Chapter 16 Additional time

The next morning.

After completing his daily quest, Meliodas felt a vibration on his wrist. Looking at his watch, he saw that it was a message from troublemaker Hajin.

[ Kim Hajin ]

— I need to talk to you about something urgently, so let's meet in the same cafe right now. Please arrive by 8:00 a.m.

 What did he do this time? It's so annoying. 

' I thought I could go hunting on the weekend and gain some levels I need to level up to 40, but this guy '

"Ok "

' Let's go this time and see what news he got, but let's wash up first.'

When I arrived at the cafe thirty minutes later, Hajin was already waiting for me, and I could see his serious expression.

However, I couldn't understand why he was acting so seriously; had Co-Arthur stepped in again or something?

" Morning, Hajin. What's up?.. "

After entering the cafe, I took my seat opposite him, greeting him normally, trying to lighten up his mood, which had been gloomy because Chae Nayun's brother's condition and what he was about to talk to her must have made him guilty.

Looking at me seriously, next word from his mouth baffled me completely, stunned me.

" It's all your fault, right Meliodas "

" Wait...what..come again ? "

He started to explain me what happened after left him & Suho and how he got new gift and how Co-Author wouldn't intervene any more which is way good and more than that,he is injured and runway from his own creation putting all responsibilities on Kim Hajin and more than that time he provided for us and about half & hour later hajin has finally calm down from his rattling.

Listening to all this, I could only say the outcome is better than what Me & Great Sage have expected, bringing us time, and Co-Author no longer intervening, it's like when two dogs fight over food it gets into others' hands.

" Ok..OK..Relax, Hajin, and listen to me The outcome is good for us trust me Antares is a straight-forward guy who only knows one thing, if you're his enemy he will come to your house and kill you fair and square, unlike Co-Author who intervenes in shadows,This outcome is for more great. "

" Now Antares can't come to our house for sometime and Co-Autor can't intervene from shadows this best time for us to grow, i have been rushing up because i don't have time but now only one monarch is there and he is not even in full strength it will take time for them to act and he wouldn't dare to fight Shadow Monarch all by himself,for now remaining Monarchs will take time to come to this world,by that time they descend i will be strong & everybody will be strong at least you guys can have chance see how we fight isn't great ."

" Uh...forget it, you don't even understand how much I am worrying, but it's as you said, it's better that bastard Co-Author didn't intervene, it will give me some relief."

" Now I am going for hunting, wanna join in ?Also, I am planning on creating my own guild, it will take some time, but not right now anyway we can find our manager though."

Hajin is shocked about creating a guild, but also about the manager, but now that he thinks about it, he does understand who Meliodas is referring to .

" Ok, i will also join, but what about Chae Jinyoon? He has devil seed, you know what it is right?"

Meliodas, who is about to enjoy his breakfast, couldn't help but pause and look at Hajin.

This is something even he can't say that "I can do it " the Devil's Seed was, something that only appeared in the later half of the novel. If it sprouted, the current Kim Suho was nowhere strong enough to stop it.

A Master rank Hero would be able to stop it, but most Master ranks had left the secular world.

Even if high-rank Heroes & Hunters were dispatched, a few of them would surely be sacrificed. That couldn't happen. Their strength was needed in the novel's latter parts. In other words, everything would go awry if this Devil's Seed sprouted, leading to a disaster.

Kim Hajin looked at me, seeing Meliodas silent, who usually had a confident smile on his face no matter the situation, now seeing him silent couldn't help but say i something in his mind it's the only way the could now .

"…He needs to die."

