“Did you see the news? Rachel is coming to Korea?”
“I’m really excited. Who is she coming to thank?”
“She’s coming because she’s the Connector, right?”
The cafe in Gangnam buzzed with chatter.
Rachel’s visit to Korea wasn’t just a topic for the media; even the public was buzzing about it.
People were so excited that they openly expressed their anticipation, even from the outside.
And they couldn’t stop talking about the mysterious Korean who had helped Rachel.
‘Sweet, sweet.’
I smiled as I savored my Americano.
An Americano, which usually wasn’t sweet, tasted surprisingly sweet today.
At this point, I felt like I could even enjoy an espresso sweetly.
I sat in a cafe in Gangnam, quietly drinking my coffee while listening to people’s conversations.
Not long after, two people approached me.
“Choi Jeosun, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Yes, it’s good to see you too.”
The one who greeted me was Ha Jin-woo, team leader of the Dawn’s Constellation 1st Team.
He was an S-rank Hunter who had come to buy the safety sword.
Kim Hayun was with him.
When our coffee arrived, Ha Jin-woo began the conversation in earnest.
“I heard you contacted us about joining Dawn’s Constellation.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I had chosen Dawn’s Constellation as the organization that could guarantee my anonymity.
Government agencies were behind in quality compared to guilds, and there was a high possibility they would make troublesome demands, so I had ruled them out.
Government agencies were the ones who drafted Hunters under the guise of ‘for the country’s work.’
Members of the National Assembly even yelled at the guild leaders; I wouldn’t be any different.
After ruling out government agencies, the remaining options were the top three guilds in Korea.
Dawn’s Constellation, Samdocheon, and Cheonmu-mun.
If I wasn’t planning to move abroad, I had to have some connection with one of these three.
And the guild based in Seoul, where I stayed, was Dawn’s Constellation.
“I heard you received the details through Team Leader Kim Hayun.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Anonymity guaranteed, no involvement in Gate raids, purchase of by-products, and so on…
The terms that Kim Hayun proposed were incredibly attractive and hard to refuse.
It was just a matter of living my life as usual while being guaranteed the benefits.
“I believe everything you’ve received is correct, but I came here to personally propose an additional matter.”
Ha Jin-woo looked around before speaking.
“What I’m about to say is confidential, so please excuse me.”
In that instant, a blue magical aura flowed from Ha Jin-woo.
This aura surrounded our table in a transparent hemispherical shield.
The noise from the busy cafe disappeared immediately.
It was as if we had entered a study room — complete silence.
I doubted that not only outside but even inside, no one would be able to hear anything.
Seeing no one paying attention to us confirmed my suspicion.
As if to affirm that my guess was right, Ha Jin-woo spoke.
“I’ve cast an isolation spell. From now on, anything we say or do here will not be known to anyone outside.”
‘Impressive.’
As expected from someone who was the 1st Team Leader of one of the top three guilds, his magical prowess was amazing.
On the other hand, it also meant that I was important enough for someone like him to come negotiate with me.
“Jeosun, we would like to offer you a VIP Hunter contract.”
“A VIP Hunter?”
“Yes, it’s a contract that only A-rank and higher Hunters can be offered.”
He then went on to explain the benefits that come with the VIP level.
Anonymity guaranteed, the lowest commission for purchasing Gate by-products, no involvement in raids, housing, vehicles provided, and so on…
This contract offered many more benefits than a regular anonymous Hunter contract.
Of course, Dawn’s Constellation wouldn’t be losing out either.
Gates where A-rank or higher Hunters enter aren’t ordinary Gates.
Being able to exclusively obtain the by-products from such high-level Gates was enough of a gain for Dawn’s Constellation.
And offering such a contract was clear evidence that Ha Jin-woo suspected me of being the ‘Connector.’
I had only said I wanted to join as an anonymous Hunter to Kim Hayun, but I had never revealed that I was a ‘Connector.’
As expected.
“In fact, we suspect that you might be the mysterious Connector who has been the subject of rumors.”
Ha Jin-woo said, looking at me with a tense expression.
Kim Hayun’s face was gleaming, almost eagerly waiting for an answer.
I nodded as I looked at their contrasting expressions.
“That’s right, I am the Connector.”
“…Hmm, so it’s true.”
“See, I told you I was right.”
The two couldn’t hide their joy.
They had just discovered the true identity of the Connector, someone who no one in Korea knew about.
“We had a feeling you might be the Connector when you gave us the safety sword.”
“I know.”
I had felt Kim Hayun probing me several times.
“Then, can you show us proof that you are the Connector?”
Proof.
What could I show them?
After thinking for a moment, I took something out of my spatial backpack.
It was a crystal as clear as ice, with warm flames flickering inside.
