Chapter 36 – Moment of the Stars (3)

Read on​ KatRea​dingCafe

“Damn it, fine. Anyway, since it’s been proven that the people affiliated with us infiltrated the dungeon and attempted an attack, we’ll pay the compensation!”

The meeting was intense, but it didn’t drag on for too long.

The identities of the assassins, who had been thoroughly subdued by Reina, were clearly confirmed, and the evidence was so blatant that the factions they belonged to couldn’t deny it.

“Good. Then let’s consider the final agenda agreed upon and conclude the meeting.”

“Including the Emerald Cluster and the White Lotus Association, the five factions will transfer compensation to Over Moon within a month, as well as the rights to the resource dungeons on the 115th and 134th floors.”

Moreover, if it had been any other issue, the other old factions might have protected them, but this time they either kept their mouths shut or subtly pressured them to agree, so the surrender was inevitably accelerated.

The representatives of the five factions, who were suddenly held responsible for the incident and had to pay a hefty compensation, had stiff expressions, but everyone else acted as if they had just overcome a crisis.

‘Sigh. Still, I guess we got off cheap, all things considered.’

Daik, the representative of the old faction and the leader of Lacno Mercenaries, who had organized and personally attended the meeting, also secretly wiped away cold sweat at the outcome.

In the end, his faction, Lacno Mercenaries, hadn’t lost anything, and it seemed like he had somewhat prevented Over Moon from fully leaning toward the new faction, so Daik had achieved what he wanted.

‘Anyway… that sharp-tongued woman. She didn’t give an inch.’

However, Daik glanced at the woman with a haughty expression, arms crossed, dressed in a black suit—Kim Ji-eun, who had attended the meeting as the representative of Over Moon.

It seemed that Over Moon had also achieved what they wanted.

Though it was a sight he had seen every time such meetings were held, today too, Kim Ji-eun had stepped forward as Reina’s relentless hunting dog, tearing into the enemies.

She had fiercely pressured the five factions to the point where even Daik, who could be considered a third party, was left speechless.

Seeing this, the others, startled, mediated and proposed a compromise, which the five factions couldn’t refuse.

Kim Ji-eun had clearly known this from the start, which was why she had pressured them so strongly from the beginning.

“Let’s wrap this up. Everyone’s busy, especially with the 150th-floor raid approaching.”

In any case, the matter was concluded like this.

For people like Daik, that was what mattered most.

“Is it over?”

“But the atmosphere doesn’t seem bad?”

At the moment when people were pouring out of the Alliance branch, which had been designated as the meeting place, many were still stationed outside.

Although it was known that something had happened, the exact details hadn’t been publicly revealed.

“Everyone, disperse. We’ve already said there’s nothing more to discuss.”

Since all factions had agreed not to escalate the matter further, no detailed or official information was released, contrary to the wishes of those gathered.

Though rumors had already started to spread.

“Let’s just go. It seems Reina isn’t here anyway, so we’ll only cause misunderstandings if we stay.”

“Yeah, we should…”

The Shadis Party was one of them. Unlike the others, they had come just in case.

Shadis nodded at her companion Wayne’s suggestion to avoid misunderstandings and return.

‘We’ll meet again later.’

Although an unprecedented situation had occurred, it wasn’t enough to sever their connection with Reina. As they continued to climb the Tower, there would inevitably be moments when they would meet Reina again as she descended to the lower floors.

“Hey, Dark Elf. Someone wants to see you.”

“…Huh?”

But then, someone pushed through the crowd and pointed directly at Shadis.

Though they had never met before, it seemed the other party already knew who Shadis was.

“Follow me. There are too many eyes here.”

He gestured as if it was obvious that Shadis would follow.

At that moment, Shadis noticed the distinct crescent moon engraved on the bracelet he wore.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re the challenger from the lower floors that Reina has taken an interest in, right?”

The place where Mark, a member of the Over Moon guild, took Shadis was the hotel where Reina was staying.

Due to the sudden influx of people, the heavily controlled hotel was quiet and peaceful compared to the bustling outside.

“Do I need to introduce myself?”

“Ah, no. Ms. Kim Ji-eun, of course I know who you are.”

The person who had called Shadis to see her was Kim Ji-eun.

Sitting cross-legged in a chair in front of the table, Shadis swallowed dryly as Kim Ji-eun looked her up and down.

Kim Ji-eun, also a Ranker within the top 100, had a different aura from Reina.

