Park Soyul woke up on the rooftop of a building after being taken down by the two women presumed to be Mirinae.

Afterward, she sat quietly and gathered her thoughts.

Why hadn’t they left her with the corpses?

Probably because they didn’t want to implicate her.

As expected, news arrived that the superhuman kidnapping case had been resolved.

The report stated that Iron Heart Yoon Changdae had rescued the kidnapped superhumans.

Hoh… is that so?

That gorilla bastard.

She had roughly caught on to the situation, but she hadn’t realized he had such a big mouth.

In other words.

This meant Yoon Changdae had a deep connection with Mirinae.

The previous incident with the assassin’s corpse was one thing.

And the state of the kidnappers she had seen this time was another.

Judging by the gruesome manner of the kills, it was clearly the work of the same person.

And given the timing, it would have been impossible for Yoon Changdae to appear at the Incheon docks as if teleporting from that location.

Which meant those two women had been the ones to leave the corpses in such a state.

A chill ran down her spine!

If she had made even the slightest misstep, she could have joined those corpses as their companion.

The 40th-floor superhuman who had been unconscious beside her claimed to only remember being attacked by the kidnappers, which meant she was the only one who knew of Mirinae’s existence.

Of course, they hadn’t explicitly identified themselves as Mirinae.

But judging by their reactions when asked if they were Mirinae, her prediction wasn’t far off the mark.

…Haha.

Mirinae was a woman.

And not even Korean, but a foreigner?

Then what about the Summons?

Could it be that humans came out instead of animals?

Every question that arose led to an unsolvable mystery.

Although she had taken a hit.

She didn’t harbor any ill will toward them.

The fact that they had spared her life was reason enough to be grateful.

But gratitude and frustration were entirely separate emotions.

Using this information to probe Yoon Changdae would only provoke Mirinae’s wrath.

And she would end up like those shredded corpses.

That was why she thought of Shin Jungho.

Even if no one else would do.

With Shin Jungho, she could pour out such stories freely without worrying about them leaking anywhere.

She had originally established the Prestige War Cafe as a sort of safe haven—a private space for the wealthy and powerful to vent their frustrations.

She never expected that she would be the first to use that hidden service.

Or wait—wasn’t it obvious, since she was the first member?

As Park Soyul divulged information as precious as her own lifeline, Shin Jungho, as expected, replied with a troubled expression.

“Are you sure it’s alright to tell me something like that?”

Park Soyul chuckled inwardly while feigning ignorance on the outside.

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“You’re the only person who knows Mirinae’s true identity, boss.”

He didn’t say the rest, but the implication was clear.

After being threatened by Mirinae, was it really wise to share that information with him?

See? We really are on the same wavelength.

“Hehehe, now there are two of us, isn’t there? This is a se… cret that only you and I share, Mr. Jungho.”

“…I would rather not have known, to be honest.”

“Oh come on, what secrets could there possibly be between you and me, Mr. Jungho?”

Honestly.

It was also a kind of rebellious impulse.

She had been completely powerless, unable to do anything before being taken down.

If they had wanted to… killing her would have been no trouble at all.

The way those two women had looked at her.

Had been as merciless as gazing at a pebble on the roadside.

The more she thought about it.

The more frustrated she felt… and the more terrified she became.

She clenched her teeth desperately to hide the trembling at her fingertips.

A feeling that she would lose her mind immediately if she didn’t vent to someone, somewhere.

That was why she had divulged information as precious as her own lifeline to Shin Jungho.

If she didn’t at least do that, the fear would consume her, dragging her confidence and self-esteem to rock bottom.

Shin Jungho gazed at Park Soyul for a long moment.

Then let out a soft sigh and asked.

“So, are you feeling a bit calmer now?”

Something surged in Park Soyul’s chest.

Ha… this man.

How could he be so incredibly attentive?

The hidden intent behind her mention of the two women—of Mirinae.

This man named Shin Jungho had noticed it effortlessly, and offered comfort just as naturally.

Her throat tightened slightly, making it difficult to formulate a response.

As if understanding her state perfectly, Shin Jungho turned toward the coffee machine.

“A café latte should do, right? Please, have a seat.”

“…Yeah.”

Park Soyul barely managed to force the words out, as if scraping them from her throat.

Still, as time passed and she sipped the warm coffee, her anxious thoughts gradually settled.

