Chapter 40
Understanding Universe (4)
The Babel Universe—just how far is it going to expand?
At this rate, won’t it grow so large that the worldview becomes impossible to manage, causing setting errors and turning into a messy multiverse?
When the keyword constellation suddenly came up, I was seriously taken aback, but I replied as if it were nothing.
“Looks like you haven’t heard about me yet.”
I even shrugged my shoulders.
Hoping this indifferent attitude would work as a successful bluff.
Of course, I had checked with the only customer service available.
[⁕ There is an entity that oversees the order of the Tower of Babel 🙂
However, it is not a place that anyone may peer into out of mere personal curiosity.]
For once, it was an accurate and concrete answer.
The word dare sounded extremely authoritarian, but it was also a firm response that completely shut down any anxiety.
Sam sometimes pisses me off, but like a programmed AI, it doesn’t lie.
“So it’s not a constellation story, at least.”
That meant the illustrious Director Park Ji-woon was being observed unilaterally by someone.
Park Ji-woon’s face, visible beyond the veil, was so cold it looked like no blood would come out even if you stabbed him.
I was curious—but even if I asked, he didn’t seem like the type to answer honestly.
“Hm, then let’s cleanly shelve that for later!”
Even if someone was watching, it didn’t matter.
I’d lived my life without a shred of shame, under heaven and earth.
If it were truly dangerous, wouldn’t Sam have warned me first?
[⁕ I do not respond to matters unrelated to the Market :)]
“Oh? Is that so?”
Then why even bring up the entity that governs order, you idiot?
By now, I’d learned how to handle Sam properly, so I said smoothly,
“Why don’t you ask someone else? Ask if they know the owner of the Friendly Market.”
“……”
Perhaps tired of the situation, Park Ji-woon’s gaze dulled slightly.
Seems like I’m his natural enemy.
“That works in my favor.”
I clapped my hands once, changing the atmosphere.
“So then. I think it’s time to get to the point? Why did you come looking for me?”
Observer or not, I didn’t care.
The reason we met today was clear.
Park Ji-woon slowly opened his mouth, shedding his earlier chill.
“First, thank you for responding to the summons.”
Did I get chewed out a lot for ignoring the attendance notice?
His tone sounded oddly deliberate, like every word was being carefully chewed.
I chuckled lightly beneath my mask.
“Not at all. Though it does look like I was the one who summoned you.”
My best friend once said I had a natural talent for irritating people.
Park Ji-woon narrowed his brows slightly, clearly annoyed—though with his excellent poker face, it barely showed.
“Yes, that’s true. But the Babel Administration’s purpose in seeking you is clear.”
See? Calmly continuing as if nothing happened.
“To determine whether you are a potential threat.”
He didn’t beat around the bush—he went straight for the jugular.
Being treated as suspicious when I’m completely innocent was a bit hurtful, but I nodded calmly.
“I’ll ask a few questions for confirmation.”
“Am I obligated to answer?”
“If you are a citizen of the Republic of Korea and a hunter registered with the Babel Administration, then yes.”
“And how can you be sure I’m a Korean citizen and registered with the Administration…?”
“……Are you not?”
“I could be. Or I might not be.”
I answered with a grin.
They might have guessed I was Korean, but I’d never admitted it myself.
And since I was only E-rank, there hadn’t been any serious interview during registration.
I was acting this cocky because I was certain I wouldn’t get caught.
As Park Ji-woon blinked slowly, Alessandro—standing behind him—shook his head in disgust.
“That man, seriously…”
He’s on my side, but he’s way too open about hating me.
Well, that’s the point.
Still, the fact that Park Ji-woon faced me without changing expression made him worthy of respect.
“Oh, and there’s one thing I’d like to clarify.”
I spoke quickly.
“I didn’t come here for an investigation today. I came to propose a deal—as the administrator of the Friendly Market.”
“……A deal?”
“Yes, a deal. If you can’t accept that premise, you’re free to leave. And then you can start digging into me from scratch.”
This was an offer Park Ji-woon couldn’t refuse.
I could kick him out right now.
Even if he camped out in front of the information desk, it wouldn’t matter.