‘The Sorceress of Black Moon.’

There was a reason Shadis was so nervous.

She had heard rumors about Kim Ji-eun, just like she had about Reina.

If Reina was a quiet and ruthless warrior who rarely stepped forward, Kim Ji-eun was the aggressive and rough field commander who burned through enemies without hesitation beside her.

Though Reina was more famous, the number of vicious rumors about Kim Ji-eun was actually greater.

Of course, Shadis had learned from Reina that judging someone by rumors was wrong, but somehow, Kim Ji-eun felt like those rumors were true.

Still, with her experience, Shadis instinctively realized that Kim Ji-eun wore a mask so thick that it was incomparable to Reina’s.

“One of the assassins targeted you, but Reina noticed in advance and stopped them, right?”

“Yes. I owe her another debt.”

“We need to find out who that guy is, but it won’t be easy. Unlike the others, there’s almost no trace of him.”

Kim Ji-eun, who had been tapping her shoe-clad foot, set down her teacup.

Though she didn’t offer Shadis a seat or pour her tea, treating her formally, Kim Ji-eun did share some information with her.

It was information only known to those at the top of the Tower.

“Anyway, since you’re someone Reina has taken as a companion in the lower floors, I have no choice but to acknowledge you.”

“Th-thank you.”

Shadis’s heart raced as she realized this was a form of acknowledgment as a comrade.

If things went well with Kim Ji-eun, perhaps she could go beyond just her connection with Reina and officially join the Over Moon guild.

There wasn’t a challenger who didn’t know the benefits of joining a large guild.

Especially if it was the guild of Reina, whom she admired. Perhaps the moment she had dreamed of—fighting alongside Reina at the top—would come true.

“Also, I’m personally curious. Just what did you do to captivate her?”

“What do you mean… I’ve never captivated her.”

“Just kidding. It’s just my perspective. I’ve spent years trying to sway her stubbornness, but to no avail.”

Kim Ji-eun smiled meaningfully as she looked at Shadis, then set down her teacup and stood up.

“Want to see something good? You might be the right person to see this.”

With a sly grin, she took out her phone and showed Shadis something.

‘What is this…’

What Kim Ji-eun showed her was a video she had taken herself.

In the video, Reina’s figure could be seen through a slightly opened door.

She was deep in thought, looking at something spread out on the bed and sofa—furniture covered in various items.

She was so focused that she didn’t even notice Kim Ji-eun’s approach, something she would have normally detected immediately.

‘Those are the things she bought back then.’

Shadis’s eyes widened as she realized what Reina was doing.

They were the clothes Reina had bought in bulk after being overwhelmed by the staff’s persistence when they were together.

She even picked up one of them and subtly held it up to herself.

The intention behind her actions and her contemplation was clear.

“See? I’ve been with her since the moment she entered the Tower, but this is the first time I’ve seen her like this. She’s someone who wears the same baggy training clothes in dozens of sets, you know.”

Kim Ji-eun whispered into Shadis’s ear, which had stiffened in surprise.

From her perspective, Reina’s behavior could only be attributed to Shadis’s influence.

“I-I just wanted her to feel even a little more comfortable.”

“I felt the same way. But every time I suggested it, she’d say she was more comfortable like this and wouldn’t even listen!”

Kim Ji-eun slammed the table and stood up, then casually slung her arm around Shadis’s neck.

“You know it too, right? That Reina hides her ‘abilities and talents’ tightly. I’ve been trying to peel that away so the whole world can see, but it’s been hard alone… But with you, I think it’s possible. What do you say?”

“…Of course, I want to see it too.”

Kim Ji-eun, whose mind was filled with nothing but worship and pride for Reina, was ready to join hands with anyone for that goal.

And Shadis was the same.

Thanks to that, the two women’s opinions aligned. All while Reina remained completely unaware.

——————————————————————————————————————————

[This is it, damn it!]
[Is this moment finally coming?]
[Where’s the admin of Kim Ji-eun’s gallery? I know you’re lurking here. Go and encourage her!]
[Does Shadis not have a gallery? No Constellation contracts either?]

.

.

.

——————————————————————————————————————————

Moreover, the two women were also unaware.

That countless users were cheering for them.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you for reading.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
If you keep banging your head on a wall, eventually you are going to be the one banged on that same wall, or you’ll end up in a hospital.

At least I think that’s how it works?

Placeholders