Episode 156
: Italy Roma.
The Colosseum can accommodate 100,000 people through renovation and repairs.
The heritage handed down from ancient times was crowded with people for the first time in a long time.
Even though it is December.
The Colosseum, with its year-end atmosphere, was a crucible of enthusiasm.
It was all because of the SS level license awarding ceremony that would be held shortly.
‘It’s huge and majestic.’
Ji Jin-hee thought that and smiled pleasantly.
Colosseum Square, where ancient gladiators risked their lives in battle.
It was the stage for today’s award ceremony.
Ji Jin-hee glanced around.
Association presidents who, like him, attended for the glory of the nation, were in attendance.
Kevin Lee, President of the Players Association of America.
Antoine Milner, President of the French Players Association.
Rupert Craig, President of the British Players’ Association.
Marco Tuchel, President of the German Players Association.
Alexander Karelin, President of the Russian Players Association.
And even himself, the president of the New Korea Players Association.
A total of six association presidents and their attendants were guarding the special area.
‘I never thought I would stand shoulder to shoulder with them.’
Ji Jin-hee let out a laugh as if the emotion was new.
As a country with a national power level, it is a great power whose name is not left out in the fight for world hegemony.
New Korea is proudly occupying its place as a member of such powers.
A strong country that is not swayed by any other country.
It was something Ji Jin-hee had dreamed of ever since she was a player.
That dream began to come true quickly after I met Taehyun, and in less than a year, I have come this far.
‘God has blessed me.’
Ji Jin-hee once again expressed gratitude for Tae-hyun’s presence.
Meanwhile, in the square where the performance ended, the host was attracting the attention of those around him.
[ruler. Everyone, all ten players have just arrived. The award ceremony will be held in an hour, but before that, we will briefly introduce the ten recipients. First, the Guardian of the United States, who was selected first. Cody Cruz, the strongest player in name and reality!!!]
Waaaaaa.
A huge roar rang out in the Colosseum once again.
“Sometimes these ‘events’ are fun.”
It was Antoine Milner, president of the French Players’ Association, who opened his mouth while listening to the host’s enthusiastic voice.
“That’s right. It’s not easy for us, who are busy bickering with each other, to come together like this. “Isn’t that right?”
Rupert Craig, the head of the British association, accepted the remark with a smile.
“Today is a symbolic day representing human progress. “I just want to thank the Pope for lending us such a wonderful place.”
The Italian player who was waiting bowed his head to the polite expression of association president Kevin Lee.
“I agree. Especially this time, it seems more meaningful because a new person is attending instead of an unpleasant face.”
After saying that, the German association president asked Ji Jin-hee to shake her hand.
“President Ji Jin-hee is very popular in Germany as well. “The leadership that elevated the new Korea into a powerful nation deserves praise.”
Marco Tuchel, President of the German Players’ Association.
Among the association presidents gathered here, he was the most favorable to Ji Jin-hee.
Recently, anti-China sentiment has been spreading in Germany due to the inflow of Chinese capital.
Meanwhile, a friendly war and an incident in Hong Kong broke out.
It was natural that the number of friendly factions in Germany was increasing.
Taehyun’s promotion of national prestige is no longer limited to Asia.
“I am truly honored. “I can’t believe I get to work with such famous people.”
Ji Jin-hee spoke humbly, but she did not feel like she was bending.
If it were like before, I would have felt pressured to have a good relationship.
The power of the president of the association is determined by the level of his country’s players, not by his individual strength.
In that respect, Ji Jin-hee, who did not have a single national power level player, always felt pushed aside by them.
Is that all?
They did not hesitate to bow to the great powers in order to build a better environment to improve the skills of their own players.
And now.
Ji Jin-hee raised New Korea to a position where it could stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
Of course, there were people who did not view Ji Jin-hee with kind eyes.
“Sudden growth brings risks. Just like China did.”
“Haha, I agree. Who would have thought that an SS-level player would be born not in China or Japan, but in a country like New Korea… Life is something to live long and see.”
It was the presidents of the British and French associations who said that.
Alexander Karelin, the head of the Russian association, who had been silent all along due to the blatant sarcasm, clicked his tongue.
He was also one of those who ignored New Korea before, but now it was different.
New Korea is a friendly army that sent a considerable number of troops when the unexplored dungeon in Irkutsk was broken.
Rather, France and Britain were countries that prioritized their own interests and reduced their troops.
Of course, it couldn’t have looked good from his perspective.
“Your words are too harsh. “Let’s admit what we have to admit.”
“Hmm… That’s Russia’s position as it can no longer be called a great power.”
“haha. Still, we had a bond together, but it was disappointing. “The situation is worse than New Korea, which ranked third in Asia behind Japan and China.”
“what…?”
This was when Alexander Karelin was about to shout at the ridicule of the two association presidents.
“Sleep and stop. “Isn’t it a good day?”
Association President Kevin Lee smiled and mediated them.
Wow.
It was obvious that if they argued further here, their prestige would only become ridiculous.
Alexander Karelin had no choice but to grit his teeth and turn around.
Yesterday’s comrades can become today’s enemies.
Diplomacy was cold.
“Today is also a historic day. Such an important day. “Should we, who are not the protagonists, fight?”
“Well, that’s true too.”
“You ended up showing your ugly side. “I feel sorry for Association President Ji Jin-hee.”
England and France.
The two association presidents looked at Ji Jin-hee and raised their eyebrows.
Contrary to what he said, I could tell he wasn’t sincere.
Ji Jin-hee laughed heartily while receiving that uncomfortable gaze.
“haha. no. “It’s an honor just to be able to work with such great people.”
