You Know (1)

Kang Shin-hyuk stopped a server to change his non-alcoholic beverage after seeing Shin Eunah off for the ranking announcements. The glass he received was sparkling with a translucent pink liquid. A beautiful silver-haired woman with the same drink arrived at his side. It was from Lee Na-hee.

“Is it fun to have two high-rankers fight over you?”

“Could you stop talking like that?” Kang Shin-hyuk grumbled and toasted her by clinking glasses.

“We’re just getting along. Of course, I’ve fallen for Claire.”

“So, you can see some hope there?”

“Huh.” Kang Shin-hyuk nodded. Especially since yesterday’s date… if Claire didn’t enjoy it, he would have to give her the award for best actress.

“Ah, youth against age.”

“Age doesn’t matter.”

“Then what’s important? Chest?” In response to Lee Na-hee’s bold question, he wondered if the glass she held also contained alcohol.

“What I’m trying to say is something else…that is also important, though.”

“So quick to agree.”

“Please remember, senior. There are only two types of men in the world. Those who like that sort of thing, and those who pretend not to.” Lee Na-hee thought seriously about his answer. At least she had the edge over Eleanor in that regard.

“By the way, weren’t you with senior Eleanor?” Lee Na-hee was surprised, it was like he read her mind, but Kang Shin-hyuk wasn’t talking about that. She coughed loudly.

“I was caught by an official from the British royal family, but Baek rescued me. I fell behind though, so I’ve been running around alone looking for food.” That first bit was true, although the second seemed false. In fact, she had approached him once she saw Shin Eunah leave.

“Baek rescued you? Ah…” Kang Shin-hyuk belatedly recalled Baek In-ha’s status outside of school. The prince of Baekyang could confidently go against the British royal family. His close friend was a sight to behold. That was what he wanted Eleanor to find, a friend of high social status to be her ally. Not a rookie king without any standing.

“What about Douglas Payne?”

“He was on the other side of the room then.”

“Is that person really an idiot?”

“You idiot. There’s no one at our school with the title of king who isn’t an idiot.”

“Doesn’t that make Eleanor and me stupid too? Tell me…oh, there they are.” Looking around the venue, he quickly found Eleanor, Karen, and Baek In-ha in a corner. He raised his hand to them, but Lee Na-hee quickly grabbed it and pulled his body closer to her.

“We can talk to each other?”

“What are you talking about? Didn’t you…”

“Huh? That… sorry.”

[Since the incident in Korea about a month ago, signs have been detected in each country. This proves that the occurrence of monster-related abnormalities has a connected relationship all over the world, unlike previous countercurrents that were concentrated in a region.]

Lee Na-hee bowed her head slightly to apologize as the chairman’s voice continued to discuss the next agenda. Kang Shin-hyuk narrowed his eyes as he looked at her.

“You suddenly left and even pulled away Eleanor. “

“Uh…should I say it again? Accept my apology?” Kang Shin-hyuk let out a sigh and shrugged.

“Alright. Here.”

“What’s this?” Lee Na-hee was relieved that Kang Shin-hyuk let it pass but was soon confused as he produced the pile of business cards he had received. She was quick to understand what they meant.

“Luanang, SD, Chemistry, Mercurius…these are all some great companies.”

“They asked to contact us later. Maybe they’re aiming for Mr. Lee Manwoo, but we just have to meet them and show off our skills.”

“You…” These were people who didn’t come to see the contest on their own. Yet at the conference, Shin Eunah was able to create those connections for them easily. Lee Na-hee knew the value of each business card was enormous, and she cherished them as she picked them up.

“Are you going to meet with me?”

“I don’t have confidence by myself.”

“I have confidence! I do, so let’s go together.”

“If so…” This was a chance to continue their talks about a partnership. Kang Shin-hyuk let out a laugh and emptied his cup.

“Okay, then. It would be nice to work together until you graduate.”

“Ah…yes.” Lee Na-hee nodded shyly. As when they had first talked about the partnership, a warm atmosphere was forming around them.

“Na-hee!” When he was wondering what to do from there, Eleanor came over. She seemed to be a little angry.

“I think I have to do something about Na-hee.”

“What are you talking about…”

[Then next…here?!]

It was then, the chairman who was conducting the meeting began to bleed.

“Huh?” Kang Shin-hyuk wondered if this surreal scene was a movie, not something actually happening through the monitors. Blood began to bubble up from the chairman’s mouth, however, confirming it was reality.

“Poison?”

“It’s a monster’s poison!” Some of those watching the monitor were quick to respond.

“It might be dangerous here too!”

“It’s a raid! Damn, how’d they get in here?” The chairman was in a state of confusion. The guards around the hall should have been helping people evacuate, but they were collapsing one after another. The poison was already spreading.

“It’s poison.”

“Ellie, do you need a poison resistance artifact?”

“It’s okay, Na-hee. How about you?”

