—find out automatically. Arriving without anyone knowing is impossible from the start."
*Seven Dre could probably manage it.* Swallowing that thought, Shin Jinpae continued.
"My take? Pure talent got him that strong in just months. Even rankers with 'something beyond the system' didn't grow that fast. Probably a special prospect of the gods?"
"...Isn't that overhyping him a bit?"
"Feels like underrating, honestly. That's how terrifying his growth speed is. Remember: Privilege Seal or not, Otherworlder Killer is horrifyingly strong, and he beat Almiras."
Scared of Almiras because of Privilege Seal?
Then what about the murderers, including Veil, taken down before it was even used?
"As you admit, Seven Dre's not just top users anymore—he's ranker level. See what happens if he grows a bit more?"
Despite Shin Jinpae's fervor, Nakamura looked bored.
*'Agh, you idiot bastard.'*
Nakamura was top-tier user.
Same grade as Shin Jinpae, but worlds apart from Shin Jinpae, already half-ranker treated.
Thus, he didn't grasp true ranker strength.
Shin Jinpae agreed matchups uniquely favored Seven Dre vs. Almiras for parity, but undeniable: Seven Dre reached ranker—those monsters—level in short time.
Sensing the belittling gaze, Nakamura bristled and sneered.
"Whoa. The monster rookie everyone's scared of is scared himself? The famed next ranker showing this side... Kinda disappointing."
*'This punk...'*
Should he snap at this fool ignoring the deep warning to stay away from Seven Dre and just mock instead?
*'Back then, I'd have beaten him senseless already.'*
But he'd changed.
No more of that crap.
'Goodwill for goodwill, malice for malice. That's natural, right?'
The unforgettable words resurfaced, making him shiver.
Position and strength changed or not, no more old habits.
Unless this arrogant junior committed a huge blunder.
Shin Jinpae sincerely hoped not.
"Listen well. Seven Dre isn't just our clan's—'headquarters'—concern. All rankers are watching. Especially Poise Reina, obsessed with her quests, and even aloof Makia are moving."
Nakamura flinched at the top 1-3 ranker names.
"Heard? Every clan already went to Sers to recruit him."
"But otherworlder bias got them entry denied, right?"
"Not the point. Not just users—even Elryunar's superpowers went to scout him."
Elryunar's strongest.
Loosely called that, but their power was immense.
Bluntly: Excluding top three rankers, no otherworlder matched them yet.
Outside those three, rivals might be Almiras or Strong Sword Il.
Exhibit A: Hero Kaiz, currently skyrocketing.
"They want to meet him too. But he met no one. Why?"
"...No reason?"
"Wrong. He's got something ahead of others—quest, item, whatever. Teaming up hinders him."
Nakamura pondered.
Yeah, rejecting ranker/superpower networking—prime opportunities—only makes sense if detrimental, like Shin Jinpae said.
But Nakamura didn't want to concede.
He shook his head.
"You're overh hyping."
"Hope I'm wrong. Anyway, Nakamura, don't act rashly."
His eyes were dead serious.
Nakamura, high up himself, read the room.
Don't push now.
He laughed it off.
"Hahaha. Do I look like that type?"
"You're usually perfect, but sometimes you seem prone to huge mistakes. Like old me."
"......"
Nakamura narrowed one eye silently, staring at Shin Jinpae.
"Gold Sun Clan. Under you, right? Technically under me too, but you're direct boss, so rein them in. If those blockheads listen."
Twitch.
Nakamura's brow furrowed unpleasantly.
*'Good. Pride stung.'*
Perfect for Nakamura.
Mocked if he could control them? He'd prove it spectacularly.
"...Understood. I'll keep your words in mind, Senior."
"Good. Fine. Hoo..."
Calming with a breath, Shin Jinpae neatly retied his hair and eyed the desk lady.
"Ms. Ring. When can I meet the chairman?"
"Checking right now."
Ring frantically contacted to make up for her mistake.
Soon, beaming, she said.
"Director."
"Yes?"
"Chairman says he'll contact via personal communicator."
"Ah, got it."
Shin Jinpae felt major relief.
*That person has countermeasures for Seven Dre too.*
And Nakamura, calm outside, burned inside.
*'Personal contact with chairman...?'*
What relation did Director Shin Jinpae have with him?
'Headquarters' overarching 'franchises', entering rankers in years—albeit bottom—'chairman'.
Fitting 'natural ruler', how'd he know Shin Jinpae?
Chairman clearly favored him specially, irking Nakamura.
Past ties or not, current strength whatever—he could do better than Shin Jinpae.
*'Fine. Gold Sun Clan won't cut it.'*
The true heavyweight overseeing them.
His connection: 'ally', recalling Succubus royal, King of Pleasure... or Demon King.
Nakamura grinned.
Like an idiot.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
It hurts like hell.
The heart really is the worst.
Pain searing my chest hits the moment I open my eyes, overwhelming my body.
Well, getting used to it, kinda tolerable now.
What time is it?
Groaning, I sit up and check my wristwatch... 6 AM.
No wonder the sky's blue.
Up early.
Hanging with Raies these days must've rubbed off her diligence.
I scratch my head, then glance at the presence I'd felt beside me since waking.
Repelt stood fidgeting anxiously.
She hesitated silently, then asked carefully.
"A-are... you okay?"
"Casual's fine."
Repelt almost rebelled instinctively but switched to polite. Cute.
"U-um...! I-it's work hours now."
