Chapter 30
Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Coincidence for the NPC
-----------------------------------------------------------------
* * *
…Is there any reason to turn iron into gold? Iron kills enemies better than gold, doesn't it?
『From Stalin's letter to the Nine Peaks, 11 days before the Soviet-Dwarf War began』
***
Siri had suddenly barged in, but she neither opposed nor altered Seti's plan.
Just as the words she'd spat out while testing Yeomyeong had been a lie, she actively endorsed Seti's plan instead.
"To be blunt, the core of Unnie's plan hinges on how much fame Oppa can rack up."
Fame.
The kind of massive fame that would draw key figures from the Korean government to meet Yeomyeong.
The problem was the method.
Just how could someone from the absolute bottom, with no real background, acquire that level of fame?
Seti gave a simple answer to the tilting Yeomyeong.
"All you have to do is gradually reveal your talents in places where people's attention is focused, and the fame will come naturally."
"Places where attention is focused?"
"The academy, dimensional gates, conflict zones… Wherever it is, any place where superhumans gather is a hotspot for attention."
After the dimensional gates opened, Earthlings could never take their eyes off superhumans.
It was unavoidable. Superhumans on Earth had been tools for regime propaganda from the start.
Heroes of the people, proof that America was loved by God, real-life Supermen, symbols of progress…
Even after the Soviet Union's collapse and the end of the Cold War, superhumans were still adored and treated the same way.
"You don't need to overthink it. The public's fascination with superhumans is no different from their obsession with celebrities, after all."
Yeomyeong immediately understood what Seti meant.
Publishing, media, broadcasting…
The so-called mass media broadcast every move of superhumans without fail.
Bookstores overflowed with novels and comics featuring superhumans, while TV dramas set in superhuman academies shattered ratings records day after day.
Economic papers criticized the mergers and splits of superhuman mercenaries shaking international oil prices, and academia debated the influence of classical philosophy on superhuman martial arts.
Of course, this was all just cultural phenomena.
Truly vital information—like the essence of martial arts or magic spells—was never disclosed to the public.
Even after scouring countless superhuman documentaries and comics, Yeomyeong still didn't know what proper martial arts really were.
"…I get the gist. So what do I do now?"
No sooner had Yeomyeong spoken than Seti slid five documents across the table.
One academy application, one acceptance letter, and three bounty posters.
"You pick."
Checking each one, Yeomyeong noted the different names and dates on every sheet.
'She prepared these starting from the day we left Incheon?'
Sticking out his tongue at Seti's initiative, Yeomyeong first examined the acceptance letter.
It was from a PMC—commonly known as a mercenary company.
The Seonjuk Mercenary Group, which handled monster extermination and bodyguard duties shuttling between the Manju and Kaesong dimensional gates.
A mid-tier outfit Yeomyeong had heard of even back in his cleanup days.
'It's not some place you can get an acceptance letter from in just a few days…'
After eyeing the letter for a moment, Yeomyeong asked bluntly.
"…How'd you pull this off?"
"Hm? Pull what off?"
"The mercenary acceptance letter. This isn't something you just snag easily."
As Seti opened her mouth to reply, Siri cut in from the side.
"Unnie shelled out some cash."
"…Siri."
"To tell the truth, it probably didn't cost much for the mercenary group. A newbie passing muster in a place where they lose people every day? Pocket change."
"…"
"But the academy application? That's a different story. Bet it cost a fortune."
Siri pointed at the application with a grin. Yeomyeong cautiously scanned its contents.
And in the next moment, he frowned.
At the bottom of the page: 'Transfer into 1st Year, 2nd Semester.'
"Second semester… That's half a year from now."
"Sorry. No matter what strings I pulled, I couldn't get anything sooner…"
Seti bowed her head glumly, and Siri chimed in from beside her.
"With opening ceremonies right around the corner, you think they'd take a first-semester applicant now? This isn't some regular high school. Security's been ramped up after last month's terrorist attack."
Yeomyeong nodded. It wasn't hard to understand.
Unlike the academies in dramas, real superhuman academies were treated like quasi-military bases.
In fact, Seti's ability to even procure an application like this was impressive.
'…Maybe I should've taken that holy sword recommendation letter back then?'
The thought crossed his mind, but he shook his head.
He wasn't entering the academy to learn—he was going there to kill.
If he got in on a recommendation letter and then committed murder, how would the holy sword that issued it and the Australian government react?
Would they understand his thirst for revenge? No chance. He'd be lucky if they didn't come chasing him sword in hand to restore their honor.
He already had more than enough people to kill—no need to make extra enemies…
Yeomyeong drummed the table absently with those thoughts, then picked up the three remaining bounty posters.
They featured photos of superhumans or half-mana users who were criminals.
A magician who'd murdered with spells, a lunatic who'd fed people to monsters, and an escaped necromancer.
Below each were tiny details like recent sightings and commonly used magic—handwritten, probably by Seti herself, judging by the script.
The moment Yeomyeong set the posters down, Seti, who'd been watching, spoke up.
"So, which one?"
With that, she launched into a rundown of each option's pros and the associated plans.
Joining the mercenary group for real combat experience, always bringing an internet streamer when hunting bounties…
By the time Seti's lengthy explanation wrapped up, Yeomyeong turned to Siri.
