Chapter 68: Encounter With Kang Dong-hyun (1)
The decision had been clear from the start:
To forge a bond.
Owing a debt for his nephews life, Lee Hyun-seok couldnt possibly dismiss the offer.
What began as a simple invitation to tea, Kang-hoo intended to transform into a lasting relationship.
Would that suffice?
To meet someone like Mr. Lee Hyun-seok in person, its worth billions, not just millions.
Haha. I would never have imagined such a proposal. Isnt it quite modest for saving my nephew?
Lee Hyun-seoks response was precisely what Kang-hoo had hoped for, instilling a sense of obligation yet gratitude.
These feelings would ensure that their connection remained alive and active.
Isnt everything a matter of perspective?
Alright. Lets schedule tea soon and talk about more constructive topics.
Thank you.
Words alone are empty, so Ill give you this.
Lee Hyun-seok produced a small plaque from his pocket and presented it to Kang-hoo. This was the Blood Oath.
It featured a crimson background with a deep, abyssal design, and Lee Hyun-seoks signature was etched into it.
With this, Kang-hoo could call for a meeting at any time, facilitating private conversations.
Typically, a Blood Oath was bestowed only upon those with whom one shared a profound connection. For Kang-hoo to receive one was a significant gesture.
Jeon Se-hyuk likely owned one as well, considering his tight bond with Lee Hyun-seok.
Ill reach out soon.
Heres my contact.
Lee Hyun-seok passed him a business card.
It bore his private number.
Framed in gold, the card was evidently meant for exclusive, direct communication.
In other words, a number reserved for the most important individuals.
Should the last digits on Kang-hoos card read 0001,
The subsequent individual would have a card ending with 0002.
In such a case, if 0001 were to be leaked, the fault would clearly lie with Kang-hoo.
Thus, Lee Hyun-seok displayed trust but simultaneously set a test.
Should someone else ring using the number on this card, Kang-hoos trustworthiness would shatter instantly.
I will contact you.
Thank you. Next time, Ill ensure Su-hyun properly expresses his gratitude and apology.
No need, but I wont refuse.
Kang-hoo replied with a smile.
Thus, Kang-hoo established a firm connection with Lee Hyun-seok.
He had an exclusive meeting with a man hard for even notable hunters to approach.
The strategic value of this relationship promised a more exciting future.
I should head to Daejeon Station now.
Kang-hoos gaze shifted toward the KTX Pohang Station.
It was time to board the train to Daejeon Station.
To Club Hades. To uncover the secrets of its seventh basement.
At that moment,
Shin Jun-ho, the leader of Ebony Bone, was furiously speaking to a hastily summoned man.
I dont care about the gloves. The woman who stole them will be found. But this guy, I want him caught and killed.
From the video alone, its hard to identify him
The man, listening to Shin Jun-hos words, nodded while crossing his arms.
Unlike Shin Jun-ho, who covered half his face with a skull mask, the man wore no such disguise.
Instead, his face had a peculiar look.
Was it the expressionless look, or the lack of focus? It felt like looking at the fake face of an emotionless machine.
People who knew this man, including Shin Jun-ho, didnt call him by his name but by the nickname The Fixer.
With a 99% success rate in missions.
Although expensive, once he was hired, he almost always completed his assignments successfully.
Shin Jun-ho continued speaking.
I really want to catch this guy who helped her. Not to kill him, but Im too curious about his abilities.
He disappeared out of the liberation zone in one go, you mean.
Exactly. Vanished without a trace. Since then, he hasnt been spotted on any CCTV within the zone.
Shin Jun-ho harbored both anger and interest towards this mysterious masked man.
After evaluating the situation, it seemed certain that the man possessed a skill for covering incredible distances.
Shin Jun-hos contracted constellation allowed him to absorb some abilities or skills by consuming a hunters flesh.
Meaning, if he could find Kang-hoo and consume him, he might acquire this spatial movement ability.
He thought it would not matter to lose a second-grade glove item in this case.
The value of the skill Kang-hoo used to save Min Su-hyun was significant.
Abilities involving time and space increased in value with their impact.
The Fixer, having grasped the context and flow of the situation, spoke up.
Moving his lips minimally, he emitted an uncanny, inhuman vibe.
Then, the current fee wont suffice.
Damn money-grubber
Whether I accept the job or not is my choice. Doesnt seem like a good response.
Lets hear why its tough with the current fee. Why?
Theres no information about the man. Apart from his spatial movement ability, nothing else is known.
Even with support from our Ebony Bone, thats no help?
Useless.
If any other hunter had spoken to Shin Jun-ho like this, their head would have met the ground by now.
But as a capable Fixer who had significantly helped Ebony Bone, he couldnt do that.
Shin Jun-ho said resignedly.
Fine. What will it take?
The fee will be an advance payment. Ill send an estimate; pay it first.
