Milo Holt's Bloody Sacrifice Plot

Milo Holt planned to offer up 43 out of the 53 people thrown into that gate as sacrifices to the monsters. Officially, Milo Holt is dead, and Paul Holt's whereabouts are unknown. Of course, I'm the only one who knows that Paul Holt isn't actually missing—he died by my hand.

'If word got out that I took him down, it'd just cause a headache.'

Back in the dungeon, when they asked what happened to Paul, I gave them a vague excuse. Something like, we ran into each other, things got violent, and he bolted first. They all bought it.

There was clearly a choice to be made. But Milo Holt chose to throw away the lives of his own guildmates.

With the leadership suddenly wiped out overnight, Sophie Clark was tapped as the interim head of Sword and Glory.

Sophie Clark? That's the woman who thanked me inside the dungeon.

What about the remaining 10 who weren't sacrificed?

The monster said their memories would be tampered with before they left the dungeon. Meaning, in the end, no one would know about his crimes.

After hearing that, you're saying Milo Holt chose to sacrifice his guildmates?

Yes. It was basically him admitting that the Holt brothers were behind the suicide bombing in Korea.

And today, two days after the hidden gate raid wrapped up, Sophie was giving interviews as the interim rep.

Right after escaping the gate, everyone was too shell-shocked to talk, so they turned down the press. For the record, I slipped out using Stealth.

My name popping up on TV out of nowhere made my body twitch. Sure, they'd mentioned me once at the start of the interview, but did she have to emphasize it again?

"Without him, we wouldn't have just avoided annihilation—we'd never have uncovered the truth behind the terrorist attack a few days ago either."

Who cares about duty or whatever—this is just drawing more attention to me. I don't want that. I've already schooled those psycho brothers and snagged the Hand of the Golden Giant Soldier as a bonus. That's enough for me.

"Haha."

At that moment, Uncle—who'd been chilling ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with me in the Association office watching TV—suddenly burst out laughing. What the hell? Normally, he'd be nagging me about blowing things up without consulting him first…

"I was wondering why you suddenly jetted off to London and asked me to set up a teleport array. So that's what it was for, huh? Haha."

Ah. So he wasn't laughing because he was happy—he was laughing in resignation.

…That's even scarier.

But the resignation didn't last. Veins started bulging on his barren scalp.

"Couldn't you have at least run it by me before stirring up all this mess?!"

"Y-you looked super busy with that emergency terrorism meeting…"

"No excuses! When have you ever cared about my schedule?!"

Hit right where it hurts, huh? No comeback for that.

Well, I did think about consulting him, but since Greed Photography footage can't be shared, I had no choice but to go rogue.

…Yeah. With all these incidents lately, even the few hairs he had left are on thin ice.

"Hey, Jae-min. Uncle's got one tiny favor to ask. Real small."

After 30 minutes of nagging, he said it with a weary face.

"I'll be out of Korea for the next two days, so please—just you—don't cause any major incidents. Stay put, okay?"

"…Out of Korea for two days? Sudden overseas trip?"

"Got a summons from guild masters worldwide. Some joint council in the US."

"What's the agenda…?"

"Probably the world ranking update."

"Yeah, it's about that time."

World rankings refresh every six months or so. Based on individual player power and achievements over that period.

"But why a full joint council just for rankings?"

"Rankings aren't just a simple list. They tie directly into national prestige…"

He took a sip of coffee, moistened his throat, and continued.

"When planning large joint raids, rankings determine entry order—it's the top priority."

…If that's the case, this ranking update is pretty crucial for me too.

'A big joint raid's coming up soon.'

The Full Moon Canyon gate in Japan. I need to stockpile as many purple cores as possible there.

So yeah, better to secure the earliest entry slot possible.

Damn, shoulda grinded gates harder for more achievements.

"…Uncle. Roughly where am I on the world rankings right now?"

"A guy awakened less than six months ago? You're not even ranked yet. We'll see after this update."

"…Yeah, true."

"But my gut says—"

He closed his eyes, pondered deeply, then spoke.

"Shortest time to S-rank, plus resolving the Guro-gu outbreak and setting a blue gate clear record… Probably…"

"Probably?"

"Top 50, I'd wager."

"Nah, that's too high. Choi Kwang-hyun's at 51."

"No, it's possible. I have a good nose for this."

…No wonder Mom's been quiet.

Anyway, top 50 would be ideal. That'd lock me into at least the second wave for joint ops, if not first.

Turned out to be a text from our Black Lion rep. What now? Even with flexible hours, this feels excessive—maybe he's pissed…

"…What?"

I widened my eyes at the message.

Two days later.

"……."

It doesn't show on the surface, but I can feel it right next to me.

Shiver, shiver, shiver—

Our rep Heo Dae-ri is trembling like a leaf.

