Chapter 247: Before the S-Rank Expedition

Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Before the S-Rank Expedition

After spending some time at the apartment, Ares eventually rose from his seat and excused himself.

"I should get going for now. There is something I need to take care of before tomorrow."

Ji Won looked toward him.

"You’re heading to the Administration?"

"Yes. The Chairman has been looking for me, so I should probably pay him a visit."

"All right. Take care, Tae Ho."

Ares gave a small nod before stepping toward the door.

"I’ll see you later."

With that, he left the apartment.

Rather than taking the ordinary route through the city, Ares disappeared from the street almost instantly.

---

At the same time, inside one of the Association’s secured administrative buildings, Chairman Kang Dong-wook and Director Han Seung-ho were sitting inside a private office, going through several documents displayed across a large digital screen.

The room was quiet, with only the occasional sound of pages being turned and information being entered into the terminal.

Then, without warning, a faint distortion appeared in the air.

The two men immediately looked up.

A moment later, a figure materialized in front of them.

Both Kang Dong-wook and Han Seung-ho were slightly surprised, but their expressions quickly changed when they recognized the person standing before them.

"Y-Yoon Tae Ho?"

The Chairman stared at him for a moment before a smile appeared on his face.

"I see that you’re back. How have you been?"

Ares calmly looked at the two men.

"I’m doing well. Ji Won told me that you were looking for me, so I decided to come here and see what you needed."

Kang Dong-wook nodded.

"Yes, you probably heard about the situation already."

"The S-Rank Gate."

"Yes."

The Chairman leaned back slightly in his chair.

"The expedition is being prepared as we speak, and we would like you to participate if possible. Considering your rank and the results you have already demonstrated, your presence would be extremely valuable."

Ares did not hesitate.

"I don’t mind participating. When is the expedition scheduled to begin?"

"Tomorrow."

The Chairman’s expression brightened slightly.

"Tomorrow is the scheduled departure date. We were actually hoping that we could contact you before then, but we weren’t certain whether you were available."

"I’ll be there tomorrow."

"Really?"

Kang Dong-wook seemed genuinely relieved.

"That’s excellent. Thank you, Tae Ho. Having another S-Rank Awakener participate will make things considerably easier for the expedition team."

Ares simply nodded.

"Then I’ll see you tomorrow."

"Of course. We appreciate your cooperation."

Ares turned toward the door, but paused briefly.

"Well, then, I’ll get going now."

"All right. Take care, Tae Ho."

Ares nodded once before his figure disappeared without leaving even the slightest trace of his presence behind.

Han Seung-ho remained silent for a moment, staring at the place where Ares had been standing.

"He’s certainly as unpredictable as ever."

Kang Dong-wook gave a quiet chuckle.

"At least he agreed to participate."

---

Outside the apartment, Ji Won was waiting.

The moment Ares appeared beside him, Ji Won looked over.

"That was quick."

"They only wanted to discuss the expedition."

"So, you’re participating?"

"Yes. The expedition begins tomorrow."

Ji Won nodded.

"I see."

Ares glanced toward him.

"Since we’re already here, let’s go to Hyung Jung Ho’s café."

Ji Won’s expression brightened slightly.

"Sure."

Ares placed a hand on his shoulder.

The world around them distorted for a fraction of a second.

WHOOSH!

In the next instant, the two were standing in front of Jung Ho’s café.

Ji Won looked around in amazement.

"To think we can get here in an instant. You’re really incredible, Tae Ho."

Ares glanced at him.

"Is that so?"

Ji Won laughed softly.

"Of course it is. Most people would have to spend quite a while traveling here."

The two entered the café together.

The place was considerably busier than it had been during Ares’s previous visit. Several customers occupied the tables while employees moved between the counter and the dining area, carrying drinks and freshly prepared desserts.

Behind the counter, Jung Ho was speaking with one of his employees when he happened to glance toward the entrance.

His eyes immediately widened.

"Tae Ho!"

Jung Ho stopped in the middle of his conversation before walking around the counter.

Then he noticed Ji Won standing beside Ares.

