The God of Controls' One-Coin Clear: Endless Express (9)
When Taeyang opened his eyes again, the way he was being treated had changed in a rather ambiguous way.
His combat ability was on par with the battalion commander, yet his rank was that of the lowest private.
The senior Guardians who had casually approached him when they first met were now visibly awkward and wary around him.
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"The military's gotten a lot better these days."
Taeyang subtly slipped out of the crew quarters.
It felt incredibly awkward with several senior Guardians in the room constantly watching his every move.
Normally the Guardians strictly controlled rest and personal maintenance during duty hours, but the Vanguard Defense Battalion—where half their mission time was actual combat—was fortunately more relaxed about such things.
When he reached the Guardian maintenance area, he spotted Ran.
Seeing her alone suggested her treatment wasn't much different from his.
Ran noticed Taeyang and quickly trotted over to join him.
"You came out too."
"Yeah. It was so awkward I thought I was going to die."
"Same for you?"
"Well, let's look at it positively. If they acknowledge us, the clear will come that much faster."
That was certainly true.
He couldn't be sure what the Guardian leadership thought of him, but one thing was clear—they weren't treating him like an ordinary private.
If they began treating Taeyang as actual combat power, his voice in decisions would grow stronger as well.
"After we knock out a few more small missions, if we ask nicely about taking a look at the engine room, I think we can clear this smoothly."
"I'm nervous. Isn't demanding it right now pushing it?"
"Yeah. You know the rumors going around lately."
The issue of Taeyang and Ran's origins.
It had started with the new Guardian recruits assigned to the 3rd Battalion.
Out of nearly twenty worker-origin Guardians, not a single one knew Taeyang or Ran, so of course rumors spread.
If it had passed quietly there would have been no controversy, but the Untara incident had made both of them far too famous.
Ran muttered with a nervous expression.
"If they start making an issue out of that, aren't we done for?"
Taeyang raised a finger and lightly flicked Ran's forehead.
"They'd be stupid to. Our combat power is too valuable to throw away as 'rats.' We've shown them way too much already, haven't we?"
Whether they liked it or not, the train would soon enter the dragon's nest, and the Guardians would have to fight countless battles.
When even a cat's paw would be welcome, there was no way they would kick out a talent like Taeyang.
At that moment a senior Guardian approached him.
"Hey, rookie."
Casual speech, but with a cautious tone.
Taeyang answered with a smirk.
"You called?"
"The battalion commander wants to see you. You and your girlfriend there. Head over right now. You know where the commander's office is, right?"
After delivering the message the senior Guardian immediately left.
Ran frowned and elbowed Taeyang in the ribs.
"This is ridiculous. What the hell have they been saying in there?"
Taeyang shrugged.
"I didn't say anything. Seriously."
"Don't lie!"
"On the contrary, I've suffered so much because of you. What exactly did you tell those seniors? Even when I said there was nothing between us they refused to believe it. They said you told them something."
"That was..."
Ran's cheeks flushed bright red.
The seniors had asked her: What's your relationship with that new recruit? Tell big sis everything.
We'll keep it a secret just between us. Promise! Okay?
I swear! I swear to heaven!
To their questions Ran had answered awkwardly.
"Well... it was something that couldn't be helped... For his sake, I've decided to use the rest of my life..."
"Oh my, oh my, oh my! How romantic!"
"They say there's so much romance in the worker district!"
"Did you confess? That's so cool!"
"I didn't expect that from you. Worker girls really have guts."
Recalling the truth, Ran squeezed her eyes shut.
"Anyway, the battalion commander is calling us! Let's hurry!"
"Oh? Look at that reaction. What did you really say?"
"Tsk! Knowing will only hurt you!"
Ran walked briskly toward the Vanguard Defense Battalion Commander's office.
Since it wasn't far, they arrived in no time.
Click.
"You called for us?"
"Ah, you're here. Follow me."
The battalion commander stood up immediately and headed deeper into the train.
They walked in silence for a while.
Taeyang cautiously spoke up.
"Um, may I ask where we're going?"
At the same time, Taeyang's body began to tense with flexible readiness.
He had come up with three possible scenarios.
Reward, recruitment, and elimination.