…But I get why he's shaking.

The guy sitting across from us, beyond this lavish Korean feast—

"I've not had much Korean food, but sharing it with such esteemed guests makes it taste divine."

Dexter Miller, CEO of Wise Land, the major British financial powerhouse. And Wise Land used to sponsor Sword and Glory.

As Dexter Miller boomed with laughter, the female interpreter beside him translated.

"The recent unpleasant incident soured my mood, but now it feels like it's all washed away."

"H-ha… N-not at all…"

Rep Heo forced a mechanical smile, stiff lips twitching upward.

Why are we suddenly in this high-end Korean spot, one-on-one with a business titan?

Because…

"Meeting face-to-face like this only solidifies my intent to sponsor."

"Ah, ahaha…"

"Thinking back to supporting a guild led by that villain Milo Holt makes me shudder even now. The mistake of my lifetime."

His company cut all ties with Sword and Glory over the suicide bombing, and now wants to sponsor Black Lion instead.

…Total curveball.

Okay, fine—maybe heaven's smiling on us, and Dexter ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠genuinely wants to back Black Lion.

…But why drag me into this meeting?

I'm just a regular member. According to Rep Heo, though, Dexter specifically requested my presence.

…Why?

"And that gentleman over there… Mr. Hwang."

Dexter Miller eyed me with a smile crinkling his eyes.

"You're the one who showed me my mistake."

"……."

"Thanks to Mr. Hwang's efforts, the Holt brothers' ugly side came to light."

Yeah, hearing it like that doesn't feel bad… but kinda makes me wanna hurl.

…Overwhelming.

"Mr. Hwang's parents are the people I respect most. Ten years ago, their noble sacrifice kept Wise Land alive to this day."

"Mr. Hwang carries on their noble legacy magnificently."

"…Doing my best."

I replied with a faint smile. Yeah, I'm trying.

I'm really trying not to tarnish Mom and Dad's sacrifice.

But knowing someone recognizes that—acknowledges it—

Pure joy.

"That's why I want to support the Black Lion guild that Mr. Hwang belongs to."

I quietly scanned his emotions with Throw Eye.

No trace of greed or calculating profit motives.

'Even if there were, it wouldn't matter much.'

Businessmen prioritize company gains—it's natural.

Either way, his words weren't empty flattery.

A bit later.

Dexter and his interpreter excused themselves to the restroom, leaving just me and Rep Heo in the room.

"…I can't tell if this is a dream or reality. Wise Land sponsoring our guild? Unbelievable."

He mumbled dazedly at the table.

"As rep, it weighs heavy… but damn, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'm happy right now."

"……."

"Before meeting you, Jae-min, I never imagined a day like this…"

Since regressing, I've set a few goals. One was making this guy happy.

In the shitshow that was my first timeline, he was one of the few on my side.

Whenever I was down and self-loathing, he'd pat my back and urge me on.

That kindness was a huge comfort—I can't overstate it.

'Though it didn't end well.'

Back then, the guild rep Park—whoever—crossed the line with his abuse. This guy couldn't take it.

Paid a massive penalty to quit… then, crushed by poverty, ended it all.

Hearing his obituary out of nowhere…

I felt the same heartbreak as losing Mom and Dad. All over again.

"Seeing you happy, Rep Heo—"

But no more. Not this life. Not for me, not for him.

No need to bear that grief.

"—makes me happy too."

Hearing happiness from his lips means I've hit one goal.

On a day this auspicious, how could we skip drinks!

We immediately shared the good news ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with the guildmates.

Luckily(?), Dexter had to fly back to the UK for his schedule.

Letting us party freely—win-win.

Today, just get smashed—

"Back from the ranking update. Every time… whew. This is war disguised as a meeting."

—Nope, screwed.

Uncle slumped against his chair after the council, sighing like an old man.

Whether his number's above or below 50 decides my soju's fate later.

"Everyone clawing to bump their S-ranks up even one spot… Tsk."

"…You too, Uncle?"

"You think I'd go all that way to play? I tried."

…Tried? That nuance feels ominous…

"Anyway, scratch what I said before."

"What you said before…?"

"That my gut's good."

Ominous vibes intensifying.

Lower rank means later entry. Worst case, I'd be tailing the vanguard's cleared path.

'I need every purple core I can get—can't afford that.'

Vanguards hogging kills? Blatant rule break. Could spark disputes.

Morals aside, I ain't risking it.

"Official announcement's in three days, so technically shouldn't show you, but…"

Then, he shoved a document my way as I fidgeted.

"Think of it as a perk. Marked it up nice for you."

Top read "Council Report." Midway, a big red circle—as promised.

"Barely scraped by, but congrats."

I was speechless.

"Following Hyun-sook and Hyun-min, you're Korea's third mega ranker in history."