"Is this… what you had stolen?"
Jinhyuk uttered only one of the three syllables of imugi and deliberately paused.
He wanted to test whether what the other side was looking for really was the imugi.
'He won't take the bait… probably.'
It was a light probe, so he didn't expect it to work.
He was dealing with a Chinese ranker, after all.
No way someone of that level would fall for such a low-grade trick—huh?
"!!!!!"
'So it is the imugi.'
Liugai's eyes went so wide it was a wonder they didn't roll out of their sockets.
Jinhyuk briefly wondered if he should physically hold them in place.
Either way, it was now certain that the thief Liugai was chasing was Jinhyuk himself.
'Ah?'
He swallowed dryly.
Which meant Liugai had rushed into the village with such desperate energy because of him.
He glanced behind him.
Fortunately, the people of Ziyou, dragged here by Liugai, were unharmed.
'I… I caused trouble on top of mooching off them. I'd better work hard to make up for that.'
He steeled himself.
Meanwhile, Liugai was glancing at Xiaoqian for a read.
Even the government officials who came with him kept sneaking looks at Xiaoqian.
Apparently, Liugai was the only one searching for the imugi.
'There may be many reasons to seek an imugi, but this one's the most likely.'
A faint smile touched Jinhyuk's lips as he lowered his voice even further.
"The Elixir of Eternity. I have it."
Liugai's pupils trembled violently again.
His face twitched faintly; he was shaken to the core.
He couldn't help it.
For nearly two years he had hunted for this with life-or-death desperation, and now it was right before his eyes.
Every instinct screamed at him to just subdue the kid and torture the answer out of him.
But that was impossible right now.
Not with the unexpected intruder, Xiaoqian, present.
He didn't know why, but the man had also come looking for this brat.
And he wasn't going to leave with a few vague excuses and warnings.
"Phewww…"
Liugai exhaled quietly.
He wanted to avoid a clash with Xiaoqian.
He could not guarantee victory.
And with the Elixir of Eternity within reach, he wasn't about to gamble it.
'Xiaoqian still doesn't know about the imugi or the elixir.'
Information advantage belonged overwhelmingly to him.
And the Korean brat hadn't told Xiaoqian either.
Which meant the kid also wanted something from him.
Step.
Perhaps their little secret exchange was bothering him; Xiaoqian approached from a short distance away.
Now it was a perfect three-way standoff.
A heavy silence swept through them like a powerful blizzard.
Jinhyuk looked between the two and cautiously raised his hand.
Anyone could see neither of them intended to yield.
If this continued, the pointless standoff would never end.
"If it's not presumptuous… may I try sorting this out? Xiaoqian-nim, you came to capture me, right?"
"That's right."
"And Liugai-nim wants what I have."
Liugai nodded.
Xiaoqian immediately seized the moment.
"I'd like to know what that is, too."
Liugai's eyes flashed dangerously.
That "eye-lasers" expression—so that's what it looked like in real life.
"You've grown greedy with age. But let's put that aside for now. If you try grabbing more than your original purpose, we will clash."
"You think I fear that?"
"To be frank, I don't think my odds are great. While I wasted time, you must have kept climbing the Tower. However…"
A deadly aura flickered through Liugai's eyes.
"Even if I can't kill you, I can slaughter everyone else without leaving a trace. Including everyone in your dojo in Shanghai."
"Shandong wouldn't walk away unscathed either."
"I know. That kind of tragedy helps neither of us. That's why I want to avoid a fight. But let me be perfectly clear—if you insist on being greedy, I won't back down."
Xiaoqian let out a low hum.
He'd known the man for a long time.
He could tell this was the most sincere Liugai had ever been.
China didn't have only two rankers.
There were plenty who would rejoice—openly—if the two annihilated each other.
"Very well. I'll take only the boy."
"A wise decision."
Even the government officials sighed in relief.
Internal conflict between rankers was bad news for everyone.
"The blizzard is growing stronger. Things seem mostly settled, so let's head down. We'll be arresting everyone in this village."
Government agent Lu Mai finally decided to "mediate."
Xiaoqian, Liugai, and their people began preparing to leave.
"I still haven't said what I want."
It was like someone hit pause.
Everyone froze mid-motion and stared at Jinhyuk.
Every face clearly read the same message:
You? Here? Demanding things?
He was a fugitive found in a remote mountain village, the kind no information ever leaked out of.
Someone in his situation should be begging for mercy, not asking for favors.
"Speak."
Liugai tilted his head.
Judging by the kid's outfit, the elixir was likely in his inventory.
He had to hand it over personally.
"I want all the people of this village to be granted Korean citizenship. Every single one. If you do that, I'll hand over what you want and follow Xiaoqian-nim."
The villagers' eyes widened.
They had known him for barely two or three hours.
There was no obligation nor bond strong enough for him to demand this on their behalf.
