Chapter 208

“…You fired them?”

“…Yes.”

It was hard not to be taken aback by Wi Ho-yeon’s report. I mean, firing people out of the blue?

While I had given Wi Ho-yeon full authority over the three, it was only natural to feel puzzled by the report that two of them had been fired just a month after hiring them.

‘Why fire two people after just a month?’

Considering that it was Seo Yu-ju and Wi Ho-yeon who hired the new guards in the first place, it was strange.

I couldn’t help but ask what had happened.

“…What was the reason for firing them? Did something happen?”

“…They were badmouthing Lee Yun-seong behind his back.”

“Badmouthing?”

‘What are you talking about? Why would they badmouth me?’

From my perspective, I had no memory of picking a fight with them or having any private conversations, so the situation was absurd.

‘What did I even do?’

“Why would those two badmouth me?”

“…You don’t need to worry about such things, Lee Yun-seong. They’re not worth your concern.”

Having known Wi Ho-yeon for a while, I could tell that she was subtly angry.

“Ho-yeon, are you upset?”

“…Of course. They insulted you with their filthy mouths out of sheer inferiority.”

“……”

“I can tolerate them insulting me. But I can never forgive them for insulting you.”

…It was good that Wi Ho-yeon cared about me, but honestly, I didn’t care whether they badmouthed me or not.

In fact, seeing Wi Ho-yeon stressed over some weirdos didn’t sit well with me.

“I’m fine, Ho-yeon. They didn’t insult me to my face, and it doesn’t bother me at all.”

“But…”

“I don’t care either, so you don’t need to stress over someone badmouthing me.”

“…Understood.”

“By the way, what happened to those two and Choi Ga-in?”

“Those two left after receiving their payment, and Choi Ga-in is still here. We’ll need to find new people…”

‘No, we don’t need to hire new people.’

This situation works in my favor. I was already stressed about having three more guards, so I couldn’t let this opportunity slip.

“No. Let’s just keep Choi Ga-in.”

“But still…”

“There’s no guarantee that new hires would be any different from those two. Honestly, having just you as a guard is enough.”

The Wi Ho-yeon of the past might have been different, but the current Wi Ho-yeon is already a top-tier player.

Others might not see it, but to me, it’s clear how much stronger Wi Ho-yeon has become compared to before.

When I first saw her, most of her stats were in the 80s, with only a few in the 90s. But now, all her stats except Luck and Magic have surpassed 90.

Her swordsmanship, which was at the Hero Grade, has also risen to the Legend Grade with the Divine Sword Unity trait.

“Ho-yeon, there’s a high chance you’ll take the vacant spot in the rankings left by Gwi Chang’s death. Having someone like you as my guard is already more than enough.”

“…Understood. If that’s your wish, I’ll follow it.”

“Thank you for understanding, Ho-yeon.”

Well, there was a bit of a commotion, but it turned out to be a good thing for me.

‘No need to spend money, nice.’

I have more money than I know what to do with, but I’d rather not waste it on those kinds of people.

“Ah, by the way, Ho-yeon. How’s Hyeon-jin doing lately? Is the teaching going well?”

A question that came to mind as I remembered the favor I asked of Wi Ho-yeon.

“Ah… Yes, he’s holding on and following along. He sometimes complains that it’s tough, but he’s keeping up well.”

“That’s a relief. But it’s surprising. Hyeon-jin complaining about dying…”

“Well… The training I put him through is a bit brutal… I’m focusing on building his basic stamina first. Of course, I’m also teaching him how to handle a sword…”

If Wi Ho-yeon herself says it’s tough, then the training must be really intense.

“I see. Stamina training aside, how’s his swordsmanship? Hyeon-jin’s talent…”

Hyeon-jin’s talent is average. He knows it himself, and I’ve heard it directly from Wi Ho-yeon.

From the perspective of Wi Ho-yeon, a genius among geniuses, there’s a good chance Hyeon-jin might not fully understand even if she explains it.

‘But I knew that when I asked her.’

“…He doesn’t fully understand everything, but that’s to be expected. Besides, Hyeon-jin is a left-handed swordsman.”

“Hmm…”

“But it’s not bad. He’s motivated and following along, so time will solve the problem. I’m doing my best to teach him, so don’t worry.”

“Understood. If you say so, I’ll trust you.”

It’s a relief that he’s keeping up. Then, setting Hyeon-jin aside, I needed to think about other things.

‘More importantly… Is there really no way to increase stats other than equipment?’

I was relieved that Seo Yu-ju was much stronger than I thought, but to make her a Transcendent, her stats needed to surpass 100.

That’s why I’ve been looking for ways to permanently increase stats lately.

‘Like elixirs, for example.’

There are elixirs that increase stats, but they all come with conditions.

Seo Yu-ju’s stats have long surpassed 90, and there are no elixirs that boost stats beyond the 90s.

At best, the elixirs that can boost stats only work up to the 70s.

