The Frozen Player Returns

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“You’re too modest.
Not only did you clear all the Uncleared Gates in the country, you beat mine and Specter’s record in the Cave of Trials.
You also have a star, just like me, and…” He looked around sharply.
“You killed the Demon Bow all alone.
And yet you’re barely over level 30.
If I’m being honest… It’s hard to believe.” He stared him in the eyes, waiting for an explanation.

“Hm…” Seo Junho tapped his chin.
It made sense.
The last achievement was unheard of. But I can’t let him know for free…

Seo Junho smiled.
Kim Woojoong was extremely skilled, but he wasn’t perfect.
With his straightforward personality, his thoughts could be read all over his face.
He was extremely curious.

It’s a good thing for me, though. “Well, I haven’t done anything bad, so there’s no need for me to hide it from you.”

“Then…”

“However, I have three conditions.” He held up his fingers.

“Conditions?”

“I have no reason to hide it from you, but I have no reason to tell you either.”

’

“…I agree.” Kim Woojoong nodded.
No matter how curious he was, he couldn’t force Seo Junho to tell him if he didn’t want to.

“First, please claim responsibility for killing Kal Signer.”

“Why?” Considering how notorious the fiend was, it would launch his career forward.
And yet, he was refusing the opportunity.

“I don’t want to reveal my abilities.
That’s the second condition.
Please keep this a secret.”

“Of course.”

“The last one is simple.
Please help me one time when I ask for it.”

“…”

Kim Woojoong’s help was like a cheat key.
He’d be able to get out of almost any situation.

“Hm.” He pondered this for a second, weighing the price of the knowledge.

His answer was obvious from his expression. He really wants to know.

Kim Woojoong was silent for a long time before speaking again.
“I have two conditions of my own.”

“I’ll make my decision after hearing them.”

“First, I won’t let you go if you killed Kal Signer with an immoral power.”

“Of course.
I can promise you that I didn’t use the power of the demon clans.”

“The second is similar.
When you ask for my help, I will not do anything unethical.”

The conditions were so cute, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
“That won’t happen.” He smiled.
“Does that mean that you’ll accept my three conditions?”

“…” Kim Woojoong considered it one more time before nodding.
“I accept.
To be honest, I’m dying to know how you did this.”

“Alright.
I take it that our deal is in place.”

’

He pushed out his magic.
The Frost skill covered the ground, radiating power.
Now, there were two people that knew of it.

This is a cheap price to pay for a favor from Kim Woojoong. It was more important to hide Watchguard of Darkness.
He couldn’t hide Frost for the rest of his life, nor did he want to.
It was going to be revealed eventually, so he’d make use of the secret while he could.

Kim Woojoong admired the ice crystals.
“…It’s a surprisingly straightforward power.
It wasn’t on your profile.” Players with elemental skills were the hardest to deal with, especially if you didn’t know about them beforehand.

“I now understand how you killed the Demon Bow.
This skill would be able to compete even against other S-rank elemental… Wait.” He seemed to realize something and turned around to look at Seo Junho.
The pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
He realized why the Korean Player Association was investing so much on him and why the President treated him like his heir.
“It’s you.
You’re the Association’s secret weapon, the one who’ll seal the heat on the 3rd Floor.”

“Man, I didn’t think you’d think that far.” Seo Junho sighed.
He was smart.

“So I’m right.” His lingering suspicion of Seo Junho quickly dissipated, and he smiled.

“Please keep your promises.”

“Of course I will.
I now understand why you gave me those conditions.
If the fiends discover your skill, it’ll be troublesome.” His eyes shimmered, as if he were looking into the future.
“I didn’t think we’d make it past the 3rd Floor… But there was a solution after all.”

“I’m still not sure if my skill will be able to withstand the heat.”

“It will.” Seo Junho tilted his head at the Sword Saint’s words.
“I’ve been to the 3rd Floor.
It’ll be able to freeze the altar, and then some.”

“Really? I’m glad to hear that.
But like you said, the fiends must not find out.”

“I understand.”

Kim Woojoong looked around, and pulled part of his sword out of its sheath.
Magic surged across the mountain, causing trees to fall and the ground to crack open.
The entire terrain was transformed.

Kim Woojoong sheathed his sword again, as if nothing had happened.
“I’ve been chasing Kal Signer for several months.
I killed him here about an hour ago.”

Seo Junho grinned and tapped on his Vita.

“Can you give me your number? I’ll need a way to contact you when I need your help.”

—————