Chapter 212
Chapter 212. Declaration (2)
An unexpected declaration of entry into another world.
Everyone gazing at Jo Du-jin opened their eyes wide.
“What did you just say?”
“Minister! Entering another world…!”
“Literally what I said.”
In the past, heroes were always busy facing intruders and other races.
They had no choice but to watch as unfamiliar outsiders came to Earth.
Crossing worlds was incredibly difficult to ascertain, no matter how hard they tried.
However, the results of this expedition led to a breakthrough in dimensional travel.
“As is well known, Rank 1 heroes have crossed into a dimension we know little about, another world. The Hero Department plans to send volunteers into this other world to retrieve them.”
“Is there a way? A way to go to another world!”
“What do you think I’m saying all this for if there isn’t?”
“……!”
The assurance of being able to enter another world caused a commotion among the people.
Jo Du-jin rolled his eyes to assess the reactions around him before finally looking at Yoo Ji-han.
‘Above all, I owe you my gratitude.’
The possibility of dimensional travel would have been utterly impossible without the information Yoo Ji-han had relayed after the expedition.
The man who had been the most important hero at both the start and conclusion of the expedition was still playing a pivotal role.
‘Who would have thought this would explode right here?’
Yoo Ji-han gave a slight nod as he faced Jo Du-jin.
The entry into another world was bound to be made public soon.
Although the expedition had ended, the continued disappearance of Rank 1 heroes meant Korea was in a precarious situation.
Something was needed to turn the negative atmosphere around.
“Minister! This is Im Do-gam from Hero Time. May I ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“What kind of heroes are going to the other world?”
“Anyone can apply, but they’ll need to go through internal review before participating. You can apply individually, not as a party, and it doesn’t matter if you’re not Korean. We welcome anyone with abilities.”
An audacious announcement allowing any hero of Rank 3 or above to apply.
Quick-witted reporters were already writing this news up in English and Japanese.
They were eager to spread the news worldwide faster than anyone else.
“If heroes go to another world, where will they be heading?”
“We haven’t decided on a specific destination yet. However, we plan to split the applicants into several groups and send them to various places.”
“Is the other world really safe?”
“What kind of safety are we talking about? The safety of dimensional travel is somewhat guaranteed.”
“I’m asking about the safety of heroes entering the other world.”
“No one can guarantee that. We cannot know what dangers lurk in each of those worlds.”
Jo Du-jin shook his head firmly at the reporter’s question.
The Hero Department couldn’t guarantee the safety of applicants, so they were advising only those who were confident to apply.
“As a side note, any achievements gained in the other world will solely belong to the individual. The Hero Department will actively support the heroes going to the other world but doesn’t intend to demand any shares from them unless it’s a very special case.”
They would take them to a world that no Earthling had ever visited before.
And they had no intention of claiming a share from them there.
Jo Du-jin’s outrageous proposal was spreading online in real-time.
*
Jo Du-jin’s declaration of entry into another world wrapped up very briefly.
It was still prior to the establishment of specific schedules or plans.
However, the ripple effects were undoubtedly substantial.
Just looking at the atmosphere in the auditorium, it was clear.
“Are we really going to another world?”
“Things we only read about in novels…!”
“I’m definitely going!”
The heroes enjoyed a banquet while discussing the prospect of the other world.
Expectations were rising for an unknown world they had never experienced before.
“Click, click, click! I think this fried rice is very delicious!”
—Chilla! Your belly is getting bigger!
“This is what muscles are all about! Click!”
—What a lie.
“Click! This little meat is tastier than I expected!”
—Ji-han! We need to stop Chilla from becoming a pig!
Chilla kept inhaling food while the Sylph teased him.
Min Yu-ri observed the reactions around her and then spoke.
“Everyone seems to be in the mood to head to another world.”
“We feel the same way.”
Yoo Ji-han shrugged his shoulders.
Even they weren’t in a vastly different situation from the other heroes around them.
At this point, Yoo Ji-han was the only Earthling who had previously crossed the dimensional boundaries, so he needed to serve as a guide.
“Si-hoo! We might even go to your mother’s hometown.”
“Hmmm… Can we choose which world to go to?”
The world where Erna Hass was born, Grudia.
If given the chance, they could end up going there.
But at that moment, Yoo Ji-han spoke.
“Sorry, but we already have a destination set for this trip.”
“Huh?”
“Where is it?”
“Kallem.”
The other world, Kallem, from where the missing Yoon Do-ha had been forcibly sent away.
Considering the grace he owed to Yoon Do-ha, it was essential to prioritize heading to Kallem.
“Fran from Sky Shelter is also a dwarf from Kallem.”
“I plan to visit soon.”
Fran Fager had lived in Kallem for over 10 years.
Yoo Ji-han intended to conduct preliminary investigations through him.
“……With that, the event concludes.”
Clap, clap, clap!
After the event wrapped up, which had gained attention for reasons different from its original intent, the heroes who were applauding the stage surged out of the auditorium.
At that moment, Kim Hyun-tae passed right by Yoo Ji-han.
Despite their eyes meeting briefly, he ignored him and walked on.
“Kim Hyun-tae.”
“…….”
Hearing his name, Kim Hyun-tae halted and turned back to Yoo Ji-han.