I could use the secret passage directly connected to the residential area on the third floor.
Since he’d been watching me for a long time, Park Ji-woon surely knew this.
“So this is why securing the high ground matters.”
Strategies passed down since ancient times really are proven truths.
After staring at me expressionlessly, Park Ji-woon finally gave his answer.
“…Understood.”
I smiled broadly beneath my mask.
“Great. I knew you were someone reasonable.”
Could he see my smile through the mask?
Park Ji-woon’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
“Then please present your terms first.”
I smiled brightly.
The reply came immediately.
“Your abilities, how you obtained the strategy for the 49th floor, and your stance on providing that strategy to foreign countries. Those are the three major points. Please explain all of them.”
…You weren’t flustered?
“Did he prepare those answers in advance, ready to fire back the moment I asked?”
I was more startled by how cleanly organized his demands were, but I shrugged nonchalantly.
“Ah, that won’t work.”
“Is there a reason?”
“Trade secrets? I mean, if you barged into a famous restaurant asking for their secret sauce recipe, would they give it to you?”
“But on a national level—”
“As I said earlier, reasons like ‘national interest’ or ‘Babel Administration authority’ don’t work on me. If you want something, Director, you have to give something too. I already gave you the opportunity. This meeting was created for a deal, after all.”
I’m sorry, Republic of Korea.
Please forgive me for being such a shameless brat despite loving my country.
Park Ji-woon stared at me quietly, then parted his lips.
“Is there something you want?”
Despite having every reason to be pissed, his attitude remained consistently clear.
Once again, I thanked my past self for deciding to wear a mask.
“If it’s easier, shall I go first?”
Park Ji-woon nodded readily.
What I wanted from the government’s watchdog was already decided.
“First, I’d like you to stop investigating the Friendly Market.”
“……”
“And the same goes for my identity as the administrator. The staff stationed at Baman Shop and Babel Square as well.”
Alessandro would probably remain tight-lipped no matter what questions he faced, but Kang Yeon-hee was under severe stress.
She’d gone from living as an ordinary person to carrying the attention of the entire nation overnight.
Naturally, it was overwhelming.
Her pain was written plainly in the messages she sent every day.
[> Mid-Manager Messages
– Someone came again today asking about potion prices and whether the owner was around… ㅜㅜ Yesterday it was Aegis, and today it seems like the Administration ㅜㅜㅜㅜ | Kang Yeon-hee (Baman Shop)
– Unni, is this right?? These people are openly saying my name now ㅜ What should I say? | Kang Yeon-hee (Baman Shop)]
I’d advised her to just smile and shut the window without answering, but for Yeon-hee, every day was a continuation of misery.
If I hadn’t provided her with lodging inside Baman Shop, she might’ve been dragged into something far worse.
“…You won’t provide any explanation?”
“If there were a problem, I would explain it. But hasn’t there been no issue so far?”
Who do you think I am?
I’m Lee Haewon—ranked number zero in the world when it comes to shamelessness.
At my brazen answer, bold enough to make even Alessandro shake his head, Park Ji-woon’s shoulders visibly trembled.
That was a sigh.
“…Anything else?”
Sounding slightly tired, he rubbed the corner of his eye, then awkwardly lowered his hand as if he’d just realized he’d forgotten his glasses.
“When I request information, please respond. Of course, I’m not asking for state secrets.”
“What kind of information, specifically?”
“Scenario data, raid progress—that sort of thing.”
“You know that the information you mentioned is classified.”
“I need it for business.”
“So you’re saying your business benefits the nation?”
“That, I don’t know. I’m a merchant chasing profit. I’m not interested in things that don’t make money.”
Even though my heart was too small and soft to completely ignore such things—and even though I’d caused enough trouble to make him come all this way.
“…Very well. Next?”
Whatever.
The most important part came next.
Leaning against the table, I spoke seriously.
“Please officially recognize the Friendly Market.”
This condition encompassed everything I’d mentioned earlier.
Because the Babel Administration kept investigating the Friendly Market, not just guilds but broadcasters and rumor-mongering YouTubers kept harassing Yeon-hee until she cried.
