Chapter 102: The Blue House (2)

"It's good to meet you. I am Kim Ki-Rok from the DG Guild."

"It's good to meet you as well. I am Kim Tae-Hoo, the guy who gets cursed at whether he does a good job or not."

Kim Ki-Rok smiled in satisfaction. The President had introduced himself using the exact words Ki-Rok had once used to describe him to Ji-Hee. That alone told him this man was still the same person he remembered from previous Attempts.

However, the aides standing nearby didn't seem to share his appreciation. They looked distinctly uncomfortable with how casually the two were speaking.

Ignoring their unease, President Kim Tae-Hoo carried on without missing a beat. "I had a feeling we'd meet eventually. Though I always imagined I'd be the one sending the invitation."

"I apologize for dropping in without an appointment," Kim Ki-Rok responded with a polite nod.

"No need for apologies. For Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok to come here himself, I can only assume the matter is important." He gestured toward a seat. "Please, have a seat. Would you like some tea? Coffee?"

"Could I possibly ask for a sweet cafe mocha? With some ice cubes floating in it as well."

"

Hahaha!

Of course. Just give it a moment... They'll bring it over," the President said with a warm smile, as one of the aides rushed off to fulfill the request. "I've heard you played a major role in the latest Gate defense. Outstanding work."

"Thank you for your appreciation," he replied with a bow.

President Kim Tae-Hoo went on. "You even predicted the Awakened criminals' plan to attack the department store and stopped it ahead of time."

"

Hahaha.

"

"And after that, you not only foiled their retaliation, you struck back hard, dealing serious damage to the organizations behind the attack." President Kim Tae-Hoo shook his head in disbelief. "The strategy team estimates the Awakened criminal networks will be forced to stay quiet for at least five years."

"Yes, that is the result I was aiming for," Kim Ki-Rok admitted.

"

Hahahahaha!

"

Hearing Kim Ki-Rok calmly take the credit, Kim Tae-Hoo watched him with growing curiosity.

With such a neutral reaction, his purpose for coming here today must not have anything to do with any of his previous successes. This left the President wondering what they would be discussing instead.

Still chuckling, President Kim Tae-Hoo met his gaze. "I also received a report that you gave your guild members some time off to recover from the stress of the Gate defense and the criminal raid. But just yesterday, you gathered a team for a Gate raid, and shortly afterward, called an all-hands meeting at the guild."

Kim Ki-Rok raised an eyebrow. "Hoh. Are you saying you've been monitoring the DG Guild?"

President Kim Tae-Hoo shrugged. "I've just been keeping tabs."

"I see," Kim Ki-Rok quickly accepted.

"That's right. So let's get to it. Does your sudden visit have something to do with the Gate you cleared yesterday?"

"That's correct," Kim Ki-Rok confirmed as he glanced to the side. "Ah, thank you."

He accepted the iced cafe mocha the aide had brought over, took a sip, then set the glass down gently on the table.

"Mr. President," he said, his tone growing serious.

"Yes, Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok?"

"On February 15th... or rather,

after

February 15th, the Republic of Korea will face one of two situations..."

"One of two situations? What do you mean by that?"

Kim Ki-Rok met his eyes. "The Republic of Korea will either become a blessed land... or it will be erased from the face of the earth."

A paradise or a wasteland. Nothing in between.

President Kim Tae-Hoo stared directly at Kim Ki-Rok. "I believe I'll need a more detailed explanation than that."

Kim Ki-Rok nodded and continued. "As you've already confirmed, our DG Guild cleared a Gate yesterday afternoon."

"Yes, we all already knew that," President Kim Tae-Hoo urged him to continue.

"It was the kind of Gate no one would normally bother to clear. But Ji-Hee and I were touring Gates, looking for the spirit of a Spiritualist, someone willing to teach our dear Ji-Hee spiritualism," he explained.

With that, the president finally understood why Kim Ki-Rok had been entering and exiting Gates with Kim Ji-Hee, even though the rest of the guild was on vacation.

Kim Ki-Rok quickly continued, "However, during our journey to find the spirit who could become Ji-Hee's teacher, we happened to meet a certain spirit."

President Kim Tae-Hoo grew increasingly nervous. Now they were approaching the true reason behind this visit. "Were they a spirit from another dimension?"

"Yes. The spirit of someone who once lived in another world."

"Then it sounds like you received some very important information."

"No, not information exactly... more like a quest?"

The phrasing caught the president off guard. "Hm?"

"We've received a quest," Kim Ki-Rok repeated. "Before I explain further, I think it would be better if I summon the spirit so we can exchange introductions and continue the conversation directly."

As he reached into the subspace pocket fastened at his waist, the Hunter Agents inside the room instinctively moved their hands toward their weapons, but President Kim Tae-Hoo raised a hand to stop them.