"That's ri—!"
Liugai raised a hand and silenced Lu Mai.
He shook his head slightly and looked at Jinhyuk.
"I promise. All of them will be naturalized."
Jinhyuk smiled brightly at the crisp answer.
"This is a promise among Xiaoqian-nim, Liugai-nim, and me. We'll all act as guarantors for one another. If either of you breaks it, I will not fulfill my part. Is that acceptable?"
"Fine."
Liugai smiled and nodded.
Honestly, he was beyond incredulous—he almost felt sorry for the kid.
This Korean brat really thought he was controlling the situation.
Once you hand over the elixir, nothing will protect you. Brat.
Xiaoqian was the same—he always got what he wanted.
Whether Jinhyuk kept the promise or not, he'd put a leash on him and drag him away.
Enjoy your fleeting moment on top while you can.
Liugai and the government team turned around, and Jinhyuk and the villagers followed.
Xiaoqian stayed still a moment, staring at the burned-down bonfire deeper in the village.
It definitely wasn't there at first.
He hadn't been able to pinpoint the village's location earlier.
Without that sudden light, he'd still be wandering blind in the blizzard.
Had Liugai turned off the device suppressing the light?
No—impossible.
Both parties had arrived almost simultaneously.
Don't tell me…
Xiaoqian frowned, eyes following Jinhyuk's back as he walked away.
Had he lured them here on purpose?
After a moment's thought, Xiaoqian spoke.
"Everyone, prepare for combat. As quietly as possible."
"You think we'll be fighting Liugai?"
"I'm not sure yet. But the odds of a fight breaking out are high."
He exhaled slowly.
Liugai hadn't noticed, but—
Just what the hell did you do here?
Xiaoqian had realized the moment he faced him.
Jinhyuk's aura had become absurdly strong—far beyond what he'd sensed on the plane.
He wouldn't suddenly stop suppressing his presence now.
Which meant he'd gained something on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
And that meant the thing Liugai wanted might already no longer exist.
Interesting.
Xiaoqian's lips stretched into a long smile.
China would never permit mass naturalization for fugitives—no matter how the world changed.
Which made him truly curious now.
In whose palm was this entire situation dancing?
Doesn't matter.
Xiaoqian took a step forward.
Whoever was lying or whoever was pulling strings didn't matter.
He was confident.
Because in the end, the one smiling with what he wanted in hand—would be him.
Seoul Player Hunter Bureau.
A grave tension filled the Personnel Director's office.
Present were Director Lee Chang-gi; Team Leader Jin Yunho; his direct subordinates Yoon Miri, Min Yu-kyung, and Gu In-jun; plus the freelancer Cheon Seyeon.
All of them knew Jinhyuk was a Runner.
They were biting their nails as they stared at the monitor.
"Any update on the Hall of Fame?"
Yoon Miri refreshed the page and shook her head.
Jinhyuk usually climbed the Tower at midnight.
Long past that time, yet no new record.
Yoon Miri rubbed her chin and spoke cautiously.
"It's possible he climbed but failed to set a record, right? It's the first section of the 40th floor. Maybe he wasn't prepared for the hallucination mechanic."
"No… I don't think so. Yoo Jinhyuk is more serious about Tower climbing than anyone. He always researches everything before attempting a floor. If anything, he might've postponed it because he didn't feel prepared."
"That… does make sense."
Yoon Miri sighed deeply.
Whatever the case, she wanted some sign he was safe.
For now, all they could do was pray he wasn't hurt.
Ring ring ring ring.
Everyone's eyes snapped to Jin Yunho's vibrating phone.
"Gasp…!"
The name on the caller ID made everyone's jaw drop.
"H-hello? Yoo Jinhyuk-ssi? Can you hear me?"
Yes. The signal's a bit unstable, but I can hear you fine.
Everyone exhaled in relief and slumped into their seats.
But the relief didn't last.
I have something to ask.
His next words left them speechless.
Could they secretly arrange naturalization for several dozen people?
"Na—naturalization? From China to Korea?"
Jin Yunho asked again, unsure he'd heard correctly.
Many Koreans had moved to China since the Awakening, but the reverse?
That had never happened.
Yes. They're production-type workers and combat-type players above the 30th floor. They'll depart from Qingdao by ship. They'll transfer vessels near the Korea–China maritime border. China can't know about it.
Jin Yunho looked to Director Lee Chang-gi.
Barely a few seconds passed before Lee nodded.
It wasn't even something to agonize over.
Dozens of Chinese players wanting Korean citizenship?
Korea had always been on the losing end of talent drain. This was a windfall.
And the authority to approve player naturalization lay with them.
"Understood. We'll be ready at the time you specify."
Thank you. I'll contact you again.
The call ended.
Those in the office simply stared at one another.
Every face held the same bewildered question:
What on earth did I just hear?
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T/N:
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