This Is Absolutely Not Extortion
A collision of radiance and demonic energy.
Krrrkrkrk—!
Crack— crack——!
The air split open with a scream, and the Void rippled through the fissures of the crumbling space.
Warnings flared before both Yu Jaewoo and Daniel.
[The Colosseum's durability has reached its limit.]
[Spatial collapse is beginning.]
[Evacuate immediately!]
Amid the chaos, Yu Jaewoo weighed his options.
Should I take this all the way? Going by both skill and looks, that's really Daniel Jensen. But what if he actually dies? Then who plays world police in his place?
Jaewoo wanted absolutely nothing to do with that kind of hassle.
I have to stop this now.
With that settled, he pulled out a translation earpiece and fitted it into his ear.
"Hey! I'm not your enemy."
A request for dialogue, offered before the space came apart entirely.
Daniel wrestled with the problem in his own way.
If the Colosseum collapses and we're thrown back into reality, the fight can't continue. I can't let civilians get caught up in it.
And then—
He's not an opponent I could subdue easily even at full power, anyway. Just as I've been holding back, so has he. In the end, getting information through conversation is the optimal move here.
Daniel did not withdraw his magic as he spoke.
"Who are you."
"I'm... well, you see. Hmm. How should I put this."
Yu Jaewoo scratched his head, then said,
"I'm a legendary-rank awakener of South Korea."
Daniel's eyes went round as saucers.
"What?"
"They said every awakener in the world got a notice about it. Surely you heard?"
"...And why should I believe you're that legendary newbie?"
Naturally, Daniel didn't buy it. And why would he? The legendary awakener was Level 16.
A Level 16 awakener matching me, at Level 48? That's pure bullshit.
An awakener's strength came down to three things.
One — class.
Two — skills.
Three — level.
Your class was decided the moment you awakened, but skills could be acquired along the way.
And.
The yardstick that measured all of it was level.
Level — in other words, the floors of the Tower you'd cleared.
Awakeners grew stronger the more monsters they killed, the higher they climbed.
Experience, items, skill books, skill points — everything came from the Tower.
It was simply the natural order of things.
As if he'd seen this coming, Yu Jaewoo pointed a finger toward the Colosseum's spectator seats.
The stands and the arena were cut off from each other in separate pockets of space — which meant the lucky souls out there were still perfectly safe.
"See those people over there? They're Jeokmyo of the Twelve Earthly Branches and her lackeys. They came to kill me, so I caught them instead."
"Bullshit! There's no proof this isn't some trick you staged. Why don't you be straight with me, tough guy — aren't you the Chairman pulling the strings of all those criminal syndicates? New World, and all that?"
Yu Jaewoo just stared at him, baffled.
What's he talking about? New World? Chairman? Crime syndicate?
"You've seen a Chairman this young, have you?"
"...A young boss, is it?"
"That's the bullshit right there."
Yu Jaewoo pulled out his trump card.
"Here. Look at this."
"...?"
It was Yu Jaewoo's phone screen. On it, a selfie taken with Cho Sang-hyuk.
"How's this? Feel free to call and verify."
The corners of Daniel's eyes trembled as he studied the photo.
I'll have to confirm it, but there's no mistaking that's Mr. Cho. Which would make this kid really the legendary newbie? Even a legendary-rank awakener — does Level 16 with this kind of power even make sense?
An involuntary gasp escaped Daniel's lips.
"Unbelievable."
"Still hard to believe?"
Daniel shook his head and said,
"Hey, Brother. What's the point of talking without trust? Let's get out of here first and confirm exactly who you are."
Yu Jaewoo nodded, and the two men spoke at the same moment.
"I declare my surrender."
Ping—
The two men stood once more on the banks of the Han River, and Jeokmyo and the Twelve Branches were ejected along with them.
Daniel immediately pulled out his phone and placed a video call to Cho Sang-hyuk — who, as if he'd already been mobilizing toward the Han River anyway, answered in full combat gear.
—...Daniel. They detected your mana waves near the Han River. What exactly is going on?
