Marco Bianchi from Italy lay on a sunbed, sipping coconut juice.

His plump belly gurgled each time he swallowed the juice.

Marco, who had been leisurely gazing at the beach, put on his sunglasses and got up.

He was planning to go take a look around.

The Italian hunters he brought had already entered the Theme Park.

There were three 4th-Circle Mages.

These hunters were highly loyal to Italy, so there was no need to worry about them defecting.

‘Hmm, if it’s that hunter…’

Walking along the sandy beach, he saw a hunter from Rupturekistan and his eyes sparkled.

Rupturekistan could probably offer better terms than Italy.

However, he didn’t go out of his way to talk to them.

Someone was already by their side, keeping watch in all directions.

‘I guess it can’t be helped, haha.’

He patted his protruding belly and headed towards the Theme Park.

Italy had no specific plans to scout anyone at this forum.

Italy was doing quite well, and any hunters worth coveting would likely have already been claimed by other powerful nations.

Italy was in the position of simply enjoying themselves at this forum.

‘Hmm?’

Upon entering the Theme Park, Marco sensed an unusual atmosphere and took off his sunglasses.

Too many people were gathered at a particular booth.

Moreover, the same name kept being heard.

Kim Songcheol.

It was a name he also knew.

He had heard through intelligence a few months ago that a hunter with incredible Mana Affinity had been discovered in Korea.

Italy had also tried to contact Kim Songcheol, but they had been blocked by the National Intelligence Service.

The people around him were talking about Kim Songcheol’s score, and it reached Marco’s ears.

He subtly checked the rankings through the crowd.

‘…580,000 points?’

The difference from second place was over 450,000 points.

Something was odd.

Marco’s relaxed expression stiffened slightly. He drank all the coconut juice in his hand, threw the plastic cup into the trash can, and moved further into the Theme Park.

Because he saw another booth at the far end where people were gathered.

Marco pushed through the crowd and checked the rankings.

As expected, first place was Kim Songcheol.

‘…2,000,000 points?’

The gap from second place was 600,000 points.

Although it wasn’t as overwhelming a difference as in a shooting game, it was certainly an incredible score.

As proof, one could point to the score recorded by the Hunter who just finished the game.

It barely reached 520,000 points.

Even for a promising Hunter from France.

‘It’s beyond imagination.’

Marco clicked his tongue. Although it was a game, it was no different from a combat power meter.

This was because they were originally developed for training purposes.

Marco looked around. He intended to strike up a conversation if he saw Kim Songcheol. If he had the chance, that is.

However.

“Th-that…!”

What caught his eye was an Italian Hunter seriously conversing with Kim Myeongju from Korea.

Marco also knew who Kim Myeongju was.

He liked her as a person, but this was not right.

He immediately walked over and pushed his chest forward.

“Haha, how do you do?”

When Marco greeted loudly, the conversation stopped, and their gazes turned to him.

“Ah, Mr. Bianchi. It’s been a while.”

As expected, Kim Myeongju smiled faintly and offered a handshake.

Marco took Kim Myeongju’s hand with his hairy one.

He maintained a professional smile and exchanged a few words of greeting.

“Haha, this guy. I’ve been looking for him for a while, and he was here. If it’s not an important conversation, may I take him away for a bit?”

Marco put his arm around Alessandro, the Italian Hunter, in a friendly manner and said.

“Yes, of course.”

“Haha, it was nice to meet you.”

Marco almost put Alessandro in a headlock as he dragged him away.

“What are you doing?”

Marco whispered.

“I was just talking.”

“About what?”

“We talked about the Korea Training Institute… and Hunter Cha Sehyeon… and also Hunter Kim Songcheol.”

“Is that really all?”

“Yes.”

“There was no talk of coming to Korea?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? No. We were really just talking.”

Alessandro looked tearful, as if he was being unfairly accused.

“You, don’t talk to that person. Do you want to go to the Republic of Korea?”

“I don’t particularly want to…”

“You should say you don’t want to, you idiot!”

They wouldn’t openly solicit a transfer in a public place.

