Chapter 129. Going To Meet You (4)

As soon as Shim Deok-Gu received the message, he hurried to his office from the conference room. He shoved the door open.

Slam!

You, you He fumbled upon seeing the man seeing on the sofa.

Yo, whats up? Seo Jun-Ho was in the middle of eating jjajangmyeon. He looked up and waved his chopsticks.

What happened? You didnt even contact me, Shim Deok-Gu said, slowly approaching him.

Something urgent came up. I came down to meet a friend.

...You rascal. Shim Deok-Gu rubbed his nose as he sniffled and took a seat on the opposite side of the sofa. He reached for the sauce-covered tangsooyook. You missed me, didnt you?

Huh? I didnt say it was you.

...What? But you dont have any other friends besides me, do you?

Slurp.

Seo Jun-Hos mouth was full of noodles. He chewed and swallowed before he spoke, I do. I came down to break those icicles.

...!

Shim Deok-Gus eyes widened at the mention of the icicles. He double-checked that the door was closed

Icicles Are you talking about the other Heroes? Are you finally ready? he asked carefully.

Probably. I get the feeling that itll work.

Then it will... Shim Deok-Gus hands curled into fists. Whenever Seo Jun-Ho got a feeling, he would always be right about it. Shim Deok-Gu looked up at the ceiling, his face emotional. Finally The old age of Heroes is over, but you guys will reunite, he whispered.

Well, lets see... Seo Jun-Ho grinned and patted his stomach. Im full. Also, theres something else I need to tell you.

Hmmm?

I gathered some information while living in Frontier. He told Shim Deok-Gu about the demon jade and about the monsters that had been forced to absorb it, and then about Baron Vashtis son.

Shim Deok-Gus eyebrows knitted as Seo Jun-Ho finished. Demon jade Those fiend bastards must be planning something again.

Its already in progress. I was able to stop them this time But if it gets bigger, I wont be able to stop them by myself.[1]

So youre saying that we cant let them start training stronger monsters Shim Deok-Gu concluded.

Thats why you should leak some information to the Guilds. I wont be able to stop the fiends alone anyway, and I want to know if the Guilds already knew whats happening. Seo Jun-Ho explained.

I got it. But if Gilleons city lords son was caught up in it Does that mean the demon jade thing can be given to normal citizens in Frontier? Shim Deok-Gu asked.

I dont know yet. Seo Jun-Ho shook his head. There were no signs of a demon jade being pushed into Simuss chest. Its not like he became a fiend either. So I think he had ingested a smaller version of the demon jade or something like a fragment.

A demon jade fragment My head hurts. If something like that happens to the nobles or the royal family of the Ruben Empire

Itll be a disaster. A total catastrophe. Seo Jun-Ho finished. Worst-case scenario, the Fiend Association might be able to rule Frontier.

Shim Deok-Gus face was pale as he nodded. Ill bring this up at the upcoming global conference.

Im counting on you.

Phew, I really wish we could live in a world without fiends

Ill make your dream come true. Someday.

Shim Deok-Gu squinted at those heavy words. What do you mean?

If those guys really wake up I plan to announce that Specter will go up to the 2nd floor.

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How about the other Heroes? Shim Deok-Gu asked.

I cant tell you if the others will choose to stay Players or not. At the very least, Ill be the first to go.

...I see.

Just the thought of the 5 Heroes going up to the 2nd floor together made Shim Deok-Gus heart race. But neither of them knew what the Heroes themselves would want. Some of them might want to retire.

By the way, didnt the Frost QueenI mean, didnt Her Majesty come down with you?

I did. A thin hand popped up from behind the sofa and waved.

Shim Deok-Gu lowered his voice as he spoke, ...What is she doing over there?

Shes watching the dramas and movies she missed with earphones, Seo Jun-Ho answered.

...

Dont look at me like that. Shes doing all that for me.

For you? What do you mean?

Seo Jun-Ho spent 15 seconds explaining her great potential as a director.

Damn, she has that sort of talent? Shim Deok-Gu asked.

Isnt it cool? Actually, she even evolved yesterday

It had been a long time since the two friends had seen each other, and they continued to talk for three hours. After a while, Shim Deok-Gu started to pull at his necktie as if he was getting hot.

I probably shouldnt be asking this now, but is it okay for you to take your time? What about Simus?

Its fine. I absorbed all the demonic energy for now. The problem is his tangled-up magic, but it wont have a huge impact on his life. For about a month, that is Seo Jun-Ho explained.

I see...

Seo Jun-Ho started getting ready to leave. Im going now.

Are you gonna come back here? Or

Yeah. Its not like I can take them to a hotel or something. My place is still empty, right?

Of course

I can just let them stay there for a while.

Frost stood up and pulled out the earphones. Are we moving?

Yeah. Oh right, Deok-Gu. Seo Jun-Ho waved the tablet. Can you download some dramas and movies on a tablet like this? So I can bring it with me when I go back up.

That shouldnt be hard. Are classics okay?

Thats Seo Jun-Ho turned to the Frost Queen, and she nodded.

Classic is forever. Keep that in mind.

Oh Yes, I shall prepare them for you.

Shim Deok-Gu waved goodbye, and Seo Jun-Ho quietly left the Player Association, avoiding the eyes of others.

***

Seo Jun-Ho was back at the Seoul History Museum for the third time. He deftly made his way to the morgue.

...

He stared silently at the four frozen figures before he approached them.

