Chapter 80: Journey To Yeosu (2)
There were several troublesome checkpoints.
Even in insignificant alleyways, they demanded tolls.
Using the ridiculous excuse of preventing terrorism, they ran metal detectors over the entire body.
With even a single dagger, it was impossible to avoid detection by the metal scanners.
The hunters of Jajang, upon this, would become furious, questioning why the metal was detected.
However, the amusing part was that after making such a fuss, they would simply say it was nothing and let you pass.
It was then Kang-hoo realized the checkpoints werent really about safety or security but more about making extra money. So, he changed his approach.
He withdrew a generous amount of 50,000 won bills from a nearby ATM.
He made bundles of 1 million and 2 million won, offering them to the obstructive hunters.
But with a condition.
Ill give it only to the one who treats me with the utmost respect. Just one person. I wont choose several.
The atmosphere changed from that moment.
The checkpoint searches disappeared as if by magic.
They vied to clear the way, remove obstacles, and even brought iced water for Kang-hoo.
Is this the taste of capitalism?
Kang-hoo felt the joy of spending money as he proceeded.
The area was firmly under the control of the local warlords, with Jajangs flags fluttering everywhere.
Though not as large as the group led by Lee Hyun-seok of The Abyss.
They were significant enough to be considered a local warlord.
Such a force likely had connections with local businesses, police, and the Hunter Public Safety Bureau.
No wonder the underlings acted so brazenly. It was an expected scene.
Contrary to expectations of difficulty in meeting the boss, Kang-hoos meeting with Kim Jahoh happened quickly.
When Kang-hoo inquired, offering a minimum of 1 billion won for dungeon rental, it seemed to pique interest.
It was rare for an outsider hunter to come to Yeosu to rent a dungeon license.
There must have been curiosity to meet.
Soon, he met Kim Jahoh.
His office was filled with the stuffed heads of wild animals.
Their eyes were wide open at the moment of death, which was chilling.
This was different from the neat and tidy offices of the Seoul hunters.
Although it was broad daylight, Kim Jahoh started the conversation, drinking vodka from his glass.
Not often we get outsiders here. You suddenly come wanting to attack our Jajang dungeon?
Ive been interested in a particular dungeon for a while.
I heard about which dungeon youre interested in. But theres nothing special about that dungeon.
Maybe intuition? I feel like this time I might find some good items.
Hey.
Hmm?
Are you, by chance, on drugs?
The conversation took a sudden turn, but it was an expected reaction.
Han Seung-hyeok had said the same thing before.
It was strange for Kang-hoo to think a dungeon they had attacked hundreds of times was special.
If it had been a less-explored dungeon or one with something special, they might have been surprised.
But it was a plain, ordinary dungeon, so the sudden interest seemed incomprehensible.
Moreover, the 1 billion won they proposed for the rental was no small sum.
Cant I just be a hunter who loves adventure?
I wont stop you from coming to our dungeon and spending money on our organization, but its just too strange, isnt it?
Thats how the world is.
This guy, seriously. Hes really high or something.
Kim Jahoh clicked his tongue in disapproval.
In the Yeosu area, there were many stimulants coming in from China.
Even if they werent strictly drugs, there were plenty of substances with drug-like effects.
Kim Jahoh understood Kang-hoos absurd curiosity in that context. It seemed to make sense.
After all, from Jajangs perspective, there was no loss in doing business with dungeon licenses.
Kang-hoo asked,
Deal?
Fine. Theres no problem with renting the license, but weve never opened a dungeon exclusively for an outsider before.
An escort?
More like a watcher. Dont expect any help.
Dont like seeing someone else get the good stuff, huh?
Haha. Just listen to the end.
Kang-hoo crossed his arms, waiting for him to continue.
Whether it was impromptu or a pre-existing policy, they seemed to have their own way of renting.
As Kang-hoo looked on indifferently, Kim Jahoh took another shot of vodka and continued,
The dungeon license fee is just 100 million won, but any loot obtained along the way belongs to us.
And?
We wont claim ownership of the drop items from the middle boss and main boss. Everything else, however, is ours.
Think you can cover the 1 billion won with that?
Want me to be honest?
Why lie now?
If you die during the attack, everything you have becomes ours.
Thats outrageous.
Kang-hoo burst into hollow laughter.
Upon reflection, Kim Jahohs idea seemed quite plausible.
It made sense.
If Kang-hoo died during the attack, the items he was wearing would naturally become Jajangs property.
