Parisian Artisans (4)

The fifteenth World Superhuman Conference was held at the Superhuman Association’s French HQ, which towered about Paris’s first district. The HQ was the core of France’s superhuman power, a fact immediately evident just upon entering the building.

“What are you looking for?”

“My noona said she would come here to contact me.” Lee Na-hee jabbed Kang Shin-hyuk in the back, although it probably hurt her more than him. Eleanor was watching with a sad expression from the sidelines.

“Because Na-hee does something like that…”

“What, why, what?”

“Na-hee is a fool.”

“I didn’t know it would be like this either…” If it weren’t for Lee Na-hee, Eleanor would’ve gone to the opera with Kang Shin-hyuk. Therefore, it was natural Eleanor, who had learned about the situation after the fact, would complain to her. Karen was muttering in shock as she watched the two.

“The friendship of those two, broken like this…”

“I don’t know what’s happening, but isn’t this youth?” Meanwhile, Baek In-ha had been going alone after he could not get a hold of anyone yesterday. The moment Kang Shin-hyuk tried to explain what had happened, Lee Na-hee and Eleanor glanced at them. Neither seemed to like that Kang Shin-hyuk had a date with Claire. He quickly raised his hands in surrender.

“…Something like that happened.”

“I understand roughly. Since I didn’t have a French interpreter, I wandered around like a lost child all day, but you were filming a youth drama. This traitor!”

“Everyone this way! We’ll be moving to the thirteenth floor.” Siara Bertrand led them to the elevator while Baek deemed Kang Shin-hyuk as his enemy. The lobby on the first floor of the HQ was crowded with staff from the association and superhumans from all over the world.

“The meeting is held on the fourteenth floor. One hundred superhumans, including representatives of each country and carefully selected mercenaries, as well as representatives of the UN Gate Countermeasures Organization and superhumans from the top fifty world rankings will be there. In the venue on the thirteenth floor, you can observe the meeting from there and, in rare cases, might even get a chance to speak.”

“You have an enormous opportunity here. It is the moment when superhuman history takes a step forward. Be proud that we represent Shinyoung.” Following Siara Bertrand’s words, the principal Shin Yoon-hak laughed happily. The representatives of Shinyoung were all gathered up, with the exception of the Magic Crown, who had escaped.

‘Nathan Bodin is French. Could he be here now?’ Nathan’s withdrawal had become a mockery both at home and abroad. Even if he were back in France, he would desperately try to hide his existence. On the other hand, Kang Shin-hyuk’s name spread quickly throughout the superhuman society as the direct cause of him dropping out, although fortunately, they didn’t know what he looked like.

“The thirteenth floor is a party hall. Let’s enjoy refreshments and tea until the meeting starts. Also, try to communicate with other superhumans if possible.”

“That’s absurd, sir. Talk to celebrities who don’t know me? What sort of torture is that?” Kang Shin-hyuk had been enduring so far, but he actually had little confidence in his sociability. Eleanor tilted her head at him.

“Why? It’s an ordinary party.”

“My senior isn’t ordinary.” The elevator rose quickly. When the door opened, revealing the scene awaiting them, everyone took a deep breath. Unlike the first floor, the hall was wide open.

“It’s a spatial expansion artifact. A high-ranker from thirty years ago, Iron Blood, acquired it from an S-class gate.”

“Shinyoung has similar items.” The principal replied that they weren’t losing and smiled.

“I hope there will be a time for everyone to acquire something useful.”

“What about the principal?”

“I have to attend the meeting.” Indeed, Shin Yoon-hak was counted among the one-hundred most important superhumans in the world. He was one of the reasons why Shinyoung’s students were able to come this far in the first place.

“Although there are quite a few training schools in the world that are comparable to Shinyoung, it is only Shinyoung who directly participates in the conference.” Siara followed up with that explanation proudly. The principal looked over the students once more before closing the elevator door. Douglas Payne clenched his fist as he watched the elevator ascend.

“To rise to the top.”

“You’ll have another opportunity, it is held every three years.”

“You guys have become cheeky.” Douglas rubbed his nose at Kang Shin-hyuk’s words, looking over at Eleanor. It seemed that he was worried about what she might think; however, she was busy keeping Lee Na-hee in check.