All it would take was a single statement:
“The Babel Administration has verified the Friendly Market and determined it is not dangerous. We have decided to cooperate.”
Then everything would be resolved.
At my demand, Park Ji-woon’s expression hardened.
“So the government must officially recognize you—while knowing absolutely nothing about you in return?”
No wonder he disliked that.
“My god, this is terrifying.”
I swallowed.
The moderately kind, worn-down Park Ji-woon I’d seen in the media was clearly a fabrication.
Who knew he had such a sharp gaze?
I deliberately raised my voice cheerfully.
“Exactly right!”
“It seems the government would suffer significant losses by accepting this deal.”
“Then… shall we call it a favor? If that sounds better.”
“Then I’ll ask for a few favors.”
Park Ji-woon leaned forward over the table.
“He recovered awfully fast.”
He really did look like an office worker desperate to clock out.
“I’m listening.”
“The Babel Administration has established various rules to maintain order within the Tower of Babel. Thanks to these rules, Korea escaped chaos and regained order. We ask that the Friendly Market cooperate with these rules as well.”
“Hmm, what kind of cooperation exactly?”
“Five major points. First, no operation during the early morning hours. Second, impose sanctions equivalent to ours on vendors listed on the Administration’s blacklist.”
“And the reasons for blacklisting are clearly stated?”
“Yes. Only legitimate reasons.”
Honestly, I’d felt uneasy about letting shops into Babel Square without knowing anything about them.
This was a proposal with no downside for me.
“Third… the support you provided to Wolpae.”
“Support sounds a bit grand, doesn’t it?”
I laughed awkwardly.
It was closer to king-making—or a golden lifeline.
“If that method works on other floors as well, we would appreciate your assistance.”
Even though it could hurt his pride, Park Ji-woon’s face remained calm.
It wasn’t much different from what I’d asked earlier.
Since I had no intention of harming Korea—and helping was actually more comfortable for me—it wasn’t a losing deal.
“Well… I’d have to see whether it’s profitable.”
I shrugged in response.
The world is harsh enough as it is.
You have to keep your head straight.
I don’t want to take losses.
“Fourth: do not provide assistance to other countries.”
“Ah, let’s revise that. I’ll provide assistance only after consultation with the Babel Administration.”
“That sounds like you intend to provide it no matter what.”
“Oops, caught me?”
“…Are you aware that Babel Tower resources are directly tied to national power?”
For the first time, Park Ji-woon’s expression clearly soured.
As expected of the Babel Administration’s figurehead.
The kind of man who’d do anything for his country.
“So scary!”
If I were just an ordinary E-rank hunter, I might’ve backed down.
But national power wasn’t the issue.
Conquering the Tower of Babel was directly linked to dimensional annihilation.
Park Ji-woon glared at me with a strangely sunken expression, but I simply tilted my head calmly.
No matter how nervous I was, this was a condition I couldn’t compromise on.
“Should I just tell him?”
Come to think of it, the Kingdom of Flcon hadn’t known their dimension was doomed either.
That’s why Alessandro ended up as the sole survivor.
After maintaining the standoff for a while, Park Ji-woon finally responded, as if unwilling to waste more time.
“…Very well.”
Though his eyes flickered red, as if they might burst at any moment.
Come to think of it—what was that red color?
I’d never looked that deeply into his eyes before.
“Red means hostility… no, danger warning.”
I should avoid getting involved not just with Park Ji-woon, but with other S-rank hunters too.
Thinking that, I rested my chin on my hand.
“So what’s the last condition?”
“Friendly—what is that sound?”
“It’s me kicking my feet.”
Trying to maintain my crazy-woman persona, I swung my legs back and forth, making the floor scrape.
Park Ji-woon lowered his head slightly and pressed his temple.
Maybe he thought I was fooling around during a serious discussion.
I clearly wasn’t to his liking.
Still, he didn’t avoid stating the final condition.
“Lastly, the Friendly Market and you will comply with Babel-related laws and regulations. That is all.”
He finished as if it were the easiest condition of all.
At that, I shrugged and replied brightly,
“That’ll be difficult.”