" Oye..Oye.. Hajin don't use your stupid brain there will be always a way you forgetting about something you always calling me Walking cheat, don't you think i didn't thought about it i have way combining devils power with him without getting influenced by it , after combining you can retain your personality but there will be physical alteration like with body like devils hand, devils wings or horns something like that but its gamble of 30-70 "

"Don't tell me about that 70% chance, but can't you remove it from him or seal it something like that ? "

" Do you think I am almighty god or what..!,This itself took me a full day with precise calculation using Great Sage with recently obtained Chimera Orc core i got this solution and that seed already in his body for many years, how do you expect me to remove it's impossible "

Even i have to say i am helpless in this thing if i have Beelzebub like Rimuru then it is possible to remove it completely but Great Sage can't create that skill it requires at least thousands of souls or monster with that skill which can be theoretically analysed or rune stone with that skill at end of the day it is all on luck which i don't trust much.

"sigh... forget about it, let's finish the breakfast, and go for hunting "

" yeah"

****

After finishing breakfast we have entered to portal area for travel to Gangwon province, Wonju area, the field area.

*Gangwon province Wonju area, field area

seeing the price for the travel, Hajin's mouth has been open for some time, even now repeating it like a recorder.

"…170,000 won?"

Hajin tone went up at the unexpected price.

The Portal worker retorted unfazed.

"Yes. From Seoul to Gangwondo Wonju, it's 170,000 won."

Unlike from Cube to Seoul, going to Seoul to Gangwondo had a price. I bought my card with me, but 170,000 won wasn't a small amount to pay, especially now, when I was trying to save money why should i spend my money when it can be done easily and freely.

"Forget about that guy, see my Cadot card here "

"Oh.. you both are Cube cadets, that's great. Cadets are allowed 6 free passes per month. You should have told about it first"

"Oh really? That's great "

Now it's Hajin's time to return a jab to her, he said sarcastically, not at all changing expression, the Portal worker turned towards me, asked politely.

"Would you like to use one?"

"Yes."

The Portal worker then took my wrist and stamped a seal.

I was genuinely surprised at her complete change in attitude. It seemed being a Hero really was one of the best jobs in this world.

"Thank you."

"Yes, have a safe trip, Cadot Meliodas, you should please avoid being friends with that kind of guy, drive him away from you."

The female Portal worker had even memorized my name but seeing her bickering with Hajin, she must have remembered Hajin more than me.

....

Wonju was a global city. Although its buildings were limited in height due to the threat of monsters, the city was filled with sturdy modern structures.

Foreigners of all skin color walked around with their weapons, while agency employees, who supported them, busily tapped on their tablets.

They were likely calculating the price of the day's haul.

While different from Seoul and Busan, it was indeed an unusual scene.

In any case, the Korean Peninsula's numerous Towers and Dungeons produced many monsters. Had it not been for the Heroes who could turn them into marketable resources, Korea would have long been destroyed.

However, the Nine Stars, who were nine of the strongest Heroes, had five members who were Korean. One of them even served as Korea's 20th President. Any further explanation wasn't necessary.

Under the tax law, foreigners had to pay more in taxes. Even so, foreign mercenaries and Heroes flocked to Korea, because the hunting process was safe enough to make up for the high taxes.

If things became dangerous during a hunt, one could simply send out a distress call, and Heroes or agents would arrive in less than three minutes. Korea was the only country in the world with such a system.

The city was full of interesting things - blacksmith's workshop, potion store, alcohol bar, etc. With shops that looked like they belonged in the Middle Ages operating in modern buildings, it felt like I was in a game world.

we continued walking and before I noticed, I was at the entrance of the 'Field.'

"E-Excuse me?"

Just when I was about to enter, someone struck up a conversation.

It was a tall, average-looking man with slouched shoulders and circular glasses.

I didn't know him. He was likely an agent.

"Yes?"

"Are you two perhaps here to hunt monsters?"

"...Are you an agent?"

"Ah, yes, here's my business card."

I took the business card form him I didn't know who he was, but an agent was necessary to sell monsters' bodies but looking at the name and the company logo written on the business card, I doubted my eyes i couldn't help but have smile on my face giving the card to hajin i extended my hand to greet him.

[SH Agent Head Manager, Park Soohyuk]

"... Mr. Park Soohyuk? Right Name is Meliodas, nice to meet you and this is Kim Hajin "

"Ah, yes, nice to meet you too Mr. Meliodas & Mr. Kim Hajin ."

