NOVEL NEXT Chapter 102 - To America (1)
Chapter 102 To America (1)
After six weeks at the academy.
The morning of the seventh week, when midterms and whatnot were about to start.
It was the time for cadets to start studying fervently.
Laws related to awakeners, precedents on incidents and accidents frequently encountered while living as an awakener.
These things appeared on the state-certified awakener exams.
Naturally, the related lectures were difficult, and there was a lot to study.
Cadets aiming for high grades were bound to struggle during midterm season.
Shia and Alice were no exception.
-Mumble, mumble.
“There’s no end to memorizing this….”
“I regretted taking the college entrance exam after awakening, but if I didn’t have that foundation, I’d be in big trouble.”
Inside the café. The two were groaning over their textbooks.
They were so adorable that I couldn’t help but smile.
‘These two would become A-rank even if they didn’t take the exams, but they wanted to be S-rank, so they’re working hard.’
Even if they failed the exams, it didn’t matter.
Would the state neglect such rare resources like awakeners just because they couldn’t study well?
For someone like Shia or Alice, they would be guaranteed an A-rank even if they randomly guessed every answer.
I had explained this to my wives.
Their response?
I know that too, but if I don’t do this, I’ll never get S-rank.
That’s right. I want to be the same S-rank as Yu-jin!
So they dove into studying.
I wanted to hug them tightly and shower them with kisses for being so diligent.
I did hug Alice whenever I could and kissed Shia every day, but still.
“How’s it going, Yu-jin?”
“Well, it’s tough as expected~.”
“Liar. You’re definitely going to get 100 again.”
“Hey, I’m human too, you know.”
On the other hand, I was completely relaxed.
It’s only tiresome and difficult for freshmen; once you’ve lived as an awakener for a few years, you know all this stuff.
Besides, I had the knowledge from studying before my regression.
I didn’t need to study at all. Really.
Even so, the reason I pretended to study between them was…
‘It’s about time, so why hasn’t he contacted me yet? Don’t tell me he forgot…’
-Brrring.
[Incoming call – Kkong]
‘I knew you’d come through, Kkong!!’
—To immediately relay the news about the S-rank gate.
I quickly answered the phone, pretending to be surprised.
“Kkong? Hold on… Hello?”
[Yu-jin! There’s an S-rank gate in Washington, USA….]
“What a surprise. Guys, this isn’t the time to study.”
After a short call, I quickly briefed my wives.
They’ve discovered an S-rank gate?
The location is Washington, USA.
The strategy team consists of the elite clan from the USA and the Vietnamese Liberation Army led by Kkong.
And…
“Get your clothes and equipment ready within three hours and gather in the Chairman’s office. I’ll take care of the rest.”
My wives and I.
The two blinked and immediately sprang into action.
“I’ll get the equipment from Dad!!”
“I-I’ll go with you!!”
-Dash.
‘So quick. I’m glad I had them prepared in advance.’
I found them even more endearing as they moved without hesitation.
Smiling contentedly, I slowly stood up, organizing my thoughts on what needed to be done.
First, I had to inform my master.
-Tap, tap.
“…Disciple?”
“Oh, Master. You’re here.”
“I was here to pick up a package.”
I happened to run into my master.
I thought it was a good opportunity and started explaining…
-Pause.
‘Wait. A package personally picked up by the master? Usually, they’re delivered to the dormitory. Unless it’s something prohibited being returned.’
Before explaining, I had a sudden thought.
What kind of package would my master personally pick up? What is it?
Moreover, I noticed the box was labeled ‘prohibited.’
Could it be something that was confiscated and retrieved from the Chairman?
I quickly asked.
“What package is that? What did you order?”
-Flinch.
“Th-There is such a thing.”
“……?”
It seemed he didn’t want to answer.
I was curious, but pressing further would be an invasion of privacy.
I decided to let it go quietly.
“Alright. Anyway, Master, there’s big news. An S-rank gate has appeared in the USA.”
“Hmm… What? S-rank?”
“Yes. The S-rank gate I was supposed to go with Kkong.”
Turning the conversation back to the gate.
My master’s reaction wasn’t much different from my wives’.
“Why are you so calm about this!!! How many hours until the flight?!”
“About two and a half? You only need a sword, so you can take your time….”
“It’s our first date as master and disciple! How can you be so calm!! I’ll get dressed quickly!!”
-Dash.
I thought he wouldn’t be too surprised, but he was extremely flustered when I said I was going with him.
He even mistook ‘gate’ for ‘date’ for a moment.
It made my heart flutter a bit.
“Be at the Chairman’s office by 3.”
“Got it!!!”
Anyway, informing my master was done.
The remaining task was preparing for departure,
-Bang.
“Chairman. There’s an S-rank gate in the USA. Please handle the departure procedures.”
I activated my ‘do it for me’ mode.
This was why I was so relaxed.
As just a cadet, there wasn’t much I could do.
The Chairman had to handle all the practical matters.
He grumbled about being used by an old man…
“Understood. I’ll contact the American association.”
“……?”
I expected grumbling.
But he readily agreed.
…After our argument three weeks ago.
His grumbling had significantly decreased.
He no longer joked around with me.
Was he still mad?
“Yes. Please take care of it.”
‘I should buy him a gift on the way back.’
I decided to bring back some souvenirs.
