Episode 78.
Jung Si-woo’s looked at the gate located at the end of the small room…the huge ring of blue-colored metal and the thick gray fog swirling.
“Is this what I think it is?”
“Yes, it’s a teleport gate.”
The civilization of earth had advanced so far without his knowledge! However, Marina replied quietly.
“It’s the fruit of the research at B&Y. We’ve used so many mana stones on this project. The technology was already done over there, so we just needed to reproduce it on earth. And…”
B&Y, which wasn’t inferior when it came to technology and funding, had come forward with all its power to make it happen. Of course, to confirm the existence of the teleport gate, you must enter a dungeon of at least level 30. At that point, most companies on the planet couldn’t even start researching…
“We managed to make it somehow, but we couldn’t use it because it takes so much mana when started, but fortunately or unfortunately, the earth changed, and the air is now overflowing with mana.”
“That’s why you’re using nature’s mana to activate the gate, right?”
“Bingo. It’s possible to go through the two sides of the gate that connects our headquarters building and the Korean branch building.”
It was astonishing that the world’s magic civilization was implemented on earth, but it was convincing that the company that created it was B&Y, the world’s top IT company with the world’s strongest hunter candidate. But there was only one problem.
“Why is it connected to Korea? There must have been a lot of candidates besides Korea to connect the gates.”
“Because you’re in Korea.”
“Are you proposing?”
When Jung Si-woo tilted his head, but Marina laughed and added that it was a joke.
“We were about to go to Korea, so we first connected the headquarters to the gate in Korea. However, Korea was considered a strong candidate from the beginning. You seem to be looking down on your country, but now Korea is receiving attention all over the world.”
“Oh, that’s…”
He didn’t ask why. It was the first place in the world where monsters appeared and where they disappeared. In many ways, the things happening in Korea related to the core of this catastrophe that overturned the entire planet. And Jung Si-woo was deeply involved in most of it. Was Marina also conscious of it? What did she think about it? When Jung Si-woo thought of such a question, she herself changed the subject.
“More than that, what the hell happened to Ah-rin, and why is she with you? I showed you the gate, so you can at least tell me about that.”
Marina asked him as if she couldn’t wait any longer. He was still holding Soo Ah-rin in his arms. Her eyes couldn’t sparkle anymore. At that moment, however, Soo Ah-rin replied instead of Jung Si-woo.
“You dragged him here and showed him the gate. Do you think we’re going to explain why I’m here?”
“It looks like you saved Ah-rin…I heard she retired. Did you get involved in the retiring process? That was possible?”
Marina chewed on Soo Ah-rin’s words and asked Jung Si-woo himself! However, Jung Si-woo already thought that this much interrogation would come the moment her existence was revealed. So he shrugged and confirmed it.
“It worked for me. But you shouldn’t try it yourself.”
“So, is it sort of a penalty that she’s gotten this small?”
“Sort of like that. Now I’m clearing dungeons with these two.”
“That’s very interesting. You know what, I’ve meant to ask you…”
“Iiiiggg.”
“Ouch.”
Marina’s face sparkled. Soo Ah-rin, who could no longer bear it, bit her forearm and moved away from her, returning to Jung Si-woo.
“She’s so rude, Si-woo, let’s go back! Let the Americans take care of the god’s sign or whatever!”
“So, your name is Si-woo!”
“Uh…”
She had been speaking with Jung Si-woo only in English, so they didn’t expect that she would understand Korean. Soo Ah-rin panicked when she was caught by her own mistake.
“I’m sorry, I’ll be keeping a low profile from now…”
She crawled into Jung Si-woo’s chest, looking like she grew ten years older. Of course, it was cute, but Yong Se-ha felt pitiful knowing the situation.
“I don’t know what happened but calm down. I didn’t want to hide you guys anyway, so I’m relieved.
