Chapter 174: Christmas
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 174: Christmas
9
Afterward, we successfully rescued Vegas.
Fortunately, he was still breathing when we reached him, though just barely.
Once again, Ahyu’s signature Rejuvenation Pills worked their magic.
Is there anything Ahyu’s pills can’t do?
As I was thinking this, Ahyu poked me sharply in the side.
“I worked so hard to make those for you, Domi. Why do you keep giving them to other people?”
“I can’t just stand by and watch someone die right in front of me.”
“Oh, my dear Domi, what am I going to do with you? You’re so kind. From a girlfriend’s perspective, I’d rather you were only kind to me.”
Ahyu complained, clinging tightly to my arm.
“I’m always indebted to you, Ahyu. Thank you.”
I owed her a great deal, and she had saved more than a few lives with those pills. Her contribution was immense.
My praise seemed to mollify her slightly, as she huffed and turned her head away.
“Fine. I guess this is good for the child’s education, too.”
I froze for a moment at her words.
Come to think of it, I had… done things with Ahyu.
Since Seol-hyang hadn’t said anything, it seemed we’d missed the timing with her. But with Ahyu, I had no idea what would happen.
Whatever else, I need to keep this in mind.
The new year was just around the corner.
At the very least, I shouldn’t be a terrible person in anyone’s eyes.
While I was lost in thought, Vegas, having finally recovered enough to stand, approached us and bowed his head.
“Thank you. I never thought I’d be indebted to returnees.”
As an S-rank hunter from Alterz, he often clashed with returnees, so he gave a wry laugh at the irony of the situation.
Judging by the wrinkles etched around his eyes and his overall demeanor, he didn't seem like a bad person, contrary to what I’d heard.
I don’t know his circumstances, though.
Everyone has their own story.
“And I’m especially grateful to you.”
Vegas then turned and bowed deeply to Heuksan.
Heuksan flinched for a second before whipping her head to the side.
“...Whatever.”
I watched her with a warm smile.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s creepy.”
Of course, Baeksan, who was standing beside me, didn’t seem to appreciate my expression.
But from my perspective, it felt like I was watching my own daughter grow, so I couldn’t help but smile like that.
With the floor’s master defeated, we were able to walk out of the Tower without any trouble.
A new gate had appeared where the master had vanished, creating one path leading directly to the first floor and another leading up.
Looking at the two paths, I glanced for a moment at the one leading upward.
What would happen when someone eventually surpassed the 100th floor?
Did Baeksan know?
I wasn’t sure, but I knew now wasn’t the time. I turned and headed for the stairs leading down to the first floor.
By the time we stepped outside, the sun was already setting.
Even for us, climbing the Tower of Revelation had taken over a day.
But there was one thing we hadn't anticipated.
The Tower of Revelation is a place the entire world keeps a constant watch on.
It’s visible from anywhere on Earth, yet almost nothing is known about it. It’s not only the world’s greatest mystery but also undeniably linked to dimensions, so every nation is extremely sensitive about anything related to it.
And among all related matters, the clearing of a floor was the most sensitive of all.
Each time a floor is cleared, another light appears on the Tower of Revelation.
No one knows what the lights mean, but they are constantly being monitored from all over the globe.
So, when we cleared the 23rd floor, the appearance of a new light was observed worldwide.
The world was suddenly turned upside down.
The 23rd floor had been cleared without any declaration from anyone.
Breaking news alerts flooded every channel, and countries around the world scrambled to find out who was responsible.
People were calling it a Christmas miracle, and reporters from every corner of the globe flocked to the Tower of Revelation, as each country had a location where it manifested.
Naturally, we had completely forgotten about this.
With so many powerful returnees in our group, the lower floors of the Tower hadn't seemed particularly dangerous, and we had lost sight of just how significant such an achievement was.
Which is why, the moment we stepped outside, we were met with a barrage of camera flashes.
Or not.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
I was met by Jin So-yeop, who was waiting at the entrance.
She smiled at me, a cup of coffee in her hand and a weary look on her face. I immediately understood the situation.
The Hunter Management Bureau had stepped in and completely blocked the press from approaching the Tower.
“I figured as much.”
Seol-hyang spoke as if she had known all along.
Well, given her personality, she would have dealt with any potential problems like this long ago.
“We’ve taken care of all the reporters.”
I explained the situation to Jin So-yeop, the agent from the Hunter Management Bureau who was often in charge of my affairs.
Now that she was here, I felt she deserved to know what was going on.
