“A Tower Affiliation Change Ticket has appeared in Seoul?”

Christopher Brown, Bureau Director of the US Superhuman Management Agency, brightened at Zara Kimberly’s report.

“Yes, apparently no fewer than two have surfaced. Currently, London, Berlin, and Kolkata have entered the bidding competition alongside our New York. However, I expect that number to grow as time passes.”

Up through Kolkata, all were towers ranked 10th or below.

As early-established towers, they were all progressing through the late 60s floors.

When the Grace of Evasion had been granted previously, it only provided the benefit of safe escape.

Now, however, the Blessing of Growth had also been activated, prompting even towers in the late 50s to stir with interest in changing affiliations.

Since a superhuman’s power stemmed from skills and items, the ability to farm superior equipment would make subsequent progression far easier.

Christopher Brown made his decision immediately.

“Offer one Skill Enhancement Ticket plus 100 billion won per superhuman from the New York Tower. And if they accept both, throw in a Source Stone as well.”

The offer was so unprecedented that Zara Kimberly was momentarily speechless.

China had paid 150 billion won to send two superhumans.

She had even clicked her tongue at the time, thinking that amount was excessive.

Yet now they were proposing 100 billion won for a single Skill Enhancement Ticket—an even more outrageous sum?

And on top of that, a Source Stone for two people?

“Director… are you seriously considering giving up a Source Stone?”

The US Superhuman Management Agency currently possessed only two Source Stones.

One was being actively studied at a research institute, and the other was kept in reserve for emergencies.

This was unknown to the public.

However, there was one other use for the Source Stone.

[You have passed through the Intermediate Zone and entered the Advanced Zone.]

[In the Advanced Zone, you can consume a Source Stone to extend the Tower Collapse deadline by 60 days.]

It could delay the Tower Collapse by 60 days.

For the sake of New York’s safety, the Source Stone was a treasured artifact that should never be given away.

But Christopher Brown saw things differently.

“It’s the Blessing of Growth. Given the quality of rewards currently coming from the Seoul Tower, the probability of Source Stones appearing has also risen significantly. If we can give one and take two, that’s a net gain.”

“Director. But there’s no guarantee we’ll obtain any, is there? Furthermore, the Seoul Tower is still only at the 63rd floor. Source Stones typically appear from the mid-to-late 60s—can the Blessing of Growth alone yield Source Stones in the early 60s?”

Christopher Brown’s lips curved upward as though pondering something.

“I don’t believe the Seoul Tower will remain at the 63rd floor.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Grace of Evasion and the Blessing of Growth. With both blessings active simultaneously, this is the optimal time for farming.”

Zara Kimberly grasped his underlying intent.

“You’re saying the Seoul Tower will… breach the top floor before the Grace of Evasion even expires?”

“Exactly. So the superhumans we send from the New York Tower must be chosen accordingly.”

“Surely you’re not referring to Michael Johnson and Emily Taylor?”

The two were currently climbing the 65th and 67th floors, respectively.

In other words, they were currently ineligible to change affiliation to the Seoul Tower, whose highest floor was 63.

Christopher Brown nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Just secure the Tower Affiliation Change Tickets for now. If the Seoul Tower begins assaulting the top floor, even the amounts I’ve proposed today might not be enough to close the deal.”

Zara Kimberly shared that assessment.

“…Understood.”

“Good. Well done. Phew…! How wonderful it would be if our nation produced a hero like Mirinae!”

Mirinae had become a masterpiece they could never hope to acquire.

His value was sustained only by his continued presence in the Seoul Tower, so regrettably, his departure was not a possibility.

* * *

Liu Xiaolong stood before the private elevator of the Prestige War Cafe.

As Zhang Wei, his secretary and handler, moved to accompany him upstairs, Xiaolong raised a hand to stop him.

“By rule, non-members are not permitted inside.”

“Is it really necessary to abide by the rules of a mere private cafe?”

“They say violating the regulations incurs a 10 billion won fine. I assume you have that kind of money?”

“Hah, what nonsense—!”

“The owner of this establishment is Park Soyul, a Seoul ranker. If she personally steps in, I have no intention of intervening, so handle it yourself.”

Zhang Wei scowled deeply but stepped back.

Being unable to monitor the situation was frustrating, but since this was part of intelligence gathering, it was right to accommodate Xiaolong’s request here.

