Return of the Frozen Player

Seo Jun-Ho headed straight for the Imperial Palace of Neo City. He entered the throne room under the greetings and reverent gazes of his officials.

- Your Majesty!

Yeon shouted energetically.

- It’s been a while!

“It has indeed been a while.” Seo Jun-Ho nodded and said, “The atmosphere of the city seemed to have changed a lot compared to the last time I was here.”

- Isn’t it just so energetic now?

“Yes. It looked good.”

The unique atmosphere of Neo City’s cold and gloomy streets had mellowed down a lot, and Seo Jun-Ho assumed that it was probably due to the influx of Players and astronauts.

“There aren’t any problems, are there?”

- There was no problem except that someone told me to prepare reinforcements but suddenly cut off contact with me.

“Let me off the hook just this one time. I wasn’t in the situation to reach out to you.”

- Well, I’m just glad that you are safe and sound, Your Majesty.

Yeon pulled up the hologram and started reporting.

- As you can see here, the toxic gas on the planet has decreased significantly.

“Is it all because the contaminated caves have decreased significantly as well?”

- That’s right! The Players are certainly very diligent, as Your Majesty said. How can they be more diligent than cyborgs?

The Players were working diligently because they were desperately trying to level up.

- Thanks to them, It has been easier for us to make Star’s Voice, and our coffers have become stable. I feel like we can do anything we want now because we’ve gotten so rich.

“Really? Anything?”

- Let me correct what I just said. I feel like we can do anything we want except for the things that we cannot do.

‘He’s so quick-witted.’

Seo Jun-Ho smiled and said, “I need a spacecraft capable of traversing the vast expanse outside.”

- Hmm? Well, this is another unexpected order, but no problem. I’ll get it ready.

“...That was way easier than I thought. Isn’t a spacecraft like that usually expensive?”

Seo Jun-Ho was surprised to see the thrifty Yeon agree to his request so easily.

Yeon chuckled upon seeing through Seo Jun-Ho’s thoughts.

- I can’t stand wasting money on unnecessary things, but I don’t spare money when it is necessary to spend.

“That’s a very good attitude.”

- And most of all, there’s no need to buy a new spacecraft. We already have one.

Seo Jun-Ho nodded, looking like he expected it.

“I knew it. So that’s why you were so willing to agree, but how do we already have one?”

- Your Majesty, please be more aware of your position. Your Majesty is the emperor. Your Majesty owns this planet, even though it’s as tiny as a rat’s shit.

“I don’t know whether I should take that as a compliment or not—anyway, you’re saying that the emperor has a spacecraft, right?”

-Yes. It is a little old, but… I don’t think there’s going to be a big issue.

‘Does that mean that there might be small problems?’

Seo Jun-Ho got anxious and asked, “Will it not be dangerous if it’s that old? Why don’t we just buy a new one and—”

- No way, Your Majesty! Do you know how expensive a spacecraft is? They aren’t as cheap as children’s toys, you know? We can just fix it ourselves and then use it! Monarchs should always be frugal if possible.

“Okay, fine. Then, please make sure to fix it perfectly.”

- Yes, Your Majesty. But where are you going? I need to know the destination to prepare the entry ticket in advance.

“Entry ticket?”

- To put it simply in the words of Earthlings, it’s the same as a visa.

‘Oh, a visa… that surely is important. I had no idea that something like that is important here as well.’

Seo Jun-Ho nodded and said, “It's the Aeon Empire.”

- Uh…

Yeon walking next to Seo Jun-Ho while chattering abruptly came to a sudden stop.

Seo Jun-Ho turned around and saw a confused-looking Yeon.

“What is it? Is something wrong with that?”

- There’s nothing wrong with it, but… hmm. I’ll make a request, but I don’t know if they’ll give me permission.

“You need permission just to visit them?”

- Your Majesty. The Aeon Empire is the most powerful, wealthiest, and largest empire in the universe. They get billions of daily visitors.

“...What if we beg them to let me in?”

- I’m sure we’ll look nothing better than a pebble on the ground in the empire’s eyes.

“That’s unfair. I understand that they have a prestige to uphold, but they should be fair.”

There was a gap between the rich and the poor in some of the nations of Earth as well, but there were only a few cases in recent years where they refused to accept visitors.