“I’ve nothing to worry about.” Shin-hyuk had resistance to the poison of SS+ rarity, and proficiency of A+.

“Shin-hyuk!”

“You look excited. Karen?”

“I have artifacts, but the grade is low…! Your majesty, you need to leave this place!” Karen tried to move Eleanor, but she was reluctant.

“Take out your artifact. Senior Na-hee, enchant it.”

“Right.” Karen pulled out the crystal necklace she wore, and Lee Na-hee hurriedly placed a temporary enchantment there. Kang Shin-hyuk then used his spiritual power to enhance it further.

“What do you think?”

“Wow, it’s so good…!”

‘Administrator.’

-The poison flowing into the room can be recovered with an intermediate antidote. However, the poison spreading to the fourteenth floor requires the highest level.

‘Is Eunah okay?’

-It is of a level that Shin Eunah and Claire Boyle can resist with their abilities.

Then that was that. Kang Shin-hyuk bought a bottle of intermediate antidote and fed it to Karen. There were superhumans with detoxification magic around them working to heal everyone gradually. However, the poison was constantly coming in, so without a resistance artifact, you would continue to suffer from it. Some superhumans tried to cast barriers, but it wasn’t working.

“Get out of this building first!” The monitor screen was displaying even more of a spectacle. A gate appeared in the middle of the conference hall.

“Is that the source?!”

“Hey, don’t just run away. Anyone who has the means to stop the poison should go to the fourteenth floor and block the gate!”

“Gates are also appearing outside…damn it!” A countercurrent was taking place in the middle of Paris, right at the time of the conference. There was a clear intention behind the occurrence of the gate abnormalities.

-The fourteenth floor contains an SSS-class gate member. You should not get close to it.

“Then the outside gate…”

-That one is SS-. Prepare your best armaments.

The administrator’s voice was firm. He wanted to check on the safety of Shin Eunah, but it was too urgent. He couldn’t let the people who had already gone outside be preyed upon by the gate.

‘With Gold Dragon, it should be possible…Okay.’ He asked his friends to cover for him and then changed into Shin Eun-hyuk.

“Shinyuk, you…?”

“Ah…?!” Since he was using his friends as a wall, they watched him change equipment slots. Eleanor and Lee Na-hee, who already knew, had awkward expressions, but Baek looked shocked and Karen… she looked like she had lost her first love.

“You… I’m not saying it while you’re like this…but…!”

“Stay still. Baek, let’s move.”

“Your battle mode is awesome.” Baek grunted in response and pulled out his equipment from a subspace artifact.

-There are gates on the twelfth and eleventh floors. Members, assume that this building cannot be protected and move.

‘The gate on the fourteenth floor is already enough!’ He let out a sigh at the administrator’s words, then took out the two scythes he had in his inventory as the number of gates gradually grew.

“These weapons’ debut stage is incredible.”

-Wasn’t the debut in Mirotoz?

‘Please don’t count that one.’

“Wow, that’s cool too…no! No!” Karen slapped her cheeks and denied her own feelings as she watched him brandish the scythes.

“Karen, evacuate with the others.”

“Oh, no! Your majesty should go with us!”

“No, I will fight.”

“Eleanor, I’m sorry, but please wait for us outside.” Kang Shin-hyuk stopped Eleanor, who was already preparing to fight. Her eyes narrowed with anger.

“My combat power isn’t lacking.”

“I’m not saying that, but with your abilities it would be better to fight outside than in here.”

“Kh.” Moreover, she tended to lag when combat was drawn out. Eleanor knew it as well as he did.

“Karen, take her away quickly.”

“Don’t use Shin-hyuk’s voice with such a wonderful look!”

“Karen?!” Karen burst into tears as she dragged Eleanor out. Eleanor let her pull her away without any resistance. At the same time, Douglas Payne was helping other distinguished guests evacuate. Of course, he was doing well, but he had missed his chance once more.

“Okay, both are enchanted.”

“Ooh, Na-hee, my noona’s ability is great.”

“Don’t call me your noona.” Lee Na-hee calmly enchanted Kang Shin-hyuk and Baek In-ha as Karen made a fuss. Baek, feeling that his boots were strengthened by more than 20%, was thrilled and tried to cling to her but was soundly rejected.

Only

“Hey, juniors.”

“Yes?” The moment Kang Shin-hyuk turned to look at her, Lee Na-hee gave him a short kiss.

“This is an immortal enchantment. I put all I had into it, so don’t you ever die!” She ran away, her silver hair fluttering in the wind. Kang Shin-hyuk stood there, flustered.

“No, this guarantees that I will die!”

“…What am I supposed to do, Shinyuk? Can I cry?”

-Boo, fox…! Too many foxes…!

They could see the gate opening in the monitor that displayed the fourteenth floor.

Similar gates were appearing all over Paris, pouring out monsters.