Daniel swung the camera around to frame Yu Jaewoo without preamble.
"Mr. Cho. Do you know this person?"
—...Huh? Jaewoo-nim?
Yu Jaewoo gave an awkward smile.
"Hello, Team Leader Cho."
From those two reactions alone, Daniel could tell everything he needed to.
It's real.
Then, switching instantly to a brisk, businesslike tone:
"Mr. Cho. White Snake of Japan's Orochi and Jeokmyo of China's Twelve Earthly Branches are here. I've got White Snake; the legendary newbie has Jeokmyo."
—Understood, Daniel. Quite the trip you've made to Korea. The Korean Awakener Association will handle the rest.
"I've detained White Snake and his men and stored them in an item. Jeokmyo is with the legendary newbie, so I'll leave the cleanup of the park to you."
—Understood.
"Then, I'll hang up."
Click—
Phone lowered, Daniel looked at Yu Jaewoo. And Yu Jaewoo looked back at Daniel.
To Yu Jaewoo, Daniel was a mythic hero made flesh — the blazing golden hair, even the golden light pouring off him, all of it magnificent.
Impressive.
To Daniel, Yu Jaewoo was a demon god ascended from hell itself — a being beyond the human boundary, who held both an ominous miasma and an auspicious radiance in the same body. A demon god who had once soared to the heavens, a legend dropped suddenly back onto the earth.
Honestly? He looks damn cool.
The two locked eyes and let out a quiet snort of laughter.
Saaaah—
The sharp hostility that had pointed each man at the other dissolved like snow, the dazzling radiance and the seething demonic energy both dying down to embers.
Daniel knew Yu Jaewoo hadn't fought at full strength, and Yu Jaewoo was well aware Daniel had a hidden finishing blow tucked away.
Precisely because of that, the two had no choice but to acknowledge each other. Pride and prudence mingled, forming something healthy between them.
Daniel was pleased.
The legendary newbie. If he's this much already...
Daniel was called the strongest in the world — and precisely for that reason, he was forever hungry for new powerhouses.
A relationship of pushing each other, competing, growing stronger.
He had always craved a rival.
Daniel spoke to Yu Jaewoo.
"Brother. The Association is handling the cleanup here, so how about we have ourselves a proper talk? If you want, I'll book out an entire hotel restaurant."
"I'm exhausted today. Let's make an appointment for another time."
"...What?"
A rejection he never saw coming. Daniel's face crumpled with hurt, the picture of a man who couldn't for the life of him fathom why he'd been turned down.
But Yu Jaewoo was resolute.
I have salmon to eat with Master today, that's why!
"Well, can't be helped. Brother, then let's at least exchange numbers. That's fine, isn't it?"
"That's..."
Yu Jaewoo let the moment hang.
Daniel's entire being braced itself.
Don't tell me he'll refuse this too? I'm Daniel. The world's Number One!
Yu Jaewoo, of course, did not refuse.
"That sounds great."
Unbelievable.
I was overwhelmed with emotion.
I have the phone number of South Korea's national hero and the world's Number One sitting side by side in my contacts. This is actually insane.
Daniel came over all friendly and held out his phone, and I saved my number into it.
"Brother. Your name?"
"It's Yu Jaewoo."
"You know mine, yes?"
"Of course. Daniel Jensen."
"Jaewoo. From now on, call me Brother Daniel."
What is even happening.
We fight each other half to death and now we're getting close?
Is this the American way?
Anyway.
I stood around chatting with Daniel for a while.
"Got a girlfriend?"
Oh my. Is this also the American way?
"...Don't ask."
"Haha! Want me to introduce you to some pretty girls? I know plenty of actresses in Hollywood. Just say the word."
I nearly answered Yes, please — but caught myself just in time.
"Are you trying to drag me off to America?"
"Of course!"
Daniel didn't bother hiding his true intentions.
"Jaewoo. Listen carefully. The world revolves around America. Right now, America is the world's order, its axis."
I nodded. It wasn't exactly wrong.
