At the Kalamore flight s.h.i.+pyard, southwest of Fortren... 

This was originally the site of a transport airs.h.i.+p carrying various goods imported or exported from the Parta Princ.i.p.ality. However, the use had changed now. There were currently many people gathered here. The purpose of transportation s.h.i.+fted from goods to people and money was being spent in more diverse ways. All of this was due to the broken portal at the magic tower. The reason why I appeared here with Mido and the three troublemakers was to take this airs.h.i.+p.

“Four... no, five. Please give me five tickets,” Mido spoke confidently to the staff at the ticket office. There was just one thing she hadn't thought about...

“It is $500,000.”

“Huh? Why is it so expensive? It wasn't originally this price.”

“We raised the price yesterday.”

“H-How can there be such a thing? Isn't it 10 times higher?”

“If you're going to argue, don't argue with me. Pursue the n.o.bleman who owns this place.”

“s.h.i.+t...! d.a.m.n capitalism. Oppas, do you have any money?”

Mido seemed sick of Fortren's system, but she looked back and nervously asked the three people. However, the answer she got back was grim.

“The price of the potion was so high that...”

“I had to pay the repair fee...”

“The price of my arrows...”

It was Kim Hyeonu, Park Taehyeon, and Eun Jeonghyeok who spoke respectively. Kim Hyeonu replied that he had to buy a lot of potions due to this paladin cla.s.s and Park Taehyeon grumbled that he needed to repair his armor and weapon due to his fighter cla.s.s.

Eun Jeonghyeok was an archer and the cost of the arrows was astronomical, so he was always in a position where he was lacking money. He could shoot the arrows of light made of magic power, but he maintained he had no money because the price of potions was also high. These bunch of pathetic guys...

I sighed lightly as I listened to their excuses and placed a bunch of money on the ticket office. Mido's eyes widened when she saw it. It was the same for the three troublemakers.

“Ah, you don't have to do this...”

I told them, “It's okay. I only knew to take this because of you. This hard work... no, take it as a token of grat.i.tude.”

As I spoke, I looked at the three troublemakers like they were pathetic.

They gulped at the sight of me. I looked forward again and Mido gave me a thumbs up. I turned away from them and walked to the airs.h.i.+p like nothing had happened. I could hear them whispering behind me.

“His charisma is no joke.”

“So cool. Is this really his personality? It is a bit cheeky.”

“Don't you want to take off that mask?”

“Oppas, why should he thank you?!”

Thus, they were able to get on the airs.h.i.+p.

“Oh, it is always nice here.” Mido expressed her admiration as she looked around at the interior of the airs.h.i.+p. The airs.h.i.+p looked like a giant s.h.i.+p. In order to not let the wind in, it was wrapped in a dome of gla.s.s. I felt like a fish in a fish bowl.

“There are more people than I thought?”

“There are people who are using it even though it is so expensive.”

“It can't be helped. The portal is broken and the Orca Kingdom is too far away.” 

Kim Hyeonu, Park Taehyeon, and Eun Jeonghyeok looked around like they were familiar with their airs.h.i.+p and found a place to sit. It was originally a transport s.h.i.+p carrying goods and there was no place to sit down. They sat down in the right corner and I sat slightly away from them.

Mido saw this and made a puzzled expression. “Why are you sitting away from us? Come here.”

“I'm more comfortable with this.”

“Don't you feel uncomfortable? It would be better to come here.”

I was about to respond to her question when the machinery of the airs.h.i.+p roared and there was a broadcast.

-Thank you for boarding. This airs.h.i.+p is heading to the Parta Princ.i.p.ality. It was originally a transport s.h.i.+p but...

Once the radio broadcast was heard, the other users started to sit down one by one. Several users walked toward this place. I turned a bit so I wouldn't be recognised by them. Then I met Mido's eyes.

“......”

She laughed. “Hihi. Look. Aren't you uncomfortable? Come over here.”

I coughed and moved to the location of my granddaughter.

* * *

-The airs.h.i.+p is about to take off. Pa.s.sengers shouldn't panic and should stay comfortable. If you feel that you are about to vomit, then please contact the crew on the airs.h.i.+p and we will make things convenient. You can go outside once you reach the stability zone. If you make a mistake, then you can fly away. Try not to go outside until then. That is all.

A short time later, the airs.h.i.+p started to float as harsh mechanical sounds and firepower were heard. I marveled at the sight of the leather on the roof swelling like a giant balloon. I had never been on a hot balloon in my life. I never expected to experience it like this.

“Wow, it's amazing. I heard they are sparks from burning magic power stones?”

“The leather of the roof is made from a tough wyvern.”

“This is the first time I've experienced this. Isn't it exciting?”

Some users shouted like kids. Where else would they see something like this in their lives? Me and my party sat around and watched the ground gradually becoming distant. Fortren, which was below me, became a small dot in an instant.

