Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Masterstroke
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After Eirin's declaration of conquering Asia's gates, the entire world was thrown into chaos.
No country could reject America's massive capital and military power stepping up to safeguard Asia's safety.
Of course, China and Japan tried launching a media war, calling it an outrage by giant corporations, but they had no choice but to back down in the face of cold public opinion asking, "Then what have you been doing until things got this bad?"
But what truly captivated the public was something else entirely.
It was figuring out just who this "precious connection" was that Eirin had mentioned on the live broadcast.
The identity of that comment? It was Sangjin.
"Kekeke..."
Sangjin chuckled as he read the comments in the office.
"Hyung, check this out. Someone mentioned you, but everyone's roasting it. 'Poking monsters with chopsticks?'"
"...You wanna leave comments like that?"
"Why not? More exposure is always good. Who's gonna think a tiny online shop is connected anyway?"
"What if you actually get caught?"
"So what? Then this post becomes holy ground. Honestly, going public might make you safer. Sunlight's the best disinfectant, and lighting's the most efficient cop."
"Smartass."
"And with Eirin noona already declaring it, who's gonna touch you?"
Sangjin had a point.
Being officially protected by the Benedict family, DH Group, and the government would filter out most idiots—unless they were truly insane.
Woojin shook off the stray thoughts and focused on his work.
In front of him lay the "Crimson Silkworm Lining Armor" that Director Jeong Seonghwan had gifted him.
"Gotta protect myself, right? Can't rely on others."
Woojin placed his hand on the lining armor. A thin, silk-like material shimmering with a dark crimson glow.
It was an indispensable piece of defensive gear in Unriworld.
Light, tough, and with magic resistance to boot.
Mana consumption was more manageable than expected.
Unique grade, but not a weapon—defensive gear, cloth material. Enhancement was smoother.
Woojin continued without hesitation.
Up to +7 without a hitch.
Better to slip once around here.
For peace of mind.
[Enhancement failed. Enhancement level drops by 1.]
Watching Woojin's odd ritual, Sangjin asked,
"Hyung... what are you doing?"
"Don't talk. Bad juju."
Woojin placed the lining armor under warm sunlight, set a bowl of water beside it, and knelt.
"What the...? Seriously? You're nuts?"
Ignoring Sangjin's jabs, Woojin enhanced with reverence.
Woojin sprang up and threw an uppercut at the sky.
"Yeeessss!! Prayer meta is the best!!"
"What a madman..."
+9 success brought a satisfied smile to Woojin's face.
The existing "Thread of Life" skill was insurance against fatal wounds, keeping you alive when immobilized.
Lv.1 lasted 1 second—practically useless—but Lv.10 gave 10 seconds in a death scenario.
Plus "Wound Closure."
When injured, the silkworm threads automatically sealed wounds. No bleeding out.
"Perfect. Time for a test."
Woojin slipped the lining armor under his shirt.
The comfort was astonishing.
Felt like wearing nothing, cool against the skin.
"Jo Hulk Deputy, come here a sec."
Jo Ah-young, diligently handling CS responses, peeked up.
"Why Hulk...?"
"Your power's Hulk-level. Hit me once with that Hulk strength."
"...Pardon?"
Jo Ah-young's eyes widened.
"Hit you? Wait, is this employee welfare? Stress relief?"
"...CS that stressful?"
"Joking. Fewer people means no calls—way easier than expected."
They'd ditched phone support with the small staff.
"No, I mean, test this armor's performance. You're strong."
Woojin tapped his solar plexus.
"Right here. Punch it. It'll be fine."
Jo Ah-young swung at his chest.
Thud—
A weak, bouncing sound echoed in the office.
"...What? Joking? Use your awakening power."
Jo Ah-young looked troubled.
"No... I'm really strong... You'll die, boss."
That small-animal face saying "die" was scarier.
"Th-then... use your power gently. I'm a Player—tough. Armor absorbs impact. Don't worry, hit me. Bonus if you do."
Bonus lit a spark. Ah-young gathered mana.
Thwack—!
Her soft, smooth right arm cracked like earthquake-ravaged earth, bulging into rocky muscle.
Thankfully, no Hulk color or size change.
Sangjin marveled.
"Whoa... gap moe kills me."
