062. Fragments of the Summit
While Jo Yeon-hwa and I stepped out into the garden, a text had come in from Lee Geun-taek.
What the hell? I'm not some babysitter...
All sorts of thoughts raced through my head, but honestly, it wasn't a bad use of time for me either. If I wanted to build a solid team going forward, networking was essential—making ties with top players or power players in the hunter industry like Manager Jo Jun-ho would make things a lot smoother.
With that in mind, I casually glanced at Jo Yeon-hwa through my Piercing Eye.
Skills
[One Chosen by the Earth: S]: Manipulates soil freely using the earth's energy, as much as mana allows.
[Earth's Blessing: A]: Once per battle, creates armor that greatly reduces damage from an opponent's attack.
Physical Stats
'Whoa...'
After looking at kids in the 3rd division, seeing someone in the 1st division made the gap stark. She had every right to brag about being the youngest 1st division leaguer. Despite being around my age, her stats were developed almost to their personal growth limits.
And her skills were versatile yet powerful.
'Manager Jo Jun-ho must've been training her since she was a kid...'
Normally, hunters awaken and then start training to unlock their talents, so it was rare for someone this young to have such high stats. But environment and education matter too. Like Ryu Jae-jun, Jo Yeon-hwa had probably received elite training from a 1st-gen hunter like Manager Jo Jun-ho long before awakening.
So even without seeing it, her combat techniques, skill usage, and mana gear handling were likely top-tier.
Once I'd sized up Jo Yeon-hwa, a question nagged at me.
'But why don't I remember her?'
Her skills were not just good but unique—I should've heard her name at least once. Jo Yeon-hwa... Jo Yeon-hwa...
'...'
As I mulled over her name, something flashed in my mind.
The 'Earth Empress' Jo Yeon-hwa.
I vaguely recalled seeing that name in articles from my past life before regression. Something about the super rookie who debuted in the 1st division at the youngest age, overwhelmed by public pressure and retiring...
Connecting the headlines from back then to her current situation, the picture started to clarify. Maybe... I could recruit her to our team?
Lost in thought, Jo Yeon-hwa's voice snapped me out of it.
"I heard."
"?"
"President Lee Geun-taek's golden boy. Never seen your face before. You're set to promote to the 1st division soon?"
She seemed to only vaguely know I was some promising prospect he'd mentioned.
Hmm... What to do. I could play along and recite some bullshit about Takumi or my resume...
'Should I poke at it?'
"Nah, I'm in the 3rd division right now."
"?"
Jo Yeon-hwa's expression twitched faintly at my response. She let out a small sigh and said,
"Yeah."
The already chilly vibe turned even colder. Before I'd mentioned 3rd division, she'd at least exchanged a word or two reluctantly. Now? She acted like even talking was a waste.
As I'd guessed, she was probably deep in a slump bad enough to lead to retirement. Uncomfortable as it was, I'd have to prod that sore spot.
"How's competing in the 1st division treating you?"
"Fine."
"?"
As expected, she clammed up with a one-word answer, clearly hating the topic.
"Youngest Korean 1st division leaguer and all. No next goals?"
"Dunno."
Hmm. At this point, she had zero interest or will to even converse.
Deep in a brutal slump, she didn't want to talk future goals or her current games. But facing it head-on was the key.
So I went for the jugular, blunt and provocative.
"You hate talking to me or something?"
"Sigh... I'm only out here 'cause of Dad. Yeah, that's part of it. Honestly, it's a waste of time. I could be getting lessons from a top hunter, time to climb higher—instead, chatting with you. Bluntly, I have zero interest in 3rd division leaguers."
'This brat who hasn't even hit puberty yet?'
I'd baited it, but I nearly lost my cool for a second. Still, better she spit out her true feelings than hide behind fake politeness and one-worders. Only then could I toss her the thread to growth.
"Lessons to climb higher? Doesn't look like you're in a growth phase to me."
I could see it. Unless she broke through her limits, her skills—honed under Jo Jun-ho since childhood—were already complete. She'd probably hit her growth wall around now. Learning from a 1st-gen hunter wouldn't yield big leaps anymore.
'It's not about growing your stats.'
Whether she grasped that subtext was key. But even if not, it didn't matter—this line would stick in her head like a splinter.
Sure enough, Jo Yeon-hwa's face twisted in a sneer bordering on murderous rage.
But I didn't stop.
"You confident you can grow from there?"
That had to stab her in the gut.