"A man should swim in big waters. For an awakener as remarkable as you, Korea is far too small. You may not understand yet, being a newbie — but you will, and soon."
Maybe so. In truth, I'd grown strong enough to cross hands with Daniel, one of the world's top awakeners. But still.
"I'm Korean, Brother Daniel."
I'd grown up on this soil, and my whole family was here.
A vacation might be one thing, but where exactly would I suddenly move to?
At that, Daniel's expression turned easy and knowing.
"Naturally, of course. But Jaewoo — even if you refuse, my offer stands. Don't forget it. America's beautiful women, its boundless land, and its generous support are all waiting for you."
I waved my hands back and forth.
"That's quite enough. Anyway, Daniel. May I ask you a few things?"
"Of course. Ask me anything."
"You keep calling me the Chairman. What exactly is the Chairman?"
"..."
For the first time, Daniel's face turned serious. He looked me dead in the eye and said,
"This isn't something we tell anyone who hasn't earned the right to hear it."
"Then I won't listen."
"No — you've earned it. So hear me out. In exchange, you tell no one."
Ugh. I shouldn't have asked.
Why do you have to get all solemn on me all of a sudden?
"In this world, there are beings called Apostles. Some existed before the Towers appeared, and some emerged after."
"Don't tell me — you're an Apostle, and that Chairman guy is one too, and the good ones and bad ones are split into different factions?"
"Haha! Sharp one, aren't you. But the truth is a bit more complicated than that."
Crazy.
That was supposed to be a joke. Why is it true?
I considered the possibility that he was lying.
But this was a world-top awakener I was talking to.
Maybe I should take this as the truth.
Damn it.
"Brother, I know you want to hear more, but bear with me. I'll tell you the details when the time is right."
I just nodded quietly.
Frankly, half of me didn't want to hear it — I hated getting tangled up in troublesome affairs. But the other half figured that if this was some end-of-the-world business, troublesome or not, I'd need to know sooner or later.
Daniel seemed to read my feelings exactly, and smiled wryly.
"Jaewoo. Don't worry too much. Honestly, there isn't an awakener alive who can beat an Apostle. But here's the thing — no Apostle, no matter what, will ever be as strong as you at your level."
"So you're saying I have the potential to surpass the Apostles."
"Exactly! Smart boy."
A thought drifted through my mind.
Then what about Master?
Honestly, the idea of Master Cheonma losing.
I simply could not picture it.
"Okay. But, Daniel — I have a proposal of my own."
"...?"
"If I get the American Tower pre-opened for you, what will you do for me?"
At my abrupt offer, Daniel laughed.
"Jaewoo. Whatever you can imagine, it's yours. But that's impossible. You probably don't know this as a newbie, but the Tower only opens according to your lev—"
"It's possible."
"You can really do it?"
"Yes. I have the means."
I said nothing about the Level Reset Ticket. No sense stirring up a hornet's nest over nothing.
I simply stated it, flat and certain.
It was the truth, and the truth did not waver.
Daniel looked at me with grave intensity.
"You'll receive the full, unconditional backing of the United States."
Meaningful words.
But an empty shell with nothing inside.
Having survived a stint at a glorified sweatshop of a company, I knew better than anyone: the kind of men who speak only in promises are the kind you filter out.
Where's the substance? Where's the substance, sir?
So in the end, I just blurted it out.
"Specifically, what exactly."
"...What do you want?"
"First — you've got some of those mirrors left that lock people up, right?"
"Yeah, about three of them."
"Hand those over. Oh, and don't you have another Steel Colosseum? Mine's pretty much wrecked."
"..."
I laid out everything I wanted to Daniel without a shred of hesitation.
Dual citizenship in the US and Korea.
A villa to stay in whenever I visited America.
A warp item for shuttling between the two countries.
Erasure of all records on Jeokmyo and Chilmyo.
Handling of the rest of their lackeys.
Dubai chocolate... and so on.
This is absolutely not me shaking anyone down.
He told me to speak, so I spoke. That's all.