“That’s…!”
Kim Hayun exclaimed, surprised.
“It’s the Snow Stone.”
This magic stone, which satisfied my lacking magical power, was the most definite proof that I was the Connector.
After obtaining the Snow Stone, the first-place reward from the Trial’s Crown, I had written ‘Connector’ in the raider column.
And second place was Kim Hayun.
I turned my back to Kim Hayun, who was looking at the Snow Stone with regret, and Ha Jin-woo got to the point.
“Thank you for confirming. Let’s proceed with the contract.”
Ha Jin-woo casually handed over the VIP contract. But I didn’t accept it.
“I’ll stick with the anonymous contract.”
“Eh? Why…”
“I just think it’s more comfortable that way.”
The VIP contract was undoubtedly tempting, but it wasn’t something that could be accepted carelessly.
In exchange for receiving all the support, Dawn’s Constellation would be able to monitor my every move.
Although there was no obligation to participate in raids, there was a clause that required me to assist in times of crisis.
With this, Dawn’s Constellation would even learn about Jeanne.
‘That can’t happen.’
I had no intention of dragging Jeanne into this unnecessarily.
Of course, even beyond that, I wanted to keep some distance from the guild.
Once you owe a debt, you’re bound to be dragged around.
A relationship of mutual help where you give what you can and receive what you need. That kind of distance was appropriate.
It wasn’t like I was struggling either.
“Hmm, still, I think you should reconsider…”
“I’ll leave if it’s not an anonymous contract.”
It felt strange to see a Hunter asking for something I would have never even glanced at in the past, but I firmly declined.
Contracts should be handled rationally.
“Hmm, that’s unfortunate, but I suppose it can’t be helped. I understand. In that case, we’ll waive the by-product commission for you.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Haha, we should be the ones to appreciate.”
And so, I entered the shadow of Dawn’s Constellation.
I signed the contract with Dawn’s Constellation and disposed of all the magic stones I had accumulated.
“It’s 40 million won with no commission. The transfer has been made immediately.”
“Thank you. Also, I’m looking for a house. Can you help me with that?”
“If it’s about housing, don’t worry. We have some properties managed by Dawn’s Constellation. I’ll send you the list shortly.”
‘It’s nice to have a guild.’
It felt refreshing to have my problem solved all at once.
After signing the contract with Dawn’s Constellation and handling all the pending matters, I returned home.
“Jeanne, was there anything uncomfortable while you were at home?”
“No, actually, you both treated me so well that I felt comfortable. You both seem like really kind people.”
Well, they were my parents, but both of them were good people.
However, Jeanne’s outfit had changed since I last saw her.
She was wearing a light blue dress, almost as if it could float away.
‘Come to think of it, she was wearing something different yesterday too.’
Jeanne had stayed at our house for two days.
Her outfits had never been the same during that time.
“Did you get back, oppa?”
The culprit, who was grinning and crawling out into the living room, greeted me.
“How do I look, does it suit Jeanne?”
“It does, but take it easy.”
“Hey, of course, I’ll take it easy.”
Jeanne’s outfits changing every day was entirely Choi Seo-yeon’s doing.
She was so engrossed in dressing Jeanne up, it was like playing dress-up with dolls.
Fortunately, Jeanne was kind, or else a punch would’ve already been thrown.
In the living room, my father, Choi Dojun, was watching the news.
Cardinal Francis arrived in Korea through Incheon Airport around 11 a.m. this morning.
The purpose of his visit was reportedly to scout potential saints.
“Tsk, tsk, even the Catholics are finished. They’re done for.”
My father clicked his tongue.
The summary of the news was as follows:
[Archbishop Ambrosio of the Yeoksam Archdiocese found traces of an Awakener suspected to be a ‘saint candidate’…]
[Cardinal Francis of the Vatican has entered Korea to confirm the saint candidate.]
[However, it seems the real intention is to recruit Korean Awakeners to the Vatican…]
In the past century, more than a dozen people had been designated as saint candidates by the Vatican.
Among them, the only one recognized as a true saint was Mother Teresa.
After Teresa’s death, the church had failed to produce another saint.
In any case, the Vatican’s method of scouting involved inviting Awakeners from the country in question to the Vatican under the pretext of searching for saints.
It was an event that took place during the campaign for the ‘Holy War’ or the Dark Attribute Gate.
It seemed like they were in a real hurry this time. The fact that a Cardinal was coming all the way here to extend an invitation was telling.
I glanced at Jeanne.
She seemed completely uninterested, not even looking at the TV. I wasn’t particularly interested either, so I let it pass.
[Cardinal Francis is expected to stay in Korea until he finds a saint candidate…]
Only the news broadcast filled the living room.