CH 307

Hamiel’s evolution began. He was now like a butterfly waiting to break out of its cocoon. The process was expected to take a long time, but no one knew exactly how long.

[The evolution has begun following the selected route.]

[The route may change if an intervening condition is added.]

[There is a chance the evolution may fail.]

‘I’ve done all I can for him.’ Gi-Gyu felt he had done his part. ‘From now on, it will all depend on you, Hamiel.’ 

Hamiel had worked hard for Eden but hadn’t accomplished anything big enough to be noticed. It was impossible to tell if Hamiel’s hard work would be rewarded or if he would disappear just like his two friends. All Gi-Gyu could do was pray for him.

‘I hope you make it.’ Gi-Gyu hoped that Hamiel would get his revenge. To that end, he would’ve to work fast, as Gi-Gyu and his other creatures wouldn’t wait for him.

“If you’re too late, there won’t be anything left for you to kill.”

Gi-Gyu left for Italy again.

***

While Gi-Gyu had been occupied with the two angels’ funeral and Hamiel’s evolution, those around him remained busy.

Sung-Hoon replied, “Yes, that would be great.”

-Do you think the Korean government will act accordingly?

When the person on the phone asked, Sung-Hoon thought of Kim Sung-Moo. Kim Sung-Moo was the Assistant Secretary of the Player Maintenance Department, an important figure in the government.

‘And he also has many wealthy people on his side,’ Sung-Hoon thought. Before the players appeared, money used to rule the world. The county’s wealthiest had planted Kim Sung-Moo in the government to regain their power.

But Kim Sung-Moo was no longer theirs to control.

‘He can’t disobey us anymore.’ Kim Sung-Moo now belonged to Gi-Gyu.

Sung-Hoon replied, “You don’t have to worry about that.”

-All right. Then we’ll go ahead with this plan.

Sung-Hoon didn’t hang up the phone; he just lowered it briefly. Then, he raised his phone again and asked in fluent Italian, “I think that’s it for official business. Now, how are you doing?”

Because he always followed Gi-Gyu, many didn’t realize what a capable and well-educated man Sung-Hoon really was.

-I’m well. How about you? You were supposed to become the KPA’s next manager of the Gate Maintenance department. I was worried when I heard about the KPA’s collapse. But it looks like it worked out even better for you since you’re the head of the new association named Eden. Am I correct?”

The man on the phone asked teasingly. Sung-Hoon spoke several languages and was a talented politician. So, it made sense that he could expertly lead the new organization, Eden. Was this his bright future coming to fruition?

“What is the point of such a title given what’s happening in the world?” Sung-Hoon replied bitterly.

The man on the phone probably agreed because he stopped teasing Sung-Hoon.

“Please take good care of Ranker Kim Gi-Gyu. I mean, Morningstar. He’s our only hope.”

-Our only hope…? Is that because of his power? I must admit that he has accomplished some incredible things.

“It’s more than that.” Sung-Hoon thought about President Oh Tae-Gu, who was trapped in Gehenna, and Oh Tae-Shik, who had disappeared. “Anyway, please take good care of him. I want you to repay me for all my help by assisting him.”

-You know I don’t have much power now.

The man on the phone became quiet for a moment before he added,

-But I’ll do my best.

“Grazie, Alberto.”

-Prego, Sung-Hoon.

Sung-Hoon finally hung up the phone.

“Haa…” he sighed. The last time Eden was attacked, they had defeated Ha Song-Su and achieved peace. However, the peace was short-lived because another battle was about to begin.

‘It’s war,’ he thought grimly. And this time, it was against the Vatican.  

“No. We’re against the entire continent of Europe.” Heo Sung-Hoon sighed again. “We barely got China under control, and now, Europe is making trouble.”

He stood up. It was time to get to work.

***

In Rome, a gate appeared in a corner near the Colosseum. The gate effused energy so subtle that the players in the area didn’t even sense it. Even the newest gate detection machine couldn’t sense this gate.

“Phew…” Gi-Gyu sighed as he exited the gate, followed by El.

“Master, please don’t worry,” El said to him.

“It has been so long since I’ve been to Italy,” announced Rohan, who left the gate last.

“Rohan, you’ve been to Italy?”

“Of course, in my past life—” Suddenly, Rohan flinched and closed his mouth. He had been about to speak of his past life when he was a player named Rogers Han. Rohan didn’t like to think about his former life, and Gi-Gyu suspected it was because of what Rogers Han had done to him.

“I apologize.” Rohan bowed.

Gi-Gyu smiled and replied, “Don’t worry. It’s all in the past.”

Gi-Gyu liked to think that he had become a bigger man. They had been chatting for about a minute when they heard a man.

“I’m glad you returned quickly,” Alberto greeted. He walked toward them from a nearby corner. Gi-Gyu had already contacted him before arriving.

Alberto looked pale. Gi-Gyu had left Italy just three days ago, but it looked like the workload had swamped Alberto.

Gi-Gyu teased him, “I thought you were a powerless branch manager, so why did you have to work so much?”