"Siri, when exactly is the academy opening ceremony?"
"Didn't Unnie tell you on the way? Three days from now. It was supposed to be two weeks ago, but last month's terrorist attack delayed it."
"…Three days."
"Students can't even attend the ceremony—most are stuck waiting in dorms. That's how you, me, and Unnie can wander around without Korean government babysitters."
"In that case…"
Yeomyeong glanced at Seti, recalling their conversation at Pier 13. She'd introduced herself as a 'special admit to Lord Howe Academy.'
"Guess we leave today or tomorrow."
Seti didn't deny it.
"…Yeah. My sister and I have to head back to the academy soon. B-but it's not like a full goodbye, right?"
"…"
"You have my contact. We can keep in touch from the academy, and we get weekend passes…"
Yeomyeong and Siri both narrowed their eyes at the fumbling Seti.
Caught in their gazes, Seti stammered to a halt and clamped her mouth shut.
"Unnie, Lord Howe Academy's in Australia. What are you gonna do with weekend passes? Fly in Saturday, crash overnight, fly back Sunday? Even weekend couples don't meet like that."
"…"
"Just be straight. We're government-leashed, so we can't tag along or fight with Oppa. Best we can do is indirect stuff like connections or cash."
"…Siri, shut it."
Only then did Seti furrow her brow and glare at Siri. Far from scared, Siri exaggeratedly jumped up and hid behind Yeomyeong.
"What? Did I say anything wrong? Oppa already knew this."
"…Didn't expect to split up this soon."
"Oh, really? That's on Unnie for not mentioning it sooner."
Unable to hold back, Seti shot to her feet and chased after Siri.
Yeomyeong watched the pursuer and pursuee for a beat, then called out to Seti.
"Seti, you said I could pick whatever I want from these, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, of course. Any of them."
The instant her answer dropped mid-collar-grab, Yeomyeong scooped up all five documents with deliberate flair.
Siri tilted her head at the sight, while Seti's eyes went wide.
"No way… You're doing all of them?"
"Why pick just one? Half a year's plenty of time. Get some real combat with the mercenaries, bag all the bounties, then enroll in the academy."
Finally getting it, Siri burst out laughing.
"Pfft, yeah, exactly. Why choose? If you can do 'em all, do 'em all."
Seti alternated glances between Siri and Yeomyeong, then nodded as if resolving something.
"If that's your will, Yeomyeong, I'll support you."
***
"Elder."
Jang Man, gazing at the sea, turned at the voice calling him.
The boy once known as Dung Beetle—and now Cheon Yeomyeong—approached.
"Did the talk go well?"
"Yes. We'll proceed with the original plan."
"…So you're leaving the city. When?"
"Right away. I came to say goodbye."
"I see. No point lingering here longer, true enough."
Jang Man didn't ask where Yeomyeong was headed. Whom the boy would fight and where wasn't his concern.
But like any old man, he could offer a young one a bit of help on his path.
He pulled a pre-prepared carryall from between alley walls. Bigger than Jang Man's torso, it leaned against the brick.
"Elder, what's this…?"
"Open it."
Yeomyeong unlocked it without hesitation.
Click. Peering inside, he looked up at Jang Man in surprise.
"While you were in the bunker, that Seti girl said you'd used up all the weapons we bought last time."
Inside was the exact same arsenal Dung Beetle had snagged from the black market.
Remington MH750 and ammo, crammed full of grenades to boot.
"A man setting out empty-handed? No good."
"Elder… Thank you."
"Save the thanks. I gave it on my whim; you take it on yours. And…"
Jang Man waved it off, then fished out one more item from behind the case.
A long object wrapped in cloth.
It was the imperial knight's sword Yeomyeong had bought on the black market and stuffed under the bar counter.
"You didn't take this sword last time. Thought about tossing it, but kept it just in case."
"…"
"Won't ask why you bought a sword you had no intention of using."
Yeomyeong carefully accepted the blade.
The same sword as the one the player who'd murdered his crewmates and foreman had wielded. Gazing down at it, Yeomyeong's heart settled quietly.
Watching him, Jang Man paused, then spoke.
"Yeomyeong."
"Yes, Elder."
"Mind if I give some final advice?"
"…I'm listening."
Jang Man looked up at the sky. Overcast with heavy clouds.
"Once you leave this city, never trust anyone. No matter who, always assume they're lying. You won't gain from relationships, but you won't lose either."
"…"
"And… If you're set on killing, kill. The sooner the better for enemies; clear up misunderstandings after they're dead—it's quicker."
Jang Man sighed after that.
His words weren't wholesome or wise elder counsel. They were dirty, filthy black market smuggler talk.
Advice he'd never give if their bond were even slightly more normal.
"…Your foreman never gave you tips like this. Lived cleaning trash but stayed farthest from it."
Jang Man ran a hand through his hair, then lowered his gaze to Yeomyeong.
"When it's all over, let's go pay respects at his grave together."
"…Yes. I will."
Their talk ended there. Both knew goodbyes should be brief.
Yeomyeong rose with the carryall and sword, bowed to Jang Man, then turned and left the alley without another word.
Like clouds drifting across the sky, the smuggler and the cleaner parted ways.
* * *