...It was very fast.

According to Mido, this airs.h.i.+p is made using the magic engineering of the Parta Princ.i.p.ality. I saw this and wondered if the Parta Princ.i.p.ality was a very futuristic place. After approximately 5 minutes, the alt.i.tude reached the stable zone and I felt the speed slowing down. It was at this time that Mido spoke to me, “Can I ask why you're going to the Parta Princ.i.p.ality?”

“I'm on my way to see a friend.”

“Oh, you have a friend... Ah, sorry. Of course you do. Haha...”

Awkward silence swirled around us. I was the one who opened my mouth at this time, “Why are you going there?”

“We are going to prepare for the upcoming World Compet.i.tion,” Kim Hyeonu answered. He then went on to ask me, “Dark Wolf, are you going to fight in the World Compet.i.tion?”

Everyone paid attention after hearing his question. Mido stared at me with brightly s.h.i.+ning eyes and Park Taehyeon turned his ear in my direction while pretending to touch his gauntlets. Eun Jeonghyeok was pretending to be maintaining his bow, but the time he glanced over here was funny. I couldn't help showing a smile.

“Everybody is wondering if I'm going to partic.i.p.ate.”

Then I shook my head. “I don't want to go. The interest is too burdensome.”

“...I see.”

“Should I call this a blessing?”

“Phew.”

Kim Hyeonu, Park Taehyeon, and Eun Jeonghyeok showed different reactions. However, the most surprising one was Mido.

“Why?” Perhaps her voice was too loud. Mido covered her mouth in a startled manner. The users around us stared and then started to do their own thing like nothing happened.

Mido asked in a small voice, “Why aren't you going to partic.i.p.ate? Won't you win first place if you partic.i.p.ate?”

Park Taehyeon intervened, “That's not it, idiot. How strong are Michael and the United States? What about Germany? Don't they have Reinhardt? What about Gyeonso Dragon in China? Russia is also a powerhouse. Aren't we the weakest? We have no Star Fruit ability users. Wow, we have no luck.”

“Bah. Dark Wolf killed Reinhardt in a flash. Wasn't it the same with the Wing Chun King?”

“That's true, but how can it be so easy? There is no solo event in the World Compet.i.tion except for the PvP event on the last day. The rest is a team match.”

Mido and Park Taehyeon snarled at each other. I cleared my throat to calm them down. I could see that Mido's face was red.

“Cough, I'm sorry. Were we acting too stupidly?”

I told them, “It's okay. I'm not going to partic.i.p.ate anyway. Please don't fight.”

Mido and Park Taehyeon turned their heads away and pouted. I wanted to cook something to revive the atmosphere, but there were too many eyes around me. Then Mido made an unexpected offer, “Why don't you join our guild?”

Park Taehyeon interrupted her again, “Fool, would Dark Wolf join such a shabby guild?”

“I-Is that so?”

“Yes, even big names like the Zeus Guild are noticing him. Of course he won't join. Is he crazy?”

“Still... No, Oppa. Why do you always treat me like this? Do you have any bad feelings toward me? Sob.”

Mido broke down in tears at Park Taehyeon's reb.u.t.tal. At this moment, I had an impulsive feeling. This rotten guy dared to make my granddaughter cry? I opened my mouth, “I will do it.”

“Huh?”

“That guild. I'll join.”

All four of them, including Mido, were frozen with their mouths dropped open. The first one to scream was Mido. "Kyaaak! Really? It isn't a lie?!”

Mido jumped around with excitement. I saw it and laughed. “Yes.”

“Good. I'll invite you right away. You won't change your mind?”

[The user 'Mido' is inviting you to the Icarus Guild. Would you like to accept?]

I pressed the approval b.u.t.ton without hesitation.

[The user 'Jackson' has joined the Icarus Guild.]

At the same time, a lively chat window was visible.

-Aurora: Jackson? Who is Jackson?

-Garnier: Is it a new addition?

-Vinaider: Welcome. Welcome!

…

I was greeted by the members of the Icarus Guild, but I wasn't interested in them at all. I immediately pressed the guild chat refusal sign and also made all of my information private. Fortunately, I didn't need to fear my information being discovered.

[From now on, you won't receive any guild chats.]

[The Icarus Guild members can't see your information.]

“Oh my G.o.d. The real Dark Wolf has joined our guild,” Park Taehyeon murmured like he was broken.

Kim Hyeonu approached and shook hands with me. “Welcome. I am the guild master, Kim Hyeonu. Thank you very much in advance.”

“Please look after me.”

I held his hand and shook it up and down. Eun Jeonghyeok came to my side with a lively expression. “I'm that kid's friend. As you can see, I'm an archer. Nice to meet you."

Mido also came over timidly. “I'm the vice-leader. P-Please look after me!”

Why was she constantly stuttering?