“Yes…”
Jung Si-woo patted Soo Ah-rin on the head and took off his helmet. He expressed his intention to show himself to Marina, who clapped her hands.
“Si-woo, your face is nice, but why were you hiding it?”
“He’s been so suspicious that it’s been hard to walk around with his face exposed.”
“You were aware that you’re suspicious…well, it’s okay.”
Jung Si-woo had no intention of explaining his identity or the condition of Soo Ah-rin to Marina. Now that Soo Ah-rin had calmed down and Marina was satisfied, Jung Si-woo decided to get into the main point.
“So the price you’ll pay me.”
“You aren’t satisfied with a single date? Is it because you can’t even look at me since Ah-rin is here? I don’t think I’m losing my charm as a woman.”
“That’s not it. I don’t need compensation.”
“So you’re just gonna help me, Si-woo…”
Marina’s eyes glistened. There must be some misunderstanding, so Jung Si-woo quickly decided to correct her.
“You don’t know yet, but I actually owe you one. Let’s count it as paying you back.”
“A debt…?”
“Yes, debt.”
Marina tilted her head. That’s right. It was time for Jung Si-woo to explain why he followed Marina. Jung Si-woo outlined what had happened before in the temple of the thunder god with an ambiguous smile. Of course, except for the explanation that he crossed into another world. He explained only to the extent that the thunder god’s rifle played an active role in a collision with the thunder god.
“You fought against the thunder gods descendant? That’s awesome!”
But that alone was enough to make Marina excited.
“You’re so strong! And you strengthened your rifle with the power of the thunder god? You gave the thunder god a good shot!”
“I think that’s what made the god hate you.”
“That’s fine. I was going to give it a shot one day anyway. You just stepped up for me. It’s okay, and you don’t need to worry that much.”
Why was this woman so friendly to Jung Si-woo, and she had a sense of companionship?! Soo Ah-rin was full of desire to intervene, but she held it in because it was self-reflection time. In the meantime, the conversation between Jung Si-woo and Marina was progressing smoothly.
“If you really want to do something for me, you can help me later when I need your help.”
“Hoo, I like that. So It’s safe to say that you’re with me on this, right?”
“Yes.”
Although the story was radical in an unexpected direction, it was roughly organized. He had some things to tell Marina, and she heard everything she needed to hear. What was left was…
“Then let’s go.”
“There’s no probability of failure…?”
“Success rate is 100 percent! I’ve only tried it once.”
“Hey.”
“Then let’s go! I’m going first?”
They weren’t going to die, were they? Jung Si-woo followed Marina, who threw herself at the gate without hesitation. He went through the gate with Soo Ah-rin and Yong Se-ha, giving no time to express refusal.
“Yuck.”
Soo Ah-rin, who was supposed to keep a low profile, felt nauseous. Jung Si-woo didn’t blame her. That short moment when they jumped into the ring and popped out on the other side, they felt like they had been on a roller coaster a hundred times in a row. He thought it would be like this if he were trapped in a small washing machine and rolled about a thousand times.
“I’m going to throw up, Hyeong-nim…”
“Euueug.”
Even Yong Se-ha and Marina, who passed the gate earlier than them, were throwing up together. Jung Si-woo was the only person who was fine. Although he was dizzy, he didn’t feel nauseous. Soo Ah-rin had a look of disbelief.
“Oppa, why are you okay…?”
“I’m strong in everything I do with my body.”
“Oh, I envy you…!”
Five minutes later, Marina managed to wipe her mouth and lift her head up as she grabbed Jung Si-woo’s sleeve.
“Hey, I’m okay now. Let’s go.”
“You don’t look all right…”
“I said that I’m okay! Let’s go before I get involved with some annoying people…”
Just in time after she finished speaking, the elevator stopped. Of course, Marina didn’t call it. As soon as Soo Ah-rin and Yong Se-ha grasped the situation, they crawled into his arms quickly.
“Marie, you really brought him.”
