The King of Africa
The Incheon International Airport was always bustling with crowds.
I stood with my arms crossed, waiting for my guest to arrive.
—Not sending someone like before?
“If it were anyone else, maybe. But a friend is coming, so I had to come in person.”
Otherwise, she’d get sulky.
Ellen Taylor.
The face of Gold Moon and America’s strongest player was one of today’s guests.
She had been a reliable ally even before my regression.
In this second life, our connection continued, so we spoke comfortably and had grown quite close.
—There’s a saying that a man and woman can’t be true friends.
“Come on. She’s basically a guy with long hair. A dude.”
—Hehe. I wonder if young Ellen sees it that way?
“Hey, don’t misunderstand.”
What could Ellen and I possibly…
That doesn’t even make sense.
Not long after arriving at the airport, a familiar face appeared.
It was Ellen.
“Jinho! Long time no see!”
She immediately thrust out her fist the moment she saw me.
“You been well?”
“I’m always full of energy.”
Thud—
After lightly bumping fists, Ellen suddenly leaned her upper body forward.
Whoa.
Why is she suddenly getting so close?
“You went to New York and didn’t even come see me?”
“Weren’t we both busy?”
“Wow. You really think I couldn’t have cleared my schedule if you asked?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means exactly what it sounds like. Take it at face value.”
Your guild master was the one who said you were too busy clearing gates.
What if I’d told William that? He probably would’ve shot lasers out of his eyes.
“You met with Amelia from Raiden Corporation, though.”
“That was business. I’m an investor there.”
“Oh. Speaking of which, I heard Raiden is planning to unveil their wormhole prototype soon.”
She changes the subject faster than a midnight taxi driver.
Still, I had to ask.
“The prototype’s already done?”
“Yeah. They apparently succeeded in transporting a mouse.”
“Haven’t tried it on humans yet, huh.”
“It’s an ethical issue. Experimenting on living humans involves a lot of complicated procedures.”
Hmm.
If they solve the mana vacuum phenomenon, there shouldn’t be any more problems.
Ellen giggled.
“It won’t take long. Don’t get too impatient.”
“With a descendant of that excellent bandit noble around, I’m sure it’ll be handled just fine.”
“Who are you calling a bandit? Isn’t that a bit rich coming from the guy who stole someone else’s hard-raised players?”
Suddenly we’re talking about Carla?
Could you at least put on your turn signal before switching lanes?
Before I got dragged any deeper into Ellen’s scattered chatter, I changed the subject.
“Have you met Victor Onama before?”
“Once. In Somalia.”
Somalia?
“You look like you’re wondering why the King of Uganda was in Somalia.”
“The borders aren’t even connected.”
Ellen seemed pleased by my reaction and chuckled.
“Exactly. They’re over a thousand kilometers apart in a straight line.”
“Instead of just laughing, how about explaining?”
“Do you know Victor Onama’s unique ability?”
“Resonance.”
“Oh. Looks like you did your homework.”
In truth, I knew because I’d heard about it in my previous life.
Resonance allowed him to acquire a portion of the stats from animals or monsters he had built a bond with.
It was a skill suited for tamers or summoners.
Before acquiring a class on the fifth floor, you couldn’t bring resonated creatures into the Tower, so it was a trait that rarely got to shine.
“I assume he also changed class to the tamer line?”
“I don’t know Victor Onama’s exact class name. I’ve only seen him fight.”
Don’t worry.
I know it.
Victor, who had reigned as the King of Africa, changed class to Beast Master. He commanded ferocious monsters and beasts that had awakened to spirituality.
The more beasts he controlled, the more explosively his power grew.
He fought shoulder-to-shoulder with his tamed monsters on the front lines, tearing enemies apart.
“You talk like you’ve seen it yourself.”
“Footage.”
“Your description is more vivid than what I saw in person.”
“You flatter me. So why did Victor Onama go to Somalia?”
“To tame a monster called Soul Tiger.”
Ah.
So that guy was from Somalia.
It was one of the main monsters the King of Africa commanded.
Being a named entity, its performance had been outstanding.
Though I only saw it through footage, not in person.
“You’ll see the real thing soon.”
“When does he arrive?”
“Five.”
“Five minutes?”
“Four, three, two, one.”
Ziiing—
People who had finished immigration procedures emerged from between the automatic doors.
Among them was a middle-aged man in a black suit.
Dark skin.
Neatly combed gray-streaked hair.
Our eyes were drawn to the man wearing opaque black sunglasses.
“How did you know?”
“Mana wavelength. It’s unique and powerful.”
He looked at me like I was asking why I couldn’t do something so obvious.
Bullshit. You think everyone’s like you.
“Your words are quite harsh, Director Ellen Taylor.”
“Just wait and see.”
There’s never been a scary person who actually says “just wait and see.”
I walked slowly forward while exchanging pointless banter with Ellen.
We met the Ugandan delegation at the midpoint.
This was the first time seeing him in the flesh in either life, so I felt strangely nervous.
The moment my eyes met Victor Onama’s in midair—
“So you are the World’s King.”
…Excuse me?
What did you just say?
I was rendered speechless by the completely unexpected answer.
-Direct emotional damage received
“Pffft! Puhuhuhuhuhu!”
Fuck.
Don’t laugh.
If you’re trying to kill me from embarrassment, you’re already halfway there.
The moment I took that preemptive strike, I was so mortified I couldn’t even breathe.
“If it’s not rude on our first meeting, may I ask one question?”
“Speak, World’s King.”
“That… what exactly is this bizarre title, ‘World’s King’?”
