Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

“We were fortunate in many ways.”

“It seems you’re the one being modest now, Hunter Han Cha-hyun.”

Easier said than done. To form a hypothesis from a handful of clues and then prove it conclusively—it was a feat that required no small amount of courage.

“This result wouldn’t have been possible without Yun Gaho-ssi.”

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t you suggest investigating Helium? Without that advice, we wouldn’t have come this far.”

Now that he mentioned it, I did say something like that.

I had a feeling this man would have found his way to the truth even without my postscript. His continued praise made me feel a bit embarrassed, and I found myself scratching the back of my neck.

“It’s not a new observation, but human desire is truly frightening.”

Han Cha-hyun burst into laughter at my blatant attempt to change the subject, but he smoothly played along.

“I, too, was struck anew by how humans will use any means necessary to achieve their desires.”

Though I’d thrown out the comment casually, the more I pondered it, the more chilling it became. To exploit a sacred object of an opposing deity to expand their influence—it was unsettling. Given the comments about the elevator and unhealed wounds, it seemed likely they had some sort of collaborative relationship with the Shipowners’ Association as well.

‘What could have driven them to such extremes?’

I knew it was unwise to become too invested in the events of the World Tower, but I couldn’t help feeling sick to my stomach.

“Though we were a bit late, didn’t it all work out in the end?”

“A silver lining, I suppose.”

A vibration sound made me instinctively check my wrist.

“Ah, it’s on my end.”

Han Cha-hyun raised his wrist, showing his Hunter Watch. After checking the message, he shared its contents with me.

[- Sender: Yun Su-ho

There was some delay due to Hunter Lee Kang-to’s stubbornness, but we’ve just finished our discussion amicably.

We’re about to return the pearl to its cradle. I’ll report again once the situation is resolved.

P.S. Has Hunter Yun Gaho woken up?]

It was an uncharacteristically normal report from Yun Su-ho.

Whether the discussion had truly been amicable was anyone’s guess, but it seemed all the quests would soon be wrapped up.

The thought that it was really all over made my heart flutter.

“Would it be alright if I replied?”

After all, I had been the one leading the quests in Shella. I wanted to send the final message myself.

“Of course. I’m sure Yun Su-ho would be more at ease if the message came from you.”

As I composed my reply, I skimmed Yun Su-ho’s message once more.

“Returning the pearl to its cradle… Wait, what?”

“Is there a problem?”

According to Han Cha-hyun, the pearl had been exposed to concentrated Helium mana for a long time. This was to allow the priests to handle Media’s sacred object.

“The pearl in the cradle? We have to stop them right now!”

“What do you mean?”

Kalia’s casual hint in the workshop echoed in my mind.

[The protection formula is most sensitive to Helium’s mana, more than anything else.]

– Helium?

[Helium fell into a deep slumber along with Medina. But just in case, I made a little tweak! Curious, aren’t you? Hmm?]

When I reluctantly agreed, Kalia leaned in close enough that our noses almost touched, then raised a finger to her lips and whispered.

[I’m telling you this as a special secret. Don’t even tell Astrona!]

Seeing my dubious expression, Kalia burst into childlike laughter.

[Oh, don’t be so stiff.]

– Ah, yes.

[If Helium’s mana is detected within the cradle, all of Badadkkot transforms into a massive weapon. Impressive, isn’t it?]

– It’s not a transforming robot…

[I designed it to keep going until the enemy is completely annihilated. It’s a weapon that borrows—well, I may have ‘borrowed’ Medina’s mana. Even the real Helium would have a hard time against this!]

The formula I’d seen in the cradle flashed through my mind. As expected of Kalia’s creation, it was incredibly intricate and powerful.

If the pearl, now thoroughly saturated with Helium’s mana, were to enter the cradle, it would lead to Badadkkot’s self-destruction.

My hands and feet turned cold.

“If the pearl enters the cradle as it is, Badadkkot will be destroyed!”

We had to stop this immediately.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Galatein!”

“You shameless Mr. Kim! Don’t you dare touch our Taeyang!”

Sori screeched. Akis, who had been running towards Cha Taeyang with open arms, came to an abrupt halt. He looked somewhat bewildered.

“I could have sworn I heard Galatea’s voice from over here…”

“Akina. Did you leave your glasses behind again?”

“Galatea! There you are!”

Finally locating Galatea, Akis embraced him tightly. Galatea stretched out his arm to pat the back of Akis’s head.

“Want to get wet? Let’s go quickly.”

As if they’d been waiting for this moment, Galatea entered the lake.

How many years had it been since he’d been in the sea?

Overcome with emotion, Galatea stroked his tail. Though scales were missing in places and the color had faded, it would soon return to its former glory.

As Akis circled around Galatea, unable to contain his joy, small splashes of water rose. Galatea frowned and held up his palm to stop Akis.

– Akina, enough. You’re making me dizzy.

