Ch.124A Brief Rest – 3

After the world experienced all kinds of chaos due to the sudden Gate incident, ability users who formed the backbone of each nation faced an unprecedented workload.

First, they had to completely reorganize the personnel assigned to Gates and monsters. The decisive factor was that monster power levels had risen incomparably higher than before.

Originally, it was standard practice for ability users to handle monsters according to their respective ranks. But now, the situation was completely different. Thinking like before could lead to disaster.

The likelihood that a ranked monster might not actually belong to its designated rank had increased significantly. For example, B-rank ability users were frequently struggling against B-rank monsters.

Until now, they might have proposed theories about insufficient training or mutations. But not anymore. After the recent incident, everyone knew for certain: monsters had collectively improved. They had grown, just like humans!

– From now on, when dealing with ranked monsters, deploy at least twice the usual personnel. –

– As a precaution, have ability users one rank higher standing by in the vicinity. –

These were the two main countermeasures implemented by nations worldwide: either prepare with more personnel or contain the threat with stronger personnel.

The second countermeasure was used more frequently than the first.

Higher-ranked Gates appeared relatively less often compared to lower-ranked ones. That’s why they started pulling higher-ranked ability users to serve as reserve forces…

“Argh! What kind of nonsense is this! Unnie, is this right? Is this really right?!”

Naturally, some people expressed dissatisfaction with these countermeasures. Rina Lee, who always wanted to fight the strongest opponents, was one of them.

“Us standing by at an A-rank Gate?! It’s the end of the world! This is so embarrassing, damn it!”

Rina pounded her chest repeatedly while grumbling. Her frustration was clearly visible.

Jiyoon Han, standing beside her, shrugged her shoulders.

“We have no choice. Even A-rank monsters are showing strange signs.”

“No. Then A-rank ability users should step up their game. Why are they mobilizing us too?!”

“Be quiet and stay still. You’re driving me crazy.”

Despite Jiyoon’s warning, Rina’s grumbling didn’t stop.

“I’m so annoyed, so annoyed, SO ANNOYED!”

Instead, Rina’s complaints only grew louder. Watching her, Jiyoon sighed deeply.

“Take it easy, you crazy thing.”

“This isn’t something I can just let go!”

“You idiot. What do you want to do? If A-rank ability users get wiped out again, we won’t just be on standby anymore—they’ll order us to hunt A-rank monsters. Would you prefer that?”

At Jiyoon’s sharp point, Rina bit her lip with a groan.

She was right. If A-rank users got wiped out again, things would become more complicated. If A-rank ability users, the backbone of each nation, suffered heavy casualties, it would be troublesome. Ultimately, S-rank users like herself would end up with more work.

“Just bear with it. Besides, you’ll be rotated to a different position in the afternoon.”

“That’s what I hate even more! Are we bodyguards or something?! Why are they suddenly making us protect VIPs?!”

“What can we do? The higher-ups got scared after what happened in England.”

“Shit.” Rina cursed briefly at Jiyoon’s words.

The incident in England. The unprecedented case of Bernard Shaw, an S-rank, being murdered. The Elders, who had never even considered forming a proper alliance until now, had made their move. Though not all Elders were involved, it was still a shocking incident.

At most, only two would work together before. And even those two would abandon cooperation and fight each other at the slightest misstep. But this time, many suddenly united and caused trouble.

“Even if I tell you it’s just a temporary headwind… geez.”

“We can’t be sure. Just like the monsters have changed, those traitors might have changed too.”

“No way, Unnie. Do you think those crazy bastards would change? It’s just temporary. They’re probably tearing each other apart right now. Arguing about why they did it, why they bothered peaceful people when we’re going to start moving in earnest.”

“…”

“I’ll bet my entire fortune that they’re fighting among themselves. If they’re not, I’ll cut my own hand.”

Jiyoon quietly listened to Rina’s sharp words. In truth, she also believed an alliance among the Elders was impossible. Rather, she was more concerned about the changes in Gates and monsters—the so-called “Great Transformation.”

‘The boss monsters I saw in Incheon. Each one was so different from before.’

She thought they were ordinary A-rank bosses. But that was her mistake. She realized while fighting them: if an A-rank ability user had been there instead of her, they would have struggled severely or, in the worst case, been defeated.