"And Ji Won, too. What perfect timing."

He approached them with a broad smile.

"Come over here. We just made a new dessert, and I want you two to try it."

Ares gave him a small nod.

"Another new dessert?"

"That’s right. I’ve been experimenting with the menu lately, and I think this one turned out particularly well."

Jung Ho turned toward one of the employees behind the counter.

"Could you prepare two coffees for us and bring two portions of the new dessert to my office?"

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you."

Jung Ho then looked back at Ares and Ji Won.

"Come on. Let’s talk somewhere quieter."

The three of them walked toward the back of the café and entered Jung Ho’s office.

The room was comfortable and neatly arranged, with a long table positioned near the center and several chairs placed around it. Jung Ho motioned for the two to sit while he took the seat opposite them.

"You two have already eaten, haven’t you?"

"We just finished at home," Ji Won answered.

"Then that’s perfect. You can still try the dessert without worrying about having a full meal."

Ares leaned back slightly.

"You seem particularly proud of this one."

"Because I am."

Jung Ho laughed.

"I’ve been working on it for several days. I wanted something that would look refined enough to become one of the café’s signature desserts, rather than simply adding another sweet dish to the menu."

Before Ares could respond, there was a knock on the door.

An employee entered carrying a tray.

Two cups of coffee were placed carefully on the table, followed by two plates containing the new dessert.

The dessert consisted of a delicate layered pastry with a thin golden-brown crust on the outside and several smooth layers of cream beneath it. A light dusting of powdered sugar covered the top, while a small portion of fruit had been arranged beside it, giving the entire dish an elegant appearance without making it excessively elaborate.

Jung Ho looked at Ares expectantly.

"Go ahead. Try it."

Ares picked up a spoon and carefully took a portion.

He tasted it.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he nodded.

"It’s good."

Jung Ho immediately smiled with satisfaction.

"I knew you’d like it. Tell me if you want another portion later."

Ji Won picked up his spoon as well.

"Let me try."

He took a bite and nodded.

"Yeah, it’s really good."

"See?"

Jung Ho leaned back proudly.

"I told you. I’ve been improving."

Ares picked up his coffee and took a sip.

"You certainly have."

Jung Ho smiled.

"That’s what I wanted to hear."

The three continued eating the dessert while drinking their coffee, allowing the conversation to settle into a comfortable rhythm.

After a while, Jung Ho looked at Ares.

"So, you’re participating in the S-Rank Gate subjugation."

"Yeah."

Ares placed his cup back on the table.

"The expedition is scheduled to begin tomorrow."

Jung Ho nodded slowly.

"Still, it’s hard to believe that you’re already officially recognized as an S-Rank Awakener. Considering everything you’ve already done, though, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised anymore."

Ares gave him a faintly amused look.

"You make it sound as though I’ve done something unreasonable."

Jung Ho laughed.

He shook his head with a helpless smile.

"So yes, I think I’ve earned the right to stop being surprised."

Ji Won laughed quietly.

"I have to agree with Hyung Jung Ho."

Ares took another sip of coffee.

Jung Ho leaned back in his chair before glancing toward Ji Won.

"And what about you? Have you decided whether you’re going to join one of the guilds that approached you?"

Ji Won shook his head.

"Not yet. I’m still thinking about it."

"That’s understandable. Joining a guild is a serious decision, especially once you start participating in larger expeditions."

Ares nodded.

"Take your time and choose carefully. There is no reason to accept an offer simply because it happens to be available."

Ji Won looked at Ares.

"That’s what I was thinking as well."

Jung Ho smiled.

"Then I suppose there’s no need to rush."

For a while, the three continued talking about ordinary matters, from Ji Won’s recent dungeon expeditions to the growing number of customers visiting the café and the preparations being made for the S-Rank Gate expedition.

Despite the dangers surrounding the upcoming operation, the conversation itself remained surprisingly relaxed.

For Ares, it was simply another quiet moment spent with people he had come to know on Earth.

And for the time being, there was no need to think about anything beyond that.