The last thing left was…
“Haru, Winter. Daddy is going to the USA, so for a few days….”
-Grasp. Hug tightly.
“Daddy can’t go. I’ll be lonely if you go.”
“…….”
Trying to detach my daughter.
The USA is a bit far, and the gate raid will take a while.
Even at the fastest, it will be a 5-day business trip.
Our little Haru wouldn’t allow this.
She hugged me tightly, insisting I shouldn’t go.
“Jjolingtteok. It’s an S-rank gate, if you go, you’ll die. You’re weak.”
“It’s fine. You saw it too, right? Our master is super strong. And he’s coming with me.”
“I don’t care. Just don’t go. What if Haru cries?”
Even Winter joined in.
The look of concern in her eyes showed she had grown quite fond of me.
…A few weeks ago, she tried to kill me. Now she’s worried I might die.
Such an endearing little rice cake.
“Worried that daddy might die~?”
“…Why are you my daddy!!”
“Haru is my daughter, and you’re Haru’s sister, right?”
“I’m older than you!!?”
That’s that, and this is this.
I teased her lightly to break the awkward atmosphere.
The effect was immediate.
“Yeah. Sister, you should call him daddy too. Then we’ll be a real family. A three-colored rice cake family.”
“Wh-why would I….”
“Please, sister.”
-Twinkling eyes.
Haru, who had been begging me, now turned to Winter.
Her eyes sparkled with the purest gaze.
It was an attack too strong for this villain to withstand.
“Ugh, ugh….”
-Trembling.
“…D-daddy.”
“Good job, sister.”
Thanks to that, I got one more daughter.
Unlike Haru, she was a daughter going through puberty.
The warm atmosphere was a bonus.
“Alright. So, Haru?”
“Daddy. Why….”
-Smooch.
“……!!!!!?”
“Just wait for five nights with sister. Haru is a good girl, so you can wait, right?”
I didn’t miss the chance to kiss her forehead.
Haru’s cheeks turned bright red.
“Y-yes. Hehe.”
“Hey, rice cake daddy. If you go, you’ll die….”
-Smooch.
“Huh?”
“Winter, take good care of Haru. Daddy is trusting you as the dependable sister. Got it?”
I kissed Winter too.
Though she’s a fake, she’s family now, so I entrusted Haru to her with this gesture.
As for her reaction, well, it was predictable.
-Blushing.
“Y-yes…? Okay?”
Winter was obviously flustered.
Even as family, she turned red from the gesture, truly fitting her villainous charm.
“Alright, see you both in five days! I’ll call every day, so don’t be too lonely!!”
-Dash.
I escaped while they were still flustered.
I wanted to spend more time with them, but…
It was almost time for the appointment.
If I stayed longer, I might be late. I had no choice.
-Squeak.
“I’m back… Everyone’s gathered already?”
Anyway, from the Chairman’s quarters back to the Chairman’s office.
The three of them were already there to welcome me.
“Really, why are you so late?”
“Haru wouldn’t let me go. It took a while to calm her down.”
“If that’s the case… Ah, Yu-jin. I got your equipment too.”
“Thanks. You’re the best, Shia.”
-Wink.
“Remember that. Hehe.”
Shia, dressed in her signature artifacts, had brought various tools.
“…Yu-jin, leave the interpreting to me! I’ll translate everything from A to Z!”
“Awesome. You’re the best, Alice. Thanks.”
“Hehe. It’s my duty as a Sol Leaf team member!”
Alice, confident and carrying her luggage, smiled brightly.
“I-I didn’t bring anything… I can’t speak English, and no equipment….”
“Hey. Master, just having you with us is enough. Without you, we wouldn’t dare approach an S-rank gate.”
“…Alright. At least for this, you can count on me!”
Master, caught between us, brightened up at my words.
They were the three joining the S-rank gate raid.
“So… Chairman, did you get the entry permit?”
“I’ve already obtained it. Ninomiya only asked that you don’t demand payment and leave promptly after the raid.”
“That’s better than expected. I thought they’d ask for hostages.”
“An S-rank gate appeared in the capital of the USA. They wouldn’t dare play hardball.”
“True.”
It seemed the Chairman had worked hard.
Negotiations were completed in just three hours. Truly fitting for S-rank 4.
Though it seems Master wasn’t given VIP treatment…
“Is that okay, Master?”
“I’m going with my disciple to the… gate. I won’t worry about mere money.”
Since Master didn’t mind much, it should be fine.
“Alright. So… Shia, Alice, Master. Let’s go.”
“Sure. The secretary prepared a car, so let’s take it to the airport.”
“What should I do? I’m already excited!!”
“Don’t get too excited. Stay close to me inside….”
We headed to the airport, chatting noisily.
Leaving behind the Chairman, Haru, and Winter who saw us off.
And then…
“———Yu-jin. What on earth is this.”
-Ding!
[The S-rank gate is reacting to the subject’s ‘???’!]
[The gate’s estimated danger level evolves from S-rank to S+++ rank!]
[The dungeon master is killed….]
[Drawn by the gate’s ‘???’, transcendent ????? intervenes….]
“…….”
‘I’m sorry, my friend. I expected chaos, but I didn’t foresee this level of chaos.’
The strongest raid team in the history of awakeners faced an unprecedented S+++ gate.