The man smiled as he tidied up his shabby clothes.

"Haha, you might not have heard of me. I started this work not too long ago."

I smiled at him. Connections were one of the most important aspects of life. A person's future was often the result of the ill-relationships and good-relationships one made.

As this world was still in its early stage, there were many who were currently weak but would become prosperous in the future.

The best way to get close to a famous person was to become friends before that person became famous.

"SH Agent, I don't think I've heard of it before. It feels like a trustworthy name."

Kim hajin told him what he could come up at that time but for now, he didn't seem to be doing too well We could change after all he is guild manager i want to have in future.

"Ha, haha, thank you."

"Ah, by the way…"

"My main weapon is a dagger or i also use sword or short sword and his is gun Is that okay?"

"I don't think it would be a problem. Gun or sword, mercenary or hunter, it doesn't matter to me! New customers are always welcome!"

Park Soohyuk put his hand out with a bright smile.

⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎

We walked into the Field.

Park Soohyuk followed us from behind. It seemed he was in a desperate time considering the fact that agents without a vehicle usually waited outside the Field.

"Ah, there's one there."

After about 30 minutes of wandering around, we finally encountered a monster.

A large body and protruding teeth, it was a low-rank grade 9 monster called an iron hog.

The 'iron' part of its name wasn't because it was covered in iron, but because its skin was stronger than iron.

"I think we should ignore that one."

When we began to approach it, Park Soohyuk held me back. Hajin asked impatiently.

"Why?"

"...Yes?"

Park Soohyuk's eyes seemed to say, 'Do I need to explain this too?'

"You can't kill an iron hog. Even piercing its outer skin will be difficult, and with a short sword or a gun it will be difficult to do "

Hajin didn't bother with that at all, he needs money to buy a special gun, so all he has in mind is price tags instead of monsters.

"But it's expensive."

"Yes?"

The price of a monster faithfully followed the law of a free market economy. Monsters like the undead gave no benefits and thus had no value.

Consequently, monsters like these were subsidized by the government. Hajin can't miss a single coin. He looked at me and then turned towards Park Soohyuk.

"Even if it's expensive, attacking it isn't a good..."

"You'll just have to wait and see, Meliodas, I choose you "

"What...now I am a Pokemon ha... fine I need exp anyway "

I took out my sword, ran to it and slashed its head which caused a crescent moon arc in air slicing it head perfectly.

"Perfect, we got it "

"...Wow."

Next to Kim Hajin, Park Soohyuk exclaimed in awe because of my speed, looking at them, I started to brag

"So? Clean, isn't it?"

"Yes, you have great skills"

"Haha, I'm flattered."

I spoke as i pointed at the iron hog's corpse, Kim Hajin is checking for some more of them with his skill hopefully it will drop some thing for him.

"So how much will this go for? It looks pretty expensive."

"Well, iron hogs are already pricey and since this corpse is in such a good condition, even after the fees, it should be at least 600... no, 800,000 won."

Kim hajin eyes are like money just like Nami did i turned him like this no no right he is greedy Yes, it's not my fault.

"Wow, we have to kill more "

"Hold on. Let me store the corpse first."

Park Soohyuk took out a pouch from his bag. It should be a magical pouch with a space expansion magic Seeing him struggle to put the hog in the pouch, I grabbed the hog's front leg.

"I'll help out."

"Ah, thank you."

His pouch became full. So when I started hunting again, I kept corpses in my inventory, I killed 15 more monsters, but as I level up, the experience I got Is started to fall so at end of the day all I got I one level up .

"...It's already 7."

Before I noticed, the sun had set and darkness had descended on the Field.

We went back, and we both gave our details and corpses along with some drops we got from Dungeon mana stones are needed for Kim Hajin training to increase the mana, but drops like weapons all can be used for exchange which will give us more money.

Friday morning.

