episode_0117

Is this a dream or reality?

I pulled my cheek without realizing it.

As expected, nothing happened.

“You know who I am, right?”

“…1st place!”

He answered the question about himself as if it were a given.

She smiles as if she is satisfied.

He was not very tall or big.

A metallic troubleshooter outfit that doesn’t fit with the party. Traces of body modification can be seen between the platinum blonde hair in twin tails.

Even the artificial red glow visible in both eyes.

The pinnacle of problem solving stood before me.

If I felt an aristocratic air from the second place… I felt the experience of a seasoned problem solver from the first place.

“You don’t have to be respectful to me.”

“…Is that okay?”

I had already given up on being respectful, but I checked again just in case.

“You are now a top-tier problem solver. And even though I am higher in rank than you, you should respect the countless years I have lived.”

“Uh… Okay.”

Yeah, people don’t usually judge me by my appearance, even though I’m a vampire.

Rather, there will be more cases where I am treated as a perverted, youth-obsessed old fart.

Moreover, the number one person is an extreme conspiracy theorist.

As he represented all the troubleshooters and was the bodyguard of the Great Sage, there was nothing wrong with being suspicious.

But it went so far that it proudly reigned as one of the neta characters in Dream City.

It remains to be seen whether the nature of the game is still the same here.

“First of all, I’ll say thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to reach the top 10, which is not even on my horoscope.”

“Please give thanks to number 6 rather than me.”

“To 6th place?”

“Because he was the one who had a hard time doing this and that between you and me.

A leader who knows how to give credit to others. 1st place leadership score plus 1 point!

The conversation with the number one person didn’t seem like it would end quickly.

I sat down in one of the seats located on the disc, and the person in first place pressed the buttons here and there inside the disc, and a reception drone appeared at the entrance of the curtain.

“Yes.”

“…What kind of drink is this? Surely it’s not alcohol?”

One of the glasses brought by the drone was passed on to me through the hands of the number one.

“No, it’s not alcohol.”

A clear liquid. I thought it might be alcohol, but I decided to believe the number one person’s words.

I took a sip of the contents of the glass.

“It’s the water that melted the eternal snow of Doria.”

“Oh, I’m not sure, but it must be really expensive.”

Although Magusfall was a city of magical engineering, the value of pure water was very high.

In addition, there is Doria, a harsh country located north of Magusfall.

The water that melted the country’s eternal snows? It seemed like it wasn’t just expensive.

After confirming that it wasn’t alcohol, I gulped down the water.

“Ugh!”

It kills the taste of water! There’s a reason why they say that water is the most delicious.

***

I thought it would be better if the water was not too cold.

I attended this party and accidentally sprayed water on the second and third place winners.

Because of that pressure, I felt suffocated here and there, but this water made it all go away in one go!

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Yeah, I welcome this kind of water anytime.”

“I’m sure there are many people who want to talk to you besides me, so I’ll keep it short.”

“…Why did 1st and 6th place help me?”

“Yeah. I think you probably guessed it to some extent.”

I thought it might be to keep an eye on the second place.

“2nd place has been showing strange movements recently.”

“Ah, I think it’s probably because of me.”

I don’t know exactly what movement you mean, though.

There was a high possibility that I was the reason for the recent damage to the second-ranked Lidocaine Association and the poaching of valuable talent.

“No, it doesn’t have much to do with you. Rather, the second place is benefiting from you.”

“…? What does that mean?”

I didn’t feel good.

Are we going to hear the number one patented conspiracy theory directly?!

“I know you’re not just Jinjo.”

“….”

“I think you probably know the second place too.”

“Then you won’t leave me alone?”

The first place winner shook the water in his glass slightly.

As she watched the water waves ripple along with the subtle movements, I saw myself again in her eyes.

“Well, what do you think? Don’t you think the response is too complacent, even though you and the second daughter joined hands?”

“…That’s true, but.”

The Lidocaine Association’s offensive was less effective than expected.

In some ways, it seems like it’s an attempt to recover from the damage caused by the continued attacks by us and the anti-Lidocaine forces.

If there is another purpose that the number 1 mentioned… then it’s a different story.

“So the second plan is dangerous enough to need my help?”

To my question, the number one person started talking like a fish to water.

This is a conclusion reached after a story filled with circumstantial evidence and personal inference.

