Return of the Frozen Player
chapter-208

"Ah!"

The one who was most surprised on the spot was none other than the Frost Queen. Looking around, she rushed off somewhere and came back with popcorn.

Crunch! Crunch!

The Frost Queen watched the situation while eating popcorn with an interested expression. At that time, Seo Jun-Ho was deep in thought.

‘How surprising...'

Naturally, he was surprised because of Shin Sung-Hyun's tremendous reasoning ability. It was shocking in a way.

‘How the hell can he guess who I am with that kind of reasoning?’

He was speechless because it was so ridiculous, and he even felt a slight sense of shame. Of course, it was true that he was Specter. But wasn't the way it was inferred a sham?

‘Keep it up, Keen Intuition (A).’

It was a 'real' intuition where all the processes in the middle were wrong but it nevertheless produced an accurate answer. That was a god-like intuition.

‘It's a little scary to think about it that way.’

Shin Sung-Hyun's instinctive sense gave Seo Jun-Ho slight goosebumps. Those ridiculous skills must have put him in the position of the Nine Heavens.

'And he's really meticulous, too...’

Shin Sung-Hyun had never shown that he was suspicious of Seo Jun-Ho’s identity. Even after Seo Jun-Ho used the artifact, Shin Sung-Hyun hadn’t shown any changes on the outside.

‘But as soon as he saw the darkness that covered the theater, he thought he found decisive evidence and asked...’

The ability to thoroughly hide one’s emotions and act for a purpose was also one of the skills required as a Player.

‘It’s a big relief.’

Currently, Shin Sung-Hyun's reasoning was too sloppy and because it was sloppy, there was a gap to attack.

'If he'd held it in a little longer...’

Seo Jun-Ho sweated. There really wouldn’t have been a way out then.

"First of all..."

Shin Sung-Hyun's eyes sparkled when Seo Jun-Ho spoke. Seo Jun-Ho raised his arms above his head and made an X.

"Thank you for thinking well of me, but I am not Specter."

"Haaa, I thought you would say that." Shin Sung-Hyun didn’t believe him. "Specter was like a wolf who was always alone until he met the other Heroes, but suddenly after his return, I thought it was strange that he would have something like a representative. But what if you are Specter? The questions are suddenly answered."

“...”

That was true. Seo Jun-Ho wrote a script in his head and quickly read it.

"I think the timing is a little off."

"Timing?"

"Yes, I already told Ju-Ha everything. Up there."

Seo Jun-Ho pointed to the sky.

"By above... Are you saying you told Ju-Ha everything at the Sky Theater?"

"Yes, you can ask Ju-Ha later."

"Then why deny it if you have already told her everything?”

"It’s because I am really not Specter."

"That's nonsense. With all this evidence, there's no way out."

"I'm sorry, but there's no need for a way out." Seo Jun-Ho breathed a deep sigh. He frowned before saying, "Please promise me that you will keep all the secrets I am about to tell you."

"… If you, Player Seo Jun-Ho, are not Specter, the promise will be kept. I swear in the name of the Nine Heavens and the Goblin Guild."

"That’s good enough."

Seo Jun-Ho raised his hand lightly and gathered his magic. At the same time, Shin Sung-Hyun's face began to show anticipation.

‘Is he finally going to admit it and show me the Watchguard of Darkness?!'

However, the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment. What came out of Seo Jun-Ho’s fingertips was ice, not darkness.

"…Ice?"

Seo Jun-Ho nodded at Shin Sung-Hyun’s puzzled look.

"This is my skill, Chaser of Frost."

The reason for not naming the Frost Skill was simple. All S-grade elemental skills had never been defined by a single word.

They had names such as the ‘Watchguard of Darkness,’ ‘Ruler of Flames,’ ‘Controller of Space,’ and so on. Still, they would always take the same form.

"The Chaser of Frost…” With a blank expression, Shin Sung-Hyun suddenly said, "Wait, then how do you explain the darkness that covered the Sky Theater?”

"I think you should ask the Dungeon, not me."

"Are you saying… it was the power of the Dungeon?"

Shin Sung-Hyun swallowed a groan, but his eyes still hadn’t lost their gleam. He didn’t give up and began persistently questioning Seo Jun-Ho. “Then how do you explain your appointment as a representative for Specter? He and you wouldn't have had any mutual acquaintances beforehand.”

"Didn't I already show you?”

Crack!

The ice that fell to the ground broke into pieces. Shin Sung-Hyun's eyes became wide as he stared at the ice as if he were trying to pierce through it with his gaze.

"Is that it? Did I get the order wrong?"

As expected, it was good that Shin Sung-Hyun was smart since not many words had to be said to him for him to understand. Shin Sung-Hyun had already begun writing his own new 'hypothesis.’

"Player Specter didn't meet you after his return...” He slowly raised his head and looked at Seo Jun-Ho. "Player Seo Jun-Ho, you took Specter out of the ice sculpture.”

"That's right. I rescued him from the ice exactly on November 11th.”

"I see..." Shin Sung-Hyun nodded slowly.

Certainly, there was no loophole in Seo Jun-Ho’s words, and everything was explained.

"Then Skaya Killiland and Gilberto Green were also...”

"Yes. If I get stronger, I will be able to get the other two out in the near future."

"I understand everything..."

The reason why Specter used Seo Jun-Ho as his representative was simple. Seo Jun-Ho had rescued him, and he could rescue his friends.

'So that's why he made Seo Jun-Ho his representative and supported him wholeheartedly.’

The puzzle pieces fit together. It was a perfect logic with no doubt able to penetrate it.

"Whew..." Shin Sung-Hyun breathed a sigh of regret. "It's a little disappointing. I instinctively thought I was right."

"Well, that thing called intuition is sometimes wrong. It’s like that for me as well."

