Return of the Frozen Player

“Team Leader Gong, Specter-nim suddenly disappeared. No, we’re not playing hide and seek. Can you tell Miss Skaya, so she can track him down?”

Silence enveloped the conference room once again.

‘Well, this is awkward.’

Son Chae-Won was quietly sitting on the opposite side and was staring blankly into space with dark circles under her eyes. There were some rumors that Son Chae-Won hadn’t been sleeping to avoid missing any messages from Kim Woo-Joong.

“...” Shin Sung-Hyun thought about consoling her, but he decided not to do that. It felt like it wasn’t appropriate for him to be so nosy, and he wasn’t really close to her in the first place.

“Master Sung-Hyun.”

Perhaps that was the reason he was surprised to hear her talk to him first.

“What is it? Master Chae-Won.”

“What do you think about Woo-Joong’s disappearance?”

“Perhaps he left to train?” Everyone knew that it would always be difficult to reach the Sword Saint whenever he was in the middle of his training.

However, Son Chae-Won shook her head.

“He would always ask me for my permission before he leaves for training.”

‘Huh? That’s news to me,’ Shin Sung-Hyun was surprised to hear that, but he composed himself and said, “Perhaps he simply couldn’t ask for your permission this time?”

“It doesn’t make sense. He’s not that irresponsible of a person.”

“Hmm.” Shin Sung-Hyun felt like he could finally understand why she was so worried.

“Are you thinking that perhaps he has been abducted? Master Chae-Won?”

“...I’d be relieved if that were the case. We could just rescue him after all.” Son Chae-Won trembled. “However, if something worse happened… I don’t think I can ever forgive myself.”

“I don’t think that would be your fault.”

“It is...” Son Chae-Won shook her head. “That idiot would always take care of other people even when retreating. I know him too well, and I know that he would always do that.”

Son Chae-Won thought that Kim Woo-Joong would be fine on his own. Honestly, she hadn’t been able to pay much attention to him because she was busy with other matters.

“In the end, my complacency led to all this.”

“I don’t think you should think that way,” Shin Sung-Hyun said coldly, “The Sword Saint has always been an outstanding Player since his debut.”

Shin Sung-Hyun didn’t even hesitate to offer the best conditions he could at the time just to recruit the Sword Saint.

“He is also an impressive all-rounder. If he’s in a situation where he couldn’t get in touch with anyone, then you shouldn’t blame yourself for it. It means that he was simply unlucky.”

“...”

“Guild masters should remain steadfast at times like this. Otherwise, how can you expect your guild members to follow you calmly?” said Shin Sung-Hyun.

Guild Masters should trust their guild members and do their jobs silently.

Son Chae-Won smiled bitterly. “It’s been a while since I got scolded like this.”

“Pardon me for the offense,” said Shin Sung-Hyun.

“...No, I would like to thank you for dragging me back to my senses,” said Son Chae-Won. She finally logged out of Community and leaned against the chair. “I’m sure Woo-Joong would be disappointed if he saw me like this.”

“Probably.”

“Ah, you’re really ruthless.” Son Chae-Won smiled and stood up. “I guess I’m off. I have to wash my face and all.”

“Master Chae-Won,” said Shin Sung-Hyun.

Son Chae-Won came to a halt. “I’m an atheist, and I don’t really know how to pray nor who should I pray to, but I will pray for the Sword Saint’s safe return.”

“Thank you. I’m sure Woo-Joong will be happy to hear once he comes back,” said Son Chae-Won with a smile.

Shin Sung-Hyun smiled as well.

Flash!

A burst of golden light suddenly pervaded the conference room.

“...!”

“What’s going on?”

Shin Sung-Hyun and Son Chae-Won stared with narrowed eyes at the door that suddenly appeared in the conference room.

A blonde-haired woman soon emerged from the door.

The blonde-haired woman looked around and muttered, “It’s been a while since I came here…”

Shin Sung-Hyun and Son Chae-Won’s eyes flashed coldly.

‘She’s not a Player.’

‘She’s an enemy.’

Shin Sung-Hyun had memorized the faces of every single Player here, so he didn’t hesitate to attack.

“Prestissimo.”

Rumble!

The space around the blonde-haired woman abruptly distorted.

“Hmm?”

However, Shin Sung-Hyun’s attack didn’t leave even a single scratch on the blonde-haired woman. She turned to Shin Sung-Hyun and said, “I see. I guess I’ll let you off the hook since I’m sure you don’t know me.

”However, there won’t be a next time, got it?”

Shin Sung-Hyun stared blankly as the blonde-haired woman forgave him.

For some reason, his eyes became filled with tears, and he suddenly felt like kneeling and worshiping the woman.

Shin Sung-Hyun and Son Chae-Won stared at each other with a perplexed look.

Someone else emerged from the door...

“Specter-nim!” exclaimed Shin Sung-Hyun.

“Huh? You guys are still here?” Seo Jun-Ho noticed Shin Sung-Hyun and Son Chae-Won’s nervousness, so he asked, “Wait, what’s going on?”

Helic explained, “That human just attacked me.”

“Wait, what?”

“Oh, well, um. I had no idea that you were acquainted with him. I’m sorry.” Shin Sung-Hyun apologized with a troubled look.

Helic glanced at Shin Sung-Hyun. “It’s fine, I’ve already forgiven you. Anyway, Seo Jun-Ho? Hurry up and guide me to where I need to be.”

“Oh, right. Anyway, I’ll see you two later.”

Seo Jun-Ho left the conference room and led Helic to his training room.

***

Helic snorted at the giant statue of a slice of cake.

“A cake? How old are you, five?”

“Frost made that, not me.”

“Oh, she did a wonderful job.”