That is, the second place wanted to eliminate the sage of the north and become the sage himself.

…Is that right?

I was relieved to see that it was the number one show, but I also had a hard time forming a proper opinion on the novel content.

“The 7th and 8th place players who killed other top solvers this time are laughable compared to the 2nd place player.”

“…But I don’t think this is a problem we should be involved in.”

I thought that it would be better to immediately inform the Northern Sage, who was involved in the conspiracy.

“How many times have I told you this already?”

The wise man of the north is in a cooperative relationship with the second place.

Because the Lidocaine Association, of which the second place was the president, was based in the northern part of Magusfall.

There aren’t many politicians who would refuse to join hands with a leading figure.

***

“Well, I’m not sure, but I get the point.”

“Really?”

“2nd place is a check, but are you trying to keep me under your surveillance and control?”

“….”

The red light emanating from the first place’s two eyes became stronger momentarily.

I felt like my body was freezing without me knowing it, at the mechanical movement I could feel beyond my pupils.

“I know you have a different personality from the second place. You’re a very good vampire. But…”

“Why did that bloodshot suddenly pop out of nowhere?”

“…Yeah.”

“Well, that could be true. I would have thought the same thing if I were number one.”

If it were our conspiracy theorist sister, it would have been more plausible for her to act like this.

Besides, our interests coincide, and even if the number one person tries to monitor and control me, there are fundamental limitations.

I can’t move easily because I’m guarding the Great Sage in the center.

Meanwhile, the first place winner seemed a little surprised that I accepted it so coolly.

“Come to think of it, isn’t there anyone else who is competing for 2nd place besides me and the 6th place?”

“I’m planning to offer it to 7th and 8th place as well.”

That wasn’t the answer to my question.

I asked the people who are with me right now and they told me who they would suggest.

“How about 9th place?”

“She is unsuitable.”

“Oh, really?”

The number one person quickly started to bring up a new conspiracy theory with the number 9 person as the main character.

“Oh, I see. I find that a bit awkward too.”

“There must have been no unpleasant incident between you and 9th place.”

Although the information power of the number one is great, it seems that there are still some areas that are lacking.

“There was a bit of a conflict with the guys who split off from 9th place.”

“Oh, you mean the Sansaengcha guys?”

“Yeah. Maybe the 9th place side will suggest that we fight those guys together.”

It was against my will to further increase the workload.

The most important meeting at this party has already ended.

The meeting with the number one was brief, but the effect was very powerful.

As soon as I emerged from the curtain, all eyes around me were focused on me.

What did he talk about with the number one? Did he already line up for number one?

Faces full of curiosity were coming towards me.

Not the top solvers from 1st to 10th, but the strong solvers just below them, ranked from 11th to 100th.

And even entrepreneurs who have various vested interests in relation to the activities of problem solvers.

As I watched them all blushing… I felt like I was getting nauseous without realizing it.

There’s no way the number one person would put something strange in water made from melted snow.

‘Where are Sylvia and Ray?’

With that thought in mind, I headed to my seat at the top.

Judging from the fact that the 7th and 8th place people were also looking at me, it seemed like they had something to say to me too.

I have no business with firefighters or firewood.

Deuuung―!

Suddenly the terminal started shaking.

I forgot to set the alarm to vibrate instead of sound because it was an important event.

“Yes, I’m Chris, ranked 10th in the problem solver rankings.”

“Chris!”

What I said was not wrong at all.

Meanwhile, despite my prank, Sheila’s voice from the other end of the terminal sounded very urgent.

“Sheila, what’s going on?”

“The last time… the lab sent me a gift.”

It seemed like the name of the research institute just didn’t come to mind. The name Ahant Aquatic Biology Research Institute wasn’t an easy one.

“A gift? What gift?”

“It looks like the general has a special suit.”

“Oh? I want to see that once.”

“Then just come back quickly!”

No, I really want to do that too.

….

When I thought about it, it didn’t seem so bad. After all, the most important meeting was over.

***

My next move was very simple.

Sylvia, Ray, and Ilseong look for the group.

Even if Sylvia and Ray weren’t aware, it was easiest to find Ilseong at this party.

Even in the midst of all this, I felt people approaching me here and there.

“Congratulations on reaching 10th place in the problem solver rankings.”

“Congratulations, Chris!”

