Hwangseomdan.
The name means "Yellow Toad" and also refers to the organization's leader, Wi Hang.
The members of the gang are identified by tattoos resembling frogs or toads on their bodies.
They frequently use black vans with dark, opaque tinting that obscures the interior.
One such van bore the number plate 4885.
Although this quest was effectively a beginner-level Sudden Quest, its notoriety in the Abyss City community made it memorable, often mentioned as a point of interest or as a distraction.
Rohan immediately recognized it.
Their primary operations involve human trafficking and organ smuggling.
As a secondary venture, they extorted protection fees in a blatantly illicit manner, creating a deliberately murky public image to sow confusion.
While their main business grew steadily in the shadows, they recently lost a territorial conflict to a rival gang and were forced to relocate.
Why did they choose Academy City Elysium as their new base instead of plotting revenge nearby?
Despite its infamous Security Bureau, known for its ruthless and relentless officers, Elysium offered access to high-value "merchandise."
"They figured academy cadets, especially those with some power, would wander through deserted areas alone during the dark hours.
It seemed like the perfect place to start fresh in a bigger pond."
Rohan paused. "How’d I do? If I got anything wrong, feel free to correct me. Or share your thoughts."
Hack!
"Wow, I didn’t think my memory was this good. Who knew I could recall such fine details?"
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The summary Rohan provided was concise yet detailed.
Wi Hang, the leader of Hwangseomdan, glared at him furiously even as he lay beaten and bruised.
Or perhaps he simply couldn’t hide his rage.
"...So you’re some know-it-all punk who doesn’t understand the rules of the underworld, storming into someone else’s business?"
Wi Hang attempted to move his mangled arm to wield a massive hammer again, straining his bulky frame to rise.
"You’re saying the exact same thing the last guy said. How boring."
Rohan pulled out an SMG he had taken from one of the gang members.
Without warning, he unloaded an entire magazine into Wi Hang’s bloated stomach.
Drrrrrrk!
"Seriously, lose some weight. The bullets can’t even penetrate properly."
"Ugh...! You... damned brat..."
Without any magic enhancing the bullets, the shots would have normally caused only superficial wounds—reddish scratches at best.
However, Wi Hang had been afflicted by Rohan’s Weakness Infliction.
While the bullets didn’t pierce all the way through, they tore past the layers of magic coating his stomach and caused significant damage.
Whether or not the bullets reached his organs was unclear.
But the intense discomfort was obvious, as veins bulged grotesquely across Wi Hang's bald head.
It’s almost time.
Despite the overwhelmingly one-sided situation, Wi Hang refused to give up.
It wasn’t because of courage or unyielding pride; he simply still had a trump card left to play.
Click!
Rohan smoothly reloaded the SMG before holstering it at his waist.
He then unsheathed a machete, its blade sliding effortlessly from its leather scabbard.
Regardless of its size, the weapon felt like an extension of his hand—a tool that had proven itself during the fight with Wi Hang.
"Time to finish this."
As Rohan spoke and closed the distance, Wi Hang, who had slumped against the wall, let a faint smirk curl his lips.
And then—
"Guuuuuurgh—!"
Wi Hang’s neck swelled unnaturally, filled with magic, resembling an inflating balloon.
The transformation unmistakably evoked the imagery of a toad, true to the organization’s name.
Seeing it in person, he really does look like a toad, Rohan mused as he quickened his pace.
But he wasn’t planning to cut Wi Hang’s neck to stop his skill.
Instead, Rohan turned on his heel, kicked the door open, and left the room without hesitation.
In the game, killing him in that state would make him explode, dealing massive damage. His defense would also skyrocket.
The skill’s power far exceeded its rank, but its risks were equally high.
Rohan also knew that once the skill was activated, it couldn’t be canceled, and Wi Hang couldn’t move during its charge.
"GRUUUUUAAAAAH!!!"
The moment Rohan exited the room, a torrent of acidic liquid, brimming with magical energy, erupted from Wi Hang’s mouth like a waterfall.
The spot where Rohan had been standing moments before, along with the room’s walls, dissolved entirely.
Judging by the range and intensity of the skill, no makeshift solution like using furniture as a shield would have worked.
"This guy... his appearance and skills are equally disgusting."
"Ugh..."
When Rohan casually walked back into the room, blade in hand, Wi Hang’s face was pale, and acid dripped from his mouth as he stared at Rohan in fear.
"What happened to that fiery glare, huh? Weren’t you planning to make pickled side dishes with my guts? Why do you look so pathetic now?"
"..."
With his last resort having failed, Wi Hang’s hostility and killing intent had evaporated completely.
Thunk! Thunk!
Rohan struck Wi Hang’s head lightly with the flat of his blade, mocking him, but Wi Hang didn’t resist.
Instead, he lowered his gaze.
"I’ve lost... What do you want?"
"Hm?"
Wi Hang’s voice, weak and deflated like a punctured balloon, made Rohan raise an eyebrow.
"Why did you attack this place? Was it for money? Or does this area already have an owner?"
