Chapter 32

<Chapter 32: The God of Combat Who Regressed to Level 2>

* * *

The next morning.

"Still, this car is so comfortable."

Yun Seo-a fastened her seatbelt and smiled.

"Wasn't the foreign car you rode in yesterday good too?"

"Of course, the car was good, but Hee-suk kept saying, 'Seo-a, what are we going to do now?' and worrying about me... It was a bit awkward. I really don't want to hear that kind of thing..."

Sung Ji-han seemed to understand what Yun Seo-a meant.

When others say, "What are we going to do? What are we going to do?" while trying to show concern,

it doesn't really comfort you and can even feel like they're mocking you.

"Still, let's just ride in this car."

"Come on, if they offer to give us a ride, there's no need to refuse, right? It's fine... right?"

Yun Seo-a's eyes widened slightly as she was speaking.

At the parking spot where Sung Ji-han had parked yesterday, number 17,

there was a flashy sports car parked.

Soon, the car door opened,

"Welcome, sir."

A tall woman in a suit,

Im Ga-young, the bodyguard of Lee Ha-yeon, bowed to Sung Ji-han.

"Isn't that the bodyguard of Director Lee?"

"Right? She's here. I'll go check it out."

"Me too, me too!"

From the sparkle in her eyes, it was clear she wasn't going to listen.

Sung Ji-han nodded slightly, parked the car in the next spot, and got out.

"Oh! Mr. Sung Ji-han!"

As Sung Ji-han and his group approached, the passenger door of the sports car opened, and Lee Ha-yeon, with her radiant beauty, stepped out.

"Meeting you here."

"Did you wait for me?"

"Oh, not at all. It's just a coincidence. I came to visit my former teacher since I'm a graduate of this school."

"Such an early morning?"

"Greetings should be given in the morning. Hehe, hello, Ms. Yun Seo-a?"

"Hello, Director!"

The two groups exchanged friendly greetings.

"By the way, Seo-a, you're the Student Council President of the Academy... We have a deep connection."

"Really? In what way?"

"I was also the 4th Student Council President of the Academy."

"Oh, I see."

Seo-a's tone turned formal, as if she was reading from a textbook.

Meanwhile, Lee Ha-yeon, turning her gaze back to Sung Ji-han, got to the point.

"Since we've met like this, how about a cup of coffee?"

"With me?"

"Yes."

"But you said you came to visit your former teacher."

"Oh, now that I think about it, you might be busy in the morning. There's a nice café in the Academy, too."

"Sure, why not."

Sung Ji-han nodded readily.

He knew what her intention was.

'If it were someone from another guild, I would have refused outright.'

But he needed to maintain a connection with Lee Ha-yeon, a strong candidate for 'Zero'.

"Uncle, are you going to have coffee with the director?"

"Yes, that's the plan."

"Got it. Let's go up together then."

Sung Ji-han nodded and got into the elevator with Lee Ha-yeon's group.

* * *

In the BattleNet Academy cafeteria.

This place, which is usually empty in the morning, had more people sitting than usual.

Dressed in neat suits, they were clearly professionals.

"Hey, it's Sung Ji-han!"

"Isn't that Director Lee Ha-yeon from Lee Corporation next to him?"

As Sung Ji-han and Lee Ha-yeon entered the cafeteria, the people started murmuring.

They were scouts from various guilds who recognized the two immediately.

'They came up from the student parking lot.'

'Was Director Lee Ha-yeon also an Academy graduate?'

'Wow, Lee Corporation contacted Sung Ji-han first.'

To wait in the parking lot and then approach him in a car.

Since only Academy graduates can access the student parking lot, scouts from other guilds were envious.

'Hope the deal falls through.'

'Then we'll contact him next.'

They quietly sipped their coffee, hoping the conversation wouldn't go well.

Lee Ha-yeon looked around and smiled.

"There are a lot of people who seem familiar with the Academy cafeteria."

"Do you mean those people?"

"Yes, they're guild scouts... They all seem to be here to see Mr. Sung Ji-han."

Indeed, it was a good decision to wait in the parking lot.

Lee Ha-yeon, feeling confident about her choice, sat down with Sung Ji-han at an empty table.

"Mr. Ji-han, I was hurt."

As soon as they sat down, Lee Ha-yeon smiled and said,

She had already dropped the 'Sung' from his name.

"I gave you my business card, but you didn't contact me."

"I was busy and forgot."

"I kept waiting for your call, and I couldn't sleep at night. Look, I have dark circles."

Lee Ha-yeon, with a sweet smile, showed her flawless face.

She was a predator in the recruitment game.

"I'll be more careful next time."

"Also, when I watched the broadcast, you said you wanted to give your contact information to the person who kicked the soccer ball... Do you remember now?"

