Instant Kill, Time-Stop Spellcaster

On the Way to Eat Meat

This time, they ran into Yoo Chae-young.

But she led them to a different, much better place.

“Wow, wow, Master! Th-this meat is unbelievable!”

“Right? It’s really good.”

“This is where Seonghwa entertains important guests from outside. Since you said price doesn’t matter, I brought you here.”

“Perfect. Elite course, as expected.”

“Huh?”

Aden was busy devouring the meat, her blue eyes glistening with tears.

“It’s so delicious…!”

Meanwhile, Kang Hyun and Yoo Chae-young ate at a slower pace, discussing work.

“Seonghwa must feel a bit regretful about the Blessing situation. Now, anomaly detection isn’t needed anymore.”

“We’ve already gained all we could from it.”

Even with Blessings appearing, Seonghwa’s prestige remained intact.

They were the first to respond to the crisis, a top-tier guild.

That image had been firmly imprinted in the public’s mind.

“Thank you so much. Seonghwa is busy right now, but we’ll definitely be rewarded in the future.”

“We’ve already been paid with elixirs and money, so whatever.”

“Not enough yet. When the Guild Master returns, I’ll personally bring it up.”

Seonghwa was indeed busy these days.

They had to clean up the mess left by the dungeon anomalies.

They were also aggressively securing Parang’s interests to strengthen their foundation.

And on top of that, the Guild Master was away on a business trip to Thea.

The guild was in a state of disorder.

“If you’re that grateful, pass a message to your Guild Master—tell them to take me to Thea.”

“Are you interested in Thea?”

“Yeah. It takes forever to get a diplomat’s visa.”

“So, your goal is diplomacy. Where do you want to go?”

He answered honestly.

“The cradle of heroes. Their homeland.”

“Oh, right. Kang Hyun, you’re ‘that’ after all.”

She meant an S-rank Word Mage.

She probably thought he was interested in Kyle’s past.

“Anyway, diplomacy is my top priority.”

“Seonghwa will do everything we can to support that. We’ll make sure you’re appointed.”

“Good. I’ll count on you when the time comes.”

During the recent Palan crisis, Kang Hyun was astonished by the power of major guilds.

Their influence spanned across politics and business alike.

‘This could be useful.’

He suddenly felt reassured.

“Shall we get going?”

Right on cue, a staff member came over for the bill.

This place really was high-class—the service was eerily precise.

“It’s already been paid for, sir.”

“…What?”

He turned to Yoo Chae-young.

She looked just as confused.

“By whom?”

“A foreign gentleman with a kind face. He said he’s waiting outside.”

A foreigner?

Who could it be?

When they stepped outside, a familiar large nose greeted them.

“Hello, Mr. Kang.”

“Oh, Charles!”

It was Charles, the man who had come to scout Dr. Park.

He had left empty-handed when Park Cheol-woong stormed in.

“How’d you find me? Ah, I guess for the CIA, that’s easy.”

“My apologies if that made you uncomfortable.”

“You paid for the meat, so I’ll let it slide.”

“I’d like to talk with you alone.”

“Alone?”

Yoo Chae-young, who had been eyeing Charles warily, hesitated.

After some reassurance, she left, taking Aden with her.

“So, what do you want? You don’t need the doctor anymore, do you? Blessing changed everything.”

“Today, I’m not here to find Dr. Park.”

“Then?”

Charles smiled innocently.

###

Global Superhuman Alliance (GSA)

The Global Superhuman Alliance (GSA) was an international organization formed to counter the invasion of the Black World Tree.

Kang Hyun liked the name.

Instead of common terms like Federation or Union, they chose Alliance—a word that evoked unity against a single enemy.

It reflected the sense of urgency at the time of GSA’s founding.

But that urgency was long gone.

Decades of stagnation had set in.

Gates had become nothing more than mana stone mines.

The sense of crisis had faded.

It was this complacency that frustrated Kang Hyun.

Still, GSA had remained true to its core functions.

It had two main purposes:

Coordinating global cooperation during worldwide crises.

Providing aid to nations that lagged in dungeon progress.

GSA-dispatched Awakeners would clear dungeons for struggling nations.

