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Transcendence Due To A System Error-Chapter 154: Best Effort
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< Chapter 154: Best Effort (1) >
The next day.
With the send-off from the Oni Guild, I arrived at the airport.
βI must apologize once again.β
The man who followed me out of the limousine bowed his head.
Even until just after the incident yesterday, he was greatly suspicious of what I had done.
However, as soon as the senior researcher of the Oni Guild vehemently defended me, saying that I would never do such a thing following the baseless assumptions of the reporters, his attitude changed 180 degrees.
There was no other way.
In the superhuman industry, half of it is all about the image.
Considering that image, it would be best not to have friction with me, who is quite a hot topic these days.
Japanese companies themselves tend to care a lot about brand reputation, so it seems to be unusually distinctive.
Anyway, it has been like this since then.
No matter how much I say itβs fine, he keeps bowing his head.
I donβt even know how many times Iβve heard the apologies.
βItβs alright. Nothing major happened, and you have given me compensation,β I said, showing the carry-on suitcase in my right hand.
It is a carrier containing ancient artifacts transferred from the Oni Guild.
βIs that really enough?β
βYes, itβs sufficient.β
Although the side of the Oni Guild said they would give me a proper item instead of this shiny antique-like thing, I declined.
βGood equipment can also be obtained through a contract with Mr. Jeong Il-yongβ¦ and itβs more appropriate to give this as a gift to acquaintances,β I said, leveraging the names of Jia and Yu Hwa.
Since it was widely known that I have a close relationship with the two, I requested ancient artifacts under the pretext of paying back the favor I have always received.
βThe mystery projectβ¦ was it?β
βYes. Itβs kind of a national projectβ¦ they said they were lacking artifacts to decorate the interior.β
I heard that negotiations with overseas guilds are not going well compared to the beginning.
βThat makes sense. There would be no problem with ancient artifacts from within Korea, but to buy artifacts from abroad, you need the permission of the respective country.β
βYes, and Japan is particularly conservative.β
Without a clear reason like this time, the government does not give permission.
βHmm.β
The man stroked his chin with a serious expression.
Was his name Nakamura Shigeo?
At first, I thought he was just a secretary, but it turns out he is the third in command at the Oni Guild. I was very surprised when I heard that.
βTo be honest, we at the Oni Guild did not carefully review the proposal from Shinwa, Bihon. There was pressure from the government side, and frankly, we were not very interested.β
βYes. I thought that might be the case.β
I understand.
βHowever, yesterday, after hearing what Kang Seo-yul said, we took a close look at the mystery projectβ¦β
A light flowed from Nakamuraβs eyes. It was the gaze of an entrepreneur.
βTo be honest, it was a proposal that had no reason to be refused.β
βI suppose so.β
A proposal was sent exclusively to the Oni Guild, a giant guild in Japan.
To briefly summarize the contents of the proposal:
βThe proposal was to transfer Maidenβs special technology as a payment for the ancient artifact, wasnβt it?β
ββ¦So you know.β
Nakamuraβs pupils were slightly dilated.
He seemed a bit surprised to learn that Maiden and I were sharing even corporate secrets. He must be pondering the nature of the relationship between Maiden and me.
Judging by his bizarre expression, he seems to be having some strange thoughtsβ¦
Well, since Japan is the land of imagination, Iβll let him be.
βSo, what do you want to say?β
Thatβs not the important part.
βAh. Ahem.β
Nakamura cleared his throat, regaining his composure.
βWe had a meeting internally in the guild yesterday. We came to the conclusion to accept the special agreement proposal related to the mystery project.β
As expected.
I thought the nuance of the conversation hinted at this, and I was right.
βIf this proposal is still valid, we would like to meet properly this time and have a discussion. Thatβs what the guild leader said.β
It looks like I will be able to take one more gift when I return home.
* * *
After a short flight, I arrived in Korea. Incheon Terminal 1 was always bustling with people.
Thankfully, no one recognized me even though I only wore a mask and sunglasses. It would be bothersome if a crowd gathered. I hurriedly made my way out of the airport.
βLittle one!β
As I reached the agreed-upon meeting point, Maiden greeted me with a bright smile and embraced me warmly in front of the limousine.
βWell done, you!β
Then, she heartily laughed while giving my back a rough pat.
βReally, it seems like heaven is helping you. To think that the aborted negotiationβ¦ no, the failure of the strategy would turn out like this.β novelbuddy.c(o)m
The reason Maiden was reacting this way was simple.
I had received a response from the Oni Guild that they officially wanted to enter into an agreement. For Maiden, who had been racking her brain over this matter, the contact must have been like a ray of light.
