Songs in the Void

ICDS Universe, Earth, Japan, Tokyo. 

Around the time Tatsuo finished packing his bags for the trip to South Korea, he received a few text messages. The first was from Hwaya and the second was from Sumire. Deciding to check Hwaya's texts first, Tatsuo saw what he expected. 

Hwaya Eleni Mastiford: I've book the flight for you and Sumire. 

Hwaya Eleni Mastiford: Click this link to bring up the details.  

Hwaya Eleni Mastiford: I'll be there to pick the two of you up at Incheon. 

Hwaya Eleni Mastiford: Oh, and make sure to watch the news. 

Seeing that last text, Tatsuo raised an eyebrow. Then he turned on the TV to the station that had been broadcasting about the gates. When he did, he saw a newscaster giving an introduction to an upcoming press conference held by Britan's SS-Ranker, Hwaya Eleni Mastiford. 

"Well, I guess she took what Kang-San said to heart, huh?" Tatsuo muttered as he took a seat at his desk while continuing to watch the television. 

Just as he expected, Hwaya stepped in front of the camera shortly after the newscaster's introduction. Then, she went onto explain what she knew about the gates. Though, she did not mention anything about the Dungeon. 

She explained that when she awakened, in her Awakening Dream, she saw that a dangerous monster could appear if the gate was cleared and advised all the countries to be careful when clearing them. 

Naturally, this information caused an uproar among the reporters on site. However, Hwaya did not answer any questions. Instead, she just left, stating that she had said everything she needed to. 

"*Sigh* As an SS-Ranker myself, I guess I better say something, too." Tatsuo muttered as he turned off the TV. 

In the next instant, Tatsuo, using his [Inventory], equipped the [Azure Green Scaled Body Suit]. Then, he turned on his computer and started a video recording program. After that, he adjusted his webcam. Finally, he took a deep breath and pressed the record button. 

"Hello, people of the world." Tatsuo said while looking into the webcam. "I'm Japan's newly crowned SS-Ranker, Void." 

Reaching that point, Tatsuo had to forcefully resist his body's natural instinct to shudder as he continued recording. 

"I just saw Mastiford-San's press conference." Tatsuo continued. "And I think she's on to something. We don't know what those gates are or what could happen if they are cleared. So, it's important to be careful." 

With that said Tatsuo smiled daringly before continuing once again. 

"But just to let you know, I will clear the gate that swallowed Osaka Castle." Tatsuo said confidently. "And even if a strong monster spawns after I liberate Osaka Castle, I'll kill it. So, everyone who's never been there can look forward to taking the tour in a few days." 

With that said, Tatsuo ended his short video. Then, he did a minimal amount of editing before sending it to NHK to have it broadcast world-wide. 

Naturally, the people at NHK, Japan's only public broadcasting network, were skeptical of the authenticity when they received the email with Tatsuo's video. However, after watching it, they were convinced. On top of that, their pride in their country was ignited by Tatsuo's daring declaration at the end. So, they did as they said, sending it to every nation they could. 

After sending the video, Tatsuo sighed audibly. Then, he remembered that he had yet to check Sumire's texts. So, he unequipped his body suit and picked up his smartphone again. 

Minami Sumire: Hey, Tatsuo-Kun. 

Minami Sumire: Are you okay? 

Minami Sumire: Did you get Hwaya-Neesan's text? 

Minami Sumire: If so, do you wanna travel to Narita together? 

Soramoto Tatsuo: I'm fine. Don't worry. 

Soramoto Tatsuo: I know Mastiford-San didn't mean anything by what she said. 

Soramoto Tatsuo: Yeah, I got it. And we can go to the airport together. 

Minami Sumire: Good. I'm glad you're okay. 

Minami Sumire: Okay, I'll come to your apartment. Then, we can take a cab together to the airport. 

Soramoto Tatsuo: Sure, I'll be waiting. 

Minami Sumire: Okay, I'll be there in half an hour. 

After reading the last text from Sumire, Tatsuo looked at the link Hwaya sent. The plane would take off in about four hours. So, if Sumire showed up in half an hour, and the drive would take about an hour, they would have two and a half hours to get to their gate. And considering the fact they were traveling internationally, that would hopefully be enough. 

Luckily, because he traveled overseas with his parents in the past, Tatsuo already had a passport. So, there should be no problems. And since Sumire did not panic, he assumed that she had one, too. 

Like that, about twenty minutes passed. Then, Tatsuo headed down to the apartment building's lobby. When he stepped out of the elevator with his bags, expecting to have to wait for Sumire, he was surprised to see her sitting in the waiting area and looking at her phone. 

"Sumire-San?" Tatsuo said as he approached, causing Sumire to jump in surprise. "If you were here already, you should have let me know, I would have come down earlier." 

