◈ Episode 38

"Are you talking about a business agreement?"

"That's right. It may sound plausible, but let's just get to know each other better. We can contact each other when necessary and cooperate with each other."

In exchange for helping with Noface's case, he promised to act as a bridge between the council and the lab. Leila smiled awkwardly when I gave her an example.

"Ahaha. I don't remember helping you in any particular way... I actually felt sorry for you paying for the ticket."

"What is that?"

It's a character I've liked for a long time. Even though I've gotten used to it already, my favorability hasn't gone away. I can show it to you whenever I want during a match.

"Anyway, what do you think?"

Business Agreement. This was Kim Lee-hyun's response to Ghost's request, not his offer.

Naturally, I had no intention of accepting a unilateral merger. The reason I didn't join the lab in the first place was because I didn't want to be tied down.

Even if you move the members as they are, once you become a member of a lab, you have to follow directions. You become unable to take initiative.

'That won't do.'

The next best option is to operate completely separate from each other, like when we took down Snowfield last time, without any rap involved.

However, there are limitations.

You need to know what kind of butterfly effect your actions will have. And there will come a time when you will definitely need to ask for cooperation.

Even if there had been no ghost story, he would have made a similar suggestion. Kim Yi-hyeon had no intention of letting the reunion with Leila and her group be just a coincidence.

I even felt like I had saved time, because I had originally planned to visit the CellbroLogics Lab after I had settled in.

"I think… it's good. Dustborn may not be a big group, but they are the ones who can make a big difference."

Leila's answer was positive. Ghost remained silent, while Pablo applied the brakes.

"I don't think it's something we can decide among ourselves."

"I know. Make sure to tell the director. Just because he refuses doesn't mean you'll lose the promised compensation, so don't worry about that."

"Oh, thank you for understanding."

Kim Yi-hyeon judged that the director of the research center would not refuse. This was actually a valid offer since Dustborn was a small group.

'Because rap is also having a hard time expanding its reach.'

There were quite a few countries and companies interested in rap in games. But the problem was that most of them had dark intentions.

An independent research institute with unrivaled knowledge of spells and armed forces. A force to be desired everywhere.

The 'friends' that rap wants are not the leopards that are trying to swallow up the whole power. They are the ones who won't interfere with their own policies.

If it's as small as Dustborne, there's no need to worry about leadership. Given their nature, the rap side won't make unreasonable demands.

Kim Yi-hyeon exchanged glances with Ghost. He seemed to be nodding slightly as if he was grateful. He smiled happily inside.

'I am grateful.'

It was a good opportunity for me to think about how to approach rap. If I were Ghost, I would have said good things to the director of the lab without even knowing it.

In many ways, it was a perfect fit.

Now, he had to wait for a while for the director of the research center to respond. During the rainy season, Kim I-hyeon also conveyed his opinion to his colleagues who had been working with him.

"You're leaving Cilicia?"

"I'm not saying I'll be gone forever. My partnership with the council has stabilized, so I'll have to look for other things to do. As I said at the beginning, Cilicia is just one of my bases."

Even if I get rejected by the lab, I don't think I'll change my mind. Whether I form a partnership with the lab or not, I'll have to leave the city eventually.

"I'm thinking of leaving within 3 months."

"Then what happens here?"

"One of you will have to take on the role of branch manager. If necessary, you can add more personnel."

Kim Lee-hyun scratched his chin and said, "Hmm."

"It might be disappointing for you. The person who dragged you into this hole-in-the-wall shop is saying things like this."

"He certainly looks like a man who has had his fill of vanity."

Bryce said, chuckling.

"However, as you said, Dustborn is already stable. In a time when public power is growing stronger, being closely connected to the council is a great advantage. We are the ones who created this situation, after all."

"I thought I would expand my power at this time."

"That's not good. Since we have a small but elite structure here, the National Assembly can entrust us with the work with confidence."

Bryce explained to Pep that he didn't want Dustborn's powers to become too strong.

"More than anything, it would be difficult for us to control it. If we increase our power, it would be ideal to gradually increase our personnel and secure other business partners."

"I'm better now. I get paid a lot."

Dustborn's current pay system is the same as the White Fang era: a base salary plus performance bonuses for each case.

Since the number of members is small, each member is bound to receive a large share. Since the No Face incident, the salaries paid by the National Assembly have also increased noticeably.

"...Why are you all looking at me like that? Did I say something I shouldn't have said?"

Chelsea flinched at the attention focused on her. Jenna, who was perched on the arm of the sofa, giggled.

"People are really funny. You always told me to figure out how to start a business or take a shit. I see your complexion has improved, so I guess you've been eating well these days."

"...."

Kim Yi-Hyeon shut his mouth tightly, at a loss for words. He glanced at Chelsea and thought to himself.

'I feel a little sorry even though I like you.'

Chelsea will soon be given instructions to accompany their boss on a long business trip.

Of course, I didn't plan on abandoning everything and going out alone. In a world where even a few lives are not enough, wouldn't it be difficult with just one three-star agent?

* * *

Whether it was because the communication method was analog or because it was just a long thought, it took a full week for the research director to respond.

The answer I got was neither yes nor no.

'I'll invite you to rap.'

It was a request to come to the lab to discuss the details of the business agreement proposal and to repay the help I had given to Leila and her group.

