Arena Chapter 182. The Final Rest (2)
When we returned to reality, we were in the basement of the Korean Arena Research Agency Headquarters.
When we walked out of the room, the other examinees had already gathered up and were talking to each other.
“Hyunho.”
Cha Jihye, who exited her room as well, approached me.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“I am.”
How honest.
“Shall we grab something good then?”
“Let’s eat at my house. I went shopping before the exam.”
“That sounds great too. Rather than that, the other examinees seem shocked because of that news, right?”
“That was notified to all examinees, so yes.”
At that moment, Yoo Jisoo and Cha Jinhyuk found us while they were talking with the other examinees.
Jisoo waved her hands at us. She had a bright expression as though she had cleared an exam she wasn’t able to for a long time.
“Hey, Kim Hyunho!”
Your voice is too loud, young lady.
Thanks to that, the other examinees stopped talking and glanced my way as well.
“Kim Hyunho?”
“That rank 7?”
“That’s him?”
“He belonged to this branch?”
Well, this was indeed the first time I saw so many of the other examinees belonging to the Korean Arena Research Agency.
Anyway, Yoo Jisoo came up to me and asked.
“Did you hear about that from the angel?”
“Yes, apparently, all the examinees now know about it.”
“That seems to be the case. All the other teams have gotten the news too. My word, two worlds combining into one. How does that even make sense?”
“That will be a total chaos.”
What would happen if a monster habitat was summoned in the middle of Seoul? Or for any other major city for that matter?
What would happen if there was a wyvern’s nest at the top of a mountain?
What if Kajad Pun Aman and the Imperial Soldiers suddenly appeared in the middle of China?
As well as all the other humans and elves appearing at random places throughout the world – how much chaos would that cause?
Amidst such a situation, how many countries could possibly maintain social order without collapsing?
“At this point, the countries around the world must combine forces. Even if they invested a lot into the Arena business, that money would only be worth it if there is a society to respect it.”
Cha Jihye was completely right.
Even the capitalists, who were greedy for money and magic essence crystals, would not want a situation where the two worlds fusing into one.
They were the top dogs around here. Would they want the destruction of the very society that made them the ‘top dogs’?
However, the problem lay with the fact that there were people that were very supportive of this change. Those people would be…….
“The corrupt examinees may welcome this change.”
It was just as Jihye had pointed out.
I was worried about the exact same thing.
It was very likely that the examinees, who had power, would rise to political power amidst a world where the original society collapsed and monsters appearing everywhere.
People like Lee Chang-wee, who subdued the Chinese Arena examinees through brute force, may welcome such a world where the strong ate the weak.
‘At this point, he cannot live without the power given to him as an examinee.’
The Chinese government couldn’t lay a hand on him right now.
However, once he lost that power, they would not let Lee Chang-wee off.
It was very likely that Lee Chang-wee would side with the Empire until the very end.
If the revived Sultan Kajad took over Earth as well, Lee Chang-wee would have a great position in the new Empire after all.
There also should be other examinees wanting to stand above the masses in the confusion of the society.
That didn’t just mean the corrupt examinees.
Even the ordinary examinees may potentially turn sides.
As to why?
Just think about it.
Examinees possessed supernatural power through the means of ‘skills’.
But what if the ultimate objective of the exams was accomplished, and they lost all that power?
There would be examinees that would be afraid of the loss of power once they returned to being an ordinary person.
Since all the examinees had experienced death in one form or another, they must have a greater desire to become someone that stood out from the masses.
‘Now that’s a real problem.’
I was worried about it, when a group of people appeared on the elevator that lead to the basement.
It was Head Researcher Lim Chulho and the other staff at the agency.
While the researchers went to their respective examinees, Head Researcher Lim came to me.
“Mr. Kim. How was the exam?”
“Went without a hitch. Rather than that, did you get the news?”
“Yes, we came down as soon as we got a wind of it. Can we talk somewhere more quiet?”
“Sure.”
I said goodbye to Yoo Jisoo and Cha Jinhyuk, and followed the Head Researcher with Cha Jihye.
We talked very quietly inside his office.
“First, Chairman Maglun has called me directly, and asked about the promise.”
“I’ve got it here with me. I’ve brought a pair of livestock for both the Maglan Research Agency and the Nordic Exam Group. I’ve also confirmed that Dana Litalin kept his promise.”
“Chairman Maglun has decided that the exams must be cleared at all costs. He told us that he will collaborate as much as he could for the next exam.”
“Of course he would say that. Two worlds combining into one? Such a crazy fact is not going to be liked by anyone.”
“People like Lee Chang-wee may be rejoicing right now.”
Head Researcher Lim said with a sigh. He was worried about the same thing I was worried about.
“In any case, it now became a global issue. All of the governments throughout the world will not hesitate in clearing the next exam.”
“I guess that’s a good thing. But the problem is that even if the whole world combines power, the ones taking the exams are only the examinees.”
“No one would know what they’re thinking, as they might want to keep their current powers.”
