Ch.183It Was Your Work All Along! – 1

Turning back time, before the Union Academy was officially announced.

“Ah, so just tell them to agree to it whenever the topic comes up!”

BANG!―

Rina Lee slams her hand on the table in frustration.

Naturally, the table splits with a crack and collapses.

The problem here is that this table was made from monster byproducts.

It’s crafted from materials that human firearms can’t even scratch.

Even if an A-rank ability user came and wielded magical power, it would barely leave a mark.

Yet Rina had shattered that table with just one hand.

“Look… calm down first and listen to what we have to say.”

A man wearing a simultaneous translation device in his ear continues with exasperation.

“We haven’t even heard anything official! At most, it was just passing conversation! Nothing official has been announced, so it’s really awkward for you to come here like this, you know?”

Another man who had been repeatedly trying to calm the situation picks up where the first left off.

“Besides, we have eyes too. It would be strange to openly insist on building it in Korea.”

“So what? You guys openly take lobbying anyway. Can’t you just do that?”

“Holy shit. That’s what makes it even stranger. Why would Korea lobby us?!”

“I don’t know. Just do it anyway.”

The various men and women gathered at the meeting rubbed their foreheads in disbelief at Rina’s insane stubbornness.

These people suddenly caught in The Yellow Madwoman’s storm were none other than America’s S-rank ability users.

Excluding those absent due to missions and those with unavoidable personal circumstances.

Rina had managed to summon all the rest before her.

Why did the S-ranks come? Obviously because they didn’t want troublesome matters arising.

Meeting Rina was certainly annoying, but refusing her request would clearly be even more troublesome!

“Are you only doing this to us? Or…”

“I’ve already been to Japan, China, and Russia. You’re next on my list.”

“Hey, that’s a bit disappointing. You should have come to America first!”

“That’s my choice. I just took whatever portal was closest, so don’t complain.”

Rina jutted her chin out slightly as if to say, “What are you going to do about it?”

Her intention was clear: are you willing to help me or not?

“Let me ask one thing. How did the other S-ranks respond?”

“Russia already owed me a few favors, so they agreed without much fuss. China and Japan were a bit difficult at first, but in the end, we resolved it through conversation!”

She says “conversation” while showing her fist.

To some, it might seem like a cute gesture from a world-class beauty.

But to those who knew better, it was the hand of hell extended by a great demon.

“Crazy bitch.”

There were curses like “fucking insane” and “crazy,” but Rina didn’t mind.

She was immune to insults by now. Besides, it was true that she was crazy!

“Fine. When the topic officially comes up, we’ll support Korea.”

“Oh, really? Thank you!”

“But in return, if the Union Academy is actually established, you need to visit occasionally. And look after the people we send. Ah! I don’t mean just look at them. I mean help them improve their skills!”

It was a threat from none other than S-rank users that they wouldn’t stand for it if she just watched, but Rina merely smiled.

“Hahaha! Okay, okay. If that’s your wish, I’ll do it. But you know that if you want something, there’s a price to pay? Be prepared for insanely difficult training.”

“Of course. Who wouldn’t expect injuries when learning from a crazy woman like you?”

“That’s funny. My boyfriend would probably be better than me though.”

This prompted simultaneous questions of “Who?” and objections of “Boyfriend?”

‘It seems the translation was a bit off.’

Rina decided to correct the term “oppa.”

Although Seojin Baek might complain that nothing was certain yet.

But thinking about it, they’d already been intimate, so it would be strange if things weren’t certain!

“My lover.”

“Lover?”

“What? What the fuck?”

“Holy shit. Did I just hear that wrong?”

Reactions of shock, not congratulations, poured in from all directions.

“What’s with these reactions? Hey, am I not allowed to have a lover?!”

“No… look, Rina. It’s just surprising, that’s all.”

“Bro’s right. Who would imagine you having a lover?”

The curse slipped out, but thinking about it, she couldn’t argue.

It was true that her crazy personality had made her someone everyone avoided.

“More importantly, who is this lover? Is he perhaps a faculty member at your academy?”

“No, not that. He’s a Silver rank examiner. S-rank Seojin Baek.”

“Silver rank… wait. Is Silver rank the highest rank at your academy?”

“No? It was actually on the lower end originally.”

“Huh? But an S-rank like us is doing that job?”

That question applied equally to all other S-rank users.

S-rank users were a nation’s greatest force and elite warriors.

Yet this S-rank was not even the highest-ranking examiner, but a lower one?

