Chapter 240

“Jiang Lei!”

“Half-draconians!”

“Y-Yusuke. It is really Yusuke.”

“Japan’s pseudo-prince...”

On the corpse of the ogre, three people stood—the young geniuses of Korea, China, and Japan, respectively.

Despite the onlookers being Korean, the irony was that Jae-Hyeok received the least attention of all. Rather than Jae-Hyeok, who’d only become popular recently, most people immediately recognize Jiang Lei and Yusuke.

Of course, that wasn’t to say that Jae-Hyeok was a nonbody. However, he simply wasn’t the highlight to the onlookers, which was only natural.

Jae-Hyeok was only a National Treasure candidate, whereas Jiang Lei was a genuine National Treasure. Not only that, the competition for candidacy and subsequent National Treasure status within China was hundreds of times more competitive than in Korea.

As for Yusuke, he was the heir of a nationwide religious organization within Japan. Were it not for the Japanese government’s silence on the matter, the religious organization could even be said to be Japan’s national religion.

Yusuke was widely known as a prince, and that was for good reason—his heir status granted him greater influence than even the National Treasures of his country.

Besides Jiang Lei and Yusuke’s innate statuses, the two of them had also cleared many S-grade gates and won all manner of achievements.

With those two on the scene, it was only natural that Jae-Hyeok would fly under the radar. Unlike them, Jae-Hyeok had yet to prove his worth to the world. Justified or not, Jae-Hyeok’s name had only found itself in the news for killing his fellow countrymen so far. That was far from a national merit of the kind that the Korean people and, indeed, the world at large expected of a hero.

“Did those two kill the ogre with a single slash?”

Both the Association members and the general public gulped in awe. To strike off the limbs of a massive monster like an ogre was a true demonstration of Jiang Lei’s and Yusuke’s matchless skills.

Of course, the onlookers also thought positively of Jae-Hyeok. They were Koreans after all.

Kang Jae-Hyeok’s ability to cooperate with those two at the right time is amazing. He must’ve struck off one of the legs all on his own.

Cutting off one of the Ogre’s legs was already more than the onlookers could’ve hoped for. It was a testament to Jae-Hyeok’s ability to stand side by side with the geniuses of China and Japan.

Of course, no one expected Jae-Hyeok to be the one responsible for beheading the ogre. It was one thing to believe in their own national treasure candidate and another to believe Jae-Hyeok could outperform the likes of genuine National Treasure existences like Jiang Lei and Yusuke. Jang Baek-San, who happened to arrive at the scene moments prior, shared this same opinion:

Kang Jae-Hyeok must’ve pushed himself to the limits to keep up with the other two. That alone is amazing, but...

After Jae-Hyeok’s killing of the ten other branch managers, Jang Beak-San had been busy suppressing the turmoil within the Association. Few people willingly listened to him. The employers of the Association’s other regional branches weren’t beholden to his orders and would only respond to the branch managers of their respective branches—positions which to this day had yet to be filled.

Given these difficulties, Jang Beak-San had struggled to rally players to the gate site, despite it being in the middle of Seoul. In the end, he’d only managed to bring in a few people from the Gangnam branch.

It is a headache.

Thinking of the difficulties of the past week, Jang Baek-San’s brow tightened before he relaxed it with conscious effort. Now wasn’t the time to think of his own struggles.

Jang Baek-San refocused his mind on the gate ahead.

Judging from the fluctuating mana core, it would take three hours to fully stabilize, which was far faster than usual for a newly forming gate.

Thinking of the limited time he had, Jang Beak-San’s jaw tightened. A majority of the Association and the entirety of the military were under boycott. Could the Gangnam branch’s power alone stop the monsters that would pour out of the S-grade gate?

It was impossible.

I just hope the guilds and the noble families arrive soon.

What worried Jang Beak-San the most was Jiang Lei’s and Yusuke’s presence. Once the gate opened, the odds of those two staying still were close to zero—most likely, they would charge into the gate in an attempt to be the first to clear it.

In fact, the law forbade foreign players from entering the gates of foreign countries unless they were granted special permission. However, that had never stopped China and Japan in the past, so Jang Beak-San was sure that wouldn’t stop them now.

They aren’t the type to be held back by the law.