'It seems like you have a lot of questions for me.'

There was no reason to refuse. It was different from before when I was in a state of nothing. It was a visit for the purpose of a deal, not to join the lab as an agent.

They are on equal footing.

If the director of the lab comes to question you, you just have to refuse to cooperate. It's the lab's policy not to threaten guests.

The schedule was not set. It was Kim Lee Hyun's problem rather than Rap's. There was still work to be done in Cilicia.

"Here, here is what you asked for."

"I didn't know you would actually bring this. I don't know the market price, so how much should I pay?"

"What a mess! You're talking nonsense."

Congressman Kabak placed a small flask on the table. It was a glass bottle sealed with a cork. It contained a blue-green liquid.

"This solution is a symbol of smooth exchange between Ishrad and Cilicia. It is not something that should be circulated on the black market. It should normally only be given as a League product..."

"I know, I know."

It should not be passed on to anyone outside of the regular route. Just like right now. It means that it is a sensitive matter, so please keep quiet.

"Still, I'm glad the permission was granted. Actually, I thought it would take a little more effort to get it."

"I guess we have some in stock."

"Is this a gift from Ishrad?"

"That's what it is."

In a situation where it was revealed that a domestic company was involved with No Face, Ishrad, concerned about the deterioration of relations between the two countries, expressed its goodwill in the form of material.

One of them was this solution.

A spell enhancer exported in very small quantities from Ishrad. Its performance has already been proven. This is an item used in the game as well.

'It's hard to obtain after eating all the initial rewards. But it's so easy to get this.'

It seems that the council also wanted to show their sincerity. They must be grateful, since they handled everything from the defense of Metro City to the No Face incident.

'Thanks to you, I have less worries.'

I was already starting to get worried about what to do with the solution that Asterike was going to bring.

It is given to top players in the league, but only once per person. It is similar to an honorary reward. Naturally, it cannot be shared among multiple people.

If possible, I was planning to let Asterike use it himself. After all, it was something he brought himself. Above all, if Asterike becomes stronger, it will be a great help in terms of power.

'But still, I'm human, so I do get greedy.'

I asked around separately and guess what? I was able to get it without much effort.

"After all, you have to have good behavior on a daily basis."

"Behavior?"

"No. Anyway, what about the payment?"

My wallet has also gotten thicker. It may not be cheap, but what good is saving it for? Money can't solve everything at Polaris.

It's not like they say that you can't buy your heart with money... The more you save, the more dangerous the world becomes. If you don't want to lose it, you have to hire more expensive bodyguards.

I was trying to send money in a good mood, keeping in mind the saying, 'the rich die well.'

"You don't have to pay."

"It wouldn't be just a penny or two, would it?"

"It's not surprising if one or two are missing. The person in charge of managing inventory might make a mistake, or the transporter might break it."

Kabak continued, pushing the flask.

"Mistakes should end as mistakes. It is difficult when money is involved. Of course, it may be a large sum of money for an individual, but not for an organization."

"You don't have any intention of taking care of it personally?"

"Haha. Stop joking. Do you want to see my life fall into the abyss?"

Kim Yi-hyeon received the flask with a laugh. His first impression was that he was a stuffy-looking gentleman, but Kabak was a more talented person than he thought.

"Please use it right here. It is an order from my superiors that I check it with my own eyes."

"Hey, are you thinking I should resell it?"

"I trust you, Hyun, but trusting and witnessing are two different things."

"Okay. How do I use it?"

"It's an intravenous injection."

This time, he was handed a syringe. Kim I-Hyeon opened the flask and carefully poured the solution into the cylinder.

"I guess I'll have to stab it three times."

"I guess you can do it."

"Oh yeah."

Without saying a word, I rolled up my sleeve and stuck the needle into my arm. It was a mysterious feeling that was hard to describe.

Rather than feeling a sense of rejection, well, in the game, you just have to gather the materials and press the button, but this process was omitted.

As a user, there was no way to know. There must be many other complaints that only apply to game characters… … .

The appreciation was only fleeting.

[AP-116 use confirmed.]

[The skill 'Special Weapon Production' is strengthened.]

[Information on the skill 'Special Weapon Creation' is updated.]

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[Special Weapon Production]

[Description: You can create special weapons that exist within the 'Polaris' system. The maximum grade of the equipment that can be created is the same as the caster's agent grade.]

… … Was there an explanation?

I've never seen it before. In the first place, Kim Yi-Hyeon couldn't open or close the agent records at will. They just appear from time to time to notify of changes and then disappear.

There were a few more lines of skill information below.

※ Strengthened by the effect of AP-116, you can have one person other than the caster wear special equipment. In this case, twice as much SP is consumed as usual.

'That's very kind of you.'

Kim Yi-hyeon clicked his tongue inwardly. The sentimental feeling dissipated in an instant. He was really upset because he had nailed down that this was a game.

Aside from that.

'If it's worn, is it different from when I made a weapon before and gave it to Ghost?'

This means that it is not affected by the duration when the equipment is put down. I don't know if it will actually receive ability corrections though...

'That's good.'

It was a huge harvest. The versatility of the skill increased immediately. There were also uses that came to mind right away.

'Let's make sure to finish the last remaining task.'