Here's an Opportunity Chapter 112: Saint Renee (2)

"Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok, that was an extrely dangerous statent you just made," Hunter Go Sung-Hoo, a governnt-employed Hunter, protested fiercely.

Kim Ki-Rok calmly raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm? It's not like I said anything incorrect, though?"

"That may be true, but it could still cause a huge problem during the diplomatic proceedings that will follow."

"The purpose of disguising ourselves as Heroes was to reduce the hostility we might face from the elves, not to make one-sided deals that would seriously harm the people of this dinsion."

Hunter Go Sung-Hoo's face grew red as he shouted, "Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok!"

"They are stronger than we are, and High Elves have the ability to distinguish between truth and lies. I'm sure I made this clear before we passed through the Gate. I even called Miss Ayl over to prove it."

Indeed, right after the Gate appeared in front of Kim Ji-Hee, he had gathered all the Hunters and warned them that the High Elves could distinguish truth from lies. If they felt like they might be about to lie, Kim Ki-Rok suggested that they simply keep their mouths shut instead. Even the slightest falsehood could instantly shatter the elves' trust.

That was why none of the guild representatives had dared to interfere in Kim Ki-Rok's conversation with the elves. To be more precise, they had felt that they couldn't interfere.

"Even so, before the next ti we et with the elves, could we at least discuss it beforehand?" Hunter Go Sung-Hoo pleaded.

"Are you dissatisfied because you think I ruined a situation that was in our favor?"

"If I'm being honest, yes."

As a governnt representative, he had to prioritize national interests. Despite the stern glares from the Association and guild representatives, Go Sung-Hoo kept his back straight.

"Hoh? I see..." Kim Ki-Rok nodded.

Go Sung-Hoo let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you for your understanding—"

"By the way, it might be because my Discernnt skill can identify a Gate's hidden clear conditions, but a lot of foreign countries have been contacting recently," he interrupted the governnt employee.

"Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok!"

"Then there's also the matter of Hong Seong-Tae."

Go Sung-Hoo flinched at the sound of this na.

"Where exactly did Hong Seong-Tae disappear to, when he was supposed to be locked up in that prison for Awakened criminals?" Kim Ki-Rok demanded.

Hong Seong-Tae, an Awakened with a rare teleportation ability, had joined forces with criminal Awakened to attack the DG Guild. He was swiftly arrested and sentenced following the raid on the guild's headquarters.

However, his whereabouts after sentencing had been quietly covered up.

"It seems you've forgotten how useful my skill is at collecting information," Kim Ki-Rok said, his tone gentle, though the aning behind his words was anything but.

He continued in the sa calm voice. "By the way, after being inford that the High Elves can distinguish between truth and lies, the President himself asked to prepare for a mutually beneficial transaction between our peoples. Do you know what that ans?"

What else could it an?

The fact that President Kim Tae-Hoo had made such a request to Kim Ki-Rok ant he didn't trust Hunter Go Sung-Hoo. More precisely, it ant the President knew exactly whose orders Go Sung-Hoo was truly following.

"G-Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok," Hunter Go Sung-Hoo stamred, his face pale.

"Yes, what is it?" Kim Ki-Rok asked with a smile.

With hands trembling and cold sweat beading on his forehead, Go Sung-Hoo slowly shook his head. "No, it's nothing."

"I see. In that case, please sit down and stop making a fuss. And by the way, whoever's been whispering in your ear should have already been dealt with by now. President Kim Tae-Hoo might always walk around with a smile, but his kindness is only one side of his personality."

If he were truly just a kind-hearted old man, he wouldn't have made it into the Blue House in the first place.

"I'm not talking about your direct superior, Hunter Go Sung-Hoo," Kim Ki-Rok added. "I'm talking about the one above him, the one surnad Boo."

"U-understood. Whatever you say," Go Sung-Hoo said, his voice shaking.

"Hahaha. Monsters and Gates aren't just a national crisis, but a truly global one. No matter how united we may be, it still might not be enough to survive. But to think that so people would actually attempt a power struggle at a ti like this..." Kim Ki-Rok sighed.

Go Sung-Hoo stiffened, a cold sweat breaking out across his back.

"Ah, by the way, President Kim Tae-Hoo wanted to take harsher asures," Kim Ki-Rok revealed. "But after hearing the thod I was going to use to persuade you, he decided to stop at just removing the one pulling your strings."

In one fell swoop, Kim Ki-Rok stifled the struggle for control before it even began. The other representatives hid their amusent behind polite coughs and small smiles.