Aware of the reporters and cameras, he was trying to act nonchalant while also showing signs of being wary of Yoo Ji-han’s party, as his image had soured because of their film.
“Did you not stop Mi-a from leaving?”
“Why should I stop that?”
“Are you saying it’s okay without Mia?”
“Her absence can easily be replaced by another hero.”
It wouldn’t be easy to find a hero like Mi-a, even if he searched the world after leaving Korea.
But Kim Hyun-tae spoke in a tone that was utterly indifferent to her absence.
Yoo Ji-han could only see his confidence as mere bravado.
“You’ve formed an alliance with Mi-a, haven’t you?”
“That’s how it turned out.”
“Those who left the party are just….”
His attitude showed no regret regarding Mi-a.
As Kim Hyun-tae was about to hurl some sharp words, he glanced back at the reporters situated behind him.
Then, forcing a smile, he quietly remarked.
“Good luck amongst your own kind.”
Kim Hyun-tae then exited with his party members, seeking to leave before more photos could be taken.
‘Is Mi-a no different?’
She would have been recognized not only by Kerros but significantly in Korea, too.
Kim Hyun-tae’s demeanor toward her, who had left the party, was no different from what he showed to Yoo Ji-han.
In a way, Yoo Ji-han couldn’t help but chuckle at his consistently unchanging attitude.
*
After the event, Yang Ji-cheol guided Yoo Ji-han’s party to a separate office.
“Congratulations on your promotion.”
“Already?”
“Yes.”
Special rewards are given to parties that participated in the expedition.
Among those, only a select few parties were eligible for a special promotion.
Yoo Ji-han’s party made the list and successfully achieved promotion without any separate procedures.
In an instant, their Rank 3 party had become a Rank 2 party.
“Given that this was an unprecedented situation, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that there was internal resistance… but no one openly opposed it.”
Yoo Ji-han’s party was a new one that hadn’t even been established for a year.
Despite that, they had rapidly soared to Rank 3 and now suddenly became Rank 2.
Many regarded their exceptional promotion speed with skepticism, but due to Jo Du-jin’s instructions, they could proceed without hindrance.
“Can I take a look at that for a moment?”
Yoo Ji-han leaned over to check the monitor of Yang Ji-cheol’s computer.
The names of him, Kim Si-hoo, and Min Yu-ri were listed together, showing their party’s rank.
[Sweet Fun – Yoo Ji-han’s Party]
[Rank 2]
The number 3 was gone, replaced by the number 2.
Looking at the increased rank made Yoo Ji-han feel somewhat unsettled.
“Ji-cheol, you agree with this too, right?”
“Of course.”
Yang Ji-cheol, who had previously been somewhat stingy about promotions, didn’t oppose this time.
On the contrary, he welcomed Yoo Ji-han’s party’s Rank 2 promotion enthusiastically.
He felt they had demonstrated that much capability.
“I’ll inform you as soon as the expedition reward is deposited into the guild’s account.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“And there’s one thing I’d like your cooperation on.”
“What is it?”
“The UN will be visiting Korea soon to investigate the recent terror incident.”
“The UN?”
Yoo Ji-han furrowed his brow.
What right did they have to investigate the incident after entirely disregarding Korea’s requests for cooperation following the IUPC incident?
As a mere civil servant, Yang Ji-cheol could only respond that he found it difficult to refuse their request.
“I’d like you to step up as one of the representatives to welcome the UN.”
“We?”
“I believe there are no other suitable candidates. Moreover, they specifically requested to meet Chilla…”
There were many who had seen Yoo Ji-han’s party’s movies even abroad.
The guests coming from the UN to Korea would surely not be unaware of them.
Yang Ji-cheol was requesting cooperation from Yoo Ji-han’s party, which held significant influence at the moment.
After a brief discussion with his party members, Yoo Ji-han nodded.
“Thank you!”
Having soon received the promised rewards from the expedition, Yoo Ji-han’s party left the office.
The upcoming income would certainly be utilized effectively.
“Rank 2 now…”
Min Yu-ri couldn’t grasp the reality of having reached Rank 2.
While hunting giant cat monsters every day, she had regarded heroes seen in the media as completely distant figures.
And now, she found herself in that position.
“Click? Is Rank 2 a good thing, Master?”
“It means we can eat more meat from now on.”
“Click, click! That’s wonderful!!”
Chilla, having received the tailored explanation, sparkled his eyes in delight.
As soon as Kim Si-hoo exited the office, he was joyfully chatting with his father over the phone.
‘How pointless.’
Park Joong-seob, the guild master of Keroes, had employed numerous methods to elevate Kim Hyun-tae’s party to a high rank.
However, Yoo Ji-han, who didn’t even have a rank at that time, had achieved that in just a few months.
Feeling somewhat hollow, Yoo Ji-han reflected on this.
“Let’s part ways here. I have somewhere else to go.”
“Those people?”
“Yes.”
Yoo Ji-han parted ways with his party members and headed toward the Hero Department’s research institute.
As he walked through the institute, greeting familiar faces along the corridors,
“Oh my, Ji-han Oppa!”
“The main character has arrived.”
Nirochi and Kazimir welcomed him.
