[Trantor - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
Chapter 53: Arhan Bestows Opportunities Free of Charge (2)
〔Do you know that small human?〕
''I know him well.''
〔Judging by your attitude, it seems you have a connection from before your regression.〕
''A bad one.''
A sneer formed on Yoojin''s lips.
What a small world.
He never imagined he would meet one of the Nine Dragons of the Kowloon Guild here, in the future.
〔The Kowloon Guild, you said it was a criminal organization in the neighboring country, didn''t you?〕
''Yeah, that''s right.''
〔But this small human belongs to a respectable guild.〕
''I don''t know about that.''
It was a matter of the distant future when Song Myeongseok would be infamous as one of the heads of the Kowloon Guild.
Even a regressor doesn''t have everything memorized.
He only remembered people like the Mirror Hunters or Mr. ck in detail because he had been directly involved with them.
〔Regressor, strive harder to recall your knowledge of the future.〕
''What I don''t know, I don''t know.''
〔For the one who possesses my artifact to be socking...〕
''A while ago, you were fussing about not wanting me to have it easy and telling me to struggle.''
Still, he was curious.
One of the Nine Heads of the Kowloon Guild, encountered in an unexpected ce.
What were the chances of a Hunter from Arhan transferring to the Kowloon Guild?
There must have been many stories that were hard to fathom right now.
〔Corruption, is it? How interesting.〕
''You''re not going to start with that hero talk again, are you?''
〔A being who embraces a noble cause, only to fall into despair and turn to evil. Isn''t it tragic!〕
''That bastard has never embraced anything noble.''
A natural-born son of a bitch.
He didn''t know that Song Myeongseok had been with Arhan before joining the Kowloon Guild.
But he knew that the smile was 100% fake, without a single gram of sincerity.
''Do you know how ruthless you have to be to be one of the leaders of thergest criminalwork in East Asia?''
Human trafficking was a given.
He was a guy who had participated in, or directlymitted, countless crimes that were disgusting to even recall.
How much would a Korean Hunter have to do to reach a high position in the Kowloon Guild?
〔I-Is that so?!〕
''There are beings among the gods who are different on the inside and outside, too.''
〔Did you see that shameless fellow? To deceive me with that kind face!〕
This wasn''t a case of being deceived, it was a case of being a fool.
A strange situation where there was no scammer, only a victim.
Yoojin chuckled.
''By the way, Arhan has brought out a pretty strong card.''
Before his regression, Song Myeongseok had reached 8 Stars.
He was a skilled individual, called the strongest Dragon among the Nine Heads.
Even now, Arhan is promoting him with media hype, calling him a Supernova, right?
〔To think they would push someone like that into a dangerous ce. How bold.〕
''They''re using a surefire card, both as a show of force to me and to achieve their goal.''
The [Iron Tomb], which remained unconquered before his regression.
In other words, it meant that the Hunters Arhan had deployed had also died.
''If Song Myeongseok had entered, wouldn''t it have been a different story, regardless of him being one of the Nine Heads?''
〔A small human who wasn''t originally part of the raid has interfered... The future has changed.〕
''The only variable I can consider is myself.''
A promising Hunter that Arhan deployed to recruit him.
There was no other reason for Song Myeongseok to participate in the Gate raid.
''The future is starting to change.''
The Red Spider, who in the original history would have been annihted as an organization a few yearster, was now nning for the future.
And he even encountered Song Myeongseok, whom he remembered as one of the Nine Heads of the Kowloon Guild, within Arhan.
〔Khahaha. Causality is being distorted.〕
''Causality?''
〔It is inevitable that causality will change as the Contractor turns back time.〕
For anything to happen, there must be a cause.
Even constetions, who had their names engraved above the stars… were not free from causality.
〔Kronos'' Pocket Watch〕
A miracle that distorts that absolute proposition.
From the moment Yoojin activated Kronos'' artifact, the distortion of causality...
''Is that important?''
Yoojin replied curtly.
〔Oh ho. The knowledge in your head may turn into scraps of paper.〕
''Some things change, but others remain the same.''
He returned to change the future.
If he was worried about causality being distorted, he wouldn''t have regressed in the first ce.
''It''s rather good.''
〔You''re quite optimistic. Are you alright with the future you knew changing?〕
''I met a bad seed early on.''
If he got rid of Song Myeongseok beforehand, it would be like cutting off one of the Nine Heads of the Kowloon Guild.
He was destined to sh with Arhan continuously.
Since things had turned out this way, he hoped an opportunity would arise to cut off his lifeline before he transferred to the Kowloon Guild.
〔Huh. The Contractor is truly a strong being.〕
Kronos was genuinely impressed.
An unwavering mental strength that showed not a single crack.
The intense pulsation of power felt through his soul.
A mere mortal who, without the help of constetions, had reached the 9th rank, a Transcendent.
Yoojin''s strong will stimted Kronos'' soul.
''Did you eat something wrong?''