"A mont of your ti, Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok," Jang Baek-San called.

Kim Ki-Rok turned to him. "Yes, Hero Jang Baek-San?"

"Do we really need to use the title of Hero when addressing each other, since it's only us here?"

"Alright, then. Guildmaster Jang Baek-San, is there sothing that you are curious about?"

"Exactly how wide is your information network?"

"Very wide," he replied simply.

As he had lived through dozens of lives, spending ti in countless different locations, Kim Ki-Rok's store of information was truly vast in scope.

"Ah, Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok?" interjected a woman who had been standing guard outside the conference room earlier and followed the Guildmasters into the break room.

"Yes, Hunter Lim Ha-Na," Kim Ki-Rok answered calmly.

Realizing that her timid voice had drawn the attention of all the representatives, Lim Ha-Na shook her head and stamred even more quietly, "N-never mind."

"If there's sothing you're curious about, please feel free to ask."

Upon hearing these words, Lim Ha-Na glanced over to her Guildmaster, Baek Min-Hyuk.

"It's alright, Hana," Baek Min-Hyuk reassured her.

Lim Ha-Na hesitated. "No... it's just a very trivial question, so..."

"That's fine. Whatever it is, you can ask ," Kim Ki-Rok said, putting her at ease.

"Ah... in that case... do you also have information about celebrities?" she asked with a serious expression.

"I do know a few things."

"There's been a recent scandal involving the vocalist of U&I[1], and the actress Hye-Na. Is it true?"

As the representatives, who had been curious about her question, burst into laughter, Kim Ki-Rok shook his head.

"It's not true."

"R-really?"

"Yes. U&I's vocalist, Kei, is actually dating soone from his own agency. I believe it's the vocalist of the agency's newest girl group, IL, or 'I-Love' for those who don't know."

As Hunter Lim Ha-Na, a long-ti fan of U&I, gaped in shock, Kim Ki-Rok briefly gazed into the distance, as if recalling sothing from mory, before continuing. "By the way, Actress Hye-Na is currently dating Actor Yoo Chan-Dong."

The guild representatives, still trying to stifle their laughter, suddenly widened their eyes in shock and turned toward Kim Ki-Rok.

"What!"

"I-isn't Actor Yoo Chan-Dong in his forties?"

"That's right. Miss Hye-Na is twenty-four, and Actor Yoo Chan-Dong is forty-four."

"Th-that... Actor Yoo Chan-Dong... he's already married, isn't he?"

"I've heard that he's currently separated from his wife. They're preparing to file for divorce."

"Uwah..."

Everyone in the room beca completely absorbed in the sudden flood of gossip. Even Entertainnt Daily[2] couldn't compare to the heat of Kim Ki-Rok's news.

A representative from a different guild raised his hand. "There's sothing I've been curious about for a while."

Kim Ki-Rok nodded encouragingly. "Yes, what is it?"

"It's about that actor nad Kang Man-Sik. I heard he's gotten into a lot of fights in the past. Is that actually true?"

"It's true."

"Then what about the rumor that he fought five people at once during a drinking party?"

"That is also true."

"Whoa!"

The representatives began taking turns asking about various curious incidents from the past. If Kim Ki-Rok knew the answer, he revealed it freely, without any hesitation.

In the end, there weren't many questions that couldn't be answered with the information Kim Ki-Rok had stored using his Record Skill. Of course, there was also information he knew but refused to share.

"Ah, do you know anything about the stock market?" one of the representatives asked suddenly.

"I know a bit," Kim Ki-Rok admitted.

"Ooooooh!" They all cheered in excitent.

"However, all I can share are rumors. My information cos from acquaintances who dabble in the stock market. I don't have any informants inside companies that handle corporate secrets."

"Tch."

Kim Ki-Rok didn't share any of his knowledge about stocks, currency, or ongoing research projects either. This information could easily beco inaccurate if his actions left a major impact on the future. Instead, he stuck to entertainnt news and celebrity rumors, ensuring that the ti spent waiting in the break room passed quickly.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Everyone stopped talking and turned toward the sound.

"Yes. Please co in," Kim Ki-Rok called out.

Seeing that it was the High Elf Serena who stepped into the break room, Kim Ki-Rok got up from his seat and guessed, "It seems that the Temple Alliance has arrived."

"That is correct."

"Could you please escort us to et them?"

"Of course, it would be my pleasure."

At her reply, the representatives also rose to their feet.

