“The four cadets of Gwangcheon Academy, selected as the top academy, will each receive the unique accessory item Overflowing Soul as their prize.”

At the announcer’s words, committee members handed us four bracelets.

The press swarmed, snapping photos of us clutching our awards—Seo Yui and Lumina had their gem and ring as well, making the shot all the more dazzling.

“That concludes the awards portion of today’s ceremony. From here, our distinguished guests may offer words of encouragement to the cadets who worked so hard throughout HAUT.”

As the announcer stepped back, soft classical music filled the hall.

Staff streamed in, laying out food and drink across white-draped tables.

“…What is this, a gala now?” Meiling muttered, lips curling.

This is where it really begins.

Winning first place—our primary goal—was already in the bag.

Now came the second reward of HAUT: sponsor selection.

In the game, the system was straightforward: the champions could choose up to five sponsors, second place three, third place two. Everyone else was stuck with a random minor corporation.

But reality wasn’t bound to game mechanics.

And the answer came quickly.

The moment we stepped off the stage, people closed in.

“Congratulations on your victory. I’m Johnny Mark, vice president of Elixir Industries. Your performance was truly inspiring. If you’d allow us, we’d like to support your academy career—”

“Paul Hwang, Fiskascha Steel. We’d be honored to provide your weapons while you’re at the academy.”

“I’m from the Professional Hunter Guild Association. If you wish, we’ll cover your tuition in full right now. We can also arrange weekly dungeon expeditions with us to sharpen your real combat skills. Please, let’s step aside and talk—”

One after another, representatives came, until nearly every investor in the room had gathered around us.

Reporters’ cameras shifted our way too.

That alone told me everything. The other academies weren’t getting a single offer.

Sure enough, I spotted their cadets off to the side, huddled together with dark faces or quietly eating food at the tables.

“U-uh…”

I turned to the sound.

Lumina was shrinking behind Meiling, shoulders hunched, looking even smaller than usual.

Meiling’s expression screamed what a pain.

Seo Yui, meanwhile, kept glancing between the investors and me—waiting to see how I would respond.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

A familiar voice cut through the crowd.

The investors parted respectfully, revealing a man with white hair and beard, smiling kindly.

The chairman of Porter Group—the conglomerate that controlled global distribution.

“Chairman Porter. Hello,” I greeted.

Several investors’ faces darkened instantly.

“Yein, Lumina. You’ve done well.”

He then turned his gaze to Seo Yui and Meiling.

“This is our first meeting. Have you heard of me from Yein?”

“Yes, during the Porter Department Store incident,” Seo Yui replied.

The chairman nodded, then looked back at me.

“You once told me, Yein, that you didn’t want to accept my sponsorship just yet. That you hadn’t done what you set out to do, and if, after HAUT, your resolve remained unchanged, I should ask you again.”

“That’s right,” I said.

“Well, I’ve seen you and your team in action. My resolve hasn’t changed.”

His smile deepened.

“I’d like to support not only you and Lumina, but also your teammates Seo Yui and Meiling. Tuition, equipment, potions—whatever you need for dungeon practice. And of course, until the day you graduate.”

A collective sigh ran through the gathered investors.

The chairman of the world’s third-largest corporation had just pledged full support. Whatever deals they’d tried to push paled instantly in comparison.

I glanced at my teammates.

“Anyone object?”

No one answered.

“Thank you, Chairman Porter. We gratefully accept Porter Group’s support.”

His satisfied smile said it all.

And just like that, a side quest unlocks.

Cosmos, tied to Porter Group.

The name matched the terrorist cell that had attacked his department store. Obvious foreshadowing. That quest line would pit us against them again.

Recommended level: 65 on Hardcore. It triggered sometime in Phase 2—though not always guaranteed.

Well, more grinding it is. But with the survivability gear and the Twisted Possibility ring we scored from HAUT, it’s manageable.

“Ahem.”

The crowd shifted again as another figure stepped forward.

“Chairman Porter, if you don’t mind, may I have a word with Yein?”

The speaker was a man in his forties.

Porter gave me a glance, then inclined his head.

“I’ll be in touch later. I’m glad we can support you all.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I bowed slightly as he left.

The new arrival smiled.

“Zeke Richard, Guildmaster of All Around. I found your team’s exploits fascinating. Abel’s spoken of you often as well.”

He pulled something from his pocket and handed it to me.

“…A ticket?”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

“All Around is offering a ticket?”

“And to Yein, of all people…?”

The last comment came from Johnny Mark of Elixir Industries. I hadn’t been planning to accept their offer anyway, but I filed away his tone for later.

“Would you wait just a moment?”

Another voice rang out.

The investors stiffened visibly.

