Contracts.
They became a prominent aspect of his life when Jin-Woo had become an adult, and especially when he had worked as an E-Rank Hunter. Thing was, finding a contract that suited his needs was nearly impossible during that time period. Nobody wanted a weakling urchin such as himself.
Now here he was, a contract bestowed before him with such haste that it had him at a pause. Weren't politicians just so eager to grasp at opportunities to further their own agenda?
Whatever.
He was tired, there were still 20 S-Rank Gates that would wreak havoc upon this world, and he was running short of time. Finally entering those Gates, an environment where he thrived and flourished, was all he wanted to do right now.
Having to muddle himself in bureaucratic work that was just unsuitable for the type of person he was, made Jin-Woo just want to get it over with.
Sitting at a chair whilst gazing upon a piece of inked printer paper outlining the specific details of his stay in Lungmen, and his involvement with the S-Rank Gate. Swire and Fumizuki were discussing with Wei Yenwu the action plans that the L.G.D. would need to instate in order to handle the public disorder, and of course, plans on how to handle the Gate.
Ch'en was overlooking the contract with him, to see if the terms and conditions were to his liking. Well, at the very least, the Superintendent didn't mind helping him interpret the clauses relating to this powerful piece of paper. Who knew something so lightweight could carry such a heavy tonnage?
"Does that look right to you?" she asked, pointing to a line.
"It does," he said in Victorian.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. There doesn't seem to be anything I object to."
"...If you say so."
Why did it look like this woman cared about it more than he did?
The way her expression shifted to a pensive one when reading over the conditions marginally disturbed him, as if she was bothered. What was she so bothered by? She worked directly underneath the Chief Executive as the Superintendent of the L.G.D., and would likely benefit in tandem with him, so why did she want him to understand the contract so much?
Ch'en began, pointing to a certain line, "This line, here, carries a double meaning—"
"Yeah, I know," Jin-Woo brushed her off. "Won't bother me."
All words ingrained within the contract, even if they carried the most implicit of meanings, were visible to his mind. Perhaps the Intelligence stat was working its magic in some way.
Too bad there was no Wisdom stat he could invest into.
"I'm done reading. The only clauses I want reiterated are clauses 4 and 7. That's it," Jin-Woo set the piece of paper down.
"Not clause 2 or 8?" Ch'en queried.
"I can easily handle them."
"What do you mean by handle?" she pressed." Do you understand—"
"More than you do."
"...Fine, do as you please."
Jin-Woo extended his hand as he stood up, materializing a Health Potion. The display had everybody turning their gaze toward him as he popped the cork off, chugging down the sanguine-like liquid and tasting raspberry.
He wiped the corner of his lips, turning his gaze to meet everybody else's. "What?" All individuals eventually turned back to whatever they were doing, either shaking their head or sighing a low melody.
I needed that.
Jin-Woo checked his Fatigue bar utilizing the System, releasing a breath of pure euphoria when he saw that his Fatigue had been lowered.
I need another one.
He chugged another potion.
Then another one.
...Then another one.
Yet another bottle...
Whew...
Jin-Woo satisfiedly watched the bar inch itself down little by little, each by the liters of that miracle liquid stored within a bulbous bottle. It was like he had gone to sleep, refreshing himself anew.
Albeit, in a conscious manner.
Was that a thing? Sleeping despite being conscious?
"Sung, are you drinking?" Ch'en asked from the side while handing the contract paper to Wei Yenwu, showing him a perturbed countenance.
"Yeah, I was drinking," he said without much thought.
"I don't believe excessive alcohol consumption is healthy, Mr. Sung," Wei said in Victorian, rubbing his chin as he analyzed the contract paper he had signed.
Jin-Woo paused, wondering where the hell they got the implication he was drinking alcohol of all things. ...Probably a language barrier thing I don't understand.
He sighed, deciding to bite back, "I don't think excessive smoking is healthy either, Mr. Wei."
Unexpectedly, the Chief Executive had actually chuckled. "Well spoken."
Ch'en and Swire glanced between the two, but that was it.
Fumizuki leaned closer to Wei, whispering, "He has a point."
"I know," Wei responded back in a softer tone, before turning back to Jin-Woo. "I believe this finalizes our contract?"
"Yes."
"Everything is to your satisfaction?"
"Yes."
"I see then, excellent." Wei Yenwu nestled the piece of paper atop his desk. "By the approach of night, specifically 8:30 P.M. twilight, we will embark upon the gate after settling all necessary preparations."
"As the contract says." Jin-Woo placed his hands in his pockets.
"In tandem with Ch'en Hui-chieh—and Hoshiguma of the L.G.D.'s Special Inspection Unit if she accepts duty—comprising your strike force to the S-Rank Gate." He cleared his throat. "Furthermore, Wei Yenwu shall necessitate Sung Jin-Woo's access to the other S-Rank Gates sprawled across Terra by the implementation of Messengers. Though, it is by no means guarantee."
From what he's heard, due to high concentrations of Originium in the air, long-range communication and networks were limited, making physical delivery a requirement.
"Yes," Jin-Woo repeated for the third time. He had stressed repeatedly to the Chief Executive that anybody unqualified for joining into an S-Rank raid would immediately be slaughtered by the Magic Beasts, and therefore should be limited.
It was upon his shoulders to work with Ch'en and Hoshiguma to deal with the S-Rank Gate, and although he didn't know the latter's capabilities—whoever she was—he had a vague enough idea about the former. Especially when it pertained to that mysterious, crimson-sheathed blade she carried by her hip.
He preferred to work alone, but this one couldn't be argued. Not that he was peeved at the idea, considering he had gone Dungeon-diving with Jin-Ho several times before.
There was also the fact that the Chief Executive of Lungmen himself would send out ambassadors requesting his participation in the other S-Rank Gates should they be in a different country's confines.
...Although countries could be stuck-up in regards to foreign involvement, Jin-Woo silently prayed in his heart that the ones in Terra weren't as slow or supercilious as the ones back in his world.
The rest of the time in the Chief Executive's office was spent on reading out the clauses of the contract and confirming each other's interpretation of it.
The specific one that Jin-Woo was the most resigned over were the Essence Stones and Mana Crystals.
Wei Yenwu had been keen enough to discern his mention of them, and had asked for about a twenty-percent portion when the black-haired man had furthermore elaborated upon the subject.
Jin-Woo himself hadn't cared much for them, in all honesty. All worries related to how the world would handle the resources.
But considering there were 20 S-Rank Gates with an exorbitant amount of high-quality Mana Crystals and Essence Stones, then nations wouldn't fight over them... right?
Wishful thinking.
It was all wishful thinking and he knew it.