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His mind was racing with different thoughts. As his chest swelled with emotions, the storm in his eyes didnt calm until ten minutes passed.

Contractor

...Yeah.

The Frost Queen hesitated before she pushed his legs forward. She was trying to tell him to awaken his friend.

Seo Jun-Ho swallowed. He didnt know why he was so nervous. His legs trembled as he took one, two steps forward.

...It sure took a long time, he whispered.

It had already been 9 months since he opened his eyes in this museum. Depending on how you looked at it, that amount of time would be long for some and short for others.

He had killed countless monsters and cleared numerous Gates. He had witnessed the peaceful city life he had dreamed of, experienced new things, and met new people.

Im sorry I did all that alone. It wasnt fair to you guys.

That was why he wanted to show them the same things he had seen. He wanted them to feel the same things he feltno matter the price.

Thats the reason why Ive been working so hard this whole time

Seo Jun-Hos trembling hand reached out in front of him. When he touched Rahmadat, a number of System messages streamed out before him.

[Effect of the skill Frost (EX) has been checked.]

[Seal of Frost (EX) can be removed.]

[Your base magic stat is high enough to remove the ice seal.]

[However, your understanding of the Frost skill is extremely low, so there will be a penalty.]

[Upon removing a seal, 70 magic stats will be permanently consumed.]

[Upon removal, you will suffer under the effects of Curse of Bitter Cold for one month and all stats will be lowered by 50%.]

[Upon removal, you will be unable to remove another ice seal for another 90 days.]

[Are you sure you wish to remove the ice seal?]

Dammit...

No wonder things had been going too well lately. Seo Jun-Ho let out a frustrated sigh and turned to the Frost Queen. Why are there so many penalties? What the hell is the Curse of Bitter Cold?

...The Curse of Bitter Cold? Hmmm, you would probably receive a penalty because your understanding of the Frost skill is lower than my own understanding when we fought.

...

Seo Jun-Ho slouched as he felt a sense of dread weighing on his shoulders. The Frost Queens curse still couldnt be undone, even after 26 years.

...I feel like an idiot. I dont know if she had been too strong or if Im just too weak right now.

He let out a short sigh and gently removed his hand from the ice statue.

Even if there were penalties attached, he was still set on removing the seals. He would even be willing to give up all his stats if it meant that he could free his friends.

Ill lose 70 magic, and all my stats will drop by 50% for a month

But the most unexpected penalty was also the heaviest. He would have to choose carefully when he removed a seal.

I also have to consider my own growth.

He was able to remove an ice seal once his magic stat reached 200, but the reason there were such heavy penalties was that his understanding of the Frost skill was too low.

I think that the penalties will lessen if I improve my abilities

But who should he awaken first?

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Seo Jun-Ho scratched his head with a frustrated expression on his face. He sat on the ground.

This is so annoying.

Frankly speaking, whomever out of the four he chose would end up being a great asset in battle. Of course, they would have to start at level 1 again, but their old abilities would still be present if latent.

But as Deok-Gu said, there might be some that might want to retire.

He quickly did the calculations.

Gilberto If he hears that Arthurs in a dangerous region, hell do whatever it takes to level up and reach the 2nd floor. As for Mio, if her mindset is still the same, shell take the orders of that rich family of hers first and foremost. Rahmadat, I dont even have to think about it. If he hears that there are stronger monsters and fiends out there, he wont even listen to me and run off to level up. Skaya? If that magic geek hears that theres a fantasy world Ugh, but I dont think Ill be able to control her.

The fact that Seo Jun-Ho had to evaluate his friends like this at all was frustrating, but it couldnt be helped. His original plans had already been thrown into the mud. The more helpful someone would be, the faster he would be able to wake the other Heroes, magic be damned.

Alright!

After pondering for a long time, Seo Jun-Ho finally made his decision. He stood up and wiped the ice from his butt.

...Contractor, have you made up your mind? the Frost Queen asked.

Yeah. He had thought it over several times, but there was only one answer. I feel bad for the others, but

He looked at each figure before his eyes settled on one. Her utility is out of everyone elses league.

Skaya Killiland. She was the Hero birthed from England. The formidable magic genius, whom even the heavens feared.

I dont think anyone other than Skaya or Rahmadat would be able to cure Simus. But thinking about the journey ahead, her impossibly great firepower would be a big help.

And most of all

She was convenient to have around. She could do things such as teleport, teleport, and teleport

Whenever I need hot water or ice, or when the weather is too hot or cold

If he just asked Skaya for help, everything would be solved. Almost like she was D*raemon

I choose you. Seo Jun-Ho decided. His hand shot out.

[Effect of the skill Frost (EX) has been checked.]

[Seal of Frost (EX) can be removed.]

[Upon removal, you will be unable to remove another ice seal for another 90 days.]

[Are you sure you wish to remove the ice seal?]

He was trembling all over. His heart pounded as if it was about to explode. Seo Jun-Ho forcefully suppressed his excitement.

Hand over my friend, you bastard. He called out.

[Ice seal has been removed.]

[70 magic stats has been permanently consumed.]

[You have been afflicted with Curse of Bitter Cold (30 days).]

Ugh. He felt like all the energy had left his body.

Crackle.

Skayas cold prison shattered, and shards of ice shot out. Seo Jun-Ho caught her body and gently placed her on the ground.

Then, the Archmage opened her eyes for the first time in 26 years.

1. The second part of the sentence was added for clarification

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