Chapter 173: Wait? Hold on? This is worth a joint operation with Mr. Tae-yang?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 173: Wait? Hold on? This is worth a joint operation with Mr. Tae-yang?
—So, that’s how it happened. Was that helpful?
"...Yes, I’ll get back to you soon."
—Ah, I’ll be waiting! See you again soon, then!
Click.
The call with Kang Tae-min ended, and I sank into thought.
This is getting really complicated.
The only new information was those two lines, which didn't feel like much of a gain. It was like I couldn't reach the core of the problem; the clues were just dancing around the edges, teasing me and fueling my irritation.
I should check the rewards first.
Anyway, seeing as Scrawny said he’d see me again later, he’ll probably show up on his own even if I just stay put. I decided that worrying any further was a waste of time. Doing what I could do right now—that was what mattered most.
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Congratulations on clearing the C-Class & S-Class Gates!
Your Contribution Points rank is 2nd, and as a reward, you have acquired Qualities of a King (A)!
Qualities of a King (A) :: Not only did you perfectly perform the role of the First Prince, but you also aimed for the throne—
Ding!
Qualities of a King (A) is influencing the Main Skill Coercion (???) and the Racial Skill Demonization, as well as the Sub-skill Alpha Male (???).
Confirmed: Alpha Male has already proven your status as a male.
Determined: Demonization identifies you as one of the Seven Roots.
Identified: Coercion has grasped the qualities you already possess.
The Sub-skill Qualities of a King (A) is being enhanced into Tyrant (S)!
Tyrant (S) :: A fierce and cruel ruler, a tyrant.
When activated, you transform into a tyrant.
The Racial Skill Demonization attribute Corrupt Official is being enhanced into Tyrant.
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The descriptions are as unhelpful as ever.
Even if the system messages were friendly, it didn't mean much if the most important skill descriptions were like this. A single, vague line saying I’d "transform into a tyrant" upon activation.
It’s an S-Class skill, though... the treatment is a bit much.
My Racial Skill had changed, and it seemed to have good synergy with Coercion, but the downside was not knowing its exact effects. It wasn't a situation where I could just activate it right now to find out, either.
I’ll have to stop by the practice room during the joint training.
Just as I was thinking that and lying down on the bed...
[Message from Seong Chun-hyang :: My Lord! Why aren't you summoning me? It was the same during the Gate... You've been so neglectful lately...]
[Summoning Seong Chun-hyang!]
Poof!
As soon as Chun-hyang’s message caught my eye, I summoned her immediately.
"Huh...? Oh..."
She looked dazed, as if she hadn't expected to be summoned so suddenly. I looked at her and spoke.
"You're like... my trump card."
I couldn't help it. That’s what I told her.
Full power.
It was an incredibly cringey thing to say, but I had never actually faced anyone with everything I had. The main reason was that I simply hadn't met a formidable enemy worth going all out for.
Summoning Rocinante to go into rapist mode without worrying about defense, receiving support from Chunhyang, and fighting in a state of Demonization...
Such an existence had never appeared before me.
"No... it's not that... I was asking why you haven't been making my womb throb lately..."
"Ah..."
What is she even talking about? Her words made me want to ask that. I naturally assumed she was asking why I didn't let her fight when the Boss Monster appeared.
"Uh... of course! I also had... doubts about why you didn't call me when it was time to fight... My Lord!"
Chun-hyang added quickly. However, the awkward atmosphere had already grown beyond control.
Wow, this is seriously embarrassing.
I’d been having all those cringey thoughts about "full power" and even gave her that presumptuous line. There was only one way to overcome this situation.
"Kyaa! My Lord... lifting my skirt so suddenly like thaaat...!"
"You said you wanted me to deal with you. I'm doing it, so what's the problem?"
It was simply a matter of becoming a tyrant.
*
"Saintess! Is that really true?!"
"Lower your voice, Perkus. My ears are going to fall off."
"My apologies. I was just so shocked..."
In the Saintess's room, she and Perkus were sitting opposite each other on the sofa, deep in conversation.
"The Hero might not actually be the Hero...?"
"There were just too many things that felt artificial."
The Saintess explained everything that had happened in the Gate to Perkus, one by one. Moving from one Gate to another, the intrusion of a third party inside the Gate, and the suspiciously easy difficulty level.
Everything was revolving around Kim Min-su to an absurd degree.
"Of course, I could be mistaken... but it felt as if the Gate itself was created just to push the Hero... no, Kim Min-su. I mean, even if it was a concept-type, it was still S-Class, right?"
"Hmm... you have a point. But for now, we should keep an eye on him."
While Perkus trusted the Saintess's words, he also considered the weight of the name 'Hero.' If clear evidence came to light, they could just announce it, but what if they were wrong? What if some incident occurred and Kim Min-su actually performed a heroic deed?
You never know what might happen.
The Saintess nodded as if she understood Perkus’s cautious, lukewarm attitude.
"Well... so even after the joint training ends, I think I'll have to stay here longer."
"How about keeping Baelson with you as well?"
"Oh, that sounds good. I can trust Mr. Baelson."