Seo Jun-Ho didn’t know what to say upon hearing that. Seo Jun-Ho had noticed long ago that there seemed to be a huge difference in the way Helic was treating the Frost Queen compared to him.

‘That’s why I thought she hated humans.’

However, it seemed that she didn’t really hate humans, considering how she easily forgave Shin Sung-Hyun for attacking her.

‘I feel like she’s only ruthless to me.’

Seo Jun-Ho’s curiosity was piqued, and he decided to speak, “Helic, may I ask you a question?”

“No. Bring me the ice statue with your friend in it.”

“Okay.” Seo Jun-Ho obliged and shattered the strawberry topping of the cake.

Helic approached the strawberry statue and said, “Melt it.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay being that close to him? He’s still…”

“Are you kidding me? Ridiculous. You should worry about yourself, not me.”

The omnipotent Helic glared at Seo Jun-Ho.

Seo Jun-Ho could only melt the ice statue in a hurry.

Thud!

Kim Woo-Joong fell to the ground and trembled.

“Keuk…” Kim Woo-Joong lifted his head.

‘It’s red.’ Seo Jun-Ho’s face darkened at Kim Woo-Joong’s bloodshot eyes.

‘He looks so unfamiliar with those bloodshot eyes on his face.’

The Frost Queen and Sung-Jun had told Seo Jun-Ho numerous times about the Sword Demon, but there was a big difference between hearing it from other people and seeing it with his own eyes.

“...Helic. Can you really cure him?”

“Of course,” Helic replied succinctly before walking toward the Sword Demon.

“You better keep your head down.”

Boom!

Helic’s divine power forced Kim Woo-Joong to kneel.

“Player… human… I will kill…”

“You poor thing. Unfortunately for you, I am neither a Player nor human,” said Helic while staring at Kim Woo-Joong with a sympathetic look.

Moments later, a ball of divine power formed at the tip of her fingers.

“I am the omnipotent Sun God.”

“Argh, aaaah!”

Quiver!

Kim Woo-Joong mustered as much demonic energy as he could to defend himself.

Helic muttered, “Angel’s Praise.”

Seo Jun-Ho’s eyes widened. ‘Feathers?’

Cherubs manifested in the air above the training room.

Their white and sacred feathers fell and fluttered throughout the training room.

“Argh! Ah!”

The cherubs smiled brightly and hugged Kim Woo-Joong tightly while flapping their wings.

Helic stepped confidently toward the restrained Kim Woo-Joong.

“Human, your heart is pure, and it has remained pure despite the dirty blood’s curse.”

Helic’s divine power pervaded the training room, and it made even Seo Jun-Ho feel like kneeling and worshiping her.

“Expel thy false skin...” Helic placed her finger on Kim Woo-Joong’s forehead. “And wake up.”

Boom!

‘Argh!’ Seo Jun-Ho gasped and closed his eyes. The golden light had become too dazzling for him to look at, and he couldn’t look away as well because it had engulfed the entire training room.

Seo Jun-Ho opened his eyes after a while, and he saw Kim Woo-Joong kneeling in silence with his head down.

Seo Jun-Ho asked carefully, “...Did it work?”

“Why don’t you check it out for yourself?”

Seo Jun-Ho nodded and approached Kim Woo-Joong.

“Are you back, Woo-Joong?” he asked.

Kim Woo-Joong slowly raised his head.

‘It’s clear.’

Seo Jun-Ho bit his lips at the sight upon seeing Kim Woo-Joong’s clear eyes.

“Jun-Ho…” Kim Woo-Joong smiled and wiped the tears from his eyes with both hands.

“Why am I crying…?”

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel drowsy. It feels like I had just woken up from a very long dream.”

“What kind of dream was it?”

Flinch.

Kim Woo-Joong broke out in cold sweat. He felt like vomiting, but he still spoke in a tone that made him sound like he was jeering at himself. “It was a bad dream. It was a very bad and unpleasant… dream.”

“...”

Seo Jun-Ho wordlessly patted Kim Woo-Joong’s shoulder.

‘Yes, all this is indeed a long dream.’

Seo Jun-Ho also felt like he had just woken up from a long and unpleasant nightmare.

“It was just a nightmare. You should forget it.”

“Yes, it feels like I just woke up, so…”

‘But why do I feel so sleepy?’

Kim Woo-Joong tried his best to stay awake.

“Jun-Ho…”

‘Thank you for waking me up from such a terrible nightmare.’

Kim Woo-Joong didn’t manage to continue his sentence as he collapsed and slept.

Seo Jun-Ho held Kim Woo-Joong in his arms and muttered, “Welcome back, Sword Saint.”

He carried Kim Woo-Joong on his back and approached Helic.

“Thank you so much, Helic.”

“...Don’t be mistaken. We had a deal.”

“Of course, I promise to secure the holy relic in the power plant by any means.”

“Hmph.” Helic snorted. She repeatedly clenched and opened her fist. She already knew that it would happen, but she didn’t expect to consume so much divine power just to expel the demonic energy in Kim Woo-Joong.

‘I will have to keep a low profile until I recover.’ Helic thought. She looked away from Seo Jun-Ho and asked, “The Frost Queen… what does she usually do during these hours?”

“Oh, Frost?” Seo Jun-Ho checked the time before saying, “She usually sleeps during these hours.”

“...” Helic glared coldly at Seo Jun-Ho. “If you don’t know what she’s up to, just say so. Why would you lie to me? There’s no way a Spirit would sleep.”

“No, I’m not lying. She sleeps a lot,” said Seo Jun-Ho. He frowned and added, “If you don’t believe me, why don’t you check it out?”

“...Check it out?” Helic’s twitching ears made it obvious that she was interested.

Soon, she crossed her arms and nodded as if she had no other choice. “Since you want me to check it out so badly, I guess I can only oblige. Well, should we go ahead and take a look, then?”