Instead of replying, Sumire quickly averted her gaze. However, she was blushing all the way from the tips of her ears to the base of her neck. Seeing that, Tatsuo's expression changed as if he understood something. 

"You were waiting for exactly half an hour to pass, weren't you?" Tatsuo asked. "And you probably do this every time you come over here, don't you? I mean waiting for the exact time that you said you would show up, right?" 

Sumire did not respond to that question, either. However, her blush intensified, letting Tatsuo know he was right. Seeing that, he could not help thinking that this older girl was really cute. 

"Anyway, let's call a cab and get going." Tatsuo said, deciding to drop the topic. "We're flying abroad. So, the time to get to the gate will be longer by default." 

Nodding in response, Sumire stood up. Before she could pick up her bag, however, Tatsuo grabbed it and picked it up for her. 

"I'll carry this." Tatsuo said with a smile. "You just worry about calling the cab." 

"O-Okay." Sumire said in a flustered tone as she took her smartphone out of her handbag and searched for a taxi service. 

Five minutes later, Tatsuo and Sumire were standing outside of the apartment building and a cab had just pulled up. After putting their bags in the cab's trunk, they climbed into the backseat and relaxed as the drive took a little over an hour. 

After that, they headed into the airport, got their boarding passes, made it through customs and waited for their flight to start boarding. Then, after boarding, the flight was two hours and forty minutes long. 

ICDS Universe, Earth, South Korea, Incheon. 

When Tatsuo and Sumire's flight eventually landed, they quickly made their way to baggage claim. Then, when finally stepped outside of Incheon's airport, there was a black sedan waiting for them. In front of that sedan, Hwaya, along with a sturdily-built, middle-aged man, presumed to be Hwaya's personal driver, was smiling at her two guests. 

"Welcome to South Korea." Hwaya said, walking up to the new arrivals. "I'm glad you could come." 

"Of course I'd come to help you, Nee-San." Sumire said happily as she stepped forward and wrapped Hwaya in a hug. 

"I'd never pass up the chance to fly abroad for free." Tatsuo said with a smile as he handed his and Sumire's bags to the driver, who promptly put them in the sedan's trunk. 

"*Sigh* Would it kill you to say that you're happy to see me, too?" Hwaya asked in an exasperated tone. 

"It just might." Tatsuo replied. "And I don't really wanna test that, you know?" 

In response, Hwaya rolled her eyes. Then, she pulled Sumire towards the sedan's backseat. 

"Anyway, let's go." Hwaya said. "You two can stay the night at my mom's house. She's looking forward to meeting you. And she'll definitely cook up a storm for you. So, I hope you're hungry." 

With that, Sumire and Hwaya sat in the sedan's backseat while Tatsuo took the front passenger seat. Then, once the driver was behind the wheel, the car pulled off towards Yeongdeungpo. 

ICDS Universe, Earth, South Korea, Yeongdeungpo. 

After about twenty-five minutes, they arrived at Hwaya's mother's house. 

"Oh my!" A beautiful middle-aged woman with facial features to Hwaya's said as the trio entered the house. "When you said you were going to bring over some friends, I was expecting two girls. But to think one of them is such a handsome young man. Hwaya, honey, is this boy going to be my son-in-law? Not bad. But I thought you liked older men." 

When the trio stepped into the house, Hwaya's mother, Ye Lana was waiting for them at the entrance. And she immediately started teasing Hwaya. Hwaya, on the other hand, already used to the way her mother acted, only rolled her eyes. 

"He's not my boyfriend, Mom." Hwaya replied calmly. "He's just a brat without any manners." 

Hearing that, a glint flashed in Tatsuo's eyes. Then, he put his and Sumire's bags down before approaching Lana with a smile. 

"Good evening, Ma'am." Tatsuo said very politely in fluent Korean. "My name is Soramoto Tatsuo, and it's a pleasure to meet you." 

After introducing himself, Tatsuo took Lana's hand and placed a gentle kiss on her fingers. 

Seeing this, Sumire, Hwaya, and Lana were all shocked stupid. However, they all recovered rather quickly. While Sumire was looking at Lana with envy, Hwaya was gritting her teeth in anger. It was obvious to her that Tatsuo put on this gentlemanly act just to spite her. Lana, on the other hand, was smiling from ear to ear, having also seen through Tatsuo's act. But since she thought it was fun, she was okay with it. 

"Oh my, such a well-behaved young man." Lana said with a smile. "It would seem my daughter has no eye for judging people. To think she would call someone like you 'a brat without manners,' I'm truly embarrassed." 

The sound of Hwaya's teeth grinding together grew in volume after hearing her mother's words. In fact, she was so irritated that plumes of fire began to materialize around her. Meanwhile, although she was still envious of Lana, Sumire finally realized that Tatsuo was just messing with Hwaya. So, she smiled at the older woman playfully. 

