The capsule's lid opened with a loud sound. I got up while patting myself lightly. My daughter-in-law greeted me with her hands politely clasped together. I asked her, “Why are you waiting for me? Don't you have anything to do?”

“Just... I've wanted to do this for a long time.” Kim Mikyung covered her mouth with her hand and laughed. I always felt it, but once my daughter-in-law laughed, her eyes that curved into a half-moon had the power to make a person feel comfortable.

“Huhu. Yes, yes, let's go. Where is the guest?”

“He is in the living room. Shall I bring some tea and refreshments?”

“Please.”

I nodded lightly and headed to the living room. My daughter-in-law went to the kitchen to prepare refreshments and when I looked into the living room, I saw not one, but two unexpected figures—there were two people.

“You hadn't expected us to come together?”

“It has been a while, Elder.” 

“h.e.l.lo.”

They were Yoo Minseok, the head of Union's strategic planning team, and Cha Jincheol, who worked below him. They bowed politely toward me. I greeted them lightly and sat down on the sofa. “Yes. Why did you come to see this old man?”

“Ah, in fact...” Yoo Minseok glanced at Cha Jincheol sitting next to him and took out an envelope from his briefcase. I saw it and had a question mark over my head.

“What is this?”

"Would you like to read it once?”

Yoo Minseok kindly pulled the paper out of the bag and showed it. It was something I was familiar with. Everyone was talking about it when I turned on the TV recently.

I opened my mouth, “Isn't this the advertis.e.m.e.nt for the World Compet.i.tion? You are promoting it splendidly.”

“That's right. I came to bring Elder there.”

“Me?”

My daughter-in-law came in with tea and refreshments. She told us to eat it well and then headed back to the kitchen to wash the dishes. I was afraid that my daughter-in-law would hear and quietly spoke to the two people in front of me, “I said the other day that I don't intend to partic.i.p.ate.”

In fact, I had said exactly the same answer on Mido's YouTube broadcast last time. One of the many questions was if I was partic.i.p.ating in the World Compet.i.tion. I obviously mentioned at the time that I didn't intend to partic.i.p.ate.

“Did you know?” Yoo Minseok was out of luck, but still tried to persuade me.

I wondered, “What?”

“How hard was it for me to convince the department head?”

“How could I know that?”

“We have decided to carry out an integrated league this year so that Elder can compete in the World Compet.i.tion.”

I told them, “Don't count your chickens before they've hatched.”

The news of the Challenger League, that was below level 200 and the Best League, that was above level 200, merging together was a hot topic. It would be applied to the upcoming World Compet.i.tion and it was said that a new national team selection trials would be held all over the world. I knew my country was holding the preliminary matches today. Mido had gone out early in the morning because of it.

The national team selection this time wasn't tied to level. Union was willing to show the best players by only picking their skill level. Yet they did this because of me? This made me hate it even more.

...There were too many people. For me, this World Compet.i.tion was a nuisance. No, it was actually very annoying. I was already struggling with the reporters chasing after me these days. More reporters would follow if I revealed my face and took part in the compet.i.tion. I became angrier at the thought.

“No. No. I hate annoying things.” I shook my head and expressed my disgust.

Yoo Minseok spoke in a quiet but desperate voice, “Please. If you need money then we can give it to you. Please appear and save some face for South Korea. My promotion is also on the line.”

“Why do you want me to appear? They're all younger than me. Additionally, why should I take responsibility for your promotion?”

“Cough. It is because those young people are weaker than Elder...” Yoo Minseok's shoulders shook as he spoke in a voice that had no confidence.

Just then, Cha Jincheol stepped in.

“Elder.”

“What?”

“Didn't you have a major traffic accident not long ago?”

My eyes widened at the unexpected words. “How do you know about that?”

“I can't tell you. It is confidential. In any case, the important thing is that we can help you.”

“Help me? I can pay the price for that s.h.i.+t car.”

I was describing a 700 million won Lamborghini as a s.h.i.+t car. In fact, I once mentioned that a s.h.i.+t car was being driven by human trash. It was true.

“Did you know that the Lamborghini's owner is the youngest son of the Holy Spirit Group?”

“The Holy Spirit Group?”

Of course I didn't know. How could I know he was the youngest son of the Holy Spirit Group?

“Yes. In any case, Elder hit it one-sidedly. He probably hired a corporate lawyer and is going to bother you for quite some time.”

“That d.a.m.n guy...”

“We are here to help. Additionally, we will put pressure on the Holy Spirit Group at the corporate level. We'll make him pray in front of you.”

“Hoh. I like that.” I touched my beard and nodded with satisfaction. I had been wondering what to do with those d.a.m.n b.a.s.t.a.r.ds, so I thought this was good. Still, it was premature to show my face... What should I do?