"Yes, I remembered after that incident."

"Then give it to me too!"

As she said this, Lee Ha-yeon scanned the room, ran her hand through her hair, and leaned in close to Sung Ji-han.

"Since there are so many people, just tell me quietly."

A subtle fragrance wafted over.

Her profile was so beautiful that even the scouts watching from a distance were mesmerized.

'Really... She's determined, Director Lee Ha-yeon!'

'With that face, she should be a celebrity, not in this industry!'

'It's over, it's over.'

However,

Contrary to the scouts' thoughts, Sung Ji-han reminisced about the past.

'The same perfume as Zero.'

He remembered Zero, drunk and causing a ruckus.

Sung Ji-han decided to test the waters.

"Do you want to know my number?"

"Of course!"

"Then, if you answer my curiosity, I'll give it to you."

"What are you curious about?"

"Your gift, Ms. Ha-yeon."

Lee Ha-yeon's smile froze, and she pulled back, waving her hands.

"I... don't have a gift. If I did, I would have been a pro player."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I don't. Really."

"But you said you were the Student Council President..."

"That's right. I served the school as the Student Council President, but they didn't give me a gift. It's unfair, isn't it?"

"...I see. I apologize. So, you must have a reason for coming to see me today. I assume it's a recruitment offer."

At this, Lee Ha-yeon nodded to Im Ga-young, who was standing next to her.

Im Ga-young took out a document from an envelope and handed it to Sung Ji-han.

"Yes, we want to invite Mr. Sung Ji-han to join the Lee Corporation guild. We've prepared a contract that offers the best terms in the industry."

Lee Ha-yeon confidently stated.

Sung Ji-han scanned the contract. A large word was prominently displayed at the beginning.

'Platinum Rigger treatment.'

Platinum Rigger.

A player who could potentially become a national team candidate depending on their position, and one of the top players in the pro scene.

"Hehe... What do you think?"

The offer from Lee Corporation was indeed as impressive as Lee Ha-yeon claimed.

If he signed with Lee Corporation, he would never have to worry about money again.

"Wow."

Im Ga-young, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but be shocked.

Wasn't this too generous an offer for a Bronze player?

'...It's only possible because she's a lady.'

A member of a wealthy family.

A 'parachute' director of the Lee Corporation.

The other scouts, who were eavesdropping, were equally shocked.

'Platinum contract?! Is she crazy?'

'I struggled to get a Gold contract...'

'Really... It's over.'

The word 'Platinum' carried immense significance.

"Mr. Ji-han, we believe without a doubt that the Lee Corporation guild will be a great partner for you. Our commitment is clearly demonstrated through this Platinum contract."

"Hmm."

"Until now, you've never lost first place... But once you reach level 15, a guild becomes essential. Especially to maintain your first place. We will provide the best care to help you stay at the top."

Sung Ji-han smiled.

"Let's make a bet."

"Excuse me? What kind of bet?"

"Right now, let's play the game without a guild."

Tap. Tap.

He tapped the contract with his finger.

"A bet on whether I can get first place or not."

"..."

"If I don't get first place, I'll accept this contract. But if I do..."

"If you do?"

"If I get first place..."

Sung Ji-han's smile deepened.

"Show me your status screen, Ms. Ha-yeon."

"I... don't have a gift."

"Hehe, I just want to see it."

To confirm whether she was Zero or not.

Sung Ji-han made a bet that Zero would love.

"Getting first place is like eating a meal for you. The odds are..."

"No, it's different now. I've reached level 15."

"Level 15? Already?!"

Lee Ha-yeon jumped up in shock.

It was an unbelievable growth rate.

In contrast, Sung Ji-han's expression remained calm.

"As you know, after reaching level 15, the next game is always a dungeon."

After the initial shock,

Lee Ha-yeon, recalling Sung Ji-han's track record, thought, 'It could happen,' and sat back down.

"Sure, I don't see any downside for me."

Even if she lost, she would only have to show her status screen.

There was no reason for Lee Ha-yeon to refuse such a bet.

"Then the bet is on."

Clank.

Sung Ji-han put down his iced Americano.

"I'll be back before the ice melts."

With that, Sung Ji-han's body turned into light and disappeared.

Lee Ha-yeon and the scouts watching were stunned.

"What, what is this! He connected without a BattleNet Connector?"

During the tutorial phase,

playing the game without a BattleNet Connector was considered suicidal.

But this... what kind of confidence is this?

For this bet,

even though there was no risk for Lee Ha-yeon, she unconsciously bit her nails.

'Oh, Miss... You shouldn't do that.'

Im Ga-young, seeing this, felt uneasy, remembering Lee Ha-yeon's bad luck.

Soon, not just the two of them, but everyone in the café started logging into their Battle Tubes.