With a considerably calmer mind, Park Soyul called out to Shin Jungho sitting across from her.

“Mr. Jungho.”

“Yes?”

“I think I’ve fallen for you, Mr. Jungho.”

As she always had.

She expressed her feelings with unfiltered honesty.

Until then, he had simply been an interesting person—someone fun to be around.

Now, he had become someone she didn’t want to lose to anyone—a precious presence she wanted to keep close to her side and hers alone.

It would have been understandable to be flustered by such an unexpected confession.

But Shin Jungho, as always, produced an unexpected response.

“I’m not falling for you, though, boss.”

“Pfft!”

Her secretly tense heart felt silly now.

“Oh, come on! I’m being serious! With my looks, wouldn’t you say I’m an attractive enough woman for you, Mr. Jungho? …Aside from the fact that there’s a very, very slight age difference…”

Even Park Soyul seemed to lack confidence in that last part, her voice fading to near-silence toward the end as if someone had hit the mute button.

Shin Jungho couldn’t quite guess why Park Soyul had suddenly confessed.

Surely Lea hadn’t struck her somewhere unpleasant?

“Well, I can tell just from your expression. I just thought I’d try it—a confession. Oh, I’m serious, of course. But I don’t intend to make things awkward for you, Mr. Jungho, so just promise me one thing. Whoever it ends up being… you’ll give me your answer first.”

The sight of Park Soyul nervously twirling her hair—so unlike her usual self—made it easy to tell this was no joke.

Just as he was about to agree, thinking that was the proper thing to do.

*Ding-*

The elevator doors opened, and a new visitor arrived.

“Hi, Mr. Jungho! Oh, you’re here too, unni?”

It was Lee Seoah.

Feeling the moment had been ruined, Park Soyul laughed in exasperation and demanded.

“Isn’t the Superhuman Management Agency busy right now? Why are you here?”

Lee Seoah tilted her head at Park Soyul’s prickly reaction and replied.

After all, Park Soyul had always been like that.

“The Commissioner and Vice Vice Commissioner are the busiest ones. I wouldn’t be much help even if I stayed. And I’m a member here too, you know? Honestly, where else would you find a cafe that’s only open twice a week? So I’d better come and make good use of it!”

“Maybe I should only open it once…”

Park Soyul muttered to herself.

“What?”

“Get a takeaway and hurry along, then.”

“I’m a member here, you know.”

“Yes, and I’m the owner of this place.”

Lee Seoah turned her gaze to Shin Jungho, who merely shrugged.

And as he was preparing the coffee Lee Seoah had ordered.

*Ding-*

“Oh! Is everyone gathered here? At this rate, this place is gonna become the new hideout for the Three Emperors! Hahaha!”

Yoon Changdae had joined the gathering as well.

Park Soyul glanced at Lee Seoah and Yoon Changdae, each enjoying their coffee beside her, and deliberated inwardly.

Whether she should raise the monthly membership fee from one billion to ten billion won.

* * *

Christopher Brown, Director of the US Superhuman Management Agency, discussed the recent events in Korea with Deputy Director Zara Kimberly.

“So Iron Heart resolved this incident as well. Was his potential always this remarkable?”

“According to available information, he was classified as a Tanker, but we believe this is actually a cover to conceal his true class.”

A pure Tanker-class fighter had no business killing a Russian assassin and quietly eliminating Chinese kidnappers.

A Tanker and an assassin.

Wasn’t the picture clear from that alone?

An assassin who failed in an ambush should have at least been able to retreat, yet he was caught by a supposedly slow-moving Tanker and killed on the spot.

“Behavioral psychologists have determined that the reason he killed all the assassins and kidnappers was to prevent his true class from being discovered.”

“It is truly remarkable that such a small piece of land as Korea could produce so many talented individuals.”

“I strongly agree, sir.”

When the Swordmaster Kim Taemin was the only one they had, it seemed like the Seoul Tower was being tossed about wildly, raising concerns it might become the sixth tower in the world to collapse.

Now they had filled the top floor with three superhumans once more.

And from the way things were going, it genuinely looked like at least five more superhumans would reach the 63rd floor within the remaining duration of the Grace of Evasion.

From the 50th floor onward, climbing the Tower was virtually impossible without national-level support.

From the 60th floor and above, the number of climbers could barely be counted on two hands.