- Yes, but it can’t be helped. We don’t even have a single Transcendent on our planet as of now.

“...I did reach the Star Destruction Stage this time. Is that not good enough?”

- Wow, that's good news. Say that to the immigration officer of the Aeon Empire, and they’ll probably laugh at your face.

“Why?”

- The Aeon Empire has more than a hundred Transcendents.

“W-what?! A hundred?” Seo Jun-Ho’s eyes shot wide open. ‘Does that mean that they have more than a hundred powerful beings like Helic and Reiji?’

Yeon decided to explain upon seeing Seo Jun-Ho’s reaction.

- Ah, of course, the Administrators of the Floors are much stronger than ordinary Transcendents. They’re famous for a reason.

“But if there are that many Transcendents, does that mean that Star Destruction Stage creatures are…”

- Yes, there are a ton of them. Oh, of course, I think there have only been a handful of people who had become Star Destruction Stage in a short period of time like you did, Your Majesty.

At this point, Seo Jun-Ho didn’t bother asking how many Liberation and Disaster experts the Aeon Empire had.

‘That’s just…’

Seo Jun-Ho felt somber.

“I feel like a piece of dust in the vast universe.”

- I wouldn’t. Star Destruction Stage creatures receive the best treatment anywhere else. The Aeon Empire is the exception.

“...”

“I don’t understand.” Seo Jun-Ho frowned. “They’re so powerful, why did they do this to us?”

- Hmm. I also don’t know, Your Majesty.

Even if the Players somehow cleared all ten Floors, most of them wouldn’t be Transcendents by the end of the road.

‘And what’s the point of becoming a Transcendent when they’re dime a dozen in the Aeon Empire?’

“...I’d like to ask.” Seo Jun-Ho wanted to ask the Emperor of the Aeon Empire the reason they created the Floors, and just what were the Players risking their lives for.

- Then, I’ll apply for a visa, and—huh?

Yeon’s pupils quivered upon tapping on the apply button.

“What is it? What’s going on? Did you get rejected?”

- I-it’s the other way around.

“What do you mean?”

- A visa was issued as soon as I pressed the button. I’ve never heard of this before.

Seo Jun-Ho’s glistened. ‘The permission was given as soon as Yeon pressed the button. It seems that they’ve been waiting for us to apply.’

This could only mean one thing—the Aeon Empire wanted to see Seo Jun-Ho.

***

Seo Jun-Ho prepared a few more things before returning back to Earth.

The Frost Queen was rolling on the couch and was watching something on her tablet, but she abruptly sprang up the moment she saw Seo Jun-Ho enter the room.

“You’re here! Did it go well?”

“Things went so well that I actually find it weird. How did things go on your side?”

“Jun-Sik and Mio sparred. It was lit. Do you want to check it out?”

“...The battle was lit? What are you talking about?”

‘Were they fighting with flames?’

The Frost Queen stared at Seo Jun-Ho as if he were a boomer and said, “You don’t know what lit means, Contractor? It means that the spar between Jun-Sik and Mio was great and exciting.”

“What does that have to do with it being lit.”

“They were on fire.”

“Oh, I see. Did you learn that from Community?”

“Yes!”

“All right, got it.”

Seo Jun-Ho tapped on his Vita and set up parental controls for every electronic device that the Frost Queen often used.

“Huh? Who are these children?”

The Frost Queen blinked and stared intently at the tablet in her hand. The screen had refreshed, revealing children running around with bright smiles. “Contractor, my tablet is broken. Can you fix it for me?”

“It’s not broken. I just set up parental controls.”

“Parental controls? What is that?” asked the Frost Queen with her eyes wide open.

“It allows parents to restrict their children’s access to the Internet, like limited hours. It also only allows access to certain content.”

“No!” The Frost Queen exclaimed and urgently shook her head. “I’m not a kid! I’ve become a Grade 4 Arch Spirit, and I saved your life as well, Contractor!”

“I’m really grateful for that, but I want you to follow the rules of the parental controls for the time being.”

“Ugh, no! I hate you, Contractor! You’re the worst!”

“Hmm.” Seo Jun-Ho understood that the Frost Queen truly wanted to browse the Internet because it had been quite a while since she last accessed the Internet.

However, he couldn’t just watch the Frost Queen become an Internet addict.

‘And did she just say that I’m the worst?’