"...What the hell do you know about me?"
Her voice rose, agitated, trembling slightly with leaked fury. Nailed it.
Jo Yeon-hwa rubbed her furrowed brow with one hand and spat out a hot sigh.
"Hah. Why am I even talking to a 3rd division scrub? Let's end this."
That was the last. She stormed out the garden door without a backward glance.
I headed back to Manager Jo Jun-ho and Lee Geun-taek. Jo Yeon-hwa had apparently bailed entirely.
'Guess that's it for this meeting...'
No need to rush. For a first encounter, provocative enough to linger was perfect. Her stats from Piercing Eye made it worth it.
"...So Yeon-hwa seemed pretty pissed."
"I see... I'll go after her first. Oh, Chang-hyun, it was fun today. Call if you need anything later."
Manager Jo Jun-ho left with those words. He seemed apologetic for Yeon-hwa bailing, but also bitterly disappointed.
But hey, babysitting isn't my specialty.
"No. Kid, can't you handle one girl? I brought her out to build a connection with you... Tsk tsk."
"Elder, did I come to babysit?"
No need to tell Lee Geun-taek I'd done it on purpose.
He sighed deeply, thinking,
'Ah... this kid.'
He knew my personality, but he couldn't deny it was partly his fault for pairing us. Suddenly feeling responsible, he felt sorry for Jo Jun-ho.
"Anyway, how're the matches going lately?"
"? You can watch 'em. Even in 3rd division, you telling me you don't check your own PER games?"
"You think I'd watch 3rd division games?"
Of course, Lee Geun-taek knew the results and play-by-plays, but pride wouldn't let him admit he'd watched. So he lied.
'He doesn't watch his own team?'
...Fair enough. But I couldn't help my face twisting oddly.
"Well, cruising at 1st, not solo though."
"Eh, managing okay."
Managing? Before regression, even under his direct command, we hadn't climbed this easily. Typical elder—never praises straight.
"But rankings are always harder to hold than gain. Don't get cocky. Your key tactic's been cracked once already—twice or thrice will be easy. You haven't hit upper leagues yet, but skill-wise, teams have hidden counters for your style. One or two, even outside 3rd division."
Lee Geun-taek said this, but inwardly, he didn't think I'd slack off halfway. He'd faced me before—young and new, but sly and seasoned in matches. He wouldn't fall for it easily.
Still, he didn't think it'd be flawless. Skilled as I seemed, I was still young in his eyes.
"Know what you need to prepare for?"
"Well, as you said. Bomber combo getting countered and pierced. Prep for that, right?"
In 3rd division, where most mishandle mana gear, I could sweep alone if needed. But that wouldn't help PER long-term.
Lee Geun-taek chuckled at my answer.
"You're thinking, 'If all else fails, tank it myself,' huh."
'Damn, his experience nails it.'
"But kid. Always assume there's a coach or director seeing one move ahead. Bomber combo's not just one counter exposed—your power's out now, won't handle surprises."
His eyes deepened. This didn't hit hard yet. But after a pause, his next words carried weight, laced with veteran insight.
"A cracked tactic means the enemy sees its floor. Mana Bomber count you can fire—the bombing frequency that seemed scarier 'cause unknown—is exposed. And you yourself too. Any revealed weapon has counters. Like how you used 'map' variables against me. Your personal power's strong, but seal any hunter with map gimmicks, or pit against strong monsters 1v1, and it's neutralized. Or other ways. Doesn't matter how strong the individual. That's why it's a team game."
His words hit like a daze. Maybe the piece I'd missed.
3rd division maps were simple unlike auditions, so not exactly, but it was an example—his advice broader.
The most dangerous moment? When winning. No defeat means no feedback, no flaws spotted. Then, unprepared, unknown threats topple you.
But my path—the one I craved, forward—was near-flawless. Different from before regression. It needed viewpoints like his.
'Honestly, thought 1~2 losses wouldn't shake 1st place, so it was easy...'
No. Not even one loss. For perfection beyond regression.
Maybe I'd slacked subconsciously, thinking 3rd division.
'No wonder Lee Geun-taek was the top Tower conqueror among 1st-gens...'
That experience didn't fade. He'd fought where defeat meant death—no nexts. It forged his unyielding vigilance, foreseeing all scenarios.
And... maybe this was what I needed to truly seize the summit this life.
'Perhaps I glimpsed the fragments of another summit—in Lee Geun-taek—for what I seek this time.'