βOh my, this pretty thing. Come here for a kiss from your sister.β
Maiden puckered her lips like a goldfish and brought her face close to my cheek.
βNo thanks. Iβm not a kid.β
I shouted as I desperately avoided Maidenβs face.
Whatβs with the kiss? Itβs embarrassing.
βAhem. Canβt you just quietly offer your cheek?β
βI said no.β
As I continued to avoid the skinship, Maiden became irritated.
βSo, you donβt need a kiss from an old person like me, is that it?β
βNo, thatβs not it.β
Maiden stepped away from me, pouting her lips.
βIt is exactly that. If Jia had done this, you would have stayed still.β
ββ¦Would I?β
Probably not.
I just dislike this kind of embarrassing behavior itself.
βTsk. I just wasted my breath. Anyway, kid, well done. Thanks to you, we have opened up a new opportunity. Thank you.β
βThank you? Initially, it was a favor for me. Rather, I should be the one thanking you. Thank you.β
The corners of Maidenβs mouth lifted slightly.
βHeh. This is why I like you. How can you speak so sweetly?β
Maiden looked at me with warm, affectionate eyes.
βBut, will it be okay? Hearing about the proposal in detail, it seems like a proposal where Maiden would incur a lot of losses.β
It was more favorable than I had thought.
βIt might seem that way for now.β
βFor now?β
βYes.β
Maiden crossed her arms and laughed triumphantly.
βYou said it yourself, kiddo. The common sense of the world is about to be completely turned upside down soon.β
βAh.β
I understood what she meant.
βDragons, angels, demons, dwarfs. When such beings from legends return, my patented technology will become no different from trash. Right?β
ββ¦Yes, thatβs right.β
The magical technology and knowledge of dragons are not something humans can approach.
βSo, I decided to offer my technology as payment. To get rid of it before it becomes just a plain piece of paper.β
Maiden lifted one corner of her mouth in a smirk.
βAnd in exchange, Iβm buying up ancient artifacts, whose value isnβt properly assessed yet. When the time comes, the value of those ancient artifacts will skyrocket.β
ββ¦Right.β
It was the eye of an entrepreneur.
She understood very well that she alone knew information about the future, utilizing it excellently β the eye of a remarkable entrepreneur. I was genuinely grateful that such a person was an ally.
βAnyway, with this, the collection of ancient artifacts ends. Now we just need to focus on the museum construction.β
This time she laughed heartily, her face resembling that of an artist.
* * *
I returned home, greeting farewell to Maiden.
βThen, take a good rest.β
βYes. I will contact you again.β
After seeing Maiden off,
I unlocked various security measures including fingerprint and iris recognition to enter the house.
The inside of the house was extremely quiet.
Is everyone taking a nap?
Thinking that, I quietly headed to the living room.
There was no one in the living room. It seems they are indeed taking a nap.
I headed towards Renaβs room.
The door was half open.
I sneakily peeked inside through the gap in the door.
βGoldie, what do you think? Does it resemble him?β
βNyaaang.β
Rena was sitting on the edge of the bed, creating something with magical power.
It was quite a substantial amount of magic.
Probably due to this magic, Goldie and White Tiger didnβt notice that I came in. If it were a stranger, they would have noticed, but it seems plausible they wouldnβt realize it with my familiar presence.
βWhite Tiger, what does it look like to you?β
ββ¦Nyong.β
White Tiger looked at what Rena had created, tilting her head.
Meanwhile, what is Rena making? From my current position, itβs hard to see because Renaβs body is blocking the view.
Thereβs no helping it.
I discreetly used the elfβs eyes. My vision widened significantly, revealing the form of the magical structure Rena had created.
ββ¦Huh?β
At first glance, it has a human form.
A magical doll.
Stiff black hair and a somewhat angular face. Although quite crude, it undoubtedly has a human form.
βFinished!β
Rena took her hands off the magical doll. She probably fixed its shape to prevent the magic from dispersing.
She stood up from her spot and scrutinized the magical doll thoroughly, nodding her head in satisfaction afterward.
βHehe.β
Then, leaning her back against the magical dollβs embrace, she smiled brightly.
βSeo-yul nim, completed~β
It was a warm smile that naturally made the onlookers smile as well.
ββ¦Huh?β
Wait a minute. What did she just say?
βGoldie-ya, look. Itβs Seo-yul nim.β
βNyaaang.β
Goldie meowed tenderly.
βWhite Tiger-ya, look, look. Doesnβt it look exactly the same when itβs like this?β
ββ¦β
White Tiger alternated between looking at Rena and the magical doll with a nervous expression, and soon let out a deep sigh.
ββ¦β
I was stunned too.