Seo Jun-Ho shook his head. “It is what it is. Besides, I’m not the worst.”

“Ugh. You’re too mean, Contractor!” The Frost Queen stormed out.

“Jun-Sik!” she shouted at Seo Jun-Sik, who was peacefully drinking an orange juice.

Seo Jun-Sik stared wide-eyed upon seeing the tears welling up in the Frost Queen’s eyes.

“What’s going on? Why are you crying?”

“Sniff, sniff! The Internet! Contractor did…”

Seo Jun-Sik tilted his head after hearing the Frost Queen’s story.

“I think he did the right thing. I can’t understand the words that kids these days use.”

“...!” The Frost Queen stared in disbelief at Seo Jun-Sik. She looked like she had just gotten betrayed by her most trusted confidante.

Seo Jun-Ho belatedly arrived in the kitchen. He leaned against the wall and said, “Have you already forgotten that he’s still me, even though he has a different personality?”

“Ugh, you… you guys are the worst!” The Frost Queen shouted and ran out of the house.

“Where do you think she’s gonna go?” Seo Jun-Ho asked.

“Hmm. Maybe she’s going to Gilberto?”

‘I guess; he’s fond of children, after all.’

Seo Jun-Ho figured that the Frost Queen was going to Gilberto because of the latter’s trait.

“Unfortunately…”

Gilberto had always been a very strict man when it came to educating children.

***

Seo Jun-Ho watched the video playback of Seo Jun-Sik and Mio’s spar.

“This is your seventy percent?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Hmm.” Seo Jun-Ho shook his head. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but this isn’t seventy percent of my current power. I think it’s about twenty or thirty percent at most.”

“What? Seriously?”

“To be exact, I think your power is based on my power before I reached the Star Destruction Stage.”

“Damn it! No wonder I lost!” Seo Jun-Sik cursed. However, it also meant that Seo Jun-Sik would still become stronger.

“Well, you should already know since we’ve been through it before. Anyway, I don’t think it’ll take too long because you just have to increase your synchronization rate with me.”

“Ugh, but I still have to train.”

“Yeah.” Seo Jun-Sik was capable of displaying ninety-five percent of Seo Jun-Ho’s prowess, which meant that he would become incredibly strong as long as he put in a bit of effort.

‘It’ll be a waste of potential if he doesn’t train…’

“I need you to display at least sixty percent of my current power.”

“Sigh… when did you say you’d leave?”

“I’ll give you fifteen days.”

When Seo Jun-Ho reached the Star Destruction Stage, the gap between him and Seo Jun-Sik widened. However, it wouldn’t take Seo Jun-Sik that long to catch up to Seo Jun-Ho as long as he trained diligently.

“I guess I could figure things out within fifteen days.”

“Oh, the timing is perfect as well. You should spar with the others often. Hit two birds with one stone.”

“Okay, but what do we do with Mio? She defeated me, but it’s not like she won against your seventy percent.”

“Hmm.” Seo Jun-Ho’s eyes glistened while staring at Mio in the video.

‘Wow. I can actually see it now.’

Those at the summit could clearly see everything beneath them. Seo Jun-Ho felt ashamed to say that he was at the summit when he was just a Star Destruction Stage creature, but it was undeniable that he could see more things than before.

‘Mio is currently at middle-stage Liberation.’

She still had a long way to go until she became a late-stage Liberation creature.

Seo Jun-Ho pondered with a serious look before saying, “I didn’t say that they had to beat you. I’ll take them with me if they’re good enough by my standards.”

“So…?”

“Mio is strong enough.”

‘So it’s a pass.’ Seo Jun-Sik nodded and said, “Are you only going to take your friends with you? The Heavens are pretty strong as well.”

“I can’t take them all because of the Heavenly Demon’s threat.”

If he showed up earlier than expected, there would be a literal hell on Earth if the Heavens weren’t here to keep him at bay.

“Okay. Then, what are you going to do for the next fifteen days?”

“Me? I’m going to stop by Africa to do some training.”

“Why would you go all the way to Africa to train?”

Seo Jun-Ho had gone through a second Body Transformation after reaching the Star Destruction Stage, but he had never really tested the depths of his power.

“I’m going to do some tests to figure out what exactly am I capable of doing.”

The fifteen days passed by in a flash.