I opened my eyes while in bed. I am really tired, not physically, but mentally, Meliodas couldn't help but remember last night's conversation with the Great Sage, and he finally knows why he doesn't have any thoughts or emotion in his eyes when he is killing djinns in the museum that day.

Knowing that your emotions someday, everything will be sealed away, he doesn't know what to say about it, he knows there will be a prize for this strength, there is nothing unconditional in this world, even some parents raise their children expecting something in return when they grown up.

Great Sage has already taken measures, in a way that I can go into the state when I want to, but to do that, it will take time for now, it is not that much worrying let's do daily quest for now and go to class.

I walked into the shower with various thought in my head.

After washing away my remaining drowsiness with cold water, I dried myself, put on my cadet uniform, and headed out to class.

 I checked my smartwatch first. There were three unseen messages.

[9,100,130 won has been deposited.]

[Here is the payment for yesterday's monsters & drops, I hope to work with you again. SH Agency Head Manager, Park Soohyuk.]

The payment was quicker than I expected. If I remembered correctly, exclusive contracts had monthly payments.

Mine must have been quick because it was a one-time deal. But still, to have them taken care of overnight… he sure was quick with his work.

As expected of Park Soohyuk I have to make him manager for my future Guild.

Friday's first period class was on 'Phenomenon Realm Analysis.' From what other cadets were saying, it seemed we were assigned the most difficult theory class since we didn't have physical training today. Of course, this didn't apply to me.

"Sit down."

The professor walked in as always his face giving vibes like because he has lost something in his life.

" There is a written exam today, like I mentioned last time."

' you got to be kidding me is this old man for real '

A test was announced out of the blue. Heartfelt groans erupted from the cadets. It seemed I wasn't the only one who had only heard about this now.

"Really? I didn't study at all!"

In front of me, Chae Nayun muttered in despair.

Kim Suho, who was sitting next to her, promptly showed her the notes " I took down yesterday, "

Chae Nayun coughed in embarrassment. Cha Hae-In isn't all that worried and Rachel is also not that worried were as Kim Hajin he is looking at his Laptop well your not only who can cheat now Hajin .

"Now, now, quiet down."

The professor silenced the cadets in a heartless tone before handing out the exam sheet. After a few scuffling sounds of paper, I also received an exam sheet.

Problem 1. Describe the monster,

'Pygmalion'.

Problem 2. Describe the Nine Evils (Djinns).

Problem 3. State the attributes that humans can manifest in the Phenomenon Realm.

Problem 4....

The problems' difficulty and ambiguity were higher than what I had imagined. Other cadets also sighed the moment they glanced at the problems. But I was different. I had answers to all of the problems in my brain because i had already Inspected all books in the Library.

[Pygmalions are Fallen Ghosts whose intelligence exceeds that of humans. They cannot be seen in the Phenomenon Realm, and they act as humans after possessing them. Because of this behavior, some argue that they should be classified as a Djinn ...]

After I was done writing all the answers, I have extra time now that things are going smoothly anyway i can't intervene in everything so lets leave it be,I can't stress myself.

In any case, let's spend this qualitative time for myself thinking in this manner. I entered my room and noticed a guitar on the corner of room i bought it when I got here first,changing into casual attire, a black sweatshirt, and a night pants after washing myself.

Going into a remote part of a park in a cube and sitting on a stone pillar beneath a tree that functions as a chair In my past life, I enjoyed a lot of songs, even though I had no idea who sang them.

At first, I didn't even understand them; I just listened to them for the music, afterwards the lyrics, and finally, because I wanted to escape reality.

I wanted to sing some of them here, even if it was a shameless thing; who cares? I am singing them for myself, not for other people.

With Great Sage, I remembered everything without leaving a single song on my playlist of 1500 songs. 

The song i want to sing is one of the song i ever listened repeatedly " Call You Mine "

I began playing the guitar to feel the beat as the evening breeze gradually began to build up.

What I didn't anticipate was that a blonde with two pairs of blue eyes was staring at me with interest.