Tik tik tik tik-! Diririring-! 

Just then, I heard the sound of the front door opening.

“Mom, I'm back~” It was Mido.

“Oh my, you came back so early?”

“Yes, it finished already. I have to partic.i.p.ate in the finals of the national team selection tomorrow, so I'm going to have a good rest today.”

“You must've pa.s.sed the preliminaries. Can your mom go and support you?”

“Yes, but it might not be fun.”

“How can that be? I will take this opportunity to go with your father. I'll also call Jeongdo.”

“Then that's fine.”

Mido took off her shoes while coming into the living room and then looked startled. “Ah, Grandfather. Additionally, Jincheol oppa? There are guests? h.e.l.lo.”

Mido greeted everyone. Mido had arrived so I thought we should stop here for today. Yoo Minseok also spoke to me like he had the same thought, “Then we'll be going now. If you have any thoughts, please contact us using the business card I gave you last time.”

“I'll do so.”

“Ah, are you going already? Is it because of me?” Mido looked apologetic and Cha Jincheol shook his head.

“It's not like that. We were about to leave anyway.”

“Ah, really? I'm a bit sad to see you go already. Have you been well? Why haven't you been logging in these days? I haven't seen you.”

“Things are a bit busy.”

“Ah~ then it can't be helped. Send me a whisper when you connect.”

Cha Jincheol laughed. “Haha, yes. I'll see you later.”

“Yes. Bye~”

I watched the harmonious Mido and Cha Jincheol and couldn't help having flames burning in my eyes. Why did this d.a.m.n wolf look so close to Mido? Was there something between them without my knowledge?

“Cough. Be careful. No, leave quickly.”

I opened the door with lasers firing from my eyes as I tried to get Cha Jincheol to leave quickly.

* * *

An hour later...

Mido and I talked a lot. She bragged to me that she had advanced to the finals and wanted me to come with the rest of the family tomorrow. I said I knew, but I was actually hesitant to go. I wondered if I would see Mido cry if she was eliminated. I thought I would collapse if I saw my granddaughter crying.

[Welcome to Arkstar.]

Now I was back in the gaming world. A familiar magma was seen and the smell of sulfur pierced my nose. I could see the back of Park Muyeol hitting the monsters in front of me. I slowly walked over.

“You came.”

Park Muyeol was. .h.i.tting a magma wolf and I frowned at the sight. “You should hit the wolf a bit more lightly.”

“It is a monster.”

“It feels like it is being bullied.”

“Oh, do you want to be beaten?”

“Then I won't give you any cigarettes.”

"Kukuk. That's good. I was just craving a cigarette. Give me one.”

I handed him a cigarette. We stood next to each other while smoking. Then after a brief silence, Park Muyeol opened his mouth, “Are you going to fight in the World Compet.i.tion?”

“Are you also trying to convince me? Stop. The staff of Union just came to me and asked me to partic.i.p.ate.”

“Hrmm, really? No, well, I don't care if you appear or not, but Mido sent me a whisper yesterday asking me to help.”

“Mido?”

This was a bit surprising.

Park Muyeol nodded. “Yes. This year's World Compet.i.tion is a great opportunity for me. In any case, it is tempting for me. She also asked me to join the guild.”

I told him, “If you want to partic.i.p.ate, then partic.i.p.ate.”

“Chuntaek, it isn't fun without you.”

Park Muyeol giggled like a child.

I saw that naive face and couldn't help laughing. “It is fresh.”

I blew out cigarette smoke once again. I thought for a long time as the smoke billowed. Was it really good to appear? How would people react if I revealed myself, etc etc. Countless complicated thoughts twisted in my head.

Suddenly, Park Muyeol spoke in a low voice, “Still, please go cheer for her.”

"Of course. I was already planning on it.”

This year, the national team would select a total of 20 people, including prospective candidates.The goal was to select 20 players with the highest personal scores and team cooperation by playing various games in front of experts. Of course, the 10 candidates who went to the main event could be replaced at any time according to the coach's decision, so they shouldn't feel relaxed.

This was a common rule for all countries. Right now, other countries would be conducting trials in the same way. I told him, “Mido asked me to come tomorrow.”

“Mido is really kind. She is different from most kids these days. I don't have a granddaughter like that. Ah, I don't know what Seongchan is doing these days.”

“I also don't know what Jeongdo is doing.”

Park Muyeol and I giggled at our grandchildren. Then something came to my mind. “Right. Reina?”

“Ah, that girl seemed very angry just now. She yelled into the air before leaving.”

She must've been really angry. Well, it can't be helped. I didn't want to join Zeus anyway.

“Let's start hunting again.”

Park Muyeol nodded. “Yes. I've been feeling itchy.”

I repeated the tedious hunting all day and fell asleep early. I was going to watch the national team's selection tomorrow.