‘If A-rank monsters are that strong, then S-rank monsters…’

Crunch—

Jiyoon bit her lip quietly.

If an S-rank Gate had appeared in Incheon this time, could she have prevented the situation with minimal casualties, as in the “Miracle of Incheon”? Could she have fought well against monsters that had become incomparably stronger than before?

She wouldn’t have lost. She would have eventually dealt with all the monsters. But she couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t have been obstacles along the way.

‘Have I become too dull lately? I might have been complacent without realizing it.’

With her work as an Academy professor, clan master duties, and various activities as an S-rank, she had neglected her own training. These were her past actions that she couldn’t deny.

Thump!—

At that moment, Rina, who had been quietly watching Jiyoon, lightly tapped her shoulder.

“I can see exactly what you’re thinking, Unnie.”

“Hmm?”

“Are you stupid? It’s not like you’ve fallen into narcissism thinking ‘Aren’t I amazing?’ like that water ghost bastard. You were just taking a short break because you had so much to do.”

“But…”

“But nothing.”

WHACK!—

This time, instead of tapping her shoulder, she struck her back hard. It was none other than “Rina Lee” who hit her back. It couldn’t help but hurt.

“Ouch! That hurts, you crazy thing! Why are you hitting me?! It hurts!!”

“Yes, that’s it. That’s our Unnie. Don’t get depressed too, Unnie. It’s already annoying enough seeing everyone else acting like the world is ending.”

Jiyoon let out a “Huh?” at those words.

She was trying to encourage her in her own way, but couldn’t she have done it more gently? There was no need to hit her back so hard.

“…Thanks, you damn girl.”

“Hmm? Don’t you think that’s a strange way to thank someone?”

“Your hand is so heavy, that’s why. What?”

Damn it. No matter what, hitting her back like that?

As Jiyoon raised her hand, Rina let out an exaggerated scream. Ironically, if the two were compared, Rina would probably be stronger.

Ding!—

“Ah, they’re being so damn pushy!”

“Another alert message from the Association?”

“Obviously. Sigh! I’ll be going now, Unnie. These bastards keep asking when I’m coming.”

“Take care. And don’t cause trouble.”

“If they don’t listen, they deserve a beating, right? Whether young or old, a good beating is the remedy for whiners.”

It’s really funny coming from you of all people.

With Jiyoon’s final remark, Rina got into her secretary’s car and headed somewhere.

‘What kind of important people are they that I need to guard them? This is so annoying.’

From what she heard, they were high-ranking officials from some important research facility. What did that have to do with villains? Damn bastards. Did they conduct some strange research? Perhaps some secret research that deserves social condemnation?!

‘Anyway, there are bastards everywhere I go.’

Rina cursed again in her mind.

“…Ah, come to think of it, I’m even more annoyed! If I start the escort now, they’re basically making me work overtime! These goddamn fucking bastards! They should at least respect my quitting time!!”

She repeatedly pounded the seat in frustration from the back seat.

“…”

The secretary watching from the front inwardly sighed. He wanted to ask if she felt any guilt about the overtime that she caused others to work routinely, but he held back because he didn’t want to get hurt.

Ding!—

“Ah! Aah!! I told them I’m on my way. I’m on my way! Why are they being so pushy…”

Rina stopped mid-sentence and looked at her phone screen again with a “Huh?”

It wasn’t the government asking where she was or when she’d arrive. Nor was it the Association telling her to hurry because people were waiting.

The person who sent a message at this late hour was none other than…

‘Soohyun Kim?’

Yes. The one who sent the message at this hour was none other than Soohyun Kim.

‘Why is she suddenly messaging me?’

Did something happen to Seojin oppa? Was I the only person she could contact?

With that thought, she couldn’t help but check the content. So Rina unlocked her screen and checked the message.

[ ㅋ ]

“…?”

Is she crazy? Why is she suddenly sending just a ‘ㅋ’ with no context?

[ What’s up with you? Why are you just sending one ‘ㅋ’ and nothing else? Did something happen? ]

After a moment, another reply came from Soohyun Kim.

[ lol ]

“…”

For a moment, Rina considered abandoning her Association duties and going to find Soohyun Kim.