Chapter 886

EP.886 [Light Novel Side Story] The Death Dinass of the Sky 2, Vol. 2, Ch. 3

The moment Seok Harang sat across from Xian, Xian thought to himself, “How often in life do you get to have a private meeting with such a beauty?”

Her hair was like pristine white snowfall, untouched by any speck of dirt. Her ashen eyes contained patterns that looked like ice crystals embedded within them. Her features were strikingly Western, not typically Korean. And her lips, despite no lipstick, were vividly crimson.

Xian couldn’t help but strongly agree with the public’s assessment of Seok Harang as a Snow White-like figure, standing out amidst the drab office environment.

“Her looks are SS Rank for sure… she really is beautiful.”

Of course, there was a tinge of jealousy in those words – “a perennial S Rank who hasn’t reached her growth limit” – but Xian didn’t care at all.

He just had one question: Why would someone so important come to this studio?

“What brings you here?”

Xian cut straight to the chase. Without preamble, Seok Harang adjusted her posture and began speaking.

“Please release Kim Nori.”

“Rejected.”

“…”

“…”

The air grew colder. Xian checked the heater, thinking it might’ve broken again, only to notice frost forming on the window glass. He pointed at it with his finger.

“I’m powerless. Is it right to threaten me with magic power?”

“That’s what happens when you outright reject someone.”

“You came here out of the blue asking for Nori’s release, so that’s why.”

“Do you dislike me?”

“No.”

While scratching his cheek, Xian reflected on whether his tone had been too brusque. But even after reconsidering, he realized he’d spoken normally. As Seok Harang’s expression grew colder, Xian offered a cup of coffee he’d prepared earlier.

“Let’s start over, shall we?”

“Alright.”

Seok Harang replied without touching the coffee. Feeling somewhat awkward, Xian sipped his own warm coffee while welcoming Seok Harang.

“Thank you for taking the trouble to visit. I’m Xian.w.Hibiscus, manager of Oracle Studio Korea branch.”

“I’m Korean Hero Seok Harang.”

They bowed slightly to each other. An uncomfortable silence filled the room.

“You arrived earlier than expected.”

“I have another appointment later tonight, so I had no choice but to come now. Sorry about that.”

It made no sense to apologize for arriving early, yet Seok Harang couldn’t take her eyes off an uneaten cup ramen sitting in the corner of the office. It had long since swollen and gone cold.

“Oh, don’t worry about the cup ramen. Coffee will fill me up.”

Xian didn’t seem to mind at all. Seok Harang felt even more flustered, realizing his offer wasn’t mere politeness but genuine kindness.

“Why did you get angry earlier?”

“Huh? I didn’t get angry.”

“You did. You flat-out refused.”

“Well, it’s because it can’t be done.”

“Why not?”

As Seok Harang started getting irritated, she coughed and quickly continued.

“Yo—”

“…Seok Harang, aren’t you 26? A year 2000 baby?”

“Why bring up age?”

“I’m also from the year 2000, December 25th.”

Though Xian’s birthday was two months later, they were the same age. Seok Harang subtly frowned, showing her discomfort.

“Why does age matter now? Are you trying to drop formalities or something?”

“Not at all. I meant it in the context of your request for Kim Nori—to face reality.”

“…I didn’t say ‘give.’ I said ‘release.’ What does my age have to do with anything?”

“Isn’t that what you mean? If you release Kim Nori, you’re obviously trying to snatch her up yourself. If Light Blade came and wanted to take her as a disciple, I could understand due to his experience.”

Realizing her true intentions had been exposed, cracks began appearing in Seok Harang’s usually stoic facade.

“I admit Kim Nori is quite a promising talent worth cultivating.”

Xian leaned back casually.

“Kim Nori might become Korea’s first SS Rank someday. I anticipated someone would come along sooner or later trying to meddle like this, claiming they could raise her better. I didn’t expect it to be you though.”

“…If you knew that, why not just hand her over to me?”

“On what basis should I trust you? Someone who couldn’t even reach SS Rank herself—what makes you think you can make Kim Nori achieve it?”