...Cute.
I stared at Repelt anew.
Still great.
Knight-trained body, huge tits...
But Raies's body lingered strongly—thanks to days of intense indulgence?
Yeah, couldn't forget, so accepted an offer I should've refused.
Suppressing self-loathing, I got out of bed.
"Did I seem in a lot of pain yesterday?"
"Y-you scared me! Collapsed like fainting right as I arrived... Master was very worried."
"I'm fine. Won't happen again."
It'll hurt, but no collapsing.
Yesterday wasn't pain—mental exhaustion from dumb shit.
[Mentally exhausted? Then fuck that knight here.]
.....
Can't this guy just shut up?
[Why not? Her tits are superb. Morning exercise paizuri? You've never had one, kid.]
Fuck off.
[Sex is the best workout... y...]
Block. Block.
I cleared my throat fake-coughing, smiling at Repelt.
"Today's the royal audience, right?"
Thinking back, big event, yet I'd sprawled clueless on timing till day-of.
"Yes. Originally arrive palace by 11 for event, but delayed a bit."
"? Why?"
Because I was sick...?
"Pryunar Academy officially requested postponement."
"Huh? Why?"
"They said they invited Instructor and have much to discuss."
Ignored me over a week, now what?
Academy requests, royalty yields—school's clout hits hard.
"Probably finalized rewards, warnings, etc. But won't badmouth Floating Island hero Dre!"
I got uneasy.
Hart folks kept saying no issues, all reassuring.
Makes me think something's up.
"Got it. Let's go now. No need delay schedule. Head to Academy, wrap up, straight to palace."
"Yes!"
Forgetting yesterday, I energetically stripped.
Rustle rustle.
"......"
"......"
"Um, changing clothes here."
"Ah! S-sor...! M-my apologies!"
Thud!
Outwardly cool blonde beauty, but purity near mayal level.
Cute as hell.
Quick wash in restroom till objectively clean, threw on clothes, exited.
Waiting Repelt still red-faced, at attention.
"Today, I'm Dre's escort."
"Escort not nec—... No, thank you."
Almost refused, but thought of Gold and Repelt's sincerity, shut up.
"...Been a while together."
"Yes. It has."
"...D-Dre."
"Yeah?"
"I-if you're okay... after schedule today, got time...?"
"Okay!"
"W-wait, not done talking!"
Not done, so what.
Repelt's voluptuous body's always welcome.
Even non-sex, just together's fun.
Down stairs to main hall entrance.
Hart mansion castle-huge, exiting takes time.
Running indoors rude.
"?"
Downstairs, deja vu scene from before.
Photo recreated perfectly.
Maids and butlers lined, fidgeting.
Center: Blonde cool beauty like Repelt, but bitchy personality—Sharl.
"...Oh?"
Glared maids, noticed me, scowled displeased.
"Don't look down on me, peasant."
"Not peasant."
Unsure otherworlder rank, but not bottom.
Grumbling, descended stairs.
Repelt whispered apology only I hear.
"Sorry, Dre. Gold warned her multiple times, but sister's cute to him too, can't scold harshly."
"Hm."
Even closest Julius gets fair from impartial Gold.
Sister cute?
World says siblings born to kill each other, but obedient? Probably cute.
This rude one's good to Gold?
Paused briefly, finished stairs.
Sharl strode toward me—
Slap—!
"....."
"What...!"
Sudden slap, feisty.
Repelt eyes wide, about to speak—I stopped her hand.
Could've dodged easy.
Almiras's barrage death-each, this nothing.
Took it anyway—extension of yesterday's punishment.
Overlook some rudeness.
But why? Ask.
"What?"
"12 seconds. Looking down on me. Normally one per second, but brother's guest, so this much mercy."
This bitch...?
Way bitchier reason than imagined, stunned.
"Miss! He's not just master's guest—Pryunar Academy instructor! Don't mishandle!"
"Oh, that. Rumor half-instructor."
Half?
What now.
Not a student–instructor ambiguity.
Something I don't know.
"Miss. If Gold knows...!"
"Tch."
Wide-eyed Sharl approached Repelt...
Slap! Slap!
Round-trip slaps.
Stared bug-like at dazed Repelt, Sharl said.
"Servant daring defend guest, bite master. Knows no place."
"......"
"What? Upset?"
Repelt blank-faced, silent briefly, replied.
"No, but... Dre."
"Still? If not brother's guest and you snapping for duty to him, you'd be dead..."
"Hey."
"?"
Thwack!
Slap, but heavy thud.
Obvious non-warrior Sharl flew screaming-less, crumpled.
Moment silence. Chaos erupted.
"M-miss!"
"Stretcher!"
"Magic first...!"
"D-Dre! This...!"
Servants shut up mid-sentence to me.
All subtly relieved expressions.
Sharl started bitching first, human too—they hated her.
Aw shit.
Slapped cute missy, can't stay Harts now.
Leaving soon anyway—good?
Only worry Gold's reaction. But his personality? Might scold her instead.
"Repelt."
"Y-yes."
"Let's go."
"...Yes!"
Repelt bit anxious but glad, followed.
"Thanks for getting mad for me."
"No. Mad I got slapped."
Repelt's cute indeed.
At Pryunar Academy principal's office.
Expected scolding from instructors—nope.
But principal's opener troublesome.
"Fired."
"Pardon?"
"Dismissed from instructor position. You."
"......"
Huh, fuck?