"Money? Oh, money’s great. It’s a necessity, after all."
"..."
"I’ll pay you whatever my life is worth."
"Are you saying you want to buy your life with money?"
Wi Hang nodded at Rohan’s question, even adding that the amount would be more than satisfactory.
"No."
"!?"
Rohan’s response was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. He didn’t even hesitate.
"I’m not interested."
"Wh-what?!"
"I’m not about to start this with a stain like that. Letting you go wouldn’t set a good example."
Starting his partnership with Clara by being swayed by money was unthinkable.
As Rohan’s magic flared ominously, Wi Hang’s voice grew more desperate.
"I-I’ll give you everything I own! Just let me go, and I’ll abandon the goods too!"
"Shh."
Rohan silenced him with an irritated expression, and Wi Hang quickly complied, waiting nervously for him to speak.
"Pig. You’ve got someone tied up in the basement to harvest their organs, don’t you? And the people locked upstairs? Waiting to be sold?"
"That..."
Rohan had already been to the basement with Clara.
Deeming the person’s value too low, the gang had tied them up, drawing lines on their body with a pen to mark incisions.
The victim, likely drugged, didn’t wake up when called. Medical tools, clearly meant for organ removal, were strewn about the room.
"That person, and the others upstairs, must have begged you to spare them, didn’t they?"
"..."
It was a familiar refrain. Wi Hang realized what Rohan was about to say.
Words he wouldn’t be able to refute.
"You’ve never spared anyone before, have you?"
"..."
"If it’s about money, I’d get plenty just by cutting off your head and handing it to the Security Bureau. Or maybe they’d at least treat me to a good meal during the investigation."
"T-the bounty is higher if you bring me in alive!"
Wi Hang’s final desperate plea.
Rohan smirked at him, amusement clear on his face.
"Unfortunately, I have no plans to change the story I’ve already written."
"...What do you mean?"
"I’ll just say I tried to subdue the gang leader, but his resistance was too violent, and I had no choice. That’s the summary I’ve decided on."
"!"
Rohan had planned this from the start.
The people he encountered on the way here hadn’t been killed—they were just incapacitated, unable to move.
Not seeing Clara was a fortunate detail, as the subdued gang members would serve as crucial evidence.
I guess it can’t be helped.
Though Clara had agreed to let the Security Bureau handle the aftermath, she had been adamant about avoiding any involvement in the investigation.
Considering her struggle with speaking to strangers, Rohan understood.
"Nothing else to say?"
"Wa-wait—!"
"Sleep."
With a swift motion of his blade, Rohan cut cleanly through.
Wi Hang’s words ended there.
***
As Rohan descended the stairs, Clara was waiting for him.
Behind her lay a pile of corpses.
"Rohan...!"
"You did well."
Clara, flipping the balisong in her hand with practiced ease, folded it neatly and slipped it between the ribbons on her clothing.
The pistol in her other hand had disappeared without a trace.
Clara hurried to his side, inspecting him from head to toe.
Her eyes welled with tears at the sight of his injuries.
"A-are you hurt badly?"
"Nothing serious. Besides, it’s better to have a few marks when reporting to the Bureau."
"But still..."
"What about you, Clara? You’re not hurt, right?"
She nodded quickly, her lips trembling as if she were about to cry.
"Good. You did great."
Rohan glanced at the corpses Clara had dealt with and couldn’t help but admire her work.
So that’s why I didn’t hear any screams.
Every bullet had pierced cleanly through the head, and every stab wound was precise, targeting vital spots for an instant kill.
To cover Clara’s tracks, Rohan would have to inflict additional wounds with his sword before calling the Bureau.
"If I had gone up, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt..."
"This doesn’t even count as being hurt. It ended well, didn’t it?"
"Mm..."
Indeed, if Clara had handled it alone, the situation would have ended swiftly.
Wi Hang might not have even realized he was dead.
"I still need to gain experience and grow stronger."
"Waiting down here like this is harder for me..."
After reassuring Clara, Rohan suggested she head back before the Security Bureau arrived.
He pressed some money into her hand, insisting she buy herself something delicious as a reward.
Clara agreed but paused as she turned to leave.
Looking back, she hesitated before asking cautiously,
"Rohan... did I do well today?"
"I realized today that I can’t do this without you, Clara. If you hadn’t been here, I wouldn’t have gotten off with just these scratches."
Her lips quivered as if she were trying to suppress a joyful smile.
She stepped closer, shyly.
"Then... can you pat my head?"
This girl really does crave affection.
Rohan smiled and gently ruffled her hair.
He resolved to provide more tangible rewards in the future.
When his hand left her head, Clara tugged at his sleeve.
She kept her gaze lowered, hiding her expression.
"Y-you’ll call me when it’s over... right?"
After Rohan promised he would, Clara quickly disappeared without another word.
Left alone in the empty space, Rohan took out his phone.
"Yes. I’m calling from..."
As he swung his enchanted blade to leave marks on the corpses, Rohan finished his report to the Security Bureau.
Then, without missing a beat, he made another call.
It was time to report to his instructor, Juyeon.