Ch.653Chapter 25. Let it Unfold (3)

We need to reconsider the criteria for determining S-rank.

What kind of people are S-rank?

It’s not about exceeding a specific level of magical power to be called S-rank, nor is there a rule that each country must have a certain number of S-ranks.

S-rank refers to those who have been objectively evaluated by each country’s Hero Association as capable of controlling national crisis situations—individuals who can truly be considered “S-rank.”

In other words, human judgment definitely factors into the evaluation criteria for S-rank.

So if those selecting S-ranks were to suppress their conscience slightly, frankly speaking, “just about anyone” could become S-rank.

As long as they don’t get caught.

But who would try to deceive the entire world by creating national stars?

Even if they put forward a meticulously crafted fake through plastic surgery or whatever means, what people ultimately want from S-ranks is transcendent “special abilities.”

If someone labeled as S-rank loses to an A-rank villain, who would still call them S-rank?

It would simply mean the Association committed fraud by calling them S-rank.

However.

Humans have done something wicked ahead of the World Cup.

Taking advantage of the fact that “you won’t know unless you test them,” they’ve created an unprecedented situation by recklessly increasing the number of S-ranks.

From Korea’s perspective, people who would normally be classified as A-rank in Korea are all participating under the title of S-rank.

-Hey!! By that logic, our country should have at least 40 S-ranks!!

The number of officially registered A-ranks in Korea is a whopping 39.

It’s hard to call this few, considering that Korea’s A-ranks are comparable to other countries’ solid A+ ranks.

Rather, having this many potential S-ranks secured in one country is a point of national pride.

But what’s the use?

They can’t participate in the Ability User World Cup.

It’s extremely frustrating, but unless the Hero Association officially certifies them as S-rank, there’s no way.

The preliminary brackets have already been announced, and unless someone miraculously awakens as S-rank and someone on the bracket collapses, they can’t participate in the World Cup.

So currently, Korea’s A-ranks have to swallow their tears and watch the World Cup participation of those whose abilities seem, by all accounts, similar to their own.

Just you wait.

While the A-ranks are seething, what are those participating with S-rank credentials thinking?

There was only one thought.

And that single thought was a festival of powerful wishes preventing me from comfortably entering Korea as “Doblin.”

-I want Do Ji-hwan’s awakening technique!!

Regardless of gender, everyone started looking for the Patriotic Master.

Because they wanted to become S-rank.

And I….

* * *

Two days before the opening ceremony, at a hotel near Pohang’s Yeongil Bay Beach.

“382 requests.”

Baek Seol-hee showed her Taeguk Watch to Ymir with a weary voice.

“That’s the number of people who have officially requested the Patriotic Master’s awakening technique through the Hero Association.”

“That’s insane. Do they want to become that strong?”

“They came with S-rank credentials, but they want to actually perform as true S-ranks.”

“Hmm.”

Both Baek Seol-hee and Ymir understand the desire to become stronger.

“But about 100 of these requests are from men.”

“That’s exactly my point.”

However, both of them are quite reluctant to become stronger if it means having relations with the same sex.

“What are you going to do?”

“What can I do? Am I crazy enough to awaken men?”

I firmly expressed my refusal to Ymir, who was looking at me with a hopeful face.

“I’m going to officially announce that Patriotic Master Do Ji-hwan can only awaken women.”

“The moment you step forward to make an official statement, you’ll be kidnapped.”

“That’s why you need to protect me.”

“They’ll distract Baek Seol-hee and use diversionary tactics to kidnap you. There are already people in Japan trying to set up meetings with me.”

“Damn. They won’t put in the effort to become stronger on their own.”

It’s fortunate that I dealt with the wish-granting demon in advance.

If they had a strong desire to do such things with men just to become stronger, to kidnap the Patriotic Master hiding in Baek Seol-hee’s embrace in the middle of South Korea…

-Keheheh, I’ll grant your wish. I’ll let you spend a night with the Patriotic Master in your dreams.

-ANG!

“…I don’t want to do that even in dreams.”

“Just with men?”

“With women too.”

With not much time left, I can’t go around recklessly sleeping with various women.

“Right now, I’m in the stage of gathering energy. I won’t do it carelessly until after the World Cup.”

“True. You’re already keeping it to a minimum with us….”

