Chapter 126
All of the top 100 Players were transported to the central hall on the first floor of the Banquet Hall.
Their original clothes had been replaced with tuxedos and dresses.
Long tables were already covered with food and alcohol.
"Hey, hey. Look over there."
"Huh. This is the first time I've seen them this close."
Naturally, the most noticeable people were the leaders of the Three Great Guilds and the forces under them.
They alone accounted for thirty of the hundred Players present.
"So this is the Banquet Hall?"
Kang Dongwoo looked around curiously.
"I was looking forward to a Banquet of the Constellations, but I don't see any Constellations."
"Looks like it's just us."
Jang Haksu's expression hardened.
He pointed upward in a low voice.
"...Look at the upper floor."
"Those gazes we've been feeling since earlier."
"The Constellations you're so eager to find are probably up there."
Just trying to sense the beings beyond the upper floor made it feel as though something tangible was pressing down on their bodies.
Cold sweat ran down their backs.
Including Lee Serim, every Player who vaguely sensed the presence of the Constellations looked visibly tense.
"Hah!"
"Everyone's scared like a bunch of cornered rats."
"If you came to a banquet, you should enjoy yourselves."
"Oh!"
"This is good!"
"Wine served to the Constellations really is different!"
Some people didn't care at all.
Others...
"Hoo..."
"I'm nervous."
One person clenched his fist.
"I'll finally be able to meet him, right?"
Meanwhile, Odin of Asgard watched everything from the highest floor.
He stroked his beard with an amused smile.
"Hoho."
"I truly cannot predict what choice he will make."
"This should be interesting."
"I'm sure everyone feels the same."
Every Constellation was watching either the broadcast screen...
Or the enormous doors leading into the Banquet Hall.
Creeeak.
The doors opened.
The gazes of both Players and Constellations immediately gathered in one direction.
"I-It's Lee Suhyeok...."
"It really is him...."
Step. Step.
As Suhyeok descended the stairs into the hall, the Players reacted in countless ways.
Tension.
Shock.
Fear.
Delight.
Fighting spirit.
Affection...?
Naturally, their attention also shifted toward the three following behind him.
"Lee Suhyeok is one thing, but those three behind him..."
"They're nothing like they were on the 21st floor."
"That huge bastard looks insanely strong."
"Between him and Lee Suhyeok, there are too many people here I want to fight."
"Kuhuhu!"
"Those two women are pretty cute, but obviously not as pretty as me."
"More importantly, does anyone have another glass of this?"
The four took seats at the table in the center of the hall.
Bong Taesu seemed deeply uncomfortable in his formal clothes.
He kept loosening and retightening his tie.
"T-This is my first time somewhere like this."
"The clothes are quite uncomfortable..."
"But I suppose it's not bad."
His tie and shirt were already a mess.
Lee Yumi sighed and straightened him up, fixing his tie herself.
"Haa."
"You're seriously so much work, ahjussi."
"Even if it's uncomfortable, endure it."
"You're not a child."
She stepped back and looked him over.
"Still..."
"You look pretty decent dressed like this."
Taesu rubbed beneath his nose at the embarrassing compliment and laughed.
"Hahaha."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Miss Yumi and little sister Hyuna look beautiful as well."
"Obviously."
Lee Yumi smiled confidently.
"Hyuna and I aren't exactly the type to lose in the looks department."
Meanwhile...
Kim Hyuna was fidgeting with the ribbon on her dress.
Her expression looked strangely hopeful.
She glanced at Suhyeok and carefully asked,
"M-Mister..."
"How do I loo-"
She stopped.
Her shoulders trembled.
It lasted only an instant...
But Suhyeok's expression was different from usual.
Dangerously fragile.
It reminded her of the first time they'd met...
When he'd looked at her and overlapped her with her older sister.
"Mr. Lee Suhyeok!"
"And everyone!"
Lee Serim, Kang Dongwoo, and Jang Haksu approached their table with bright expressions.
Several other familiar faces came with them.
"Oh, brother!"
"You've been doing well, ahjuss..."
One man caught himself.
"No."
"Mr. Bong Taesu?"
He still clearly couldn't believe that he and Taesu were the same age.
Every time he almost called him ahjussi, he had to correct himself.
Lee Yumi glanced back and forth between the two while covering her mouth, desperately holding in her laughter.
Taesu didn't care.
As always, he laughed heartily and extended his hand.
"As you can see, I've been well."
"More importantly, you've grown much stronger than before."
"At this rate, you may catch up with us soon."
"Hahaha!"
Seong Hosu scratched his cheek awkwardly at the unexpected praise.
Then he confidently returned the handshake.
"I..."
"I've really worked hard since then."
"I wanted to catch up to all of you someday."
He looked at Taesu.
"Do you think I can?"
"Hahaha!"
"Of course."
"I'll be waiting."
"All of us will."
Park Seunghyeok of Haegwang, whom they had also met on the 21st floor, was there as well.
He approached Suhyeok and bowed sincerely.
"What you told me back then..."
"It helped me grow a lot."
"Thank you."
Before Suhyeok could respond...
"Haa."
"So you're that famous Lee Suhyeok?"
A man stepped forward.
His torn shirt covered only half his upper body.
Countless scars covered the exposed skin, making him look almost like a Barbarian.
A massive club rested in his right hand.
He stopped in front of Suhyeok.
"My name's Lee Baekho."
"How about we fight right here?"
He licked the corner of his mouth.
"My body's been itching like hell ever since I saw someone strong."
The people nearby immediately released sharp killing intent.
"Step back."
"If you don't want to die."
Lee Baekho casually picked his ear, then blew on his pinky.
He tightened his grip around the club.
"Hey."
"I told you I'm not interested in weaklings like you."
"Still..."
"If you're that desperate to die, I won't stop you."
The atmosphere became explosive.
A fight seemed moments away.
Then...
Click. Click.
[At last, everyone has gathered in one place.]
[To the top 100 Players who have come to this Banquet Hall, I offer my sincere gratitude.]
Every light in the hall went out.
At the innermost part of the first floor...
A man in a black suit calmly walked onto the stage.
The Highest-Level Administrator.
Ruzian.
A spotlight immediately focused on him.
Then...
One by one, the upper-floor Administrators appeared behind him.
Leon was there.
So was Shaka.
[It is a pleasure to meet you.]