Ellen’s face turned bright red as she shook her shoulders, trying—and failing—to hold back her laughter.
I suddenly wanted to die, and not because it was funny.
“You are the strongest in the world. Correct?”
“Well… that part is true.”
“In our tribe, the strong are kings. Therefore, you are also a king.”
Ah.
So that’s what it was.
Since the appearance of the Tower of Babel, the world’s languages had been unified.
More precisely, anything spoken in one’s native tongue was automatically translated.
The System had translated it as “king,” but considering the context, it probably meant something closer to “tribal chief.”
—Hoh. So it can be interpreted that way.
“The System isn’t omnipotent.”
Just because meaning is conveyed doesn’t mean it perfectly captures the nuance.
Not only do regional customs and tendencies differ, but even people who speak the same language don’t always assign the same meaning to words.
“Pfft, pffft.”
“Keep laughing. See what happens.”
When I slightly clenched my fist, Ellen quickly looked away, pretending she hadn’t seen anything.
“…Fine, let’s say the title is what it is.”
“I apologize. What title would be comfortable for you?”
Hmm.
His speech was choppy, like a direct translation.
The same went for the “World’s King” phrase he’d used earlier.
Considering the Tower of Babel was translating, that must be his natural way of speaking.
“Just call me Jinho.”
I’ll also pass on “Savior of Paris.”
I’d heard that title so many times my ears had practically developed calluses.
Victor nodded.
“Understood. Jinho.”
Whew.
That was an unexpected assassination attempt.
That aside.
In my previous life, the man who had advocated for African isolationism—why had he decided to participate in this training?
Curious about his motives, I asked why he wanted to join.
“I came to seek guidance. From Rene Davis.”
“Ah. Sorry about that.”
Rene Davis had already taken a one-way ticket on the Jordan River Express to the afterlife.
I was the one who issued the ticket, so it was certain.
“It is fine. The World’s King is now you.”
…I’m begging you, Teacher. Please stop calling me World’s King and just use my name.
Victor Onama had been actively working to maintain security in Uganda by even organizing a self-defense militia.
He had fortunately received a powerful unique ability and possessed the talent to protect his family and relatives’ homeland.
“But it is not enough. To save many people.”
“That’s how it is for everyone. You don’t need to carry that burden alone, Mr. Victor.”
“Thank you for the comfort. Regardless, World’s King. You are strong. I seek your guidance.”
Aha.
So that’s how it was.
—What are you thinking so hard about?
I roughly understood why Victor Onama had advocated isolationism in my previous life.
The desire to become stronger.
The reality of his homeland, where there was no player capable of guiding him.
He must have connected with Rene Davis through the Commonwealth lines embedded in Uganda.
But given that bastard’s personality, he probably ignored Victor rather than properly teaching him.
No.
Considering he had joined hands with the Klyphoth, he might have tried to use Victor.
If he’d been thoroughly beaten by Rene Davis, it made sense that he would turn to isolationism.
Don’t worry.
This Yu Jinho has already crushed the traitor monarch!
I firmly grasped Victor Onama’s hand.
“Welcome to Korea.”
“Th-thank you.”
“If you need anything, just say the word.”
The tension that had lingered on Victor’s face eased slightly.
“I’m jealous. You weren’t nearly this nice to me.”
“Didn’t we meet for business reasons at first, Director Taylor?”
“Wow. Oh my god. Now you’re calling me Director?”
Ellen, please don’t be like that.
There’s a golden opportunity right in front of us to recruit the future King of Africa as an ally.
If I can leave a good impression on Victor, I can prevent Africa from walking the path of isolationism and eventual destruction like in my previous life!
Now that I even knew why the first Monarch of Earth’s first round had gone off the rails, repeating the same mistake would be idiotic.
Really.
Who would’ve thought the butterfly effect from eliminating Rene Davis early would show itself like this?
The regression veteran’s senses were picking up the scent of honey.
“Ellen. You’re training too, right?”
“Director, please mind your dignity.”
“Look at how much distance you’re putting between us. I’m hurt.”
Ellen covered her mouth with her hand.
“I can see you smiling.”
“Did you get clairvoyance too? Pervert.”
“It’s obvious even without looking.”
For the record, even after devouring all kinds of essences, I never acquired a clairvoyance skill.
—You look way too disappointed.
That’s not it!
“Before we begin training, I have a request.”
“Go ahead.”
“I wish to see the World’s King’s skill. In person.”
“Sounds good.”
Don’t worry.
Even if you hadn’t said anything, I was planning to establish the hierarchy first anyway.
The first Monarch I never got to fight in my previous life.
Let’s see what you’ve got.
Our group moved to the Paju training grounds.
On the devastated land where the original terrain was no longer recognizable, I faced Victor Onama.
“Jinho. No weapons?”
“My body is my weapon.”
“We have something in common.”
Victor casually tossed his suit jacket to the side.
In an instant, all the clothing covering his upper body disappeared, revealing solid, well-defined muscles.
The animal-shaped tattoos covering various parts of his body made him look even more feral.
“Um. So good.”
“Don’t get excited, Ellen.”
“What did I do?”
“Are you not even thinking about what you just said?”
“A gasp of admiration is fine, isn’t it?”
Anyone listening would think something serious was going on.
“I heard your ability involves taming monsters and beasts.”
“I will call them soon. My family.”
Call Friend
◈ A bus-sized saber-toothed tiger appeared in front.
◈ A bear the size of a three-story building guarded Victor’s back.
◈ A horse wreathed in flames stood tall, staring at me.
But.
The names are a bit…
“Beginning! Right now!”
Colorful lights burst from Victor’s fully exposed upper body.