Above all, as long as they held his sister securely detained in Shanghai, there was no risk of him harboring any disloyal intentions.

Xiaolong rode the elevator up and arrived inside the cafe.

“…Good heavens.”

This was a cafe?

Rather than a cafe, the interior evoked the ambiance of a VIP lounge at a banquet hall, reserved exclusively for conglomerates.

“Welcome. Please, come in.”

Shin Jungho greeted Xiaolong in fluent Chinese.

“You speak Chinese?”

“I learned it just in case.”

If the Seoul Tower ever collapsed, he had prepared Chinese and Japanese in advance so he could relocate to a neighboring country.

Naturally, there was no need to share that information.

“Your pronunciation is quite natural.”

“Thank you.”

So this was why he had been told to come here?

The thought that he could converse comfortably in Chinese eased some of his tension.

“What can I get you to drink?”

“An iced americano, please.”

“Certainly. Please make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you.”

The barista projected an air of consummate professionalism.

He surely knew who Xiaolong was, yet treating him like any ordinary customer was a touch Xiaolong appreciated.

“Here you are.”

A moment later, Jungho returned with an iced americano that exuded a deep, fragrant aroma.

He set the coffee down and, unusually, took a seat on the opposite sofa.

When Xiaolong’s puzzlement showed, Jungho replied calmly.

“My boss asked me to listen to what you have to say.”

Park Soyul?

Relaying the conversation through a third party rather than speaking directly felt somewhat awkward.

Still, he was the one in urgent need, so he decided to wet his throat first before broaching the subject.

Hureureuk-

Xiaolong took a light sip of the iced americano, and his eyes flew open.

Was this… actually coffee?

How could a simple americano possess the same deep, rich fragrance as century-aged pu-erh tea?

The complex flavor that spread across his palate carried the weight of a wine aged for a century in oak barrels.

On his tongue, the bittersweet taste of dark chocolate and sweetness coexisted simultaneously.

He had assumed the astronomical monthly membership fee of 1 billion won was merely the price of maintaining a secretive venue.

This americano was sweet enough to justify every penny.

Hururuk- Hururuk-

Chalgeurak.

Before he knew it, he had drained every drop, leaving only ice cubes rattling in the empty space.

“Would you like another?”

“Ah, no, that’s quite alright…!”

It had been a moment of bliss profound enough to erase every worry he had been carrying.

Only then did Xiaolong regard Shin Jungho in a new light.

A man capable of brewing coffee this extraordinary.

For reasons he couldn’t quite articulate, his trust in the man had surged within him.

Never one to beat around the bush, he decided to get straight to the point.

“I have a request.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Save my sister.”

Jungho was unable to grasp the context and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Park Soyul had only told him that a Chinese superhuman would be visiting.

And his only instructions had been to humor the man with conversation, as she had asked.

Given the recent negative perception of Shanghai superhumans and the ominous atmosphere surrounding them, he had assumed it would be enough to simply lend a sympathetic ear.

But a rescue mission for his sister, out of nowhere?

Fortunately, Xiaolong’s explanation continued at length.

The Shanghai Tower’s situation was far worse than it appeared.

Shanghai superhumans might appear to live enviable lives akin to celebrities, but most had family members held as hostages or collateral, leaving them no choice but to obey Chinese authorities.

He himself had secretly planned an escape from such circumstances, but his sister—his only family—was being closely watched.

And that Jin Taiyang, who had accompanied him, seemed to have received new orders.

Only then did Jungho truly understand the real reason Park Soyul had established the Prestige War Cafe.

It was like a Haomun—a clandestine faction in the wuxia world that traded information in the shadows.

Would it eventually deal in military secrets from nations around the world?

“I’ll pass along your message for now.”

“Thank you. But in your estimation… how do you think it’ll go?”

Would Park Soyul actually help him after hearing his story?

Jungho thought for a moment before answering.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think my boss will be getting involved.”

“…Phew. I figured as much.”

He had broached the subject, but he hadn’t held out much hope.

No one would willingly shoulder such danger for a complete stranger.

And perhaps because of that very honesty, he found himself trusting Shin Jungho even more.

It was clear enough that this was not a man who simply told people what they wanted to hear.