So, that magical doll is supposed to be βmeβ right now?
However, Renaβs bright expression disappeared quickly, turning into a sullen and gloomy face.
βAaaauh.β
The magical doll began to collapse.
βHeeng.β
Like a balloon losing air, it rapidly reduced in size. Rena made a sad face as she watched the magical doll shrink.
Soon, gazing at the fully vanished magical doll, Rena mumbled in a sobbing voice.
βI miss youβ¦β
Murmuring in such a forlorn voice, she suddenly grabbed Goldie and White Tiger and lay down on the bed, as if collapsing.
βNyaang?β
β!β
At that moment, White Tiger and Goldie noticed me. It seemed their senses returned as the magical doll disappeared.
I opened the door wide and stepped into the room.
Flinch!
At that instant, Renaβs ears perked up. Then, lifting her upper body, she looked at me with a cautious expression.
ββ¦!β
And the moment she recognized me, her expression melted rapidly.
βIβm back.β
Like transitioning from winter to spring, it turned into a very warm smile.
Then, while placing Goldie and White Tiger on the bed, she ran energetically and hugged me in my arms.
The arms wrapped around my waist tremble slightly.
βYou came back quite, quite early.
Then, trying her best to act calm, she spoke in a steady voice.
β I was enjoying freedom by myself. Shouldnβt you have come back a bit slower?
She said that while burying her face in my body.
I gently smiled and stroked Renaβs head.
βThatβs true. Somehow the work ended quickly, so I came back early. Should I have come back a bit later?β
At my teasing words, Renaβs ears perked up again.
βThat, thatβs right. I was just beginning to understand the taste of βliving aloneβ. You came back too early.β
It was a response truly characteristic of Rena.
Of course, despite her words, she must have been quite scared.
The force with which she is holding onto me is gradually getting stronger, a testament to her fear.
A proof of how terrified she must have been.
βTrauma isnβt something that can be resolved easily.β
I unknowingly let out a bitter smile.
βBy the way, princess. Can you show me that thing from before?β
At my words, Renaβs body instantly stiffened.
βI, I donβt know what youβre talking about.β
My eyes shone with a playful light. Renaβs expression turned thoughtful. It was a look of βsurely not, it canβt be, right?β
βWell, you know, that magic doll you referred to as Sir Seo-yulβ¦β
I couldnβt finish my sentence.
βKyaaaah!β
In an instant, Rena escaped from my embrace and screamed.
Thud thud thud!
With a greatly reddened face, she ran out of the room.
βHeh heh.β
I involuntarily laughed at her vivid reaction.
βNyang.β
ββ¦β¦β
At my feet, a golden fur ball and a white fur ball approached and rubbed against me. White Tiger demonstrated perfect control of distance, hovering just at the right space, almost touching but not quite. Sheβs really consistent.
Anyway, they were both here to welcome me.
I bent down and stroked the heads of the two animals.
βIβm back.β
* * *
That night.
I was sitting alone in front of the desk, looking at the densely filled notebook and smiling contentedly.
ββ¦Okay. This should be enough.β
Operation unknown processing.
The preparation for the provisional βGiant Killingβ is sufficient with this.
βItβs a task where we donβt know what variables will emerge thoughβ¦β
We will deal with it at that time.
We canβt calculate every single variable in advance. Of course, we intend to do our best to minimize the variables.
βTo minimize the variables, there is no other way but to maximize our skills as much as possible before attacking the Dragonβs Lair.β
Now exactly 20 days are left until we assault the Dragonβs Lair.
Physical training is postponed for now. The expected value of ability increase that can be obtained in a short period of 20 days is not very high.
βIn the short term, the most efficient way to increase abilities is to acquire and fully embody traits.β
Among them, full embodiment is the most important. The more red-to-black tattoos I have, the fewer ancient relics I can use.
Full embodiment is akin to securing βbulletsβ.
βNow, all that remains isβ¦β
I got up from my seat and headed to Renaβs room.
The trio was sleeping well. They had collapsed from exhaustion as I played with them all day today.
I quietly closed the room door and exited the front door.
βWhew. The weather is nice.β
I moved my steps while enjoying the warm night air of early summer.
Walking for about 10 minutes like that,
I sat on a secluded bench in a nearby park and called a personβs name, or rather, a code name.
βHermit.β
At that moment, darkness squirmed and crawled from behind me, and started gathering in front of me, swirling and bundling together.
Soon, the darkness transformed into Hermit.
βItβs a fine night.β
As Hermit said, it was quite an atmospheric night.
βHermit. I have a favor to ask you.β
Bright moonlight brightly illuminated both me and Hermit.
< Chapter 154: Best Effort (1) > End