However, the only threat to Marco was Hawk, and Marco was not the only one who felt threatened by the Kim Songcheol and Kim Myeongju combo.

As time passed, the average age in the Theme Park increased. These were adults who came to supervise their children.

It was not uncommon to see Hunters being dragged out by them.

Kim Myeongju also didn’t think that Hunters would flock to them so easily.

The Hunters who gathered around him were merely curious about Kim Songcheol.

Since a great Hunter had appeared, they were simply curious.

But for now, since he had attracted attention, it could be seen as one step completed.

Kim Myeongju, feeling hot due to his combat uniform which was not suitable for the weather, went to find some shade.

It was a small bar set up inside the Theme Park.

He ordered a cool juice, and the bartender squeezed fruits on the spot to make it for him.

“Nice.”

Kim Myeongju gave the bartender a thumbs up.

The bartender responded with a thumbs up in return.

It was when Kim Myeongju was taking a short break.

“Excuse me.”

Someone called Kim Myeongju.

He turned around quickly to see a female staff member wearing tight jeans and a short crop top.

Her wavy blonde hair stood out.

Kim Myeongju immediately recognized her.

Grace Callahan.

She was an American Hunter who took second place, pushed back by Kim Songcheol.

“Oh, Miss Callahan.”

Kim Myeongju greeted her with an illusory smile.

At the same time, he began to wonder why Grace had come to find him.

“Where is Kim Songcheol?”

Grace asked.

However, despite losing first place by an overwhelming margin, she didn’t seem particularly resentful.

“I don’t know either, haha.”

It was true.

Because Cha Sehyeon had put an invisibility spell on him and taken him away.

“Is that so?”

Grace, who seemed about to leave, instead sat next to Kim Myeongju.

She ordered a cocktail, and the bartender shook it vigorously with various ingredients before serving it.

Grace wet her lips.

Her expression brightened slightly, as if she liked the taste.

“I’m quite good at magic too.”

Grace said, pretending to be elegant, then burst into laughter by herself. She exuded the feeling of a bright young woman from the southern United States.

“You are good. I know.”

Kim Myeongju also matched the mood with an even more illusory smile.

Oh really? You seem to know me a little?

Since you’re a promising prospect… I can’t help but know you. Haha.

Not as much as Kim Songcheol. Oh, by the way, I like Korea. I often watch Korean dramas. I’m also an idol fan.

Grace took out her mobile phone and showed it. There was a photo of a Korean idol between the case and the phone.

What do you think? Will Kim Songcheol have as many fans as this idol?

A subtle question.

I don’t know about fans, but he will get stronger. He’s only been learning magic for half a year, after all.

Oh, really? That’s truly an amazing story.

Grace opened her eyes and mouth wide, even raising both hands.

Seventh Circle, Eighth Circle… maybe even Ninth Circle?

Perhaps? Haha.

Hohoho.

The two laughed amiably.

Then, Grace suddenly asked,

If Kim Songcheol becomes that strong, then weaker hunters won’t have to enter dungeons as much, right? I envy the Korean hunters.

At those words, the doubt sprouting in Kim Myeongju’s heart moved a little closer to certainty.

Grace’s approach had an intention.

Currently, Korea is a Sixth Circle Mage-holding nation. If just one more Sixth Circle Mage appears in this state, it would be fair to call it a magic powerhouse for a country with a population level like the Republic of Korea.

But will Kim Songcheol only reach the Sixth Circle?

Judging by his current performance, if he doesn’t die, he will definitely climb even higher into Nothingness.

And quickly at that.

‘Grace Callahan… planning to leech off of him?’

She was a more cunning young lady than she appeared.

Grace wants to leech off of him, and Kim Myeongju needs to bring Grace in to work.

But right now, neither of them can openly lay out their cards.

Hahaha.

Hohoho.

Amidst the fearful laughter, a fierce spoon war began, consisting of testing the waters and probing.

***

Day 3 of the Forum.

Kim Songcheol sat on the beach behind the resort and played poker.

The participants were a hunter from Brazil, a hunter from Thailand, and a hunter from Georgia.

