Chapter 32

Chapter 32

* * *

The next morning.

"This car really is comfortable,"

Yoon Seah remarked as she buckled her seatbelt, smiling.

"Didn't you like the foreign car we rode yesterday?"

"The car was fine, but Heesu kept worrying about me, saying 'Seah~ what will you do now?'... That concern itself felt a bit awkward. I didn't really want to hear it..."

Seong Jihan seemed to understand what she meant.

When people express concern, saying 'what will you do~', it doesn't always provide comfort.

From the recipient's perspective, it can sometimes feel more like they're making fun of you.

"Let's just use this car from now on."

"Come on. There's no need to refuse when someone offers to give you a ride. It's fine... Huh?"

While deep in conversation, Yoon Seah's eyes widened a bit.

At the parking spot number 17, where Seong Jihan had parked the day before, now stood a flashy sports car.

And soon, the car door opened.

"You've arrived."

A tall woman, dressed in a suit, came out.

It was Lee Hayeon's bodyguard, Lim Gayeong, who bowed her head towards Seong Jihan.

"Isn't she Lee Hayeon's bodyguard?"

"Seems so. Wait here. I'll go check."

"Me too, I want to go too!"

Seeing her sparkling eyes, it was evident she wasn't going to listen.

Seong Jihan nodded slightly, parked the car in the adjacent spot, and stepped outside.

"Oh my. Mr. Seong Jihan!"

As the group including Seong Jihan came out,the passenger door of the sports car opened, revealing the radiant beauty, Lee Hayeon.

"It's unexpected to see you here."

"Were you waiting for me?"

"Oh no, it's just a coincidence. I'm an alumnus here, so I came to visit my old teacher."

"This early in the morning?"

"It's customary to greet in the morning. Hoho, hello to you too, Miss Yoon Seah."

"Hello, Miss Lee Hayeon!"

The two exchanged pleasantries, seemingly in good spirits.

"Come to think of it, Miss Seah, you were the Student Council President at the academy... We share a deep connection."

"How so?"

"I was the academy's fourth Student Council President."

"Ah~ I see~."

Perhaps Yoon Seah's tone was a bit blatant, as she switched to a more formal manner of speaking. Meanwhile, Lee Hayeon, who had turned her gaze back to Seong Jihan, brought up the main topic.

"How about a coffee, since we've met like this?"

"With me?"

"Yes."

"You mentioned meeting your teacher."

"Ah, I just realized they might be busy in the morning. There's also a nice cafe in the academy."

"Well... sure."

Seong Jihan nodded his head amicably.

The purpose was quite clear.

'Normally, I would have declined an invitation from any guild, but...'

He saw the need to maintain a connection with Lee Hayeon, who was a potential candidate for 'Zero'.

"Uncle, are you going to have coffee with Miss Lee Hayeon?"

"Yeah, that's the plan."

"Got it. Then let's go together."

Seong Jihan nodded and boarded the elevator with Lee Hayeon's group.

* * *

BattleNet Academy's cafeteria.

The place, usually deserted in the morning, was unusually full. Those dressed in neat suits were unmistakably working professionals.

"Oh... it's Seong Jihan!"

"Isn't that Lee Hayeon from Divergent Guild next to him?"

As Seong Jihan and Lee Hayeon entered the cafeteria, murmurs began.

Those who instantly recognized them were scouts dispatched from various guilds.

'They came up from the student parking lot.'

'Did Lee Hayeon also graduate from the academy?'

'Divergent Guild contacted Seong Jihan first.'

Anticipating contact with Seong Jihan from the parking lot, the scouts from other guilds couldn't hide their disappointment.

'I hope the deal falls through.'

'If it does, we'll contact him directly.'

Hoping that the conversation between the two wouldn't go smoothly, they sipped their coffee.

Lee Hayeon looked around at them and smirked.

"It seems many familiar faces are here in the academy's cafeteria."

"You mean those people?"

"Yes, they're guild scouts... They must have come to see Mr. Seong Jihan."

'It was a good choice to wait in the parking lot.'

Lee Hayeon thought highly of her own decision as she took a seat next to Seong Jihan.

"Jihan, I felt hurt," she said with a smirk as soon as she sat down.

Notably, her manner of addressing Seong Jihan had become more informal, dropping the surname 'Seong'.

"I even gave you my business card, but you didn't contact me."

"I've been busy and forgot."

"I kept waiting for your call, and I couldn't sleep at night. Look, can you see these dark circles under my eyes?"

She laughed heartily, pointing at her flawless face.

Right now, she seemed as relentless as a predator in the recruitment industry.

"I'll be more considerate next time."

"Also, during the broadcast... you wanted to give your contact to the person who kicked the soccer ball, right? Do you remember now?"

"Yes. I remembered after that incident."

"Then, share it with me too!"

She quickly scanned the surroundings, then brushed her hair back and leaned in, whispering towards Seong Jihan's ear, "There are too many people around. Just whisper it to me.."

A faint, pleasant fragrance wafted from her.