And aside from stats, I’ve been pondering about the higher beings that briefly interfered with Seo Yu-ju before.

And I happen to know someone who knows more about such beings than anyone else.

– Aditi. Can you hear me?

Seeing how Aditi accurately caught Seo Yu-ju’s condition last time, she must know something.

– What brings you to call me?

– I have something I’m curious about.

– Amusing. Do you think I’ll answer just because you’re curious?

– …..

– Just kidding. So, what are you curious about?

‘Crazy woman… You scared me.’

– …You scared me. Anyway, last time with Seo…



I was curious about the higher being who interfered with Yoo Ju.

– Hmm, that bug-like bastard?

– Huh?

Suddenly calling him a “bug-like bastard” made me feel a bit flustered.

‘From the context, it seems like they’re talking about the being who lent power to Yoo Ju.’

– Metatron, that bug-like bastard’s name. His symbol is a hazy white aura.

‘Metatron?’

– …So, what does this Metatron guy do?

– No need to use honorifics for that guy. What does he do? He’s just a pervert who sits up high, watching and enjoying the praises of the humans who worship him.

‘What…’

– He has no real power but is arrogant as hell, doesn’t even listen to what others say.

– …Got it. So, how do I meet this Metatron guy or whatever?

– Meet him?

Thinking back to when I talked to that higher being in the first round, there must be a way to meet them.

– I mean, literally meet him. Or at least find a way to have a conversation, right?

At the very least, I needed a clear answer from the guy who’s interested in Yoo Ju.

‘I need to stop him from interfering further.’

I can’t let any impurities get mixed up with Yoo Ju.

Of course, it would be easier if we accepted power from that higher being. Maybe Yoo Ju could become a Transcendent Being more easily.

‘But in exchange, they’d try to control us.’

Seeing how even those above couldn’t stop the Devourer of Worlds, I think a Transcendent Being isn’t inferior to those higher-ups.

To put it simply, those above want to invest in Yoo Ju, and if we accept that investment, we’ll inevitably be controlled later.

– Aditi, do you know about Transcendent Beings?

– …Impressive. How do you know about that?

Aditi sounded quite flustered that I knew about Transcendent Beings.

– Hmm… Did you figure it out because you turned back time?

‘Sigh… I expected this, but I guess I can’t hide the truth.’

I can’t hide the truth from her since she’s connected to me.

Of course, she must have heard the conversations I had with Yoo Ju and Ruska.

– Well, more importantly, I have a question. How do Transcendent Beings compare to those higher beings?

– …….

‘Not planning to answer, huh?’

Thinking about it, Aditi was also initially interested in Yoo Ju.

– Aditi, were you also planning to “invest” in Yoo Ju?

– …You know more than I thought. I was interested because you seemed like a twisted human.

– I don’t want anyone else investing in Yoo Ju. But you know, right? If you answer my question, maybe I’ll let you invest in her.

– Are you bargaining with me? You’ve got guts.

‘Damn, did I say too much?’

I couldn’t help but feel a bit intimidated by Aditi’s words.

Even though I said that, I knew that in the relationship between Aditi and me, I was the weaker one.

– As you said, I initially planned to invest in Yoo Ju. But now, I’ve invested in you, not Yoo Ju. Or rather, I’ve made a contract with you.

– ……

– Since my contractor is asking, I can’t not tell you. Of course, I know about Transcendent Beings. How could I not?

– Then…

– As you guessed, once you become a Transcendent Being, you won’t be inferior to those higher beings. In fact, you’ll be able to do things they can’t.

– What do you mean?

– Those higher beings can’t directly influence Eras. Well, they could, but there are many restrictions. But Transcendent Beings aren’t like that. Remember when I mentioned administrators before?

– I remember. You said the beings the continentals call gods are actually administrators.

– Right, but they’re incomplete administrators. The moment Yoo Ju becomes a Transcendent Being, she can also become an administrator. Unlike them, she’ll be an administrator who can directly influence Eras.

‘…Huh.’

So, unlike those higher beings, Yoo Ju can directly influence the continent.

‘If she becomes a Transcendent Being, that is.’

– That’s a huge difference.

– Exactly. That’s why they want to tie strings to Yoo Ju. A Transcendent Being is the perfect administrator.

‘So, I could become the shadow power behind Yoo Ju, the administrator?’

As long as Yoo Ju doesn’t abandon me, I’d essentially become the power behind the true administrator of this continent.

– Then those higher beings won’t be happy with me.

– You catch on quick.

They probably know that Yoo Ju would die without me.

Of course, they wouldn’t be happy about that.

Yoo Ju even regressed to bring me back. Naturally, I’m her top priority.

‘Nice.’

I couldn’t help but smirk. It’s a bit selfish, but what can I do?

– Then how do I talk to those higher beings? You must know, right, Aditi?

– How? Just go to the Holy Kingdom.

‘The Holy Kingdom?’

– If you go to the Holy Kingdom, you’ll find the answers you’re looking for.