Cracks appeared in the frost on the window as tension rose. Despite being powerless, Xian’s words stung Seok Harang deeply.

“Then what about you?”

Finally, Seok Harang retaliated.

“In that case, how exactly do you plan to develop Kim Nori? If your explanation makes sense, I’ll back off willingly.”

“What? Hah, are you seriously demanding I spill every last detail of our trade secrets? We’re recording this via CCTV, you know. Audio included. This could easily escalate into an international lawsuit.”

With hands in his pockets, Xian stood up, bending slightly forward to look down at Seok Harang.

“This is highway robbery! Did you come here to expose everything from one to ten?”

“If you take her to America later, who knows?”

“That’s entirely up to Kim Nori. Besides, I don’t intend to stop with just Kim Nori. She’s merely the beginning. Her extraordinary talent has drawn attention, that’s all. Frankly speaking—”

“I’ve heard your story about meeting Kim Nori.”

Interrupting Xian mid-sentence, Seok Harang referenced an interview he’d given to a journalist:

– When Kim Nori, a powerless individual, was nearly attacked by a drunk vagrant, Xian saved her, leading to their acquaintance. Despite uncertainty about her awakening potential, Xian personally paid for a reevaluation test, discovering Kim Nori’s hidden potential.

It turned out this was part of a nationwide scam orchestrated by Xian and Kim Nori under mutual agreement. Frustrated, Xian slapped his chest.

“I officially stated: I’ll fully support her until S Rank, and afterward, I’ll fully respect whatever choice she makes. Isn’t that great for guilds and associations? A foreigner developing national talents using his own money.”

Spreading his arms wide and tilting his head slightly, Xian seemed rather smug. Seok Harang found it grating.

“…Fine. Then provide evidence that I can trust you.”

“What? If you insist on exposing everything, go ahead—”

Poof. A screen appeared before Xian’s eyes. Mid-sentence, his face stiffened as he read the text displayed on the floating screen.

“Provide some convincing track record—not just mine, but something everyone can accept. If you do, I’ll step aside willingly.”

“…”

Xian maintained silence as Seok Harang began watching him closely.

“…I see. I get it. It’s rude and bothersome, but I need proof you’re trustworthy. After all, this is the first S Rank in ages, and society is extremely worried. Already, China and Japan have poached nearly fifty A Rank potentials…”

“What’s the ‘Seoul Recovery Operation’?”

Pointing at the screen, Xian asked. Seok Harang stared blankly at him for a moment before glancing downward.

“How could anyone visiting New Seoul not know about the Seoul Recovery Operation? It happens almost every quarter.”

“…Ah, oh!”

Xian snapped his fingers, realization dawning on his face.

“That operation with the grandiose name! In reality, it’s just a weed-pulling mission where heroes are regularly mobilized to deal with monsters in Seoul before they migrate south.”

“What?”

Crack. Frost on the window cracked. Seok Harang was visibly infuriated, struggling to control her emotions.

“Hey! Don’t act like it’s none of your business when—”

“That’s rich coming from someone who fled their post.”

“……!”

Seok Harang froze mid-rant. Xian, noticing her discomfort, felt even more bewildered.

“What? Seriously? I was just probing, but you really came here with that intention?”

“B-but there’s no way I’d flee my country…”

“So why did you come alone without bringing anyone else? Personally.”

Holding up three fingers, Xian continued.

“First, no matter how strong you are as an S Rank hero, you came alone without any escorts or attendants. Second, you arrived much earlier than scheduled. Third, someone who never budged from Busan suddenly came all the way to New Seoul to find me.”

Lowering all three fingers, Xian locked eyes with Seok Harang.

“While calling it fleeing might be an exaggeration, the intent is similar, isn’t it? You came here to our studio to create a ‘legal’ opportunity to travel abroad. Kim Nori is just an excuse; in reality, you’re wondering if you could reach SS Rank through our studio.”

Speechless, Seok Harang watched as Xian pressed on enthusiastically.