After mulling over my explanation, Jin So-yeop nodded in understanding.
“In that case, how about we use this situation to our advantage?”
The word “advantage” made me tilt my head.
“How so?”
“Reporters and other countries will keep digging for information. So, what if we take the initiative and officially announce the existence of an SS-rank hunter?”
“Hmm.”
Hearing this, Seol-hyang stepped forward.
“You’re aiming to secure the prestige of clearing the Tower for Korea, while also establishing a relationship between the SS-rank hunter and the returnees who participated in the raid, thereby easing tensions between the two groups, correct?”
“Ah, yes, that’s right. But, if you don’t mind me asking, are you a returnee?”
Jin So-yeop asked, slightly flustered that Seol-hyang had seen through the Bureau’s entire plan.
Since Seol-hyang had never made a public appearance as the Association’s chairperson, even an agent like Jin So-yeop wouldn’t know who she was.
“Yes, well, let’s just say I’m someone who can voice an opinion at the World Returnee Association.”
She’s not just someone who can voice an opinion, she IS the opinion, I thought.
“The idea is good. There are benefits. But the most important thing is your opinion, Ha-chan. If we proceed this way, your exposure will inevitably increase.”
Even in this situation, Seol-hyang prioritized my feelings.
Jin So-yeop also waited for my response, so I turned to Seol-hyang and asked.
“If we do this, will it really help lessen the rift between hunters and returnees?”
“Just showing that our interests can align is a chance to prove we aren’t enemies. An image of the top hunter joining hands with the World Returnee Association is bound to have an impact.”
“Then let’s do it.”
The world is changing fast.
With major incidents happening almost daily, I know that hiding forever isn’t the answer.
The future Baeksan told me about was a world in ruins.
If I can do anything to prevent that, I’m willing to endure any hardship.
After all, my life can only continue if the world does.
“Ms. Jin So-yeop, please proceed with the announcement.”
“Yes, we’ll handle it carefully on our end to minimize any negative impact on you.”
Jin So-yeop bowed to me, looking relieved.
From her perspective, she must have been glad that the plan she’d likely prepared while I was in the Tower hadn’t gone to waste.
After that, Vegas was immediately transported to a hospital.
Alterz would surely take care of him.
Heuksan was also taken to the hospital.
She was surprisingly compliant this time, perhaps because Seol-hyang had repeatedly warned her that she wouldn't be let off so easily if she ran away again.
For some reason, she kept shooting me irritated looks as she left, but thanks to Baeksan, I was so used to it that I didn't think much of it.
If anything, it almost felt familiar.
In any case, the incident caused by Heuksan’s escape was resolved smoothly.
Of course, the appearance of a sentient dimensional entity remained a troubling problem.
“Baeksan, is our world going to be okay?”
“I don’t know. It’s too different from my timeline now. Everything is a variable. The timing of events has sped up, too.”
Baeksan stared at the Tower of Revelation with a grim expression before turning his gaze to me.
“But the flow of events isn’t bad. We’re even starting to see what your sister, Kang Ma-ri, is after.”
“We are?”
“Yes. We should see the results soon.”
He didn’t specify what kind of results, but that’s what he said.
I wondered where my sister was and what she was doing right now.
I know she’s alive and safe, so I’m not as desperate as before.
But I couldn’t help but worry.
I just wish she’d at least show her face.
It seemed my sister had no intention of doing that yet.
“It’s Christmas and we didn’t even get to go on a date. Domi, what am I going to do? I’m so disappointed.”
Just then, as we were heading home, Ahyu sidled up and linked her arm with mine.
She was right. We had spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day inside the Tower of Revelation.
We’d been up for nearly a full day climbing the tower, so it hadn’t really sunk in.
“What’s there to be disappointed about? You were with Ha-chan right before we went into the Tower.”
In the next moment, Seol-hyang linked her arm with my other one, pressing close.
Her ample chest more than covered my entire arm.
“Hmph, says you. Go back to your work at the Returnee Association. You think I don’t know how much work you have piled up after being in the Tower?”
“And you should get to work yourself, shouldn’t you? Don’t think the Returnee Association will support you forever.”
I sighed, looking at the two women attached to my sides.
Even after running around for a full day, they didn’t seem tired at all. True returnees, every one of them.
Then I realized I hadn’t checked my phone since we got out.
The situation had been so urgent that I’d left without telling anyone.
Since phones didn’t work inside the Tower, I finally turned it on, only to freeze.
[Manager. Idiot.]
Si-ho was mad.