Jo Ah-young clenched and unclenched her fist, hesitating.
Each time, her arm muscles groaned menacingly.
She vowed inwardly and swung lightly at Woojin's gut.
'Gently... super gently. Just a tap...'
"Here goes... Hyah!"
In that instant, Woojin knew something was wrong.
"W-wait!!"
Too late.
Her fist met his stomach.
BOOM—!!
Mana surged involuntarily into the punch.
A dump truck-crash sound shook the office.
"Gaaack!!"
Woojin's body flew with a clatter, crashing into the back sofa.
"Kyaa! Boss!!"
Jo Ah-young screamed and rushed over. Sangjin gaped in shock.
"Hyung!!"
Woojin staggered up from the sofa.
"Urk... cough..."
"B-boss! Sorry! You okay!? 119! Call 119!"
Jo Ah-young panicked, stomping. Woojin raised a hand.
"Hold on... cough. I'm fine."
He rubbed his stomach, brushing off.
Flung by impact, but pain was minimal.
High-defense lining dispersed it perfectly.
"Oh... not bad? Doesn't hurt at all."
"R-really?"
"Yeah, my head from the sofa hurts more, dummy."
Woojin eyed Jo Ah-young in awe.
"But Captain Korea... you're a monster. That was 'gentle'?"
"S-sorry... I got carried away..."
She shriveled, staring at her hand.
Sangjin whistled.
"Saw you fly, hyung? Action movie vibes. Jo the Mover, call you for moving day."
"Don't tease..."
Performance verified anyway.
This could block average monster attacks or stray bullets.
Woojin sat back, pleased.
"Pass. Now I can roam carefree."
USA, Benedict family estate.
Patriarch Leonard Benedict watched his daughter's press conference on a massive screen.
Onscreen, Eirin boldly declared Asia's conquest to the world.
[As long as I exist, the end is not permitted.]
Arrogant to the core.
Yet that arrogance became charisma backed by overwhelming power.
Leonard rested his chin, a sly smile forming.
"Heh, look at her."
The elderly butler at his side asked cautiously,
"Isn't the young lady... making this too big? Declaring all of Asia an operational zone without your permission."
In most families, grounds for discipline.
But Leonard's response surprised.
"No, let her be. That's no mere blunder."
He rose, whiskey in hand.
"Thought she was charging blindly at first. But look at the board now."
Leonard pointed to cheering crowds and flustered officials onscreen.
"As expected. She's set the board masterfully."
"Pardon...?"
"Justification and profit—caught both rabbits."
Leonard’s eyes gleamed.
"What's our family's situation now?"
Butler Cedric bowed.
"The Benedict prestige shines as ever, Patriarch."
Leonard chuckled dryly.
"Spare the flattery. Gates, Awakeners, Players—these changed everything. Our influence waned. Fact."
They'd scrambled to buy Awakeners with capital, but so had rivals.
The board was reset.
Cracks in old fortresses gave upstarts their shot.
"Even I mistook it for crisis, focused on defense."
Leonard smiled pleasantly.
"She saw opportunity. 'Humanity's salvation' justifies stationing Benedict forces legally in foreign lands. Ironclad pretext no one can oppose."
"Indeed, the young lady."
"Yes, truly Eirin. Results pending, but we've a shot at monopolizing Asia's gates, outpacing rivals."
More than that.
Leonard noted her "precious connection."
"Plus, her personal desire—that 'man'—shielded officially as 'precious connection.' No one touches Eirin's partner now. Do so, and you enemy the Benedicts and humanity's hope. Heh, still fiercely protective of hers."
Leonard raised his glass, laughing heartily.
"Thought a year's coma dulled her... sharper instead. Using personal affairs for family dominance. Or reverse? Hahaha."
Gazing at his poised daughter, he murmured satisfiedly.
"This is a masterstroke. Securing family prestige, checking rivals, personal desires, grand cause—all in one brilliant play."
Cedric bowed.
"Truly, she inherits your blood thickly."
"Yes. Things are getting fun. Contact support—give Eirin whatever she wants, no limits. She enlarged the board; let her play it right."
Leonard smiled.
Now, results mattered.
Great board, but failure loses more.
Yet anticipation swelled in Leonard's chest.
'Show me what you've got, Eni.'