No one would come to claim them, and they wouldnt be easy to track.
How about it?
Well, my business is with the boss monsters, so lets do it.
It wasnt a loss.
He had come to this dungeon in the first place to acquire new skills.
Moreover, the rewards from the most important middle boss and main boss were off-limits.
Well kindly provide dungeon-related information. But a level scan is a must.
Anytime.
As Kang-hoo nodded, Kim Jahoh used a scanning device he had brought out to scan Kang-hoos body.
The level scan process usually took about a minute, so a brief awkward silence followed.
After a while, seeing Kang-hoos level displayed on the scanning device, Kim Jahoh was visibly shocked.
Hey. Youre going into the dungeon with this level? You wont even get past the entrance. Dont want to die, do you?
Worrying about my life? How kind. Should we call it off then?
The dungeon monsters are all around level 200. Itll be really tough with a level under 100.
Whether its tough or not, well see after entering. After all, if I die, its me, not you.
True, Im overstepping. Alright. Ill assign someone to guide you. Remember, they wont help you, even if youre in danger.
Dont throw cold water on it now.
Kang-hoo replied nonchalantly.
Kim Jahohs tone and reactions were slightly annoying, but he was quite cooperative in the end.
Considering he was a local warlord, I had expected some stubbornness, but the conversation proceeded smoothly.
Fortunately, the dungeon was ready for an attack, so he could enter without further delay.
A good start.
Kang-hoo entered the dungeon with the watcher 15 minutes later.
The hunter appeared quite young, probably not even twenty years old.
After introducing themselves, Kang-hoo learned that the watchers name was Baek Seon-tae, an obvious alias.
Upon entering the dungeon, Baek Seon-tae crossed his arms and observed how Kang-hoo handled the monsters.
He saw no reason to exert himself, so he didnt bother to draw his weapon.
However, Baek Seon-tae watched Kang-hoos movements with interest, likely because they were of the same profession.
How long had he been watching Kang-hoo?
Once Kang-hoo had smoothly subdued the entrances monsters and finished his warm-up, Baek Seon-tae casually initiated a conversation.
They were in a lull between monster waves, creating a natural chance to talk.
Its been a while since Ive seen a good assassin. Good posture, no flaws. Interesting, isnt it?
Hard to find assassins these days.
More like hard to find skilled ones. Most just show off and end up killed.
Pride in his own profession and disdain for other assassins who didnt meet his standards were clear in Baek Seon-taes words.
Kang-hoo shared a similar sentiment.
Many in the assassin profession try to look cool without possessing real skill.
These types usually have brief lifespans.
Being an assassin is one of the most sensitive professions among hunters.
One mistake can easily cost you your life, consistently ranking at the top in terms of occupational risk.
If an assassination attempt fails, the assassin, being closest to the target, becomes the easiest prey.
The saying high risk, high return isnt without merit; the stakes are indeed high.
Baek Seon-tae continued,
Is there a particular reason you had to choose this dungeon, even though youre giving up most of the rewards?
Call it a sense of adventure. Seeking unpredictability in an uncertain world. Something like that.
Kang-hoo spoke offhand, then slightly turned his head and laughed as if he found his own response absurd.
His reason was clear.
He was here to learn skills through a skill book trick.
But he didnt feel like sharing his secrets with a stranger, so he resorted to talking nonsense.
Anyway, Im enjoying the view. Your level is unbelievably low for your skill.
Baek Seon-tae didnt conceal his sincerity.
His level was 250.
Compared to Kang-hoo, he was a 2.5 times stronger expert.
Yet, during the battle, he perceived near-perfection in Kang-hoos movements.
Clean, concise.
Seemingly effortless, yet each motion was sharp.
Not at all sloppy.
Any hunter would recognize how difficult it is for these descriptors to coexist.
If you could combine these words into one, it would be perfection.
That was the caliber of Kang-hoos movements.
Meanwhile, aside from Baek Seon-taes compliments, Kang-hoo was considering the current battle as training.
I need to dodge even more narrowly, to create the timing I want.
From the perspective of a novice, avoiding danger from the outset seems like the best strategy.
It significantly lowers the risk.
However, reality isnt always so simple.
An experienced hunter can predict your next move if you evade too early.
By showing your hand early, you make it easier for them to target you.
An experienced hunter naturally thinks a few steps ahead.
The later I dodge, the more time and attack opportunities I can waste.
Kang-hoo delayed his evasion to complicate the opponents planning for their next move.
This was Kang-hoos next step in growth.
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