“Hey. Come see for yourself sometime. There are actually many benefits to it.”

Boasting about how amazing her lover was, Rina successfully recruited the other S-rank users once again.

“You’re late.”

Soohyun Kim, dressed not in her usual academy uniform but in an elegant suit exuding class, greeted Rina as she arrived back in Korea via portal.

“I got caught up in various conversations.”

Since she was indeed late, Rina didn’t add any further excuses.

Besides, now wasn’t the time to argue about such things.

“Did you talk well with the old man’s acquaintances?”

“Yes. It wasn’t difficult. Most were his disciples, or acquaintances of his disciples.”

“That’s convenient. I knew the old man had a wide network, but not to this extent.”

“Unlike someone who lashes out when upset, he’s not that type of person.”

Rina knew exactly who Soohyun was referring to.

But getting angry here would mean losing, so she just sighed.

In fact, she’d been wondering lately if she’d been too excessive.

“Anyway, they said that since there had already been some discussion, it shouldn’t be too difficult. The only issue is pushing the timeline forward, but if S-ranks move together as you promised, there shouldn’t be any major obstacles.”

“Of course. To use an analogy, it’s like the main forces agreeing to work together.”

The political and social atmosphere was being appropriately managed under Soohyun Kim’s leadership.

The main ability users from each country were secured through Rina’s requests that bordered on threats.

Since discussions were already underway, there shouldn’t be much resistance.

“Do you think it will work out?”

“Yes. Each country already felt the necessity. A Union Academy would legally allow them to learn about other countries’ ability users’ know-how and information about their dungeons and monsters.”

“And if they can strengthen their own ability users in the process, all the better.”

Indeed, whether people or society, they move when there’s something to gain.

Thinking this, Rina glanced at Soohyun Kim and spoke.

“So. What are you thinking about?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s natural to move when there’s something to gain. Of course, you might be doing this for oppa, but looking at you now, it seems like you want something too?”

Soohyun Kim smiled and nodded.

“I’m going to tell the examiner to break up with you, Rina.”

“Hey, are you seriously…”

“I’m joking.”

Usually, Rina would be the one making jokes, with Soohyun reacting seriously.

Now the roles were reversed, with Rina being on the receiving end.

“Seriously.”

She wondered if this was really the same timid granddaughter of Minseong Kang from before.

“Seojin oppa. You’ve created a witch,” Rina muttered as she waited for Soohyun’s next words.

“I’m thinking of asking him to be rougher.”

“…What?”

For a moment, Rina couldn’t help but think something inappropriate.

And as if Soohyun instinctively sensed her thoughts,

she shook her head with a displeased expression.

“Don’t think weird things. I just want to get stronger quickly. To become stronger faster, I need to endure more hardship and effort. So I’m going to ask the examiner to teach me more rigorously.”

“I-I see.”

Shit. Was she possessed by some perverted spirit? She unconsciously slapped her own cheek.

After watching Rina for a moment, Soohyun shrugged.

“As expected, you’re planning to make ‘that kind’ of request.”

“W-what am I requesting?!”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

She couldn’t deny it because it was true.

She wanted to share that pleasant, happy love between a man and woman again.

And now that she had a good reason, she was planning to strongly request it from Seojin Baek.

But with Soohyun suddenly acting like this, it became awkward to make such a request.

‘This makes me look like a vulgar woman who’s only interested in that!’

Monsters, villains, fellow ability users—Rina had never been nervous in front of any of them.

That was because she had absolute confidence in her victory.

But with Soohyun Kim, it was different. Victory wasn’t determined by her, but by Seojin Baek.

If Soohyun showed a more impressive side to Seojin, like now, that would be victory!

“Sheesh…”

“What’s wrong? You’re just asking for what you want. If that’s what you really want, tell the examiner. He’ll sigh but agree, unlike with me.”

Hearing that, Rina decided to completely revise her plan.

Watching Soohyun, it seemed like she was trying to score higher points in other areas.

If that’s how she wanted to play, Rina still had many cards she hadn’t used!

“Alright then. I’ll go with that.”

“With what?”

“The academy training instructor position.”

“…Huh?”

Soohyun Kim’s voice betrayed her surprise.

Understandable, since Rina was known to detest “work”!

“You’re making requests just for yourself. I’m making requests for the students. How about that? Isn’t that pretty good?”

Rina smiled, thinking she’d scored a point.

And this time, it was Soohyun Kim who looked like she’d been outmaneuvered.