One of the two corporate giants that ruled Latessai—Crystal’s CEO, Ahn Hyunggi—was standing beside us.

Between his fingers, identical to what Zeke had just given me, was another ticket.

“I also intended to present Yein with a ticket.”

What?

This time, my shock was genuine.

Camera flashes exploded from the press pit.

A ticket—one of the rare privileges given only to the top sponsors of HAUT.

It allowed the holder to immediately propose a contract to a cadet on the spot.

In the game, the three consistent ticket holders had always been:

Crystal’s CEO, Ahn Hyunggi.

Forward’s future chairman, Oh Seongcheon.

And All Around’s guildmaster, Zeke Richard.

If your performance was exceptional, one of the three would appear, chosen at random, to unlock a high-tier questline.

But never—never had two of them appeared at once.

Even Crystal’s CEO, Ahn Hyunggi, was here.

There was no way he’d want to sponsor cadets from Gwangcheon Academy, which was owned by Forward.

This too was something that had never once happened in the game.

“President Ahn, forgive me, but I was the first to present Yein with a ticket,” Zeke said, smiling.

Only his lips smiled. His eyes were cold.

“Hahaha. But surely, Chairman, you’d agree that the priority of HAUT tickets should be determined by the size of the contribution, no?”

Ahn Hyunggi’s words carried a genial tone, but the meaning was clear: you didn’t pay as much, so step aside.

Hearing him speak, I couldn’t help but think—yes, this man really is Iris’s father.

The two locked eyes. Staring. No words. No movement. More like they were glaring daggers at one another.

Then suddenly, the hall erupted in murmurs as the reporters swung their cameras toward the entrance.

“It’s the Mayor!”

“Quick, get the shot!”

Striding in was none other than Cheon Jiwon.

Huh? What’s he doing here?

In the game’s HAUT, not once had his face appeared. I found it strange.

Even Ahn Hyunggi and Zeke stopped glaring at each other to look.

Cheon Jiwon shook hands with Riyu, exchanged a few words, then made straight for us.

“Cadet Nam Yein. I heard the news—your team took first place.”

He smiled broadly.

“That’s right.”

“Congratulations, truly.”

He extended his hand.

It was thick and calloused. The moment I clasped it lightly, he gripped hard and shook with such force that my whole body vibrated.

“And congratulations to you as well, Miss Lumina. I hear you even tied for first place individually.”

“Ah! Y-yes, th-thank you!”

Lumina stiffened to attention and bent at a perfect ninety degrees.

“Hahaha, no need to be so tense. I’m only here to celebrate your success.”

The mayor laughed heartily.

But I caught it—the flicker of his gaze toward the reporters.

“As much as I wanted to see your exploits firsthand, my schedule just wouldn’t allow it. To think I nearly missed the ceremony as well.”

He spoke to me, then turned toward Ahn Hyunggi and Zeke.

“President Ahn. Guildmaster Zeke. It’s been some time.”

“Yes. And you, Mayor, are as energetic as ever,” Zeke replied with a grin.

“You look more like a hunter than I do, and I’m a professional.”

“Hahaha, do I?”

“Mr. Mayor,” Ahn Hyunggi said smoothly.

“As much as I’d like to chat, I was in the middle of discussing something with Cadet Yein. Would you excuse us for a moment?”

At that, Zeke’s smile faltered.

“Ah, I see. Then I’ve interrupted, haven’t I?”

“President Ahn, weren’t you speaking with me, not Yein?” Zeke shot back.

The mayor blinked. Then—

“Hahahaha!!”

He burst out laughing, giving me a hearty slap on the back.

“To think, the president of Crystal and the leader of the world’s top guild are both courting you at once. Extraordinary!”

“Haha…”

I forced a laugh.

Honestly, I was overwhelmed.

The only silver lining was that Oh Seongcheon wasn’t here.

All Around was one thing, but if both Ahn Hyunggi and Oh Seongcheon had presented tickets at the same time, it could’ve triggered the Seoul Civil War Quest under the worst possible circumstances.

“…And here comes the man himself.”

As if to mock my thoughts, a tall figure in a black suit appeared—Oh Seongcheon.

“President Oh. It’s been a while,” said Mayor Cheon Jiwon brightly.

But his earlier laughter was gone.

“Guildmaster Zeke. President Ahn. Forgive me, but I’ll be taking these cadets with me for a moment.”

And he pulled out a ticket.

Ah.

Chaos.

That was the only word that came to mind.

All Around’s guildmaster.

Crystal’s CEO.

And Forward’s heir apparent, who owned Gwangcheon itself.

Three titans. Their eyes locked.

…Maybe I should’ve thrown that duel against Iris back then.

For the first time, I regretted winning.

(End of Chapter)