I’m exercising maximum restraint right now.

Both Baek Seol-hee and Ymir know this, which is why even when I have patriotic relations with them, I accommodate everything except for one thing.

“How much are you planning to accumulate in the cradle before releasing it? Teacher, when that time comes, will you do the same for me?”

“Of course. The same goes for Baek Seol-hee.”

And they accepted this because I promised to do the same for them.

“I’ll properly take care of you after childbirth, so please be patient for now. Understand?”

“Well… that’s fine.”

“I’m already doing everything else except that one thing, so it’s not so bad.”

Both of them accepted without much complaint.

If only everyone could restrain their desires like these two….

Beep beep beep.

Baek Seol-hee’s Taeguk Watch rang.

Ymir and I quieted down, and Baek Seol-hee checked who was calling before answering.

“Hello.”

[Haha, Miss Baek Seol-hee. I’m sorry for calling so shamelessly, but…]

“Ji-hwan is right next to me. Would you like to speak with him directly?”

[Ah. Would you do that?]

A familiar male voice.

[Ahem. Patriotic Master Do Ji-hwan.]

The problem was that he—President Tae Chae-jin—began speaking with a voice full of embarrassment, as if he had to make a very difficult request.

[Please, I’m begging you, could you meet with someone, anyone?]

“……”

In a country that respects age and seniority, the president, who could be considered the ruler of the nation, is making a request.

[Even if it’s the Heavenly Demon, I’d like you to meet with them first. You can awaken any Korean A-rank to S-rank, or Japanese, Chinese, European, African, or American—anyone. Please, at least show that you’re ‘being patriotic.’]

“Is the pressure that severe?”

[It’s beyond severe. You wouldn’t believe how the hotlines from various countries are burning up. When I briefly disconnected the phone, they threatened to send private jets to Korea under the pretext of encouraging the World Cup.]

“……”

It must have been nice at first.

But as the whole world became desperate to turn fake A-ranks into real S-ranks, they were starting to cross the line.

And they were targeting the South Korean government.

“Mr. President, if my location is identified, S-ranks will immediately attack where we are. That would frighten Seol-hee and the baby.”

[I understand. That’s why the government will cooperate to the fullest extent. Your meeting will be kept strictly confidential, and no one will bother you.]

“……”

[We’ll send only trustworthy staff from the Association. We’ve filtered out anyone with even the slightest connection to Haeguneul or foreign ties. You don’t even have to do anything—just meet and talk, or even pretend if you’d like?]

“Hmm….”

The whole world is looking for the Patriotic Master, to the point where the president is this troubled.

“Alright. But I want to choose the candidates myself. Please send me a list, and I’ll make my ‘choice.'”

[Thank you! Haha, I’m relieved. Sincerely…. Hahaha…. Well then, have a good time.]

The call ended.

Although the president ended the call with a very relieved voice, neither he nor we could completely put our minds at ease.

“What are you going to do? Will you accommodate them all?”

“I can’t just accommodate everyone. First, I’ll exclude all men. I’m thinking of holding an official press conference to announce that I don’t have the talent to awaken men.”

“Then won’t they say, ‘Argh! We won’t know unless we try! Let’s go!’ That Thai marine who was dispatched was saying something like that in an interview.”

“That guy…. Sigh, never mind. Anyway, I’ll clearly state in the interview that I specialize in women. If men want to awaken, they should find a woman with an awakening technique.”

“Ugh….”

Ymir and Baek Seol-hee briefly made sour expressions, but I was completely serious.

“Complementary parts need to fit together. How dare they.”

I’d rather become the “Demon who punishes hard gays who have lewd thoughts about me” than ever do such a thing.

“Even if I have to bear the stigma of being a womanizer, I’m going to announce to the world that I specialize in women.”

“Aren’t you already a womanizer?”

“I’m not a womanizer. I’d prefer to be called someone who pursues efficiency.”

I tapped my Syndicate Watch.

“First, let’s call all the S-rank Syndicate collaborators. Hmm… 17 of them?”

Like Nadeshiko. Or the National Prosperity King.

“Tell them all to come. I’ll awaken them all in one night.”

If I awaken all 17 of them in one night, I can ignore love calls for at least four days on the grounds that I need to rest.

“This is why I joined hands with The Syndicate—to save face in situations like this.”