Alright, do that.
Wait a moment.
The Fixer slowly walked to where Kang-hoo had been, eyes closed, sensing something.
He had the ability to track and empathize with mana traces, a kind of spiritual power.
It was derived from his constellation but also synergized well with his innate nature.
Heh.
The Fixer showed an intrigued expression.
He saw itthe trace and intensity Kang-hoo left behind.
What do you see?
A very reliable constellation is backing him up. The scary part is, hes not afraid of that constellation.
Is he crazy?
Crazy and great are just a hairs breadth apart. My feeling is the latter. This will be interesting. Very interesting
The Fixer, with a rotten smile showing his curiosity, looked as if he were gazing into an uncanny valley.
Shin Jun-ho had sensed that the man who saved the woman was extraordinary.
This was actually a good thing.
If the Fixer could catch him, then Shin Jun-ho could steadily take that ability.
As always, this was what made Shin Jun-ho the leader of the Ebony Bone.
It was also the reason why the Kimcheon Liberation Area had come under their control.
I feel a strong pull.
A smile crept onto the Fixers otherwise expressionless face.
It was a smile that only appeared when he sensed an interesting, powerful presence.
Knowing the caliber of hunters that piqued the Fixers interest, Shin Jun-ho became intrigued by this sudden change in expression.
Who could this person be?
Make the payment. Ill start the chase immediately.
The Fixer was already fired up.
Coming from the liberation zone, Daejeon Station seems like a safe haven where one can stretch their legs and sleep.
Arriving at Daejeon Station, Kang-hoo chuckled at the scenery, which felt undeniably safer compared to the liberation zone.
Indeed, it was safer.
In the liberation zone, finding the bodies of dead hunters shortly after entering was not uncommon.
But at least in front of Daejeon Station, there were no corpses. Of course, there were quite a few menacing hunters around.
Especially hunters from Eclipse were easy to spot.
Hades is now under the control of Eclipse, making access somewhat troublesome
Yet, he wanted to go.
The Limitless Mana Dungeon, where entry required massive amounts of mana.
If it was a dungeon that had been discovered but remained unentered, the rewards inside must be significant.
Once inside, getting out would not be an issue for Kang-hoo, thanks to his constellations ability to move through space.
A skill so effective that he considered the Dimension Plunderer irreplaceable by any other constellation.
Just then, his phone rang.
He hadnt mentioned coming to Daejeon Station, could it be a womans intuition?
Yeah, Seo-yeon.
It was Han Seo-yeon calling.
She had invited him to her house.
During their dating days, Kang-hoo often visited her home, so it wasnt awkward for him.
He wondered why she had suddenly called, but there was a reason. She had officially joined the Jeonghwa Guild.
That meant she was scouted from the satellite guild Haeohwa, recognized for her skills.
Like being called up from the minors to the majors in professional sports, it was a naturally joyous occasion.
He understood her happiness, but from Kang-hoos perspective, it felt like a twist of fate.
His ex-girlfriend now belonged to what might become his greatest adversary. Could things get more tangled?
No need to overthink. Its not like Im destined to fight Seo-yeon.
He decided to worry about it when the time came.
Upon entering Han Seo-yeons house, Kang-hoo took off his coat and drank the sparkling water she offered.
Thirsty, he found the drink refreshingly cool, and she began the conversation with a smile.
You seem to have changed a lot since I last saw you. I can feel a strong mana aura even here.
Your flattery has improved.
No, really! I mean it. You know Im quite sensitive to mana.
Thats true.
Youre different from when we met after escaping Cheongmyeong Detention Center. You seem much stronger. Significantly so.
A lot has happened.
Kang-hoo nodded, recalling the past. Indeed, many things had happened.
The changes he had undergone were apparently noticeable even to those close to him.
Han Seo-yeon had always been sensitive to his slightest gaze and emotional shifts during their relationship.
Given her perceptiveness, it wasnt surprising she had noticed the changes.
I didnt think you would come.
Why?
You always try to keep a distance. So, this place must be the most uncomfortable for you, right?
What if you think of it differently? If theres no burden of distance, its not necessarily uncomfortable.
Are you saying not to come closer?
We just have to remember we are good friends.
Hearing Kang-hoos words, Han Seo-yeon shook her head in resignation and took a gulp of water.
She wasnt hurt or disappointed by his words.
They were no longer in a romantic relationship but simply friends who used to date.
Good friends. Yes, that seems like the right description.
She nodded in agreement and then vigorously took off her top.
It was unclear whether she did this intentionally or if she really thought of him as a friend beyond gender, comfortable enough to do so.
With only her underwear on and her bare skin exposed, it could have been considered a flirtatious signal.
Looks like youve put on quite some weight since I last saw you.
Kang-hoo bluntly shattered the atmosphere.
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