That was true.
These are people who would have originally ignored their existence.
But to express hostility so blatantly.
It also meant that the status of the new Korea had increased.
“….”
“….”
The two association presidents frowned at Ji Jin-hee’s reaction, which was different from what they expected.
“You shook your head and took a hit.”
“That’s right.”
Eat.
The presidents of the German and Russian associations laughed.
“What are you saying now…”
Rupert Craig was about to raise his voice.
“Now then, let’s go say hello to the Pope. There are now less than 50 minutes left until the ceremony.”
Kevin Lee once again mediated the situation.
Antoine Milner agreed with those words.
“So, you said there was something to discuss about the schedule ‘after the award ceremony’?”
“What are your future plans?”
“I guess you haven’t heard this yet?”
“…?”
“….”
Unlike the British and French association presidents who smile.
The presidents of associations in Russia, Germany, and New Korea make incomprehensible expressions.
Kevin Lee stood up while admiring the conflicting faces.
He was smiling too, but it was a different kind of smile.
* * *
Taehyun crossed the warp gate.
What he immediately saw was a huge waiting room and countless eyes focused on him.
At that time, an Italian player approached.
“Player Taehyun Kim. “This way.”
He was in charge of guiding the players.
‘Am I the last?’
Taehyun headed to his seat and looked around.
Nine national power players who are considered the best in the world.
Their eyes were fixed on themselves.
Among them, there were some who were old.
“It’s late. “Do you really think you’re the main character here?”
Ricky Harlis came over and greeted me playfully.
It seems like the wounds from Jeju Island have not fully healed yet.
Despite his cheerful tone, his complexion did not look very good.
“It can’t be. More than that… I’m sorry about what happened the other day. “I didn’t know it would cause trouble like that.”
She burst into laughter at Taehyun’s words.
“Hehe. don’t worry. I will repay this debt in full. “Let’s talk separately after the ceremony is over.”
“Of course.”
As soon as the two people finished greeting each other, Montel Jackson approached.
“We meet here again. “Comrade in arms.”
Montel Jackson said, offering to shake hands.
The battlefield transcends nationality, race, and gender.
Taehyun Ricky Harleys Montel Jackson.
These three people were maintaining a closer relationship than others due to the unexplored dungeon in Guangzhou.
In particular, Montel Jackson was known to the public as the main character who conquered the dungeon.
In fact, it was Taehyun who caught Venom, but it was Montel Jackson who performed the most outstanding performance in the leaked battle.
Of course, this was possible because Taehyun gave all the credit for saving his life.
Suddenly, I became the number one contributor to conquering the unexplored dungeon in Guangzhou.
Montel Jackson, whose fame rose, had quite favorable feelings toward Taehyun.
‘He’s better than he looks.’
‘He seems like such a simple person.’
Of course, their evaluations of each other were sharply different.
Although New Korea achieved rapid growth, it was limited to players.
For New Korea, where exports and trade are the biggest economic growth engines, China is a market that cannot be ignored.
so.
‘Keep the fight among yourselves.’
Taehyun did not want to get involved in whether the United States and China were in a trade war or an actual war.
When the three people exchanged a brief greeting.
A man came up clapping his hands.
It was Daniel Grint, Britain’s national power.
He placed his hand on his chest and bowed, as if imitating medieval etiquette.
“A lowly knight salutes the hero of Asia.”
Another man, who was watching the scene, came over and giggled.
It was France’s national power, Alex Watson.
“Hey, keep your jokes in moderation. “It would be difficult if a child under the age of twenty got scared and went back.”
“haha. “That too.”
The two men burst into laughter, as if they were satisfied with each other’s comments.
‘Tsk tsk. It’s childish.’
‘What a pathetic bunch.’
When Ricky Harlis and Montel Jackson think so.
Taehyun opened his arms exaggeratedly and welcomed them.
“Hey~ I get to meet a famous player. “I am completely honored.”
Their foreheads twitched at Taehyun’s sly reply.
The automatic interpretation function of top-quality earrings perfectly captures even the nuances.
That’s why they sensed from Taehyun’s tone that they were mocking them.
‘Kim Tae-hyun. ‘He’s not an ordinary kid like I heard.’
‘This uncivilized Asian monkey…’
An uncomfortable atmosphere flowed around them.
It was our Italian guide who intervened.
“Instead of staying here like this, I will tell you about the order of the ceremony and the subsequent procedures. This license was personally engraved by the Pope…”
I listened to the guide’s words.
Together with Taehyun, we took a look at the aspects of receiving an SS level license.
‘For sure. At the moment, there is no one better suited for an SS-level license than these people.’
Strong people recognized in the world who have accumulated numerous public achievements as a national powerhouse.
If I had been in a past life, I would have thought it was an honor just to see them from afar.
but.
‘This isn’t enough.’
Archduke Asmodeus doppelganger.
These are the people who inflicted an overwhelming defeat on Taehyun.
Beyond SS-rank players.
Taehyun sees more than that.
The license you will receive today is just the beginning.
‘Because you can’t survive forever by chance.’
Alex Watson and Daniel Grint were selected as the first SS-level players.
Is it because they remember what kind of death they faced in their past lives?
There was little sympathy in Taehyun’s gaze.
and.
‘Among them all, this man is the strongest.’
Taehyun’s gaze, scanning the surroundings, stopped on a man.
A man who is considered number one among America’s national powerhouses.
Cody Cruz.
“….”
“….”
The eyes of the two indifferent men intertwined in the air.
‘I’m looking forward to the event.’
Listening to the guide’s words.
The corners of Taehyun’s mouth quietly rose.