Most of these Awakeners came from GSA’s permanent member states, who had room to spare.

Of course, it wasn’t free.

In return, the receiving countries were forced to surrender significant economic and political interests.

Essentially, they became economic vassals.

This was why every country was desperate to improve its dungeon progress.

In this era, Awakener strength was national strength.

This dynamic was clearly on display at the ongoing conference.

As a Permanent Member of the Council, Japan, which had always been outspoken, declared:

“Blessing is a global public good and should be distributed efficiently and equitably.”

“Why is Blessing a public good? A Perfect Awakener is an individual!”

“So what are you suggesting now? That we should profit off Blessing in the face of a global crisis?”

Japan insisted on equal distribution.

They likely knew they would be deprioritized in the allocation process.

So, they pushed forward with lofty rhetoric.

For the Korean delegation, it was absurd.

A Korean aide calmly spoke up.

“You cannot force individuals to serve.”

“Who would want to take on the role of the selfless hero? But this is a global emergency. It’s only natural to requisition it by force! A necessary sacrifice.”

“Japan certainly has a fondness for forced labor.”

“What did you just say!?”

Both sides’ aides raised their voices.

Chief Choi, listening, felt his blood boil.

“Those bastards… just because they have a mouth, doesn’t mean they should run it.”

They might have had a point.

But it wasn’t something that should be coming from Japan.

To see those who should be last in line acting so high and mighty was infuriating.

But Choi couldn’t speak.

After all, he was just a mid-level director.

Other countries remained silent.

However this played out, they stood to benefit.

If Japan earned Korea’s resentment and forced the price down, all the better.

But then, the U.S. Vice President spoke.

“The United States respects both the Perfect Awakener’s personal wishes and Korea’s position.”

What the U.S. wanted wasn’t just a lower price but priority access and more Blessing.

The Vice President thought:

“Blessing doesn’t need to be evenly distributed.”

If some nations suffered losses from this crisis?

Even better.

For the U.S., the largest Permanent Member of the GSA, it was an opportunity.

A chance to expand influence through Awakener deployment aid.

Most importantly, the U.S. was closest to the top of the priority list.

But Japan refused to back down.

This time, their Prime Minister spoke directly.

“The entire world must cooperate. If we distribute Blessing evenly, the crisis will eventually end.”

“That’s an overly optimistic—”

“One moment.”

The GSA Chair interrupted.

Looking at the Korean delegation, he spoke.

“We will now hear from Chief Choi Young-ho of the Korean delegation.”

Choi had raised his hand for the floor.

His fingers trembled slightly.

“Ah, ah, greetings, esteemed members of the committee. Um…”

Endlessly deferential to his superiors—in other words, weak—Choi was unsuited for this kind of setting.

“J-just a moment. I’d like to submit my opinion on the Perfect Awakener.”

A mere director’s remarks.

Yet, everyone listened attentively.

There wasn’t a single person here who didn’t know who he was.

Choi Young-ho was the closest direct contact to the Perfect Awakener.

“Ssss… hoo…”

He steadied his voice and spoke.

“Resolving the crisis through equal distribution of Blessing… is impossible.”

The room stirred.

“What!? Korea is fear-mongering to serve its own interests!”

“He is a field expert and the foremost authority on the Perfect Awakener. Respect his input.”

“Chair! Please revoke Korea’s speaking rights!”

The Chair diffused the tension.

“We will continue listening.”

“Yes. The Perfect Awakener—let’s refer to him as EX—was just promoted to D+ rank two days ago.”

Everyone knew about EX’s absurd growth rate.

But this was the first time they had heard his exact rank.

“And what of it?”

“EX can no longer enter F-rank dungeons. In other words—”

There were only three ranks left before he would be barred from E-rank dungeons as well.

And EX was growing at an unprecedented rate.

“The supply of E-rank Blessing is limited.”

There were 193 UN member states.

“Having observed EX’s growth firsthand, I can say with certainty: before every country receives even one Blessing, EX will be unable to enter E-rank dungeons.”

The room buzzed again.

That statement wasn’t just saying, “Equal distribution is not a solution.”