Added Cha Jihye.
Head Researcher Lim’s expression was dark with worry.
I then spoke.
“You must reward the examinees at a national level in order keep the examinees from getting distracted.”
“That’s true, but as to just how much the current government can do for them…….”
“You know how serious this problem is right now. Don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then do you think this is the time to be worried about that? Even though it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the very continuation of the world is in the hands of the examinees?”
When I got a little angry, Head Researcher Lim nodded his head.
“Got it. In regards to that, I shall put my everything into it.”
“No, just go up to them and tell them this: that I won’t collaborate with the magic essence crystal business anymore if you do not promise the examinees rewards.”
“Wh, what? That’s……..”
“Just tell the government what I just said. If you’re done, if you may please excuse us.”
We left his office.
***
In any case, it was a joyful occasion that we came back from the exam alive.
I returned to the house with Jihye and sat down on the sofa when relief overtook me.
“Summon tablet.”
-Name: Kim Hyunho.
-Class: 46
-Karma: +15,750
-Mission: Take a final rest.
-Time limit: 89 days 21 hours.
‘89 days, huh …….’
No one knew what would happen after those 89 days.
“I shall prepare the meal then.”
Cha Jihye spoke as she headed to the kitchen when I grabbed her and made her sit next to me.
“Stay here.”
“?”
“Please stay next to me for a bit.”
“As long as you wish.”
Even though she said that without a speck of emotion, her words sounded incredibly beautiful to my ears.
“Then can you stay by my side forever?”
“I shall.”
Oh, she answers too fast and just doesn’t set the mood right.
I chuckled and spoke to her.
“Shall we get married?”
“If it’s about a proposal, I should have already told you the answer.”
“Not that, let’s set the date for it.”
“Sure, set the date after the exam.”
“Let’s book it right now after greeting my parents. 92 days from now.”
“…….Very well.”
“Thanks.”
“Likewise.”
I kissed her lips, and she accepted my lips silently.
That day, I texted my mom this –
[Mom, I’m getting married.]
Ziin ziin ziiiiin!
Immediately, my phone started ringing non-stop.
-Son! Is that true? Are you marrying that girl? Is mommy finally becoming a grandma now?
“Grandma is taking it too far. At least you’ll get to see your daughter-in-law before the end of the year. Is that fine with you?”
-Of course it is! For now, please come and see me with her!
“Sure, are you free today?”
-Whew, striking the iron while hot, are we? Yes, come home immediately. Mom will get some dinner.
Mom was more than happy about it. Like that, the entire family decided to gather up for dinner.
That evening, the entire family was gathered at the house in Cheonan.
On one side of the table was My big sister, mom, and Hyunji.
While on this side was me and Jihye. Both I and Jihye did not look nervous at all.
“Hoho, I felt this last time, but my new babe seems really strong for her build.”
Said mom as Jihye was too calm for a girl that came asking for a hand in marriage.
“Thank you, mother-in-law.”
“Hoho, your speech is still the same as ever.”
“I apologize, if you don’t like it, I’ll try to change it.”
“No, not at all. Suit yourself. Oh, yes, I can be at east with you, right?”
“You are doing that already.”
“Hoho, I, I guess that’s true.”
“And please continue doing so.”
“Th, thanks.”
I barely held myself in from laughing.
At that moment, Hyunji, who seemed frustrated, shouted after smashing on the dining table.
“I object to this marriage!”
“Shut up and sit down.”
“Yes, unni.”
Hyunji immediately shut up when big sister told her to. Hyunji, she, seemed upset because of the matters between me and Minjung.
My sister, on the other hand, glared at Cha Jihye with her icy eyes. She seemed jealous that Jihye and I were getting married ahead of her, who was at her prime age for marriage.
Despite those icy glares, Jihye didn’t get flinched at all. Just as expected of my wife.
“I am very suspicious about you, starting from the fact that you know neither Danish nor german despite possessing a Danish passport.”
“I was born and raised in Korea and I was a soldier. I gained citizenship in Denmark during a mission from the country, but I am planning to retire on marriage and live an ordinary life.”
Uhm, that wasn’t entirely wrong.
“Now you’re being honest. Can we hear about this mission?”
My sister’s anger died down a little.
“It’s classified, I apologize.”
“I guess that can’t be helped then. It’s nothing dangerous right?”
“Yes. I’m planning to retire soon.”
“Wow, so you’re like some secret agent that works for the KIA?”
Hyunji asked in surprise and there was no hint of frustration on her.
“Something like that.”
The conversation was heading off somewhere weird, but the mood wasn’t bad, so I decided to ignore it.
“I heard that you two met through work. Does that mean you are working in that area too? Wait a minute, I thought it was strange that you changed too much so suddenly.”
My sister’s words were sharp.
“Heeek? Then the fact that you frequented Denmark was also to……?”
“S, son? What is this all about?”
Hyunji and mom were also very shocked.
…… I knew that something was going wrong.