Chapter 51 - The Path of the Hero (3)
“Guild leader?! But you have an important council meeting at that time...”
“I just got a direct line. The meeting's canceled! And prepare to head to the 40th floor discreetly.”
The rumor that Reina would fight once in the 40th floor arena spread throughout the entire Tower the instant the negotiations concluded. After all, Lexion had planned this from the start as a publicity stunt.
Of course, they couldn't broadcast or stream it outright; it was an event only for those who showed up in person. No enjoying it from the comfort of your seat. Thanks to that, rankers in the top rankings and leaders of major factions began flocking to the 40th floor to witness it firsthand.
Like it or not, it was a pretty intriguing event—and in a Tower perpetually short on entertainment, who would pass up free thrills without any real risk?
“Moonlight Sword Radiance must be dead serious about this. In such a short time, she's already sparked several mass migrations.”
“...To rescue a dark elf they had pawned to Lexion, she stepped up herself.”
The news naturally reached Jeong Chan-su's ears too. He showed no particular reaction to Kim Dong-su's scoffing report.
Typical you.
He merely nodded lightly at the news that Reina had willingly negotiated with them to retrieve Shadis.
“Se-jin and Sylvia want to go watch... What about you, Guild Leader?”
Kim Dong-su probed cautiously, gauging his mood. It had drawn a lot of attention, but it was still just a minor event. Given his personality, Jeong Chan-su didn't seem the type to care. He never showed interest in anything unrelated to climbing the Tower.
“I'm going too.”
“...Pardon?”
But Kim Dong-su's expectations shattered. After a brief moment of thought, Jeong Chan-su declared he'd go himself.
···
And unbeknownst to Jeong Chan-su, that single decision sent ripples through the countless fandoms watching him. It was already common knowledge that he treated Reina slightly differently from others.
That's why there had always been steady attempts to ship Jeong Chan-su and Reina—only to face suppression as a daily routine in both her fan gallery and his. The vast majority viewed each other as rivals to surpass, and plenty disliked seeing either paired with anyone else.
But as someone pointed out, the issue was Jeong Chan-su's attitude and actions shifting lately. He paid Reina a bit more attention, gave her a few more glances—it looked to anyone like he was interested in her.
May you never lose that light. Someday, when I lose my way, you must shine by my side.
Even the fandom couldn't know Jeong Chan-su's true inner thoughts. The moment his regressor's knowledge reached its limit was the one he'd guarded against—and feared—since the beginning. He'd prepared countless contingencies for that day.
But the one he pinned his greatest hopes on was Reina. A being who generated her own light. Despite her epithet "Moonlight Sword Radiance"—moonlight that couldn't shine without the sun—Jeong Chan-su saw her as undeniably self-luminous.
“Sorry about this. Things escalated too fast; I had no choice.”
“...Even if you say that, it doesn't heal my wounded heart.”
While the unexpected event on the 40th floor stirred both upper and lower layers into a frenzy, Reina fidgeted before a pouting Kim Ji-eun, arms crossed and head turned away.
Kim Ji-eun was genuinely furious that Reina had acted alone with Marc without informing her.
“I didn't expect it to blow up like this. Thought it'd end with just paying some money.”
“That's exactly the problem with you, Reina. You always forget who you are and how amazing you are. A big fish like you swims right up—think those merchants would just let it slip away?!”
Kim Ji-eun scolded her with familiar exasperation. Whenever Reina overlooked her own influence, caused a mishap, and Kim Ji-eun stepped in to clean it up—it was routine between them by now.
“I thought it was a pretty reasonable deal, personally.”
“I agree, in hindsight. It just left a bad taste. Impressive, though—figuring out how to profit even with an angry Reina in front of them.”
Kim Ji-eun glanced down at the Lexion staff visible through the floor-to-ceiling glass on the first floor and snorted.
In truth, they'd staked a lot to propose the deal to Reina. If she were the type to disregard justice and order, who knows what might have happened. There were rankers who'd been expelled from the Federation for acting like tyrants.
“Merchants are cunning and sly. Never let your guard down.”
But they'd dared because they knew Reina, though ruthless, strictly upheld established order. As the de facto guild leader who'd dealt with plenty like them, Kim Ji-eun shook her head wearily.
Can't let my guard down. I know that.
Reina gave a wry smile, watching Kim Ji-eun's petite back. She'd already grasped their sly preparations via the fan gallery.
“Anyway, let's wrap this up as fast as possible. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.”
“Fine. But you did wrong by me, so you owe me one favor.”
As Reina tried to soothe her, Kim Ji-eun turned with a sly grin.
Did I just jinx it?
Reina broke into a cold sweat at Kim Ji-eun's ominous chuckle, refusing to say what the favor was.
“That Garvat punk, though—proposing something so rude. 'Noble clan ritual'? Total excuse.”
“I looked into it separately. He's shady, alright. Beyond enjoying combat, he gets off on humiliating and crushing the defeated.”
“You think a guy like that sticks to a pure duel? You've already said no equipment. But he won't be satisfied with that.”
While Reina was away, Kim Ji-eun—legs crossed in her chair—frowned at Marc's words.
To Kim Ji-eun, the closest aide and executor, Reina's heroic yet stubbornly civilian traits felt a bit rigid and frustrating at times. But that's precisely what she admired and followed.
Climbing the Tower so far, Kim Ji-eun had benefited most from that side of Reina.
I just need to support from behind. That's my role.
Scolding her was just because the usually unflappable Reina fidgeting cutely at her words was adorable—not real anger.
Instead, Kim Ji-eun would do anything to make Reina's wishes reality. She'd done so until now, with Over Moon Guild as the greatest proof.
“I'll contact Federation HQ and investigate ourselves. If there's any legal angle to crush them, we'll bite hard and not let go.”
“Understood. If Garvat's colluding with host Lexion, we can use that excuse to take them both down.”
Time was short, but options for retribution abounded. Regardless of Reina's will, her loyal hound Kim Ji-eun and her team were primed to tear into any who slandered their master.
“Alright... that's that for now.”
With Marc gone too, Kim Ji-eun slumped into her chair with a tired sigh.
What to ask for? With this, she'll grant pretty much anything.
She giggled to herself, lost in pleasant fantasies. She'd essentially scored a Reina free-use coupon.
Whether a solo date like last time or whatever, Reina would oblige.
Self-control. Push too hard, and it backfires.
She'd only recently added jeans to Reina's casual wardrobe. Her fantasies about Reina piled like mountains, but Kim Ji-eun miraculously reined in her desires with iron will.
···
She remained oblivious to the fact that no small number of people rejoiced or despaired over her thoughts and actions.
Contract Constellation Incarnation of the Endless Grimoire expresses favor.
“???”
She could at least show it outwardly. Buoyed by the fervent fandom's vibe, Kim Ji-eun's constellation sent a brief nod of approval: You're doing well—keep it up.
Kim Ji-eun just stared blankly at the sky, flustered by the sudden emotion dump.