Chapter 17
“First, let me apologize. I was in such a rush that I asked people around you to help me contact you.”
“Well… it was a bit sudden.”
Shin Yuri bowed once again at the entrance of the café.
“Wait… is that really Shin Yuri?”
“Wow. I’ve never seen her in person.”
“What’s she doing here?”
“Huh? Isn’t that the Cheonma?”
“What’s a Cheonma?”
“Do you even watch the news?”
As she bowed at the entrance, murmurs started spreading among the people inside the café.
It seemed like she really was famous.
“I really wanted to meet you, Cheonma-nim. Once again, I apologize.”
“You wanted to meet me? Why?”
“Because, of course, I wanted to recruit Lee Kang-han to our agency.”
Kang-han tilted his head.
He was only an Iron-ranked player right now.
Why would someone this famous come in person to sign him?
‘It’s already been revealed that my Cheonma Body trait is grade E.’
People said the Cheonma Body was a terminal trait—one that might disappear at any time.
Someone once offered 10,000 TP just to see his status window, but ran away after the truth came out.
Why was she here, then?
While Kang-han was wondering that—
“Ahem! Ahem…!”
A cough came from behind Shin Yuri.
When Kang-han turned to look—
“Hey, don’t just stand there. Why not take a seat first?”
A middle-aged man with a scar on his face spoke in a rough voice.
“Me? Why?”
“What? Aren’t you going to talk with GLASS?”
“I can’t even join a guild, so what do I need an agent for?”
Cheonma does not serve under others.
Following that belief, Kang-han wasn’t interested in anything guild-related except for founding the Cheonma Sect.
So, what use did he have for an agent?
When he responded logically, the middle-aged man didn’t know how to reply.
“I’ll explain, Uncle.”
“R-right.”
Shin Yuri stepped forward again.
“An agent doesn’t just help with guild contracts. We also arrange sponsorships with companies, advertising deals, and we can help with your TowerTube channel’s growth.”
Yes, helping with guild contracts was part of an agent’s job.
But that wasn’t everything.
Still, Kang-han wasn’t too interested.
“Who would sponsor a player with a terminal trait?”
After getting rated E-grade, people thought Kang-han would lose his powers soon.
Why would anyone offer ads to someone like that?
He was skeptical.
“But the Cheonma Body hasn’t been confirmed as terminal, right? I truly want to sign a contract with you, Kang-han-nim.”
Shin Yuri stayed determined.
‘…Why is she going this far?’
GLASS wasn’t a new agency. It was well-established.
And yet, their CEO had gone so far as to get his private info and show up at his door just to sign him.
Even though everyone else thought his trait was terminal.
What did she believe that others didn’t?
‘Still, I don’t need to rush a contract right now.’
Even if he did want an agent, it would be better to wait until he proved himself more—
To show that the Cheonma Body wasn’t terminal.
Right now, when he was undervalued, there was no need to rush.
He was about to turn her down when—
“Oh. And isn’t it hard to exchange TP without a guild? I’ll exchange it for you at 120%.”
“120%?”
“Yes.”
That changed his mind.
Even top guilds only offered 110%.
Getting 10% more was a huge gain.
“Alright. I’ll hear you out.”
“Great choice. Ah, but discussing it here might not be ideal… would you mind coming to our GLASS office?”
“The office? Sure.”
Persuaded by the 120% exchange, Kang-han accepted.
Yuri guided him to the parking lot and approached the most luxurious sedan there.
“Uncle, please drive.”
“Sigh… fine.”
Shin Dong-seok sat in the driver’s seat.
Yuri opened the back door for Kang-han herself.
“Oh, you really don’t need to go this far…”
Kang-han scratched his head and got in.
“No, Cheonma-nim is our VIP of VIPs.”
“Hm…”
“To the office, Uncle.”
“Tch…”
The middle-aged man glanced disapprovingly at Kang-han in the rearview mirror.
“Alright, let’s go.”
He drove the car.
“…You’re ranked 11th in Korea?”
“That’s right. I’m ranked 3rd among Warrior-class players, and 11th overall. Can’t believe you don’t even know me.”
“…I don’t usually follow rankings.”
“Tch. You must live in a cave or something.”
Shin Dong-seok clicked his tongue and gave Kang-han a disapproving look.
“Anyway, I’ll give you one piece of advice as your senior.”
“Alright.”
“Don’t trust agents too easily. Even if they say they’ll buy your TP at 120%, they’re still taking profit from somewhere.”
“That’s understandable.”
“Of course, it’s up to you. But don’t let yourself get taken advantage of.”
“Thanks for the advice.”
Kang-han gave a short nod.
Although he understood that Shin Dong-seok meant well, Kang-han didn’t think Yu-ri was trying to deceive him.
She had even been ready to donate her money just to help unlock her trait’s hidden abilities.
Her excitement wasn’t fake. It was obsession-level, sure, but real.
“You might not believe me,” said Kang-han, “but I think she genuinely wants to help.”
“…That’s why I’m worried.”
Shin Dong-seok sighed and leaned back in his chair.
“A girl like that doesn’t think logically when she gets worked up. That trait of hers is dangerous. There’s no telling what she might do next.”
Just then, Shin Yu-ri returned after calming down and organizing her phone.
“Ah, sorry! I lost my mind for a second.”
She gave Kang-han a sheepish grin.
“But still, I feel like something big is starting now. Something important.”
“Is that also part of your trait?”
“No, it’s just a feeling. But my instincts are usually right.”
She stretched out her hand to him.
“Well, I hope we can work well together, Kang-han.”
Kang-han stared at her hand for a moment.
Then he reached out and shook it.
“…Let’s work well together.”
And that handshake marked the beginning of their unexpected partnership.
The moment the two of them connected hands—
A strange feeling flowed between them.
As if some invisible force had acknowledged their connection.
And just like that, the gears of fate began to turn.
Quietly, but certainly.
