Chapter 71
Sumida watched Sertina climb onto the breakwater, looking like a drenched cat, and thought seriously, 'Cute.' Water dripped from her thoroughly soaked body, giving her an almost poignant air.
At that moment, an inverted triangular airship sliced across the sky, scattering the roar of its engines.
"Sertina-nim!"
The resummoned airship dissolved into streams of light, and Cha Eun-joo leaped out. She charged toward me with her arms spread wide, as if to scoop me up in a hug. But then she froze at the sight of me, resembling a soggy kitten.
"Ah. Ahem..."
"...?"
"Wow, Sumida-ssi, long time no see. How've you been?"
"Yes, no issues on my end..."
Sumida scratched his head awkwardly, glancing sideways to gauge my reaction. I stared up at Cha Eun-joo with a blank expression, feeling utterly deflated.
'Already miserable from falling in the water, want me to dunk you in too? Huh?'
Maybe it was the silent pressure from my glare. Cha Eun-joo, who had been chuckling sheepishly, finally turned her attention to me.
"We got a support request, and since you responded, Sertina-nim, here I am."
Cha Eun-joo patted my shoulder and then thrust her chest out proudly. Color returned to Sumida's face.
"Ah, that support request! Haha, what a surprise. I never imagined such a precious guest would come in person. You've been a huge help."
"Skip the thanks. Mutual aid is just common sense."
I shook his hand with an impassive face.
'If it weren't me, one of our guildmates would've come. Better me—easier on the mind.'
Pitting them against a world boss was too risky, no matter the mythic recovery potions offered. Instant-death mechanics could pop up anytime. That's why I was even more grateful to them. They'd rushed to Korea's aid, bleeding from the heart in a situation where death loomed.
In that spirit, I'd prepared my own little gift.
"On the flight over, I had an idea. Japan still hasn't solved its monster problem, right?"
"Yes. Once we clear a spot, they keep popping up, so we can't relax. Can't pull forces for other areas without risking it."
Sumida bit his lip bitterly, ruffling his hair in frustration. I got it. Not just the naturally spawning ones—there were mole-like ambushers hiding in sewers, waiting for prey. Even my advanced senses struggled to detect them; regular players must have it rough.
"That's what I want to discuss with your Prime Minister."
"...Pardon?"
"Can you arrange a meeting?"
As Japan's top-ranked guild leader of Omega Guild, he surely had deep ties to the government. Sumida pondered briefly, then pulled out his smartphone and nodded readily.
"I'll ask."
I tilted my head listening to their exchange. Was this guy okay?
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshida Hiro, appointed after the materialization crisis. Until high school graduation, friends were a light novel trope to him; he'd fall asleep to full NewTube videos out of ghost fears. The classic loner loser.
To overcome his nature, Yoshida started internet streaming. His latent talent met Astra Online, skyrocketing him to top corporate streamer status in Japan.
And now.
His sharp game brain, mild personality, and skills had earned him the premiership. Yet here he was, half-mad, tearing at his hair with both hands.
'Damn it, how... how did it come to this?!'
Streaming had polished him, but his herbivore core remained.
'Scary, too scary!'
Yoshida had faced Sertina in Astra Online—a massacre. A thousand elites sliced like tofu without a fight. Now that monster descended in reality to meet him. A certified scaredy-cat who couldn't touch horror games.
"Sertina-nim has arrived."
It was here. Yoshida gulped, cold sweat pouring. His pupils shook wildly, vision blurring like he was drunk. His heart hammered, threatening to burst ribs.
'Calm down, Yoshida. Stay calm if you want to live!'
Even trained guards were mere decorations. She could snap S-rank necks like chicks. Nowhere safe.
Clap clap—he slapped his cheeks raw.
Then the door opened.
The truly dangerous one appeared!
Huff, huff! Yoshida's flushed face heaved ragged breaths at my sight. Pupils quivering, sweat streaming from his brow.
'...Dangerous guy!'
Instinctively, I backpedaled. But Cha Eun-joo shoved me forward from behind.
'Never thought I'd meet such a fierce opponent in Japan.'
I swallowed hard and sat on the sofa. Clearly harbored dangerous tastes.
Thus began our suffocatingly tense exchange.
"...You're offering to resolve Japan's monster issue?"
Unlike his first impression, Yoshida was surprisingly polite. A far cry from Choi Ah-rin. No more stuttering; fluent words flowed.
His streamer career kicked in. But I stayed wary.
'Don't think you can fool me!'
Mild now, but who knew the dark depths inside? That first impact burned indelibly.
"You're the only nation that's helped us. Thought it'd solidify our alliance."
Korea was stable; accelerating allies' recovery was fine. Plus, it built an image of reliable aid.
"R-really? Then the price—"
"Just lodging. That's enough."
Faint color bloomed on Yoshida's face—not quite forced.
"But it's your nation's issue, so I'll follow your lead. Take time to think. What's your call?"
Yoshida nodded slowly from his reverie. No reason to refuse.
"...No objections."
"Good. Settled then."
I rose from the plush sofa, heading for the door.
'Smoother than expected. Real drive.'
Before leaving, I reminded him firmly.
"Tell your players not to attack me. Cleaning starts tomorrow afternoon."
"Understood."
As I opened the door, Yoshida slumped in his chair.
'I... I survived! Thought I'd suffocate!'