They left the break room, moved down a hallway, and soon arrived at the lobby on the first floor. From there, they followed Serena out through the main gate of the keep, heading outside the castle.

"Oh!"

"Whoa!"

Standing in front of the fortress was a group of knights and priests clad in pure white armor.

Without hesitation, Kim Ki-Rok strode forward to greet the woman standing at the head of the group. Although she was incredibly beautiful, rivaling even the High Elves like Aylphirane and Serena, he remained as unmoved as ever.

He bowed politely. "I, Kim Ki-Rok, charged with a quest to visit the Yuashiel Dinsion and revive the World Tree, pay my respects to you, Your Saintship."

"I, Saint Renee, servant of the Goddess of Light, am honored to greet you, Hero Kim Ki-Rok, and welco your visit to our Yuashiel Dinsion," Saint Renee said, placing one hand over her heart as she bowed in return.

***

Upon their arrival, the Temple Alliance decided to rest and recover. The Hunters from Earth did the sa, preparing themselves for the upcoming battle.

However, Kim Ki-Rok was unable to afford such luxury, having spent the ti making final arrangents with the leaders of the three factions taking part in the fight.

"This way, please," Serena said, leading him and Kim Ji-Hee behind the keep to a beautiful garden, well-sheltered by the fortress's outer walls.

Kim Ki-Rok looked around and remarked, "So I guess that's where we'll be sitting?"

In the middle of the garden, an open space marked where a fountain once stood. At its center, a makeshift tent had been erected to provide shelter over a table. This was where the representatives from each of the three factions would hold their eting.

"Everyone, please wait here while I go ahead," Saint Renee turned to address her escort.

"My Lady Saint," the knights tried to protest.

"I'll be perfectly safe. The only ones near will be the High Elf Serena, and the Hero and Saint from the other dinsion," Saint Renee reassured them.

Holy Knight Commander Richard let out a heavy sigh. "I will go with her."

As if knowing exactly why she didn't want her full escort to accompany her, Sir Richard narrowed his eyes and glared. In response, Saint Renee stuck out her tongue subtly at him before nodding.

"I see, if it's Sir Richard... Yes, that should be fine," her escort slowly agreed.

"Thank you for your concern," Saint Renee said with a smile.

Serena, Kim Ki-Rok, Kim Ji-Hee, Saint Renee, and Holy Knight Commander Richard walked together through the garden entrance.

As they approached the empty space at the center, Saint Renee addressed Kim Ki-Rok, "Once this mission is over, you Heroes will return to your own dinsion, correct?"

He responded with a nod. "Yes, that's right. Of course, this is only a possibility for now, but I'm trying to find a way to create a permanent Gate. If that succeeds, we could stay and continue protecting the World Tree alongside you. But since it's uncertain... yes, it's likely we'll return to our own dinsion."

"Will you head back imdiately once the quest is over?"

"We can't be sure yet. However, what we do know is that if the Hero who participated the most in this quest crosses back through the Gate, the other Heroes will be forcibly returned along with them."

"I see. So if there's sothing I would like to request of you, now would be the best ti."

The mont Saint Renee finished speaking, Sir Richard squeezed his eyes shut, looking as if he wanted to bury his face in his hands. It was a stark contrast to her unwaveringly serious expression.

Kim Ki-Rok asked, feeling slightly puzzled,"A request?"

"Yes," she responded with a firm nod.

"If it's a request I can grant, please feel free to make it," Kim Ki-Rok agreed hesitantly.

"In that case, please pardon my rudeness as I would like to request—No, hold on. When it's ti to work, you should focus on working." Saint Renee brought her hands together in front of her nose, her index fingers extended, and took a mont to compose herself.

Having made up her mind, she continued, "You said you won't be forcibly returned until the most active participant passes through the Gate, so there should be plenty of ti. I'll make my request after we've finished reviving the World Tree and blocked the attacks of the monsters and Black Wizards."

What could her request be? Kim Ki-Rok couldn't help but wonder.

In previous Attempts, diplomacy with the Yuashiel Dinsion would only begin a few years later. At that ti, however, the Temple Alliance hadn't been represented by this particular Saint.

Even a jaded veteran like Kim Ki-Rok, now on his 76th Attempt, couldn't help but feel curious about the request of this Saint he was eting for the first ti.

As soon as Kim Ki-Rok nodded in agreent, Saint Renee clenched her fists and struck a small victory pose.

Seeing this, Sir Richard let out yet another deep sigh.

1. A fictional boy band. ☜

2. Parody of the Korean news show, Entertainnt Weekly. ☜