“Uh…if it’s you, you can do it.”

“Of course, I can do it. I can do it.” At Douglas’s depressed appearance, one of the male members of the Wyvern Knights comforted him. Shin-hyuk hoped that Douglas wouldn’t realize the cause behind Eleanor and Lee Na-hee’s mood.

“Shinyuk…”

“What?” Douglas had barely calmed down and turned to approach the famous superhumans in the venue as Baek In-ha watched with a twinkle in his eye.

“No matter where I look, there are only beautiful women…! Is this heaven?”

“It would’ve been great if you said something that betrayed my expectations…” The higher the rank of a superhuman, the better their body was. It was only natural that relatively handsome men and beautiful women were here.

“Come on, sir! Go!”

“Go alone!” Baek tried to pull Shin-hyuk with him, but Eleanor grabbed his hand.”

“I prefer you don’t do anything that will be misunderstood.”

“Algiers?”

“I don’t think it’s good to see you, Baekyang’s successor, leading Shin-hyuk around here.” The moment Kang Shin-hyuk heard that, his mind flashed. Meanwhile, Baek’s eyes narrowed.

“No matter how much I respect you, Algiers, it’s hard to just say that. I’ve never thought of using Shinyuk.”

“Then, the bigger problem is being misunderstood.”

“Then, you’re okay?”

“I…” Eleanor hesitated for a moment, clearing her throat as she tried to find the right words.

“He is the vice-captain of the Wyvern Knights, it’s not strange to be led by the captain.”

“I don’t know if that will stick with the people gathered here. Especially for Algiers since things are a little complicated.” Eleanor’s eyes sharpened at his words. Baek appeared to know something of Eleanor’s secret. Kang Shin-hyuk oddly admired the fact that they knew each other so well, despite not talking much before. Was this a part of being upper-class?

“Yes, both of them have complicated backstories, so it can’t be helped. Then, I’ll be with my junior. Instead of being cheated on yesterday, I’ll sacrifice myself.” Of course, It was Lee Na-hee who came in.

“I have a history of winning the grand prize in an artifact contest with my junior. There’s nothing strange at all if we go together.”

“Na-hee’s situation is complicated too.”

“Rumors about Nathan Bodin must’ve spread all over the place. Especially ones about you and Shinyuk, right?” Kang Shin-hyuk saw the three arguing over him and felt a sense of déjà vu. At that moment, someone grabbed him from behind. As he vanished from view, the three looked over. There was the figure of Shin Eunah, putting her hand on Shin-hyuk’s shoulder. As always, her black hair and calm eyes overwhelmed those around her. She was wearing the task force uniform.

“Ah.”

“Ah…”

“Oh…” Shin Eunah’s grip was firm, offering no escape to Kang Shin-hyuk.

“The association is sponsoring my junior. You are?”

“That…”

“He’s my best friend…no, I’m sorry.”

“He’s my club junior… no, it’s nothing.” The three students, who had been overwhelmed in an instant, resigned. Shin Eunah pulled Shin-hyuk to her with a victorious smile.

“Then, excuse us.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Glory to the Thunder Empress…” She left with him, barely lifting her hand from his shoulder once they had put some distance between them and the others.

“In the future, it would be better to be mindful of the sense of distance between you and your friends.”

“Ah, yes.” Kang Shin-hyuk let out a sigh and grabbed her hand, causing her to jump.

“?!”

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to people you know? Let’s go.”

“Hand.”

Only

“What?” He had done it so naturally, he wasn’t aware of it.

“Ah, I’m sorry. The higher the synchronization rate, the more comfortable I feel with senior… I’ll let go.”

“Oh, no. I think displaying your relationship with your sponsor is a great way to show strength!” Shin Eunah spoke as quickly as she could, proceeding to the venue with Kang Shin-hyuk in hand. Her cheeks were flushed, making him worry about another scandal soon appearing in the news.

“I saw you.”

“Saw what?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.” She had known that Claire and Kang Shin-hyuk went on a date to the opera house yesterday. All her anger had disappeared the moment he held her hand, however. She was a bit angry at herself for being so easy, but she couldn’t help but be happy.

‘I’m the one who’s ahead.’ Shin Eunah was lost in the illusion as she laughed deeply.

They had one hour left before the conference began.