Despite the warm welcome and congratulations from Sylvia and Ray, there was something I wanted to ask of them right now.

“Sylvia, can I go back to the hideout right away?”

“Yes? But I think that’s a bit too much.”

“I think it would be better for Sylvia and Ilseong to react to the guys who want to talk to me.”

“…That’s true.”

“I’d like to say something to the 6th place winner and the organizers!”

After I said that, I immediately transformed into a baby bat.

Immediately afterwards, Ray followed me, looking just like me. Well, just having Sylvia and Ilseong would be enough.

The person who was most surprised by my impulsive behavior was 6th place.

Jason’s face looked so desperate as he walked out of the central master’s building, holding onto the bat-like Ray’s wings.

I wasn’t worried because Sylvia and Ilseong would tell me properly.

Since he disappeared from the party right after meeting the number one, you might have thought there was some kind of connection.

‘And from my perspective, I like it when people think that way.’

If the number one person was keeping me close to him to monitor and control me, then I was just trying to take advantage of the number one person’s favor as much as possible.

“Hoo…!”

Anyway, I hurried out of the master’s degree building. Without realizing it, I let out a sigh of relief.

As Ray and I got closer to the ground, we returned to our original forms. But then the same troubleshooter golem approached us.

It was an indescribable feeling to be accompanied both when entering and leaving.

So Ray and I boarded the flying car we came in.

The driver asked us where we were going and I told him to take us to Grove Avenue in Magus Falls, East Auckland.

Another important point was also mentioned.

After dropping Ray and me off there, I returned to the center of Magusfall and picked up Sylvia and Ilseong.

The flying car’s body rose into the air.

It was a high enough altitude to be the target of gargoyles, but no gargoyles rushed to this car.

Brrr.

“Ah.”

In the meantime, Sheila called again.

The party attendees will probably be tempted to call me because I suddenly disappeared.

The only difference between them and Sheila was whether they knew my number or not.

“Yeah, what’s wrong, Sheila?”

“Chris, how long will it take to get back?”

“…Did something happen?”

“The General and Midas continue to search for Chris.”

“Oh, that was the problem?”

“Don’t react like it’s nothing!”

It seems that Sheila was unintentionally caught in the middle and was suffering the hardships of middle management.

***

I promised Sheila that I would get to her as soon as possible.

“Everyone loves you, Chris.”

“That’s right. …Why? Are you jealous?”

“Huh?”

Ray explained to me that he didn’t mean it that way.

Well, I don’t think Ray would be jealous of Sheila, the general, or Midas.

Until we arrived at the hideout building, I held Ray’s hand and talked about this and that.

Thanks to that, I didn’t realize how much time had passed… but maybe it wasn’t the same for Sheila at home.

Beep!

The front door opened and the distinctive alarm sounded.

“Chris!”

Sheila’s voice was heard. Only the voice was heard, and no one came out to the front door to greet her.

“What, where are Shila and Janggun?”

“Could this be Chris Bang?”

Neither of them could be found in the living room.

While Ray sat down on the living room sofa for a moment, I headed to my room.

“Chris!”

“Oh, who is this?!”

As soon as I entered the room, Sheila shouted my name.

And lying on my bed was a cute girl wearing a strange suit.

The girl looked at me and waved her arms, legs, and her signature water bird wings back and forth.

As if drawing a snow angel on the bed.

“Heeek!”

Sheila, who was on the bed, was startled by the girl’s actions and quickly dodged away.

“Sheila, everything is good, but what is that on the general’s thigh?”

“I don’t know either!”

Was there really a need to reveal that part? I wanted to demand an explanation from the lab guys right away.

Well, other than that… overall it wasn’t a bad look.

“Chris!”

The general raised his body and took a pose as if asking me to hug him.

“Yeah!”

I’m glad I wasn’t called a monk or a risunim this time.

In addition, there seemed to be a slight change in the general’s personified appearance.

For example, the color of the eyes. It wasn’t like that originally, but now it has become a blue-green color like mine.

“….”

I touched the general’s suit just in case.

I’m talking about the exposed part where the waist and thighs meet.

It felt completely different from the hard cuticles of the general’s true form, which were soft and squishy.

“…Chris?”

“Oh, sorry, sorry. Did I offend you?”

“No!”

“Really?”

Then just touch it a little more!