"Dear, no fire in the house!" Lana scolded after seeing Hwaya's ability beginning to activate. "I thought we discussed this before." 

"*Sigh* To think such an elegant lady is your mother, Mastiford-San." Tatsuo said in a disappointed tone while shaking his head. "I truly feel sorry for her. She's so gentle and you're so… brutish." 

"Ahh~~~~~~~!" Hwaya screamed in frustration. 

Hearing her mother's playful scolding and Tatsuo's mock disappointment, Hwaya could not hold in her scream any longer. However, she did extinguish the flames that were floating next to her. Then, after her scream died down, her shoulders slumped as she seemed to deflate. 

"What was I thinking?" Hwaya muttered to herself. "I should have never let the two of you meet. *Sigh* The two of you are going to drive me insane." 

Hearing that, Tatsuo and Lana exchanged glances. Then, as if they had been planning it for a long time, they raised their hands and high-fived happily. This caused Hwaya to cover her face with her left hand while Sumire giggled at Tatsuo and Lana's antics. 

"Anyway, Mom, can you cook something?" Hwaya asked, putting that whole episode behind her. "Sumire and Tatsuo have been traveling for a long time. So, I'm sure they're hungry." 

"Of course." Lana replied with a smile. "I was actually just about to start cooking when I heard the car pull up outside." 

With that, Lana turned around and started walking towards the kitchen. However, before she entered, she looked at Hwaya from over her shoulder. 

"While I cook, go show our guests to their rooms." Lana said with a smile. 

"Okay, Mom." Hwaya replied with a nod. Then, she looked at Tatsuo and Sumire as she continued. "Let's go. I'll show you your rooms." 

Nodding in response, Tatsuo returned to the luggage and picked up both his and Sumire's. Then, he and Sumire followed Hwaya to the second floor where they were given a guest room each. After that, the trio went back down stairs and sat in the living room to wait for Lana to finish cooking dinner. 

"So, I saw that video you made." Hwaya said with an awkward expression on her face. "I didn't expect you to send one out right after my press conference. And you supported everything I said, too." 

"Well, you were right." Tatsuo replied with a shrug. "So, there was no reason to not support you." 

"I guess.' Hwaya said. 

Meanwhile, Sumire, who had spent all her time before leaving Japan packing and traveling to Tatsuo's apartment building, had no idea what video they were talking about. So, she asked about it. 

"What are you two talking about?" Sumire asked curiously. 

"Oh, you didn't see it, huh?" Hwaya asked as she picked up her smartphone. "After my press conference, Tatsuo sent a video to the media. And… Here it is." 

Hwaya then handed Sumire her smartphone. On the screen was the video that Tatsuo recorded earlier in the day. The only thing Sumire had to do was press play. And that's exactly what she did. 

Not long later, Sumire had seen the video and she looked at Tatsuo with sparkling eyes. 

"Are you really going to clear the Event Dungeon at Osaka Castle?" Sumire asked excitedly. 

"Yeah, I've only been there once, but I liked the place." Tatsuo said casually. "So, why not? It's not like it will be all that hard." 

"Do you want my help?" Sumire asked. 

"If you wanna come, I won't refuse." Tatsuo replied. "But it will probably be overkill." 

"Then, let's really make it overkill." Hwaya said with a smile. "Since you're helping me with this Dungeon, I'll help you with yours." 

"Sure." Tatsuo replied. "But what about the one in Britan? It's at Windermere, right?" 

"Ugh!" Hwaya groaned as she slumped back against the couch. "I really don't wanna think about that right now." 

Seeing that, Sumire was surprised. Hwaya always showed such great pride for her British Heritage. But now, she seemed reluctant to help. And that was quite strange to her. 

Tatsuo, on the other hand, knew why Hwaya was acting like that. And that was because of Britan's other SS-Ranker, a man named Joshua Brightman. He was the chairman of an international corporation, as well as an influential figure in England. 

Unfortunately for Hwaya, Brightman was completely enamored with her, never letting her have a moment of piece. Constantly sending gifts and proposing marriage. Despite having been rejected every time he declared his love, the man just never gave up. 

On top of that, Brightman was already married. Yet, he still pursued Hwaya relentlessly, disgusting her to no end. 

Seeing that Hwaya really seemed to be bothered by the topic, Sumire changed the subject, lifting Hwaya's mood little by little. Then, when Hwaya's mood had returned to normal, Lana called the trio to the dining room to have dinner. 

Dinner was a merry affair filled with laughter and Tatsuo and Lana making fun of Hwaya. By the time dinner was over, Hwaya was exhausted, mentally rather than physically. So, she suggested that the Dungeon Explorers go to bed so they could be well-rested for the Event Dungeon tomorrow. And because of their rushed travel from Japan to South Korea, Tatsuo and Sumire agreed to get some rest, as well.