– Sorry…

– Instead of wasting time, go down first and infuse some mana into the array.

– Okay! Leave it to me!

Akis’s expression, which had visibly drooped at Galatea’s scolding, brightened instantly. As Akis disappeared towards the teleportation formula at lightning speed, Galatea laughed out loud.

– You must have had a tough time too, but you haven’t changed a bit.

Taeyang, who had been watching this scene from above the water’s surface with a fond expression, entered the water with a scale between her teeth.

– Gaho-unni would have loved to see this.

– Indeed. She’s such a caring Mr. Kim.

While hatred can be hidden, kindness cannot. Taeyang recalled the considerate gaze that had been directed at her.

Yun Gaho had repeatedly cautioned Taeyang not to become too attached to NPCs.

“She can’t even follow her own advice…”

Taeyang sighed deeply.

– Rushing headlong into danger. I’m worried sick about her.

The image of Yun Gaho falling into the dark sea was still vivid. Taeyang had truly felt her heart drop. If the Spirit hadn’t arrived in time… The mere thought was horrifying.

– I should have protected unni.

– But you fought hard too! Because of those people with strange weapons… It’s not your fault, Taeyang!

– Our eyes met. Unni was coming towards me.

Taeyang clenched her fist so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She had confidently promised to protect Yun Gaho but failed to do so. She had thought Yun Gaho would be safe with the S-rank ahjussi.

It had been a naive assumption.

– I want to become stronger.

– Huh?

– You know, Sori, I want to become stronger. So that no one around me ever gets hurt again. I’ll protect Gaho-unni, Witch-unni, and all my family in the mountains.

– Taeyang…

– I’m not sure how yet, but I definitely will… Oh, Akis is calling us to hurry.

Akis was waving his hand from below.

Returning to her usual bright demeanor, Taeyang smiled cheerfully as she moved towards him.

– Player, please close your eyes tightly. It might make you dizzy.

After confirming that Taeyang had closed her eyes, Akis activated the circuit. Taeyang wrinkled her nose at the sensation that remained unfamiliar even after experiencing it several times.

As soon as the teleportation was complete, the three swam towards Badadkkot.

– Huh? What are they doing over there?

Cha Taeyang muttered, noticing Lee Kang-to near the entrance of Badadkkot. It seemed he was in conversation with Yun Su-ho.

As they got closer, something felt off. Taeyang sent the two sea people ahead and approached Yun Su-ho and Lee Kang-to.

– A conversation? No, are they arguing?

It looked less like a dialogue and more like Lee Kang-to unilaterally spewing words. Yun Su-ho was looking down at Lee Kang-to, who was more than a head shorter than him, with his lips tightly sealed.

“That can hardly be called a conversation.”

Clicking her tongue at the two men’s behavior, Taeyang approached them.

– I’m back!

– Welcome back.

– It’s not like I’m asking for much, just until Hunter Yun Gaho arrives. I only asked for that much time.

– I said no.

– You stubborn mule! Hic, after all the trouble it took to get this…

Lee Kang-to, clutching the box tightly with both arms, hid behind Cha Taeyang. Taeyang, not understanding the situation, looked at the two men with narrowed eyes.

From what she gathered, Lee Kang-to had been stubbornly refusing to hand over the Deep Sea Pearl for quite some time. As Yun Su-ho watched Lee Kang-to insist on just a bit more time to look at it, a deep furrow formed between his brows.

Since it was a quest without a time limit, there wouldn’t be a problem if things were delayed a bit as Lee Kang-to suggested.

But Yun Su-ho remained adamant.

‘Looks like he wants to finish this before Gaho-unni wakes up.’

Taeyang, having accurately guessed Yun Su-ho’s intentions, tilted her head.

Although a potion had been used, a bullet had still pierced Yun Gaho’s arm. Such a severe injury would normally have aftereffects, but knowing Yun Gaho’s personality, she would likely push herself until everything was resolved. That wasn’t what Taeyang wanted either.

While she didn’t particularly like Yun Su-ho, who seemed to constantly bother Yun Gaho, in this case, she decided to side with him. Just as Taeyang was about to step in and support Yun Su-ho, Lee Kang-to collapsed with a thud.

– Ahjussi?

– Let’s go.

Yun Su-ho picked up the box and moved ahead.

Seeing his nonchalant face after knocking someone unconscious, Taeyang shook her head.

“Taeyang, you shouldn’t get too close to that Mr. Kim. He’s violent!”

Sori’s whispered words made Taeyang burst into laughter. She gently stroked Sori with her index finger.

– Don’t be like that. He’s our comrade too.

– Evil company corrupts good morals!

– Come on, I may not like him completely, but he doesn’t seem that bad.

Soothing Sori, who was jingling in dissatisfaction, Taeyang swam towards the central tower of Badadkkot.

– It’s really over now.

Thinking of the sea people waiting for her in Badadkkot, Taeyang smiled softly.