*
〈 Chapter 211 〉 What Should I Receive?
*
[My dear, isn’t being the god of Adah a bit dangerous?］
“True. I’ve already discarded that title.”
The moment I relaxed seeing the article, Piece urgently spoke up.
Then I suddenly recalled a fact I hadn’t thought about: I’m no longer Adah.
Apparently, the reporters haven’t updated their information on me.
Or maybe they chose to ignore it.
That’s what reporters do—twist a bit of truth for juicy articles.
Right now, I’m the former cough god of Adah.
Not too long ago, I was the god of Adah, but now I’m squeezed to the point where even I question that title.
It should be more accurate to call me the god of Huda based on my recent experience with just Hyeji.
At the same time, one worry popped into my mind.
[Just run if you meet a Unicorn.］
“F*ck. A Unicorn test kit would definitely come back positive.”
Unicorns.
They’d likely try to kill me the moment they see me.
In this era, where maidens are absurd jokes.
If they found out the king of Unicorns and the god of Adah have both vanished…
They’d probably lose their minds and give up everything.
In the worst-case scenario, a war with Unicorns could break out.
[Unicorns would be shedding tears of blood.］
“The king knows nothing of the Unicorns’ hearts.”
Anyway, I erased that thought from my mind since I wouldn’t see them for now.
I didn’t want to think about it anymore, believing things would somehow go well later.
And now, there’s only one thing left.
Yeah.
The award ceremony.
*
Originally, the Academy tried to bury this incident.
Since it involved the Chief’s son, it was a sensitive issue.
However, it had already been blown up through the news.
In the end, the Academy decided they had to hold the award ceremony grudgingly.
What’s worse, it would be the Chief himself giving out the awards.
Though he’s received significant criticism because of his son, there was nothing he could do.
“F*ck. This is Gabu Gi.”
[Indeed, Gabu Gi is better when hitting than being hit.］
“I’m ‘Kim Gabu’ from KOF 2002, you dog bastards! Taste my Jump A!”
Since it’s such a big event, if the Chief doesn’t personally hand out the awards, the Academy can’t avoid being criticized for taking it lightly.
Even now, there are articles raising suspicions that they tried to bury it.
If the Chief doesn’t step forward, those suspicions will only grow stronger.
But if he does step up, that’s another problem.
Another round of criticism would rain down about whether he’s flaunting his authority amidst such a serious situation.
[Isn’t that a bit unreasonable? Would anyone write such an article if they were at least somewhat sane?］
“Is there any sense in writing articles? They just blast it out and later go ‘Oops, never mind~!'”
[Hearing that, it seems you have a point. I underestimated the K-media.］
Either way, the Chief is bound to take a hit.
The least bad option is for him to step up and accept the award.
Even if it significantly damages the Chief’s authority, at least it would save the Academy’s reputation.
Plus, personally, I prefer that option.
[Do you really want to see that disgusting face on a joyful award day?］
“I want to see that disgusting face look like it’s suffering.”
[Hearing that makes me think your choice is correct.］
“Shut it, you b*tch. I’m about to brag a lot.”
Honestly, I couldn’t care less about what happens to the Academy.
Whether their reputation goes up or down, who cares?
It’s all going to fall apart anyway.
And I’ll be the one to do it.
So it might be better to see that sh*thead burn to the ground.
And right now.
We’re all huddled together in Hyeji’s room.
To decide on our rewards.
The Academy decided to offer a considerable cash bonus.
But the government presented us with options.
There were three choices.
An increase in rank.
A bonus that could never compare to the one presented by the Academy.
Or limited requests within South Korea.
Everyone was holding onto papers to jot down their desires and were in deep thought.
“Shinwoo, what will you choose?”
“Well, have you all decided?”
The first to answer was Caressy.
“I’ll choose the rank increase!”
“Sure. You don’t need money.”
“Besides, I need my own achievements!”
After all, Caressy is a foreigner from the Beastman Kingdom.
She probably wouldn’t have many specific demands within South Korea.
She’s not an illegal resident needing citizenship.
Whether she has health insurance benefits or not, she wouldn’t care much.
She has enough money anyway.
And according to her, she needs her own achievements now.
There’s nothing more visible than a rank increase here.
“But aren’t you technically a saintess? Why do you need more achievements?”
“It’s a bit complicated. Anyway, I need even a small achievement.”
Caressy’s expression turned slightly serious.
It seems she’s in a somewhat serious situation.
“Got it. If you need help later, let me know.”
“…Thank you.”
I’m not sure if I can help, but it’s better to offer if I can.