He would gladly accept the first two, but the possibility of the third wasn't small.
After all, both he and Ran were 'rats.'
Instead of answering, the battalion commander stopped walking.
"Our destination is right here."
"What is this place?"
"The Train's Supreme Council. Inside you'll find the highest authorities on the train gathered together, including the corps commander and regiment commander."
The battalion commander continued.
"There shouldn't be any major issues. It seems they'll offer you a promotion along with a reward related to the recent Untara incident. Ah, but do watch your words carefully."
The battalion commander knocked on the door.
"I've brought the two people you asked for."
"You're not coming in with us, Battalion Commander?"
"The corps commander called for just the two of you."
The door opened, and Taeyang and Ran stepped inside.
Five people were waiting, along with two empty chairs.
"Ah, you've arrived."
Corps Commander Guhyul gestured for Taeyang to come forward.
* * *
The regiment commander stood before Taeyang and Ran, spitting as he passionately explained.
"...This is an absolutely necessary task for the survival of the train. Moreover, it's an operation the corps commander himself will join! Both as Guardians and as residents of the train, this will be an indescribably honorable role for the two of you."
Taeyang summarized the proposal in a low voice.
"So you're asking us to cooperate in raiding the white dragon Untara?"
"Correct. Every superhuman with the highest combat power on the train—including myself—will be participating."
Corps Commander Guhyul answered plainly.
Taeyang instinctively calculated the gains.
If they could actually kill it?
There would be plenty to gain.
First, defeating Untara would be a clear achievement.
On top of that, a dragon's corpse was an incredibly rare crafting material and artifact.
They probably couldn't claim every part, but they would surely secure at least some portion.
And then there was that sword the corps commander was offering.
The problems were twofold.
Was killing the dragon even possible?
And after they killed it, would these people actually keep their word?
As Taeyang pondered, Guhyul added calmly.
"The engine room."
"Sorry?"
"I'll send you to the engine room. That's your goal, isn't it?"
Ran looked shocked.
"How did you..."
Taeyang, on the other hand, didn't show much reaction.
It wasn't particularly surprising. This was a gathering of the train's highest authorities.
Just as Hyeonhye had said.
When you considered all the players who had cleared it before, not knowing would have been stranger.
Taeyang asked.
"What happens if we refuse this proposal?"
"You'll die. When we leave the train there won't be anyone left to keep you two in check."
A decisive answer.
Taeyang asked again.
"Then why not just kill us and leave for the raid? Why make this offer at all?"
The two pigs wearing golden robes openly displayed their displeasure.
"Where does this guy get off..."
"Vulgar creature."
Guhyul answered.
"Because we need you. Facing Untara with only our own forces is too much. But our calculations show that borrowing the strength of you 'players' creates a real possibility."
"Do you know the movements of every player?"
"At the very least we have a grasp on the movements of exceptional 'rats' like you. You always become a decisive force during crises."
Taeyang chuckled.
Then he extended his hand.
"In that case, give me the sword first. Since you're giving it as payment for killing the dragon anyway, it shouldn't matter if I receive it in advance, right?"
The two pigs in golden robes shot up from their seats.
"Insolent!"
"How dare this lowly thing cross the line!"
"Enough!"
Guhyul shouted.
He unfastened the sword at his waist and tossed it to Taeyang.
Thud.
"Since you've received it, I'll assume you're joining the hunt."
"Straight to the point. I like it."
Grinning, Taeyang turned and whispered to Ran.
"What do you want to do?"
"Huh?"
"Looking at the situation, if I push a little it seems like they would send at least you ahead."
Ran's expression grew complicated.
"You're letting me go?"
Taeyang snorted softly.
"Letting you go? It's the next floor—the safe zone. You should wait for me there."
"Ah..."
Taeyang's thinking was simple.
If he died it would be a waste of combat strength, so it was better to send her safely to the next floor.
Ran avoided his eyes.
'Is he... worried about me?'
She fell deep into thought.
'If Taeyang dies during this hunt...'
She would be free.
It was an offer with zero downside for her.
'But.'
After that unreasonable oath, Taeyang had never made any unfair demands.
Even when he could have taken advantage, he chose not to.