Cha Sehyeon drank with another hunter. It was a hunter from Russia, and their drinking capacity was so immense that they were having a drinking contest with Cha Sehyeon.

The beach behind the resort was quiet.

Many hunters had flocked to the game booths, and unlike the front beach, it was hidden by buildings and not easily visible.

It was also just a small stretch of sand behind the resort.

Ah!

Kim Songcheol held his forehead.

He had lost the pot again.

It was 12 bottle caps of nothingness.

“Songcheol! You shouldn’t be betting with that!”

Thiago, a Hunter from Brazil, said as if frustrated.

He was also a case discovered a bit late.

He was 29 years old.

He had a bit of common ground with Kim Songcheol, so they had become quite close.

“I was hoping for a 7 percent chance, but it didn’t work out.”

Kim Songcheol munched on a mango as if disappointed.

His reason for losing was that he kept betting on low probabilities.

“Koreans usually go for one big hit.”

“Play poker like Magic.”

“It’s a hassle, a hassle.”

Kim Songcheol threw his cards and backed away.

He had already lost all his bottle caps.

He had no more money to play the game.

‘I thought I’d just clear my head for a bit…’

Kim Songcheol shivered slightly as he watched the three Hunters playing cards.

Perhaps because they were Mages, they really enjoyed using their brains.

And when they encountered a game like poker, their competitive spirit exploded, and they played poker quite seriously.

Just watching them play mind games over mere bottle caps was exhausting.

Kim Songcheol had intentionally exited the game quickly.

He moved slightly away from the card table and lay down under another Rupturasol.

After lying there for a bit, listening to the Rupturasol’s sounds, he felt the urge to urinate.

It seemed he had drunk too much juice.

Kim Songcheol got up and walked towards the resort.

Cha Sehyeon, who was sitting between the resort and the beach, asked where he was going, and he replied that he was just going to the restroom before entering the resort.

After relieving himself comfortably, he was about to return to the sandy beach when.

“You were here!”

An unnecessarily cheerful voice was heard. He quickly turned his head and saw Peter.

At the sound, Cha Sehyeon, who was sitting far away, also glanced back, but after confirming it was Peter, she turned her head back.

“Haha, are you enjoying the forum well?”

Peter was good at Korean, but sometimes he would use awkward phrases like this. Of course, there was no problem understanding him.

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

Kim Songcheol replied with a smile. Peter had been very helpful in many ways. Peter handled all the guidance, and if he needed anything, Peter would always get it for him.

“A quick chat?”

Peter made his characteristic mischievous expression and pointed to a bench right next to them.

“Ah, yes.”

Kim Songcheol nodded.

The two sat side by side on the bench, and Peter took off the sunglasses he always wore and clipped them to his lapel.

“Please don’t misunderstand.”

Peter calms Kim Songcheol down in advance.

“I won’t misunderstand, so please tell me.”

Kim Songcheol just shrugged, wondering what he was going to say.

“Haha… so just listen first. I’m from the Special Security Department of the former Thread United Kingdom.”

“I see…?”

It was quite unexpected that Peter was an undercover agent. He looked like a guide who could speak Korean to anyone.

“My mission is just an interview. I’m not even a field agent in the first place.”

“Uh… you’re pretty good at acting for someone like that.”

“This is just my personality. I wasn’t acting…”

Peter made a slightly sad expression. When Kim Songcheol rethought the part about ‘not being a field agent in the first place,’ it felt like ‘he wanted to be a field agent but couldn’t.’

‘How much of this is acting?’

Kim Songcheol thought as he looked at Peter.

Although he was an office worker, he seemed a bit clumsy, which made him suspicious.

Perhaps not acting was an act. In other words, even the claim of not being a field agent was a lie.

If his goal was truly an interview, he might act this way to lower his guard.

“Hunter Cha Sehyeon was next to me the whole time, so I couldn’t speak. If I had known this, a field agent should have come…”

“You said your mission was an interview?”

As the conversation started to stray, Kim Songcheol brought it back to the main point.

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

“What kind of interview?”

Kim Songcheol asked.