After hearing Caressy’s gratitude, I turned my gaze to Elcia and Ayeon.
“So, what about you, Elcia and Ayeon?”
“Husband! I want to choose money!”
Elcia chose money.
I sensed it right away.
I kind of expected this.
“Invest in Elf Coins moderately.”
“Don’t worry! They’ll definitely rise!”
“Yeah, f*ck.”
Suddenly, Elcia lowered her head and muttered something.
And it was her serious face.
“It’s coming soon. Not much time left.”
The atmosphere was peculiar.
I wanted to ask what was wrong.
“Elcia, what’s up?”
“It’s nothing!”
Her expression changed instantly, and she replied as if it was no big deal.
She didn’t seem to have the intention of telling me anything right away.
[Somehow I feel uneasy.］
Sigh. I’ll ask later.
Hyeji had been contemplating for quite some time.
The compensation offered by the government was undoubtedly attractive to Koreans.
Thanks to that, it seems Hyeji is experiencing choice paralysis.
At that moment, Ayeon confidently spoke up.
“I’ve made my decision as well. I’ll ask for something special.”
“Can you tell me what it is?”
“Of course. Please wait a moment.”
Ayeon suddenly pulled up a map app and showed a location.
It was a place I recognized.
A spot boasting a massive flow of people.
Valuable real estate in South Korea.
It’s so high-value that you could line up Starbucks stores, which are rare to find around here.
“Ayeon, I told you we’re not giving land. If we could, I would have applied ages ago.”
“I’m not asking for land here. I’m just asking for a license to operate in this location.”
“What kind of license?”
At my question, Ayeon smiled faintly.
But that smile had an ominous undertone.
“It’s for my mother’s business expansion.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
And that ominous feeling was indeed real.
She seemed to be thinking about opening [Healing Succubus: Korea Point No. 2].
In such a high-traffic area.
Goosebumps crawled all over my body in an instant.
“Are you trying to engulf South Korea?”
“Not engulfing it. Don’t worry too much.”
Ayeon waved her hands and smiled brightly.
And.
“I’m just slightly increasing the influence of the Succubus.”
“No, you crazy girl.”
She dropped an even more shocking statement.
Looking back, Ayeon’s smile had a hint of menace.
She was truly a demon.
“And later, I plan to open chain stores in the new city.”
“…You devil.”
“It’s correct because I’m a Succubus.”
“F*ck.”
[Wasn’t there a comic where an elf from a brothel ate up that country?］
‘Soon, South Korea will fall into the clutches of the Succubi.’
Just then, Hyeji made a decision too.
“I’ll go for a rank increase.”
“Really? With your combat power, you could just wipe them all out.”
“That’s true, but…”
That was surprising.
Very surprising.
Honestly, for someone like Hyeji, whether late or early, getting a rank increase shouldn’t be hard at all.
So I expected she would choose something else.
But Hyeji said something I could never have predicted.
“My dad’s a soldier, so if I ask for money or anything from the government, I might get attacked unnecessarily.”
“Ah, right. Those bast*rds would definitely go nuts.”
Indeed, Hyeji’s words were correct.
To rise to a high rank as a soldier with just pure personal ability has its limits.
Navigating through politics is crucial in that process.
So, one must minimize any chance of being attacked and, if necessary, bite back mercilessly.
In the end, if there’s a structure where only Hyeji can benefit, she could unwittingly give the opponent something to attack.
Even if Hyeji had no intention of doing that.
Effectively, Hyeji had no options.
It was a complicated structure in various ways.
[How about trying your hand at politics? Aren’t you a passive as the dog chatter?］
“F*ck you.”
Anyway, everyone settled on something.
Now, it’s just me left.
“Shinwoo, what are you going to pick?”
“Husband! You wouldn’t have a problem not picking money! Elf Coin will rise soon!”
“…F*ck, saying that makes me feel really uneasy.”
“My dear, wouldn’t you like to apply along with me to open up to point No. 3?”
“I can tell that Korea is screwed seeing those devil bastards run wild.”
I definitely had a lot of options.
I could choose a rank increase, take the money, and no one could say anything.
At most, my mom would just ask for a little cut.
On the other hand, I could also expand the business with Ayeon.
After some contemplation.
I finally made my choice.
“I’ll go with this one.”
The best option for my goals, that is.
They all threw in a comment after seeing my choice.
“Really going for that? Are you serious?”
“Husband! I’m with Hyeji on this! Isn’t there something better?”
“Unexpected. I didn’t think you’d go for that.”
“My dear, though I’ve said that, why not reconsider?”
“No, this is right.”
I was confident.
This would definitely be helpful.
*