“Uh, Ethan…”
Marina’s expression crumpled the moment she heard a soft voice. He must be the ‘brother’ she was talking about. On the other hand, Soo Ah-rin and Yong Se-ha began to whisper in surprise.
“Wow, he’s a fine-looking middle-aged man.”
“I think it’s not fair that white people are able to grow old so beautifully.”
The man who walked out of the elevator had an impression slightly different from Marina. His gray hair was neatly pushed back, and the full-back suit gave the impression that he was intelligent. He called Marina by her nickname, and judging by her reaction; it was probably her own brother. Above all, the biggest evidence was that the elevator that led to this gate would have been secured, but he used it.
“I was worried because it was getting late. The government was onto us, and I had a hard time stopping them.”
“…What about the emperor people?”
“We’ve been blocking them so far, but be careful in case there’s a collision. And…”
The man turned his head toward Jung Si-woo. Jung Si-woo himself felt an intellectual atmosphere that he couldn’t create even after he died and woke up again. A natural sense of pressure formed while serving as a representative of such a company, but he couldn’t be intimidated by others. The man must’ve felt it, but he had a weak smile around his lips.
“Thank you for your cooperation. I’m the CEO of B&Y, Ethan Bissett. I think my sister has caused you a lot of trouble, but…”
“What trouble are you talking about? Si-woo and I are perfect partners!”
Without Jung Si-woo’s knowledge, he and Marina seemed to have become partners. Ethan Bissett sighed at his sister’s words and approached Jung Si-woo, then held out his right hand. He shook hands with Ethan Bissett.
“I’m Jung Si-woo. I will be helping Marina ‘temporarily.’
“Haha. My younger sister is usually like this, but she is particularly annoying to people she likes. I think Mr. Jung will be more and more bothered, but she has no bad intentions, so please ignore it.”
“Stop talking nonsense, Ethan. If you’re done with your words, go.”
Was the relationship between siblings the same even if the border was different? Marina pushed her brother away, showing her annoyance, but she didn’t seem to be using her full strength, seeing that he wasn’t being tossed aside though he wasn’t a player. Ethan continued to speak firmly.
“I feel sorry for her, and now that she’s become a player, I thought there would be no man on earth to handle her…I’m relieved to meet you, Mr. Jung. Please take good care of her from now on…you know what I mean.”
“Uh…I don’t.”
He didn’t even want to know. Despite Jung Si-woo’s reply, Ethan Bissett laughed. On the other hand, Marina was preparing to beat her brother up. Ethan Bissett, who noticed, took a step back.
“So let’s leave things as is. As I told Marie, there may be some people who want to interrupt this. I’ll take care of the mess…Mr. Jung, you can do whatever you want here.”
He thought he just heard something spooky. Jung Si-woo decided to nod, for now, not saying anything. That was the end of the conversation.
“Oh, really, Ethan! Mama taught you that you shouldn’t interfere between a man and a woman!”
“Oh, sorry, sorry. Now I’m really going to take a step back. Marie, do well with him.”
“Ahhh, really!”
Marina grabbed Jung Si-woo’s wrist and strode to the elevator. Ethan Bissett was left alone in the room, but it seemed that she didn’t intend to give him a ride in the elevator. Jung Si-woo was thrilled by their strong friendship.
“Ethan treats me like a child. Don’t get too involved with him, Si-woo.”
“Okay.”
Jung Si-woo thought he might be treating her like a child because she was one, but he wasn’t stupid enough to say that out loud. Soon the elevator stopped, and when they came out, they were on the rooftop.
“I’m going straight to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Are you ready?
“The Grand Canyon, huh.”
He didn’t think that the first Grand Canyon tour in his life would be like this. Jung Si-woo grinned and took out his bike. To be honest, more than the impression of Ethan, and Marina’s crush on him, now…
‘I just can’t wait to fight.’
He couldn’t wait for the battle ahead of him.