Even Keen Intuition was like that…

"Then please don't reveal this conversation anywhere. It is off the record."

"Yes..." Shin Sung-Hyun nodded and looked at Seo Jun-Ho with a different look in his eyes than before. "If you take all of the 5 Heroes out of the ice sculpture, will you come to the Goblin Guild then?"

Seo Jun-Ho was someone capable of melting the Frost Queen's ice sculpture. It was possible he possessed an S-grade elemental skill. He would obviously become a necessary figure to raid the 3rd floor.

"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of entering a guild. Not just the Goblin Guild, but any other guild."

"That is unfortunate. But I'll always leave the door open, so please knock if you ever change your mind.”

After the conversation, the two also left the Dungeon. Shin Sung-Hyun immediately headed to the infirmary. It was to meet Gong Ju-Ha, who was being treated there.

"What, you’ve already heard it all from Jun-Ho…"

Gong Ju-Ha nodded as she was being treated for the wound she received from Beary.

"That's right. The Chaser of Frost was a very strong skill."

"I see..."

This was the end of confirming any potential doubts. Their sighs broke the silence that lasted for a while.

"Master, why are you sighing?”

"…It’s nothing. What about you?"

"Oh, I... think I need to buy some thick cotton blankets."

"Winter is almost over, but a blanket?[1]" Shin Sung-Hyun smirked and left the medical office, patting Gong Ju-Ha on the shoulder.

‘A blanket, huh?’

He murmured, reflecting on what had happened today. "Should I buy some, too?"

He decided to ask Gong Ju-Ha where to buy some later.

***

The Goblin Guild's Dungeon raid ended with the bitter reality of seven deaths. If it were another guild, it would have made headlines with the title of it being a successful Dungeon raid. However, they were one of the best guilds and one of the Big 6 as well. The death of seven Guild members became a huge topic of discussion.

[Injured Goblin, 7 Guild members die in one Dungeon raid.]

[Guild Goblin pays huge compensation to the bereaved families...]

[The danger of monsters is confirmed once again, mankind is still in danger.]

…

Thud.

Shin Sung-Hyun put down the newspaper and ordered, "Take care of the media. Take this opportunity to make sure that those who spread false information are thoroughly stomped down."

"Yes, understood."

"...And where is Player Seo Jun-Ho?"

"I heard he was getting ready to leave."

"Tell him to stop by. The reward is ready."

"We will have to hurry.” Jang Kyung-Hoon left the office in a hurry.

Knock, knock.

After a while, Seo Jun-Ho visited.

"Come on in."

When Seo Jun-Ho entered, Shin Sung-Hyun offered a seat and said, "I won't speak too much. Player Seo Jun-Ho, you’ve made a brilliant contribution as a guest."

"I don't deny it."

In this situation, being humble was nothing short of being a fool.

"I had been thinking for a long time about what to give you that would be helpful… In the end, I have decided to give this to you."

Shin Sung-Hyun held out an envelope.

‘Is there a check in there or something?’

Seo Jun-Ho picked up the envelope and asked, "Can I open it?”

"Please…"

Inside the envelope was a letter of recommendation. Seo Jun-Ho showed an expression of understanding.

"Is this a letter of recommendation for nobility?"

"No, it's not."

"Then what…”

"Have you heard of the Sage of the Observatory Tower?"

"The Sage of the Observatory Tower..."

Of course, he had heard of the Sage. When he studied modern history in the hospital room shortly after his return, the Sage was someone mentioned all the time.

"I've heard that the Sage is a Player who understands the nature of things and can predict the future with incredible supernatural power."

"That's right. He doesn't have any desire for fame and material things."

The Sage had no wants. Those who wished for his teachings were subject to his mood on when they would be able to meet him. Even if treasures and rare items were presented, the Sage would remain unmoved.

"Including myself, the Six Masters of the Big 6, and the President of the Player Association have to wait a few months just to meet the Sage."

"I didn't expect it to be to that degree."

Weren’t they all people who commanded absolute power? Seo Jun-Ho looked at the recommendation letter in awe.

"Then perhaps, is this letter of recommendation…"

"No matter when, if you take that letter of recommendation with you, the Sage will make time for you."

“…!”

It was a much more meaningful reward than Seo Jun-Ho had imagined.

'I thought it would just be an elixir or a unique-grade equipment at best.’

Seo Jun-Ho was happy with the reward. He had wanted to meet the Sage of the Observatory Tower in person, whom he had only ever heard of in stories.

"I’ve received something great. Thank you. I'll use this letter of recommendation well."

"I should also thank you. I would have lost more subordinates if it weren't for you."

Shin Sung-Hyun was different from Oh Dae-Sik, the Guild Master of the Blue Guild. If Oh Dae-Sik thought of his Guild members as his family and younger siblings, then Shin Sung-Hyun thoroughly thought of his Guild members as his subordinates.

‘But no one knows which is more correct...’

Having observed Shin Sung-Hyun for a few days, Seo Jun-Ho knew that Shin Sung-Hyun wasn’t a person who abused low-level people using his position or status. He was the textbook example of a 'competent boss.’ Although he seemed cold to outsiders, the Goblin Guild members trusted and followed him because he was leading them excluding his personal feelings.

‘It’s like looking at my past self.’

To be exact, Shin Sung-Hyun looked exactly like Seo Jun-Ho in his former days—of course, his Specter days. By contrast, Seo Jun-Ho’s current self was living like Oh Dae-Sik in a way.

"I’ll see you next time, then."

"Yes, next time."

They hoped to see each other on a higher floor next time. However, the two men swallowed back their words and shook hands.

1. refers to Gong Ju-Ha’s misunderstanding in chapter 206, she wanted to bury herself under many blankets to hide from the embarrassment ☜