AECS 66

Chapter 66

Korea-Japan Friendly Match (2)

First of all.

Hong Ah-ri had seen Takahashi Shusuke before.

Not just Hong Ah-ri, but Oh Sun-young had seen him too.

They had participated together in the World League.

“K….”

His nickname was K.

A nickname the Korean national team used jokingly—K for Superstar K.

“May I ask something?”

Shusuke spoke politely.

“Are you a player related to Yu-baek over there?”

“…….”

To be honest, that question stung more than anything.

Even after meeting them several times in the World League, he didn’t recognize them.

“That’s about what I expected from our country.”

Bottom of the league.

Ignored by the major powers.

Like a Premier League superstar not being recognized by North Korea’s national team.

“Tch.”

Hong Ah-ri pouted.

“If we’re related, we are. But before asking that, shouldn’t you explain why you’re asking?”

Now that she thought about it, it was suspicious.

When a figure like Shusuke moves, it’s a national emergency.

The entry procedures should have been noisy, but it was strangely quiet.

Could it be…?

Noticing the look in Hong Ah-ri’s eyes, Shusuke gave a wry smile.

“I came secretly. I didn’t want a fuss. I just want to meet Yu-baek’s executives.”

Actually, Shusuke had come to Korea on orders from Yoshida Hikaru, one of the Five Emperors.

He crossed the East Sea with four members without being noticed.

Normally, that would have been a huge problem.

He had violated territorial waters and airspace without permission.

Even if it were reversed, it would have caused chaos.

But?

“That’s Japan’s strength.”

There wasn’t much a small country could do against a summoning powerhouse.

“I originally planned to just fill my stomach and go straight to Yu-baek. But then I felt it. There’s a pretty strong Fenrir in the next room. With that kind of aura, it must be one of the top-ranked in Korea, right?”

“……!”

Oh Sun-young was surprised.

He had guessed the summon’s name without even seeing it?

Not only that.

He even knew its strength accurately.

In the world, a top 100 ranked player is called a “giant.”

And a giant’s judgment and summon intelligence are unmatched.

“A giant like that happens to be here? Of course, I thought they would be a Yu-baek executive, or at least related.”

“That’s truly a giant’s judgment. Good. What do you want?”

“Rather than that…”

Shusuke’s eyes softened.

“I’ve revealed my name and purpose… so I think you should introduce yourself first. Only then can we have a proper conversation, don’t you think?”

Hmm.

Not wrong.

And he was polite, even though he was much higher in status.

“I’m Hong Ah-ri.”

She introduced herself first.

“I’m Oh Sun-young.”

“Ki Jae-hyuk.”

“Kang Ji-ho.”

The other ranked players followed.

Then the Japanese ranked players introduced themselves one by one.

“First things first.”

Hong Ah-ri thought.

“I have to contact him immediately.”

This wasn’t something they could handle alone.

“Let’s start by giving you what you want. Have some food first.”

“If you’re helping us…”

“…Yes. We’ll connect you with the Yu-baek executive you want.”

At that moment.

“Hmm.”

Sugoi, one of the Five Emperors, whose real name is Yoshida Hikaru, was clipping his nails.

Lulu.

“Have they all arrived?”

Rachel had entered the Trial Tower.

She would go straight from Floor 30 to 50, which would take some time.

He was currently on Floor 29.

Floor 30?

He would approach it slowly after Rachel cleared it.

‘If there’s a leader ahead, no need to risk it first.’

The Five Emperors had agreed to share information.

However.

‘Rachel is too conservative.’

Even if other veterans didn’t, Hikaru was fairly sure.

That Baek Jin-woo was JinuGod.

So he sent subordinates to meet him secretly.

Officially, it was for a friendly match, but the real purpose was to gauge Baek Jin-woo’s power.

• “Why not just contact Yu-baek directly?”

A subordinate asked, but Hikaru shook his head.

‘Rachel said not to approach.’

Rachel was the leader of the Five Emperors.

If her order was broken, it could be very uncomfortable.

Direct contact?

The whole world would get noisy.

‘I’m curious.’

Really.

Baek Jin-woo.

Are you really JinuGod?

Our god and hero.

The only summoner to challenge the 100th floor of the Trial Tower and clear it.

Now, less than two years remain for the Raid and Chaos Dragon update.

‘If Baek Jin-woo is really JinuGod…’

They must maintain friendship at all costs.

All the Five Emperors would agree.

So Hikaru told Shusuke.

Even if you meet him secretly.

Never.

Absolutely never make a mistake.

Baek Jin-woo, watching Rund’s crafting with Hoon-gyo, heard the news.

Huh?

Japanese came?

‘Looking for me?’

Yu-jia must have heard too and ran to the training ground.