He never forced her into dangerous roles in battle, nor crossed any lines in personal matters.
It seemed he was satisfied simply with Ran fighting at his side without betrayal.
He was trustworthy, strong, obtained equipment through mysterious means, and their achievements skyrocketed when they worked together.
Her body got tired, but that was inevitable when climbing the labyrinth.
'Building more trust on this side is more beneficial. So this is definitely not because I'm worried about him.'
Ran defended her own thoughts and smiled faintly.
"What a ridiculous suggestion."
"What?"
"Why are you trying to send me first? Planning to hog more achievements alone?"
"Haha... I was trying to be considerate for once. You really don't want to go?"
"No. I'm not going. I'll fill my achievements to the brim and ascend with you."
"Suit yourself."
Taeyang shrugged.
It was roughly the reaction he had expected.
She had always burned with ambition.
If she hadn't, she never would have reached a level where she could travel alongside him.
At that moment the door behind them burst open with a bang.
Taeyang turned around, eyes widening in surprise.
"A beastman?"
There stood Salomon Acraptor and the white tiger beastman, Paca.
Paca growled at Salomon as he strode into the conference room.
"Let me say this one more time. Agreeing to this deal does not mean I will agree to that research. I accepted because you acknowledged our strength and requested a polite transaction."
"I know, I know."
"Plus you were a 'warrior' yourself. Consider yourself lucky."
"Man, I got it already. Corps Commander! Persuasion successful. The repair chief is busy right now—if there's anything important, I'll give you a separate briefing later."
Taeyang and Ran raised their guards as they watched Paca.
The notoriety of beastmen among players was enormous.
They were incomparably stronger than ordinary players, grew rapidly on the basis of that strength, and even had a habit of killing humans whenever the opportunity arose.
There was no reason not to be wary.
Seeing their reaction, Salomon Acraptor waved a hand lightly.
"No need to worry. The conversation is already over. He won't act hostile toward us."
"You two. Are you players?"
Paca had also noticed at a glance that Taeyang and Ran were different from the other humans.
It was insight based on a beast's unique senses.
What the hell. Is there a player detector in this room or something?
Taeyang scratched the bridge of his nose lightly and answered.
"Yeah. Nice to meet you. If you're a beastman your combat ability must be solid. Let's work well together."
Taeyang offered a handshake.
Paca did not take it.
"Count yourself lucky. If this were a different stage you would have been chewed up and eaten by me already."
Ran snorted.
"This is ridiculous. A beast that can't even tell male from female at a glance."
"Human female. I could kill you faster than all the humans here could protect you. Want to test it?"
"Anytime."
Swish.
Ran unfolded her fan.
Taeyang and Salomon immediately stepped between them.
"Ran, why are you suddenly acting like this? There's no need to fight."
"If you cause trouble here the deal is off! Didn't you say we need to reach the next stage to find our comrades?"
Corps Commander Guhyul, who had been watching, gave an order to the regiment commander.
"Now that all key personnel have gathered, begin the briefing."
"Yes sir."
The regiment commander stood up.
"Let's just watch for now. We're only doing one operation together before we part ways anyway. No need to waste emotion on this, right?"
"Yeah, Ran. Do you have some grudge against beastmen? Why are you acting so aggressive?"
Ran retorted grumpily.
"Don't you know beastmen have killed more players than most monsters combined?"
"Looks like our comrades are doing excellent work."
"Shh! The briefing is starting."
The regiment commander brought out a large iron plate from somewhere and began writing on it with chalk.
"The operation begins at dawn the day after tomorrow. The required equipment is..."
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"Wait, Paca? Isn't this the guy who went up first from the Distance of the Hunt stage?"
Taeyang, who had been glancing at the chat, tilted his head.
After checking the replay they said it was a tiger beastman but never mentioned it was white.
Was it just a regular tiger beastman?
There was no mention of color so it's hard to say, but a tiger is a tiger regardless...
They did say he was crazier than Mute.
So it could actually be the same guy.
Whoa, then did Yoon Taeyang kill all that white tiger's comrades?
lololol If that's true then yeah, that's how it lines up.
Is this really the same guy?
No way. It can't be.