“France would like to speak. That means, if our turn is delayed, we may not receive Blessing at all?”

“Correct. Blessing is far from abundant.”

“J-Japan would like to speak. Then, Korea should control EX’s growth!”

Desperate to secure Blessing, Japan was starting to panic.

“That suggestion comes from a lack of understanding of Awakener combat mechanics.”

“What!?”

“Focus on his explanation. He is a field expert.”

“Thank you. Awakeners grow automatically when they conquer dungeons.”

The ultimate goal was the Perfect Clearance of E-rank dungeons.

Meaning, those two objectives were inherently incompatible.

“China would like to speak. Our experts say such rapid growth is impossible. We cannot accept Korea’s argument.”

“Then go ahead and bet on that. Bet the fate of the Earth. EX is beyond conventional understanding.”

“….”

“If it were me, I wouldn’t take that gamble.”

China’s delegation frowned.

President Kwon Dong-chul intervened.

“Haha, Chief Choi. Your words are a bit strong.”

But he was smiling.

“M-my apologies.”

“No need. Chief Choi Young-ho is a ‘specialist’ who has worked exclusively with EX. He is simply unaccustomed to these settings. I ask for your understanding.”

Rather than reprimanding him, the President subtly reinforced his statement.

Indeed, no one could dismiss his words.

EX defied common sense.

And Choi was the only one with direct insight.

The debate continued.

Finally, a decision was reached.

“The allocation will proceed based on priority order.”

“J-Japan would like to speak. Then! The priority must be determined with utmost efficiency!”

Japan made one last desperate attempt.

“Time is running out. The countdown has begun. EX’s movement path must be considered—installations should start with the closest nations!”

A blatantly self-serving argument.

Many rolled their eyes.

But the justification was sound.

Travel time was a critical factor.

Even Choi hesitated.

“That high-speed movement ability… Does distance even matter? Surely, there must be limits?”

Choi wasn’t well-versed in Kang Hyun’s abilities.

He couldn’t refute it outright.

“Even if he can reach Seoul to Busan in an instant, intercontinental travel must be different.”

It couldn’t possibly be unlimited.

Should he ask EX now?

Just as Japan’s argument was gaining traction—

Choi’s phone vibrated.

His personal phone was off.

This was his secure line for EX.

A necessary security measure to protect EX’s identity.

Choi read the message and froze.

“The U.S.? All of a sudden?”

EX had left the government to decide the order.

“A bribe?”

Choi hesitated but relayed the message.

“E-EX has just provided his decision.”

“EX has? Please share it.”

“The first Blessing installation… will be in the United States.”

“JAPAN WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK! What kind of nonsense is this!?”

Even Choi’s own words trailed off.

“Why are we even holding this meeting, then!? Korea’s unilateral actions cannot be tolerated!”

“The United States respects Korea and EX’s decision—”

The conference erupted into chaos.

Even President Kwon Dong-chul was taken aback.

“This wasn’t discussed beforehand.”

“I-I agree.”

The uproar took a while to die down.

“…Then, in respect of EX’s wishes, the first Blessing installation will be in the United States.”

“JAPAN WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK! This is unacceptable!”

“What is the meaning of this!?”

Japan’s Prime Minister shouted furiously.

“It takes 10 hours to travel from Korea to the U.S.! With such inefficiency, all Blessing installations won’t be completed in a day!”

“China would like to speak. Agreed. This is an unjustifiable waste of time amid a global crisis.”

A completely valid argument.

Other nations seemed to agree.

The conference was growing chaotic again.

“Of course, the nearest installation should be Japan fir—”

“P-Prime Minister. It’s already been installed.”

“What?”

“Just now, the Perfect Clear System notification… It’s done.”

The Prime Minister scowled in confusion.

Other world leaders turned to their Awakener aides in hushed whispers.

The conference was being held in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Blessing installation was complete.

“W-What is this…?”

“How is this possible?”

Breaking the silence, Choi spoke.

“U-Um…”

“Order, please! Korea, continue.”

“EX asks: where should he go next?”

Silence fell over the room.

After a long pause, the Chair spoke.

“…We will now select the second Blessing installation country.”