It was no coincidence that Jiang Lei and Yusuke had appeared in Korea. They had been drawn here after Yeon Ho-Ryeong’s most recent announcement and were clearly hostile to Korea. So there was no way people of their sort would respect Korean law.

As Jang Beak-Sa was thinking, Jiang Lei spoke, “

Tsk.

No matter how small the country, does Korea really lack the ability to protect its own people? Seoul is your capital, is it not? How can your defenses amount to so little?”

Yusuke stopped silently examining the ogre’s corpse and also commented, “Jiang Lei, I can’t agree with you belittling Seoul like this. However, I do share your doubts about the lack of gate management.”

Young as they were, Jiang Lei and Yusuke represented their respective superpowers, so every word from them was like a hammer blow to the Korean bystanders' ears. Worst of all was that they were right—Korea had indeed failed to handle this gate.

Yusuke shook his head before continuing, “It seems Korea is dealing with some internal conflict. So be it; I am prepared to step forward on behalf of the people. This gate needs to be stabilized as soon as possible.”

Jiang Lei cut in, “No, China will help you clear this gate. In return, we’ll only take half of the clearance reward.”

Unlike Yusuke, Jiang Lei was blatant with his intentions, speaking directly about the benefits. Moreover, the name he put forth was not his own but China’s. If Jang Beak-San were to carelessly refuse him, it could have an impact on Korea’s upcoming negotiations regarding Yeon Ho-Ryeong.

Insidious guy.

Jang Baek-San clicked his tongue but made no comment. He was only a branch manager and lacked the official authority to speak on behalf of Korea. One careless word, and the Korean government would be the one to pay the price. Jang Beak-San didn’t dare to risk it.

Unfortunately, Jiang Lei had other plans in mind.

“Hey, aren’t you in charge? You don’t seem to be mute, so why aren’t you answering?”

Jang Baek-San’s expression sank. He hesitated for a long moment before reluctantly replying, “... I don’t have the authority to comment on this matter.”

Jiang Lei chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “What need is there for authority? I’m offering to protect your citizens. The answer is easy. Moreover, Korea is a democracy. Every voice counts, regardless of your status, isn’t that right? Just do what’s right for your citizens, and the Korean government surely won’t blame you.”

A Chinese person is actually talking about democracy...

Jang Baek-San frowned in disbelief. Before he could shape a reply, Jiang Lei’s expression twisted, and he continued ominously, “I’m afraid the condition of this gate isn’t normal. Now that the gate has stabilized. We must move quickly to clear it before a monster wave starts. I’d say you have a few minutes at most to come to a decision. I’m afraid your organization’s high-level players and the Korean military are still far off. Are you really going to force me to stand by and watch as your own people suffer a disaster? China is offering you aid, why must you slap our hand away?”

Jiang Lei flicked his gaze toward the ogre’s corpse before continuing, “Haven’t I already protected your people once? What’s there to hesitate about? For the good of everyone, allow me... allow China to serve your citizens in their time of crisis. You need only say, ‘Yes,’ and before you know it, I’ll have this gate cleared and the safety of the Korean people secured.”

Jang Baek-San lingered for a moment before replying, “As I’ve said, the reply you seek isn’t something for me to decide. Someone will be here soon. You may speak with them.”

“You wish for me to wait even longer? By then, it’ll be too late! Do you care nothing for your people? This is truly a small country. Korea has rested too long in China’s shadow, benefiting from the protection we offer. A catastrophe stares down its nose at you, yet every facet of you and your country’s response has been a demonstration of its lacking sense of crisis.

Tsk

.

Tsk.

This saddens me greatly. I’d hoped Korea had changed... This is why foreign countries have repeatedly invaded your nation throughout history.”

“......”

Jang Baek-San remained silent. Korea’s current position was indeed bad. So whether he spoke up to agree or refuse Jiang Lei, Korea would come out on the bottom in the eyes of the public. At times like these, the best response was silence.

Jiang Lei snorted. “Quiet as a mouse, huh? Hmph. That’s fine. Not everyone is born to be bold and decisive. Since you’ve nothing to say, just wait in peace while China puts an end to this disaster.”