Kim Ki-Rok pulled out a spirit mana stone and infused it with his mana.

The president and everyone gathered in the room let out a gasp, stunned by the beauty of the woman who appeared before them, summoned from the spirit mana stone.

"It is nice to meet you, leader of the Republic of Korea," Aylphirane said with a polite bow.

From her appearance, clothing, and speech alone, it was clear this spirit hadn't been any random person. She was a figure of immense status.

President Kim Tae-Hoo returned the greeting. "It is nice to meet you, please call me Kim Tae-Hoo."

"I am the leader... no, the

former

leader of the race that was once charged with protecting the World Tree and the forest it resided in, the High Elf, Aylphirane."

The president and his aides were all flustered by this revelation.

An

elf,

a race whose existence was only discovered thanks to a painting, had actually appeared in front of them. She might have been just a spirit who had been stripped of a body, but Aylphirane was still no ordinary elf.

As the president and the others in the room unconsciously swallowed dry gulps, Kim Ki-Rok finally revealed the real reason for his visit.

"Lady Aylphirane, the High Elf, has requested the help of the DG Guild. More precisely, she has asked for the help of our dear Ji-Hee."

***

"Miss Lee... aren't they done yet?" Kim Ji-Hee asked with a pout.

After having a meal together at the staff restaurant, Ji-Hee had followed Agent Lee Hye-Rin around on a tour of the Blue House.

"It looks like our cute little Ji-Hee really misses Mister Kim Ki-Rok," Fan No. 183 said with a smile.

Ji-Hee, currently sipping bubble tea in the main building's first-floor lobby, nodded in agreement.

"Yeeees," Kim Ji-Hee easily admitted.

"But they really are taking a long time." Lee Hye-Rin muttered, glancing toward the office where the meeting was still underway.

It had been over two hours now.

She was grateful to have more time with Ji-Hee, but if the meeting was taking this long, that meant something serious was going down.

"Ji-Hee," Lee Hye-Rin said softly, still unable to believe she was talking to the same girl whom she had once adored from afar as the 180,382nd member of her fan club.

Still sipping from her straw, Kim Ji-Hee tilted her head.

"Do you know why Mister Kim Ki-Rok came to see His Excellency?" Lee Hye-Rin asked.

"Excel...lency?" Ji-Hee echoed, puzzled by the unfamiliar word.

"Ah... it means someone with a very high rank," Hye-Rin explained.

"It's not him," Ji-Hee said firmly, shaking her head.

"Hm? You mean Mister Kim Ki-Rok

isn't

here to see him?"

"Mhm."

But... wasn't he definitely in a meeting with the president?

Lee Hye-Rin was sure of it because she had been asked to look after Kim Ji-Hee while guarding the entrance to his office.

"Then... who has Mister Kim Ki-Rok come here to meet?"

Ji-Hee thought hard, trying to remember the exact words Kim Ki-Rok had used. "A man who gets cursed at whether he does a good job or not?"

"So it

was

the president," Fan No. 183 muttered under his breath.

Agent Lee Hye-Rin had to turn away to stifle her laughter.

Biting her lower lip, she waited until the giggles had passed, then turned back and asked, "In that case, do you know

why

Mister Kim Ki-Rok came to see the man who always gets cursed at?"

"Yeeees."

"Can you tell me what that reason is?"

"Nuh-uh." Kim Ji-Hee shook her head from side to side, then placed her cup of bubble tea back on the table.

Kim Ji-Hee slowly recalled the instructions that she had been given before coming here.

"Mister said... If someone asks... to tell them that it's a secret." With that final declaration, Ji-Hee covered her mouth with both hands.

"I see," Lee Hye-Rin said, nodding in acceptance.

She still didn't know the purpose of Kim Ki-Rok's visit, but she was sure it had to be something important. And even though she remained curious, she had no intention of pressuring Kim Ji-Hee for answers. Besides, she was just happy to have spent this much time with her.

About thirty minutes later, a crackle came through the radio. Lee Hye-Rin switched her radio on, and a message immediately came through her earpiece.

She began nodding as she replied to her superior. "Ah, yes, Team Leader. Yes, alright. Understood."

After a series of brief affirmatives, she turned to Kim Ji-Hee with a regretful look. "Ji-Hee, I just got word that Mister Kim Ki-Rok has left the meeting."

"Mister!" Ji-Hee cheered, leaping down from her seat.

As she landed, both Hunters reached out at the same time, eager to be the one to hold her hand.

Fan No. 183 grimaced. "Oi, junior with a fan number in the 180,000s—what do you think you're doing?"

Lee Hye-Rin lifted her chin defiantly. "What's wrong, senior whose number is in the 180s?"

While the two glared at each other, Kim Ji-Hee made her choice, grabbing Lee Hye-Rin's hand.