“Our main shareholder is a former Round Table member, Oracle. There’s a chance you might meet other Round Table members. That’s why you’re requesting performance records to test us, right? Ha ha, did I hit the nail on the head?”

“…”

Sighing deeply after his lengthy interrogation, Seok Harang finally spoke.

“No, you didn’t.”

“…”

“Hmph, frustrating. Wasted time.”

Xian wanted to crawl into a mouse hole.

* * *

<The next morning, 9:50 AM. Xian’s office.>

“What audacity! Who does she think she is, ordering me around like I’m some object? Just because the government worships her, she acts like royalty.”

“Shouldn’t water-based types be called ‘water-colls’ instead?”

“Auntie, I call you that out of habit, but please don’t joke like an old man. Ugh, thinking about it makes me mad again! How dare she treat me like property?! Why did you just stand there silently, Auntie?! Ack!”

Nuri tore a magazine cover featuring Snow White in half, venting her anger. Raon, returning upstairs with coffee, handed a cup to Xian, who already finished drinking Seok Harang’s untouched cold coffee.

“Did she really come with the intention of mistrusting foreigners and demanding Nuri because of it? Planning to cultivate her herself?”

“She said so herself.”

Xian glared at the large TV mounted on the wall, which seemed to be airing news. Two panelists debated upcoming press conference predictions.

– The reason Snow White came from Busan is her participation in the operation…

– So, this time, Snow White is the overall commander of the operation…

– How will Busan handle the manpower shortage…

“It seems the rumors were true.”

YuNa sighed heavily after gathering information from screens surrounding her. As everyone’s attention turned to her, she pulled up the Hero Academy curriculum to explain.

“Second-year students at the academy begin field training in early March. They establish bases throughout the southern parts of the old capital, Seoul, to clear out monsters.”

“Basically, on-the-job training. But why send only academy students?”

“Because it’s dangerous.”

Raon pointed to his heart. Pausing briefly, YuNa continued.

“…That’s why D Rank is the standard. What used to be a monster-infested wasteland where convenience stores served as monster dens is now manageable for academy students.”

“Hmm. Using academy candidates to clear out monsters? Incredible.”

Xian chuckled wryly. Scanning through the materials YuNa compiled, Xian’s face contorted upon spotting something alarming.

“What? The guild mandates participation based on rank?”

“Yes. To fulfill the mandatory quota for operations, the guild actively recruits academy students. Including trainees helps meet the required number.”

“So academy candidates are just extras?”

“Exactly.”

Raon added,

“Think of it like inserting military academy students into reserve duty quotas. That’s how the elders explained it during my time in the militia.”

“…Now I understand why the guild eagerly recruits promising candidates.”

Xian picked up the ‘Research Report on the Integration and Utilization of Seoul Recovery Operation and Hero Academy Candidates.’

“Such a fancy title. Is this a thesis?”

“Originally 500 pages. I condensed it a bit during my undergrad years.”

While sipping hot chocolate, YuNa pointed to the final paragraph. Xian read aloud her concise summary.

“Pairing rookies with seasoned guild members during training benefits both parties. For candidates: real combat experience and advice from experienced seniors. For the guild: fulfilling mandatory operation quotas, core collection, and identifying promising talents.”

“So, basically, parading around with low-levels to show off?”

After hearing the explanation, Nuri threw the torn magazine into the trash bin and summarized it in her own way. Xian applauded, impressed by her succinct interpretation.

“As expected from someone who still eats school lunches, you’ve simplified it further.”

“I graduated! No more school lunches!”

“Neeeeeext high school graduate.”

“PIEEEEEEEIEEEEEEEEEKKKKK!!!”

After subduing the raging Nuri, Xian glanced at his watch as the situation on TV began changing. The podium was set up, and reporters started holding their breath. Soon, a neatly dressed man appeared, grabbing the microphone.

10:02 AM.

“It’s starting. Originally scheduled for 10:00.”

“Delays are basic protocol. Here we go.”

[We will now begin the briefing for the 13th Seoul Recovery Operation.]

All four focused their attention on the TV.