“I was forced to overwork precisely because I am a powerless branch manager.” Alberto smiled. “After all, a powerless branch manager is the best scapegoat for a situation like this.”

Alberto was smiling, but Gi-Gyu realized Alberto had gotten in trouble because of the Colosseum incident. Gi-Gyu was about to apologize when Alberto added, “I’m just grateful that Heo Sung-Hoon and the Korean government helped me out.”

“Pardon?”

“Haven’t you heard?” asked Alberto. All Gi-Gyu had heard from Sung-Hoon was that he needed to speak with Alberto.

Looking at his watch nervously, Alberto suggested, “Let’s get going first. I am getting a lot of attention lately, so we don’t have much time.”

Turning toward Rohan, Alberto asked, “You must be Rohan?”

“That’s correct.”

“Nice to meet you.”

After the introduction, everyone moved toward a nearby parked car. Just then, Gi-Gyu’s chest thumped, and he heard the familiar voice.

-Help me.

He couldn’t believe he heard the voice as soon as he arrived in Italy. The voice was faint, but he knew the speaker’s identity.

‘I’m close. You’ll have to wait just a bit longer.’ Gi-Gyu wasn't sure if Michael could hear him, but he still replied.

“We will get to you soon.” Gi-Gyu finished his message out loud but under his breath.

Hearing him mutter, El asked, “Master? Did you say something?”

Gi-Gyu only smiled.

***

“The truth is, the Italian citizens and the tourists are all very grateful toward you, Mr. Morningstar,” Alberto explained as he drove. “After all, you saved them all. But the problem is…”

“It’s your government, isn’t it?”

Looking ahead, Alberto nodded. “The biggest problem we have now is how you got into Italy. I told you about it before, didn’t I?”

“Yes, I remember. You said you didn’t report it to your superior.”

“Exactly. And technically, what I did was wrong. It’s considered an abuse of power, and…”

Through the back mirror, Gi-Gyu could see Alberto’s face turning tense.

Alberto added, “It looks like the Vatican has formally protested.”

Gi-Gyu gritted his teeth loudly. ‘Those bastards.’

Gi-Gyu asked, “What about Cardinal Castro? What happened to him? When you think about it, he was behind what happened in the Colosseum, wasn’t he?”

It was obvious Cardinal Castro hadn’t visited Italy to heal the suspect. The Vatican had spread this dangerous drug, and Cardinal Castro had come here to free the product of their scheme.

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Alberto replied, “Yes. But the Vatican isn’t having any of it. They actually blamed our branch for the injuries Cardinal Castro suffered.”

This time, Gi-Gyu managed to suppress his sigh.

Alberto continued, “Anyway, the Korean government and Sung-Hoon gave an official explanation about your secret arrival to Italy, Mr. Morningstar.”

Alberto looked much more relaxed as he explained, “They claimed you were sent here in secret to investigate players who have lost their bodies to demons. They said they suspected the Caravan Guild had taken over the Italian government, so they secretly worked with me to get you into Italy.”

“That’s…” Gi-Gyu found this explanation ridiculous. “Did it work?”

The excuse Sung-Hoon had come up with was ridiculous. It didn’t make sense to disobey international laws for the good of one country. There was no way a government would accept such an excuse from another government.

“There are certain things you don’t understand, Master,” Rohan chimed in. “This is a very plausible explanation.”

Alberto remained quiet, and Rohan continued, “Korea has more power in the world than you think, Master. When I was the Iron Guild’s deputy guild master, I…”

Rohan suddenly became quiet, and instead of speaking out loud, he relayed the message to Gi-Gyu telepathically.

-I’ll tell you this. When I was the deputy guild master of the Iron Guild, Ironshield didn’t try to take over Korea just because of you, Master.

Rohan seemingly didn’t think it was a good idea for Alberto to hear this. Rohan continued,

-Korea is a powerful country. Besides Lee Sun-Ho, it has many other high-ranking players, which is why the Korean government has significant authority. And after you appeared and everyone realized that you have a close relationship with the Korean government…

Rohan gave a small smile and added,

-Currently, Korea has about the same power as Europe.

Gi-Gyu was surprised. He had no idea that he was that important. He agreed that in terms of strength, he certainly was a powerhouse. But he didn’t realize that his presence could be used politically and internationally like this.

“So it’s true,” Alberto suddenly broke the silence and commented. “The powerful and charismatic former deputy chief of the Iron Guild calls Mr. Morningstar ‘Master.’”

Alberto drove the car a little faster as another awkward silence fell. Finally, El covered her lips to stop herself from bursting into laughter.

When the car neared the Colosseum, Gi-Gyu couldn’t hide his shock. “Huh…? How…?! The Colosseum!”

Gi-Gyu’s battle with the monster had half destroyed the Colosseum. That was only a few days ago, yet the structure now looked as undamaged as ever. It hadn’t been rebuilt to perfection. Before the battle, the Colosseum had some damage marks; even those marks were restored perfectly.

Alberto explained, “We have someone who specializes in this.”

Gi-Gyu wondered why he had even been guilty about destroying it.

When the car stopped, they got out, and Go Hyung-Chul, wearing a suit, greeted, “There you are.”