Her side profile was so beautiful that the scouts watching from a distance were utterly mesmerized.

'She's really on a mission... Lee Hayeon!'

'With a face like that, she could've been a celebrity. Why did she come to this industry?'

'It's over, totally over.'

However, contrary to the scouts' thoughts, Seong Jihan was reminiscing about the past.

'That's the same fragrance as Zero.'

He recalled the image of Zero, recklessly causing trouble while being heavily intoxicated.

Seong Jihan decided to take this opportunity to test the waters.

"Do you want my number?"

"Yes!"

"Then, satisfy my curiosity, and I'll share it."

"What are you curious about?"

"Your gift, Lee Hayeon."

Lee Hayeon's once radiant expression turned stern. She leaned back and waved her hand dismissively.

"I... don't have a Gift. If I had, I would've been a pro player."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I don't have one. Seriously."

"You mentioned being the student council president here..."

"Yes, despite serving the school as the Student Council President, they didn't bestow me with a Gift. It's quite unfair, isn't it?"

"...I understand. I apologize. Alright then, about your purpose for visiting today. I assume it's a recruitment proposal," Seong Jihan commented.

Upon hearing that, Lee Hayeon gestured to Lim Gayeong, who promptly handed over a piece of paper.

"Yes, we'd like to invite Mr. Jihan to our Divergent Guild. For that reason, we've prepared a contract that is top-notch in the industry," she declared confidently.

Seong Jihan skimmed through the contract. The word 'Platinum Rank' stood out prominently.

'They are offering Platinum Rank treatment.'

Platinum Rank.

The Platinum Rank consisted of players who could potentially become national representatives depending on their positions. Players in this league were among the top in the pro scene.

"Well... what do you think?"

The conditions offered by the Lee Sung Guild were indeed staggering, just as Lee Ha-Yeon had boasted.

If he signed the contract with them, he would never have to worry about money again.

"Wow."

Lim Gayeong, who had been sneaking glances, couldn't help but gasp.

Isn't this too generous an offer for a Bronze Rank player?

'It's possible because she's from a chaebol family,' she thought. Indeed, it was an offer only possible because Lee Hayeon was the 'golden parachute' executive of the Lee Sung Group.

PR/N: chaebol - (in South Korea) a large family-owned business conglomerate.

The other scouts, who had been keenly observing the conversation, shared the same astonishment.

'A Platinum Rank contract? Are they crazy?'

'It was hard enough to get a Gold Rank contract...'

'We're done for...'

The term "Platinum" carried such immense significance.

"Mr. Jihan, we firmly believe that we'll be great partners with you. Through this Platinum Rank contract, our commitment is unmistakably displayed," Lee Ha-Yeon confidently stated.

"Hmm," Seong Jihan hummed in contemplation.

"Until now, Mr. Jihan, you've never missed the top spot. But after reaching Level 15, a guild becomes essential. To maintain your top rank, it's even more crucial. We promise to provide the utmost care to ensure you remain at the top."

At this, Seong Jihan grinned, "Shall we make a bet?"

"Excuse me? What kind of bet?"

"I'll play a game without a guild right now."

Tap! Tap!

He tapped the contract with his finger.

"Let's bet on whether I'll get top rank or not."

"..."

"If I can't get top rank, I'll accept this contract. However,"

"However?"

"If I get top rank,"

Seong Jihan's smile grew wider.

"Ms. Hayeon, could you show me your status window?"

"I already told you, I don't have a Gift."

"Haha, I just want to see it."

To definitively determine if she was Zero.

Seong Ji-Han proposed a bet Zero would love.

"You always rank first as easily as eating breakfast. The odds..."

"No, it's different now. I've reached Level 15."

"W-whaaat?! You're already Level 15?!"

Lee Hayeon stood up in shock.

Such a growth rate was hard to believe.

On the other hand, Seong Jihan's looked calm.

"As you know, after reaching Level 15, the next game is always a dungeon."

Howeve, she wasn't shocked for long.

Remembering Seong Jihan's achievements, Lee Hayeon thought, 'That's possible,' and sat down again.

"...Well, fine. I see no loss in this for me."

Losing would only mean showing him her status window.

There was no reason for her to refuse such a bet.

"Then we have a deal."

Clank!

Seong Jihan clinked down his cup of iced Americano.

"I'll be back before the ice melts."

Flash!

With those words, Seong Ji-Han's body transformed into light and disappeared.

When they saw it happen, Lee Hayeon and the other scouts were unable to believe their eyes.

"What, what?! Did he log in without a BattleNet connector?"

During the tutorial phase, playing without a BattleNet connector was considered suicidal.

What kind of confidence is this?

Even though there was no risk in losing the bet for Lee Hayeon, she unknowingly bit her nails.

'Oh, miss... You shouldn't do that.'

Seeing this, Lim Gayeong recalled Lee Ha-Yeon's jinx and felt anxious.

Soon, both of them, in fact, everyone in the cafe, started logging into BattleTube.