Moment of the Stars (3)
"Damn it, fine. Anyway, since all the evidence of our affiliates infiltrating the dungeon and launching attacks remains, we'll pay the compensation!"
The meeting was fierce, but it didn't drag on for long. The identities of the assassins, who had been thoroughly crushed by Reina in retaliation, were conclusively proven, and the evidence was so blatant that the forces they belonged to couldn't deny it.
"Good. Then, with agreement on the final agenda, let's wrap up the meeting."
"Including the Emerald Constellation and the White Lotus Society, the five forces will transfer the compensation to Over Moon within a month, along with the rights to the resource dungeons on floors 115 and 134, as agreed."
Moreover, the other old forces that might have shielded them in different circumstances stayed silent this time—or even subtly pressured them to agree quickly—so their surrender was inevitable and accelerated.
The representatives of the five forces, suddenly saddled with responsibility for the incident and hefty compensation, wore stiff expressions. But everyone else acted relieved to have weathered the crisis.
Phew. Still, this is getting off cheap, all things considered?
Dyke, the old forces' representative and leader of the Rakno Mercenary Corps who had hosted and attended the meeting himself, secretly wiped away cold sweat at the outcome. In the end, his group lost nothing, and he'd roughly blocked Over Moon from fully aligning with the new forces. He'd gotten what he wanted.
That damn... stubborn woman. Won't yield an inch.
But Dyke shot a glare at the petite woman in a sharp black suit, arms crossed with a haughty look on her face. It was Kim Ji-eun, representing Over Moon.
It looked like Over Moon had achieved their goals too. This was the same pattern every time such a gathering happened—Kim Ji-eun had charged ahead as Reina's relentless hunting dog, tearing into their enemies. She knew she held the advantage and pressured the five forces so ferociously that even Dyke, a third party, had to admire it.
The others, terrified by the sight, stepped in to mediate and floated a compromise—which the five forces couldn't outright refuse. Kim Ji-eun had clearly planned to start strong, knowing they'd cave to a middle ground.
"Time to break up. Everyone's busy, right? Especially with the 150th floor assault counting down."
Anyway, the incident wrapped up like that. For people like Dyke, that was the top priority.
"Is it over?"
"Doesn't look like the mood soured too bad?"
As people poured out of the Federation branch that had been designated as the meeting hall, plenty of others were camped out front. The rough outline of the incident had spread, but no official details had been released.
"Everyone, back off. They already said there's nothing more to say."
All the factions had agreed not to escalate things further, so despite the crowds' hopes, no detailed public info came out. Rumors trickled through word of mouth, though.
"Let's just go. Reina doesn't seem to be here anyway—don't want any misunderstandings."
"Yeah..."
Shadis's party was one of those groups. Unlike the others, they'd come on a faint hope. Shadis nodded at her comrade Wayne's words, urging them not to risk bad blood.
We'll meet again someday.
The unprecedented fiasco had shaken things up, but it wasn't enough to sever their connection with Reina. Keep climbing the tower, and inevitably, the moment would come when they'd reunite with Reina on her way down from above.
"Dark elf over there. Someone wants to see you."
"...Me?"
But then, someone shoved through the crowd and openly singled out Shadis. A total stranger, yet he seemed to already know who she was.
"Follow me. Too many eyes here."
He beckoned as if her compliance was a given. That's when Shadis spotted the vivid crescent moon engraved on the bracelet on his arm.
"Heard plenty about you. The challenger from the lower floors that Reina has her eye on, right?"
Mark, a guild member of Over Moon, led Shadis to the hotel where Reina was staying. With crowds suddenly swarming everywhere, the strictly controlled hotel felt deserted and quiet compared to the chaos outside.
"Need an introduction?"
"N-no. Kim Ji-eun. How could I not know you?"
The one who'd summoned Shadis for a look was Kim Ji-eun herself. Shadis swallowed dryly as Kim scanned her up and down from a chair at the table, leg crossed.
Black Moon Sorceress.
Shadis had good reason to tense up. She'd heard the rumors about Kim Ji-eun, just like those about Reina. If Reina was the quiet, ruthless warrior who rarely took the forefront, Kim Ji-eun was the fiery, aggressive vanguard who burned enemies without hesitation by her side. Reina might be more famous, but Kim had even more brutal tales swirling around her.
Of course, Shadis had learned from Reina herself not to judge by rumors—but somehow, Kim felt like the rumors were spot-on. Still, as a veteran, Shadis intuited the truth: Kim wore a mask so thick even Reina couldn't match it.
"One of the assassins targeted your group, but Reina caught it early and stopped it, yeah?"
"Yes. We owe her another debt."
"Tracking that one down won't be easy. Unlike the others, he left almost no trace."
Kim Ji-eun set down her steaming teacup, her heeled foot tapping idly. She didn't formally invite the rigidly standing Shadis to sit or pour her tea, but she shared some intel anyway—details only top-floor folks knew.
"Anyway, since Reina picked you lower-floor types as comrades, I've got no choice but to acknowledge you."
"Th-thank you."
Shadis's heart raced as she realized it meant official recognition as one of Reina's comrades. If this talk went well, it might not stop at a mere connection with Reina—maybe even formal entry into Over Moon.
No challenger was ignorant of the massive perks of joining a major guild. Especially if it was the one led by the Reina she admired. Someday, she could really fight alongside her up there—the moment from her dreams.
"And personally, I'm curious. Just what trick did you use to bewitch her?"
"What...? I never bewitched her."
"Kidding. It's just from my perspective. That woman's stubbornness—I poured years into cracking it and got nowhere."
Kim Ji-eun flashed a meaningful smile at Shadis, set her teacup down, and rose.
"Want me to show you something nice? You look worthy of seeing it."
She grinned, pulled out her phone, and showed Shadis a video.
What the...?
It was footage Kim had taken herself. Through a slightly ajar door, Reina was visible. Clothes strewn everywhere across the bed and sofa, her face etched in serious contemplation. So absorbed, she hadn't noticed Kim Ji-eun approaching—something she'd normally spot instantly.
Those are the ones from back then.
Shadis's eyes widened in realization. The massive haul Reina had bought under pressure from the swarming staff when they were together. She even picked one up and sneakily held it against her body. The intent behind the actions and deliberation was crystal clear.
"Get it? I've been with her since the moment she entered the tower, and I've never seen her like that. The woman rotates dozens of identical baggy training suits and nothing else."
Kim whispered into Shadis's stunned ear. To her, Reina's behavior could only be chalked up to Shadis's influence—no matter how she sliced it.
"I-I just wanted Reina to be a little more comfortable."
"Same here. But every time I pushed, she'd brush it off—'this is comfier'—without even pretending to listen!"
Kim slammed the desk, shot to her feet, and casually slung an arm around Shadis's neck.
"You know it too, right? How Reina hides her own abilities and talents away. I've been trying to peel that back, show the world—but it's tough solo. With you, though... I think we could pull it off. What do you say?"
"...I'd love that, of course."
Kim's head was filled with nothing but worship and pride for Reina—she'd ally with anyone for this. And honestly, so would Shadis. Their views aligned perfectly.
Reina, blissfully unaware.
··· And the two women had no idea.
Countless users were cheering them on.