“Still, let me ask one more favor. If my sister can be safely brought to Korea, include this in your message: I’m willing to hand over all the items I possess—including healing potions and the Source Stone I recently obtained.”

Jungho, who had been listening impassively all along, asked with genuine interest for the first time.

“That detail seems to be the most critical part for persuasion. Could I hear more about it?”

* * *

When Park Soyul visited the cafe and Jungho relayed his conversation with Xiaolong, her reaction was lukewarm, as expected.

“Doesn’t it make you think, ‘Why bother?’ With the Blessing of Growth, rewards of that caliber will be plentiful. As for Source Stones, I wouldn’t mind seeing one, but there’s no use for an individual to possess one.”

The Chinese authorities had even deployed superhumans to maintain their confinement.

There was no way a single individual could accomplish anything against that.

Even if Park Soyul herself intervened, Shanghai had thirteen superhumans at the 65th floor or above.

Stirring up trouble would only end in a pointless death, and once outside the Shanghai Tower’s domain, they would become ordinary civilians.

So unless they could snatch her away without anyone noticing, it was nearly impossible.

That was precisely why the Chinese authorities believed they held Liu Xiaolong and Jin Taiyang firmly by the leash.

Park Soyul wore a knowing smile and asked.

“But it seems like you… might have a different idea, Jungho?”

Jungho sensed what she was getting at and gave her the answer she wanted.

“Aren’t you going to inform Yoon Changdae as well?”

“Oh… what makes you say that?”

“Because you want to relay this information to Mirinae through Yoon Changdae.”

Park Soyul clapped her hands together.

“That’s our Jungho! This is exactly why I can’t help but adore you. So, will you continue with the rest?”

Park Soyul propped her cheek on one hand, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Jungho chuckled lightly and obliged.

“You want to gauge Mirinae through Yoon Changdae. Whether Mirinae would actually move for something like this, and just how powerful he truly is.”

Park Soyul’s lips parted slightly.

“Jungho, you haven’t been possessed by a spirit, have you?”

She looked genuinely curious.

Afterward, once Park Soyul had left for business, Yoon Changdae arrived as scheduled.

“Have you been well, sir?”

Now that Lea’s Geas had been completely lifted, there was no longer any need for him to visit every week.

However, apparently unwilling to give up the coffee, he would drop by the cafe whenever he had the time, sharing this and that bit of information.

“Shall I make you a caramel macchiato?”

“That would be appreciated.”

His attitude was exceedingly deferential.

Jungho handed over the drink and said.

“When it’s just the two of us, you can speak comfortably.”

“…Shall I?”

Yoon Changdae, too, had been meeting Jungho at the cafe over time and had come to understand what kind of person he was.

He exercised considerable restraint in interpersonal matters.

And he possessed the magnanimity to overlook most things as long as no one crossed the line.

He had only been cautious because of the formidable auras of Lea and Maya; without those two women present, he felt they could have been as close as brothers.

“Sure, I’ll have a word with Lea and Maya as well.”

“Let’s… not do that.”

The memory of the Russian assassin in the Dimensional Room gave him goosebumps for no reason.

Being called Slave No. 1 was preferable.

For all their pretty faces, there were no more terrifying torturers in existence—ones that would make even the devil weep.

Jungho understood his concern and, with an awkward smile, relayed the messages from Xiaolong and Soyul.

After hearing the full story, Yoon Changdae grasped Jungho’s intentions.

“So you’re planning to go rescue her?”

“Yes, that’s the idea.”

Had he not heard about the situation at all, it might be different.

But this was something he could do, with relatively little risk—there was no reason to pass it up.

Especially since Jin Taiyang, another Shanghai superhuman, seemed to be plotting something. To prevent that, it was necessary to firmly bring Xiaolong over to Korea’s side.

Letting someone like that reap the benefits of both the Grace of Evasion and the Blessing of Growth in the Seoul Tower didn’t sit well either.

“Then I’ll play along accordingly.”

“Yes, please do.”

This was what he appreciated about Yoon Changdae.

They understood each other without needing many words.

Above all, he served as a reliable shield to conceal Mirinae’s existence.

Now all that remained was to wait for the enhancement of the Blessed Summoning Stone to complete.

Until then…….

A few gacha pulls.

Just a tiny bit.

Perhaps he’d run them for about four days?