"Then I'll consider it settled. Since the image of the Saintess and the Hero has been established, we can make up plenty of excuses for you to stay together."
As long as there wasn't a major crisis that absolutely required the Saintess's presence elsewhere, she could remain at Victory Academy. As Perkus finished speaking and the conversation was winding down...
Ding! Ring! Ding! Ring!
The Saintess's computer began emitting a loud flurry of notifications.
"Oh?"
The moment the notifications sounded, the Saintess's expression brightened, while Perkus’s expression soured instantly. The gentle middle-aged man vanished, replaced by the face of a man watching the end of the world. Ignoring him, the Saintess pushed Perkus toward the door.
"I'm busy now!"
"Wait, didn't we just finish the busy business?!"
"That... that was that! This is my private business!"
"Saintess, I keep telling you, malicious comments are only a moment of happiness, but they cause great pain to—"
"No more nagging!"
Slam!
After kicking Perkus out, the Saintess locked the door and sat down at her computer. Every question and concern posted was precious, but this time was extra special.
A post after kissing a troll twice, no less.
This was bound to be delicious.
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[By any chance, have you ever accidentally kissed a monster in a Gate, like, in a one-in-a-million fluke?] — [Doctor Curiosity] Sweet Cadet
—This is Sweet Cadet’s 10,064th concern post—
TSIA (Title Says It All).
Pure Love Diary Writer, you wouldn't know, but I had my first kiss.
Do you think it's something to be congratulated for? Not at all. I... experienced the worst first kiss ever.
Though, I suppose it's true that I've stepped into the world of adults.
Is it normal for a monster to look at a Hunter, say he's her ideal type, and then peck him? That's what happened to me.
But the most disgusting thing was that while pecking... no, kissing... the troll... I actually started thinking about the kissing techniques you taught me, Pure Love Diary Writer.
Of course, I didn't use them. I was honestly struggling with all my might to escape her clutches.
Anyway, so... because it was a kiss, I think this is a 'No Count.'
Actually, I'm still throwing up. I'm serious. I'm throwing up, and...
Well, let's just treat that as a minor mishap. What I really want to talk about is what happened in this Gate.
Three couples were born in the Gate, and man...
When they saw me in my prince outfit, everyone was staring at me, you know? Actually, even before we entered the Gate.
Even that obnoxious bastard I'm always talking about—I could tell his gaze was unusual as he stared at my chain baggy pants and skull T-shirt.
I guess clothes really do make the man lol. Everyone couldn't take their eyes off me.
In a Gate where you act as couples, I almost just went ahead and pulled an NTL.
Should I say I almost just committed an act of pure love? lol.
So, today isn't really a concern, more like a diary entry about what happened.
I hate to admit it... but anyway, since I've kissed now, I'll probably be even better at it in the future, right?
[Likes 1] [Dislikes 1] [Comments 1]
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ㄴㅇㅇ:: This guy is a bigger lunatic than I imagined [Reports 2]
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Suspicion had turned into certainty. No, she had been certain for a while, but now even the slightest shred of doubt had vanished.
This really is Kim Min-su.
The biggest reason she suspected Kim Min-su might not be the Hero was this very message board. No matter how you looked at it, it made no sense for someone this pathetic to be the Hero. If it had ended there, it would have been fine, but the reply was just as spectacular.
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RE: [By any chance, have you ever accidentally kissed a monster in a Gate, like, in a one-in-a-million fluke?] — [Doctor Know-It-All] Pure Love Diary Writer [Tae-yang Rank]
To be honest, I've had that experience too.
It wasn't a troll... but a very, very beautiful... well, not that I'm into monster girls or anything lol;;;
I guess it's just one of those things that inevitably happens when you're popular??
I could go into more detail, but it's a bit much to say, so I'll just leave it at 'Who knows?'
And the most important thing is this confidence.
It seems our Sweet Cadet has gained a lot of confidence through various experiences and indirectly experiencing couple activities.
Especially fashion... it's the most important thing, and I think this incident made you realize that even more.
Sweet Cadet, just trust me and keep bringing out those colors and vibes I told you about.
You're doing so well now that you've almost reached the point where you don't even need my advice.
I'm always rooting for you, I guess.
But if things get tough, feel free to contact me anytime lol~ Wink
[Likes 1] [Dislikes 1] [Comments 1] [Reports 0]
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ㄴㅇㅇ:: I'm so curious about the basis of your confidence. Normally, looking in a mirror should fix that. [Reports 2]
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It was good.
The Saintess finished her wholesome hobby for the day and flopped onto her bed. Since there was a theory lesson on Gates scheduled for tomorrow, she needed enough sleep to avoid dozing off.
Wait... hold on.
Just as she closed her eyes to drift off, a thought flashed through her mind.
The fact that Kim Min-su was so conscious of Baek Tae-yang meant he was always keeping a close eye on Baek Tae-yang’s actions.
In that case, if she were to do something with Baek Tae-yang—
Would Kim Min-su’s reaction be even more entertaining to watch...?
The joint operation between the Saintess and Baek Tae-yang.
It was the moment the seeds finally began to sprout.