The fact that they were achieving this through a single benefit—the Grace of Evasion—was both deeply regrettable and enviable.

“Mirinae… won’t be coming to the United States, will they?”

“Unfortunately, cognitive psychologists share that assessment.”

If Mirinae left the Seoul Tower, the Grace of Evasion would disappear.

Furthermore, all the special privileges obtained—such as the Summoning Stone and the Ring of Protection—would have to be returned.

So bringing Mirinae over wasn’t a matter that could be resolved simply by offering money.

This, too, was a regrettable state of affairs.

“By the way, any word on the Seoul Tower Affiliation Change Ticket?”

“Yes, sir. It is not a commonly available item, after all.”

It was an item that only appeared from the 50th floor and above.

Excluding Korea’s former Three Emperors, the superhuman who had officially reached the highest floor was Lee Seoah, who was tackling the 50th floor at the time.

So Korea would have almost no surplus stockpile, unlike the United States.

He had thought this would be an opportunity to support a rising superhuman at the New York Tower.

Still, they were receiving the Return Tickets being released from the Seoul Tower, so they would have to make do with that to ease their disappointment.

But more importantly.

It was time to focus on Joseph Clark, who was now challenging the 73rd floor.

He was still clearing floors with apparent ease, but.

That was only because he was receiving every possible form of support.

The United Kingdom’s Excalibur.

Greece’s Aegis Shield.

India’s Karna’s Armor.

Spain’s Holy Grail.

Each demanded an astronomical sum merely for rental, and if even one were missing, the assault on the New York Tower’s top floor would collapse like a house of cards.

Moreover, the superhuman backing up Joseph Clark had now reached the 72nd floor.

He was steadily keeping pace, floor by floor, but still couldn’t close the one-month gap.

Tower climbing might look like a solo endeavor.

But in reality, it was an all-humanity challenge that required the cooperation of multiple superhumans.

It was not uncommon for a superhuman who struggled on the 30th floor to soar through the 40th.

In other words, certain floors were easier to clear depending on a superhuman’s class and skills.

So when a particular superhuman hit a wall, the nation had to provide full support to push them to higher floors.

Then that superhuman could rotate with whoever was struggling at the top, once again steadily pushing through the highest floor.

Of course, such support couldn’t be provided to every superhuman.

Since superhumans varied wildly in ability, they had to prioritize nurturing those who showed the most promise.

Christopher Brown fell into thought for a moment before offering a suggestion.

“Iron Heart from the Seoul Tower. Try promoting an affiliation change to the New York Tower.”

“Understood, sir.”

Previously, with only three rankers, making such an offer would have been difficult.

But if Seoul were to produce around ten rankers, bringing one over wouldn’t attract much scrutiny.

Above all, this was the New York Tower—currently breaking through the highest floor in the world.

The United States.

Had always wanted capable talent.

* * *

When Shin Jungho returned from his cafe part-time job, Lea and Maya came trotting over to greet him.

“My Lord, I pray no unfortunate incidents befell you on your way here.”

“Your Highness, seeing you return unharmed has finally put my heart at ease.”

…Was working a part-time job at a neighborhood cafe really that dangerous?

“Aren’t you both worrying a little too much? Seoul is known as one of the safest cities in the world.”

“Your Highness, it was only recently that wicked superhuman kidnappers were running rampant.”

“My Lord, an assassin who deserved to be killed a thousand times over also infiltrated this very room when no one was present.”

…When they laid out such specific examples, he found himself at a loss for words once again.

What was going on?

Was Seoul not safe?

He wondered if he should add a door connecting to the cafe once he obtained a Source Stone.

That way, both Lea and Maya could have peace of mind.

“I’ll be climbing the 40th floor today.”

“You have finally made your decision, my Lord! I shall slaughter the Stormwing Griffins with the strength I have honed, and present you with an Amazing Achievement!”

“I, too, shall join forces with Dame Lea and present Your Highness with opportunities for bountiful loot until your hands are full.”

Facing the two who were determined to earn merit one way or another.

Shin Jungho let the corners of his mouth curl up slightly and said.

“Come on, why are you both like that? You’ve both been working hard all this time, so I should be the one stepping up for the boss fight.”

At Shin Jungho’s blatant declaration that he would be launching a meteor.

*Gulp.*

Lea and Maya’s expressions turned more serious than ever before.