With that, Jiang Lei spun and moved toward the gate. Responding to their leader, the rest of Jiang Lei’s team hopped over the barricade, which finally provoked a shout from Jang Beak-San.

“Wait! Foreigners can’t step into the gates opened in Korea!”

Jiang Lei glanced back at Jang Beak-San from the corner of his eye. “Is that your decision, then? You wish to wait around until the monster wave triggers in your capital city? All the lives lost, all the damage to your infrastructure... Are you ready to take responsibility for that? Can you, even?”

Jang Beak-San’s expression cooled. He replied evenly, “What happens is not your concern. In addition, I already told you we have people coming soon.”

“

Tsk

. How irresponsible of you. I’m beginning to suspect that you aren’t of sound mind. Your judgment is unreliable.

Sigh

... At this point, as a high-level player, I’ll have to make the call for the good of Korea.”

Jiang Lei shook his head as if he couldn’t understand it and continued toward the gate.

Jang Baek-San ran to stop him, but a Chinese player from the Black Dragon Guild blocked his path.

“Lower your voice, you uneducated Korean. We’ve endured you so far, but don’t push your luck. You really think you can say whatever you want to the National Treasure of a major country? Do you think you have ten lives or what?”

“Aren’t you the uneducated one?”

Jae-Hyeok, who’d seen enough, uncrossed his arms with a bored sigh.

“What makes you think you can talk impolitely to Mr. Jang Baek-San? Mr. Jang Baek-San has probably lived twenty years longer than Jiang Lei.”

“... Kang Jae-Hyeok.”

For the first time, the Chinese players’ attention turned to Jae-Hyeok.

Of course, they had recognized Jae-Hyeok from the moment he’d landed atop the ogre’s corpse. Through Black Dragon’s connection with the Death God Guild, Jiang Lei and his team had all flipped through Jae-Hyeok’s file at one point or another; however, Jae-Hyeok was at most a curiosity. This time, Jiang Lei and his team had come for the big fish—the Korean government and Yeon Ho-Ryeong—not some boy.

“Kids shouldn’t speak when the adults are talking. Today, you’re lucky; get lost.”

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Jiang Lei’s group waved their hands dismissively and strode towards the gate, only to suddenly stop.

“You know. You aren’t the one who saved the people over there.” Jae-Hyeok hooked a thumb over his shoulder, pointing to the shell-shocked people whom the ogre had nearly crushed. He flashed them a reassuring smile before turning back to the Chinese players and saying flatly, “I saved them.”

“... Huh?”

The Chinese players looked stunned for a moment.

They doubted their ears.

“Hahaha! You are completely crazy.”

“So shameless...”

“Stop.”

Jiang Lei’s eyes were cold as he silenced his laughing subordinates.

I thought it was that Japanese bastard who’d beheaded the ogre... It was actually this brat?

Jiang Lei struggled to believe it, but Yusuke didn’t speak up in the contrary.

Jiang Lei was filled with a strange sense of contempt and competition as he asked directly, “Fine. Good for you. But so what? Do you think you have the right to challenge this gate?”

“Well, if I had to choose between you and me, I do think it’s more appropriate that I step forward. I am Korean after all.”

“You alone want to challenge an S-grade gate? Kid, do you think you’ve got what it takes?”

“Probably not”

“Kid, how arrogant can you be—

uh

, huh?”

A question mark hovered above the heads of Jang Baek-San and Jiang Lei’s group. It wasn’t just them; everyone at the scene reacted in confusion. Jae-Hyeok’s response was not at all what they’d expected.

Jae-Hyeok smiled and walked over to Jiang Lei’s group before wiggling himself between two grown men.

“So I should go with you guys.”

“......”

This kid... was he raised spoiled in Korea?

How naive can he be?

There was a moment of silence before Jiang Lei and his group exchanged strange smiles and nodded.

“Okay. That’s a wise suggestion. We’ll clear the gate together, and you can take the rewards to benefit your country.”

Jiang Lei’s gaze shifted to Yusuke.

“Will you join us?”

“No. Not interested.”

Yusuke stepped back while waving his hands in an exaggerated manner. He clearly wanted no part of it. He turned his attention back to the ogre’s corpse as if it were the most interesting thing. No one heard his mutterings.

“I’d rather not die today...”