“Jin-woo!”

“Yes, I heard.”

“It’s serious. One of the giants, Shusuke!”

Shusuke?

Baek Jin-woo tilted his head.

Who’s that?

“A strong guy?”

“…….”

Yu-jia looked at him, stunned.

How could he not know Japan’s number two, Shusuke?

It reminded her that Baek Jin-woo had just woken from being unconscious.

“Yes. Very strong. Ranked 30th in the world…”

“Oh.”

At least he knew about the world ranking system.

Updated every year, only top 100 listed.

“If it’s a fight, that’s a bit…”

“Why?”

“Hoon-gyo doesn’t have runes.”

The universal runes they were using?

Being crafted right now with materials.

“Well, it’s fine.”

Baek Jin-woo smiled.

Even for a Five Emperors-level, rank 30 isn’t much…

Some might ask why he’s so confident, but Baek Jin-woo could see clearly.

Third-year ranked players?

Even with good summons and runes, no threat.

Like a child with a sharp weapon.

An adult with a stick can easily handle that.

‘That adult is me.’

“If they want to meet, let them come.”

Training ground.

Baek Jin-woo and Yu-jia were chatting when, in front of them…

“Oh, there.”

“They’re here.”

Four well-dressed Japanese men walked in confidently.

Behind them were four students.

‘That’s Shusuke?’

Baek Jin-woo recognized him immediately.

Yu-jia had shown him photos earlier.

He even knew he was in the same guild as Sugoi.

‘Sugoi.’

One of the rotten waters he had been close to for five years.

Baek Jin-woo didn’t know much.

Ranked 3rd in Battle of Summoners.

And his age.

‘34 now, I guess.’

Older brother, but his actions were kind of cute.

[Sugoi: Respected JinuGod! The Floor 80 boss is getting on my nerves! How do I deal with this damn lizard? Rachel’s summons can’t handle it either. I’ll share info. I trust JinuGod to find a solution! Love you!]

He used to ask for tips whenever a floor was blocked.

Baek Jin-woo chuckled at the memory.

It was funny.

[JinuGod: What about Dokdo?]
[Sugoi: Korean land!]
[JinuGod: Then what about Tsushima?]
[Sugoi: If you tell me, that’s Korean land too!]

A joke, but he was desperate enough to “sell a country” for strategy.

Shusuke was Sugoi’s student and right-hand man.

‘Interesting.’

The atmosphere wasn’t bad.

He looked disciplined and confident.

He had a commanding presence over his students.

“You must be Baek Jin-woo.”

Shusuke recognized him immediately.

Honestly, he didn’t understand why Baek Jin-woo needed so much caution.

‘JinuGod?’

He had seen an interview of Hikaru saying:

• “Korea must find JinuGod quickly. For Korea, for humanity to climb the Trial Tower, it’s essential. If not? No future for humanity.”

He didn’t like that.

How great could one person be to claim the future of humanity?

At least he looked handsome.

Body looked good too.

But that’s it.

He wasn’t a world-ranked player, just a frog in a well.

‘Of course.’

He wouldn’t underestimate him.

He needed to test it, which is why he came secretly.

“We are four Japanese national team members. You are Korea’s captain, right?”

“And?”

“We request an unofficial friendly match for the development of both countries.”

Friendly match!

Yu-jia’s eyes widened.

‘Exclusive news!’

In other countries, friendly matches happen often.

To keep skills sharp, players from different countries compete.

Usually, the weaker country pays a huge cost to the stronger country.

No choice.

Small summoning countries need to learn from the strong.

The current top five summoning countries are: UK, USA, Japan, Russia, Taiwan.

So Korea couldn’t even have proper diplomacy with Japan.

And now, they offer a friendly match?

Unofficially?

“What about cost?”

Yu-jia asked.

Hikaru replied:

“Of course, only a little.”

Shusuke smirked.

Hikaru had said it should be free.

But…

It couldn’t really be free.

Playing against a backward country, volunteering? Ridiculous.

“A little, you say?”

“1 billion won per match. Reasonable, right?”

Reasonable? Definitely!

Yu-jia, knowing international affairs, nodded.

She had experience scheduling with major countries, sometimes preparing 10 billion won per match.

Of course, that didn’t happen.

But…

Baek Jin-woo didn’t agree.

He frowned and said:

“Reasonable, my ass.”

“……?”

What?

What does that mean?

My ass?

Shusuke turned to look, and Baek Jin-woo looked annoyed.

“You want to have a friendly match… and take money for it? What kind of confidence is that?”

For Baek Jin-woo, it was absurd.

They should be paying him, not asking for money.

What?

Asking money?

With that skill?

It’s garbage, you guys!