Lee Hye-Rin blinked in surprise, then smiled as she realized what had just happened. Lifting her gaze, she met her senior's eyes with a smug little smirk.

"

Hehe

," she giggled, victorious.

"

Tch.

" Fan No. 183 sneered.

Her other seniors nearby also clicked their tongues as they glared with jealousy, but Agent Lee Hye-Rin refused to let go.

As they set off, Ji-Hee cheerfully began to hum. "

Hm, hm, dadada. Hm, hm, dadada.

"

Lee Hye-Rin wondered if the song even had lyrics, or if Ji-Hee had simply forgotten them. Still, Ji-Hee kept humming and skipping along, and soon both Lee Hye-Rin and Fan No. 183 found themselves humming with her. The melody was catchy.

"This song's pretty good," Lee Hye-Rin said. "Is it a recent hit, Ji-Hee?"

Kim Ji-Hee shook her head. "Mm-mm."

"Then... maybe it's an older song? Do you happen to know who the singer is?" she asked.

"Hm!" Ji-Hee nodded excitedly.

"Well? Who is it?" Lee Hye-Rin asked with curiosity.

"It's Ayl-unnie!"

"Ayl?"

"Mhm. Ayl-unnie!"

"Ayl?"

Lee Hye-Rin repeated, trying to recall if there were any singers who went by that pseudonym. Still humming the tune, the trio made their way toward their destination.

But as soon as they arrived near the president's office, both Agents fell silent and straightened their backs, standing at attention.

Kim Ki-Rok was still there, mid-discussion with President Kim Tae-Hoo just outside the office.

So he really was here to meet the president. Seems like it was an extremely important conversation, but to think that the president would personally escort Kim Ki-Rok out of his office...

Sensing their arrival, Kim Ki-Rok turned to greet them. Kim Ji-Hee didn't hesitate to run straight over and wrap her arms around his leg.

"Mister!"

"Oh my, if it isn't our dear Ji-Hee. So, how was it? Did you have fun?"

"No!" Kim Ji-Hee stubbornly shook her head. "It wasn't fun!"

Kim Ki-Rok burst into chuckles as he crouched down and picked Kim Ji-Hee up in a hug. Her blunt, aggrieved response wasn't only enough to make President Kim Tae-Hoo laugh; his aides and the Hunter Agents nearby were also struggling to hold back their amusement.

"Has your talk finished, Mister?"

"Mhm, we're done talking."

"Then we can go home now?"

"That's right, we're going home," Kim Ki-Rok said, patting Kim Ji-Hee's head.

Kim Ji-Hee buried her face in his shoulder. Then slowly, she turned her head, peeking out at the people still gathered around them.

"Ummm?" Kim Ji-Hee gave a quizzical hum.

"

Hohoho,

I think this every time I see one of your videos, but you really are a cute one," President Kim Tae-Hoo said with a warm smile.

"Ummm." Ji-Hee pursed her lips. "Not a grandpa."

President Kim Tae-Hoo smiled in response. "Are you saying that I'm not old enough to be a grandpa?"

"Mhm. Un...cle?" Kim Ji-Hee suggested uncertainly.

It was a fair guess. Kim Tae-Hoo took care of himself with his regular exercise, strict skincare routine, and neatly trimmed beard. Though he was in his fifties, he looked like he was in his early to mid-forties at most.

"Haha, hohohoho!" President Kim Tae-Hoo laughed, patting Ji-Hee gently on the head. "Ji-Hee, this mister—no, this

uncle's

[1]

name is Kim Tae-Hoo."

"Uncle Tae-Hoo...?" Kim Ji-Hee tentatively called out.

Laughing again, the president lifted his gaze to Kim Ki-Rok. "Then I'll contact you within the week... no, given the circumstances, within four—no, within

three

days."

"Alright," Kim Ki-Rok replied. "Also, I know this goes without saying, but if word got out, it'll be a disaster."

"I know," President Kim Tae-Hoo said, nodding with a serious look, but the expression faded as he noticed Ji-Hee still looking up at him. The smile of a doting uncle returned to his face.

"Ji-Hee," he said warmly.

"Yeeees, Uncle Tae-Hoo."

"

Hohohoho.

You're free to come back and play here at any time," the president offered.

"Ummm. But it's not fun."

"Your uncle promises that the next time you come to visit, he'll make sure to find time to play with you," President Kim Tae-Hoo vowed.

"Yeeees. Bye-bye, uncle." Kim Ji-Hee raised one hand to wave at him.

President Kim Tae-Hoo burst into one final peal of heartfelt laughter, then nodded. "Yes, bye-bye to you as well."

1. In Korean, the two terms are used to refer to different age groups, so the president is changing the way he refers to himself to portray himself as younger according to Ji-Hee's assessment. ☜