Yoojin, unaware of Kronos'' feelings, retorted bluntly and returned to the Little Runts team.
＊ ＊ ＊
Before entering the Gate, the Arhan Guild conducted a brief briefing for Yoojin and his party.
"The Iron Tomb is a Gate with no prior information."
Song Myeongseok, the leader of Arhan''s attack team, said affably.
Kang Minyeong raised her hand and immediately asked—
"That''s because it''s a Closed type, right?"
"That''s correct. You have a vast knowledge of Gates."
"Hehe. I studied a bit."
"Didn''t Senior Kang fail ''Dual Pistols''st semester...? Mmmph."
How carefree.
As Yoojin chuckled at the sight, Song Myeongseok''s eyes twitched.
See?
He''s a guy with nine snakes hidden in his belly.
"Even though it''s called a briefing, it''s just sharing our organization, so please listenfortably."
"Hunter Song Myeongseok, no, Team Leader. I have a question."
"Go ahead. Hunter Kang Minho, right?"
"Ha, haha. It''s an honor that you remember me."
Kang Minhoughed awkwardly and continued.
"Once we enter the Iron Tomb, do we have to follow yourmand, Team Leader?"
"I''ll leave that to your own judgment."
At first nce, it seemed like generous treatment.
In reality, it was intended to make them realize the difference in strength between the two groups.
Yoojin snorted at the obvious intention and raised his hand.
"How will the loot be distributed?"
"Each team takes what they hunt."
"Is the distribution method the same for the other Gates?"
"That''s right. In any case, I wish you all the best in your endeavors."
‘Distribution based on contribution, huh? That''s music to my ears.’
Yoojin smiled.
＊ ＊ ＊
A crack formed 30 centimeters above the ground. A faint blue light shone from between the split space.
[Iron Tomb]
A Closed-type Gate that had devoured five Hunter raid teams already.
The two teams, maintaining a slight distance, checked their conditions onest time before entering.
"Team Leader, are you alright?"
"Ah, I''m fine."
Song Myeongseok replied to his team member''s question as if it were nothing.
However...
''Hey, the Team Leader is pissed.''
''Sigh, it''s going to be a mess once we enter the Gate.''
''Cheon Yoojin, was it? That clueless bastard is going to make us suffer too.''
The Arhan raid team Hunters shuddered despite his words.
Having worked with Team Leader Song Myeongseok a few times, they knew the true nature hidden behind his friendly smile.
Creak—
The sound of friction emanated from his hand gripping the sword hilt.
''Let''s see how long you can keep up that act, you arrogant punk.''
The Arhan raid team Hunters'' predictions were not wrong.
Song Myeongseok suppressed the rage boiling deep within him.
Seeing Yoojin''s consistently rxed attitude made him want to draw his sword right there and then.
''If it weren''t for the Vice President''s orders, I would have cut off his mouth already.''
Right before the Gate raid, Song Myeongseok was summoned to the Vice President''s office and given an order:
- Show Hunter Cheon Yoojin the power of Arhan.
Show his power to a mere 1 Star Hunter?
It wasn''t difficult to grasp the meaning behind Baek Seonghyeon''s words.
''He called me in just to entice a rookie?''
Anger welled up inside him.
The Supernova of Arhan.
He believed that he was the only one who would lead this guild, no, the Korean Hunter world.
But to think that Arhan was making such an effort to recruit an unknown Hunter... he couldn''t help but be angry.
[Unique Trait - Heavenly Bone]
An ability that maximizes the power of martial arts-rted skills and additionally increases physical abilities when leveling up or consuming elixirs.
''I am the chosen one.''
The same unique trait as Martial King Chang Wufei.
Even Arhan was merely a stepping stone for Song Myeongseok to climb higher.
''Vice President. And you rookie. I''ll show you how great a Hunter I am.''
With a glint of malice in his eyes, Song Myeongseok stepped into the crack.
A blue radiance enveloped his entire body.
The surrounding scenery instantly transformed into a mountain of scrap metal.
nk—
A piece of iron that had been lying on the ground floated into the air.
It nged together with other pieces, taking a human-like form and disying hostility.
[Living Armor]
The Arhan raid team and the Little Runts team, who had entered the Gate right behind Song Myeongseok, witnessed the scene.
''This is the perfect opportunity to show my skills.''
Watch carefully.
The skills of the one called Arhan''s Supernova!
Shing—
The sword drawn from its sheath drew an arc in the air.
In less than 0.1 seconds...
The Living Armor, which had just taken form, was cut into countless pieces by the sword strikes.
"Amazing."
"As expected of the Team Leader."
The Arhan raid team Hunters were in awe.
The speed, destructive power, and uracy were unbelievable for a 2 Star Hunter.
Song Myeongseok''s eyes turned to Yoojin.
"It''s nothing special."
"Indeed."
"An ordinary Hunter might find it troublesome, but it''s not a problem for me."
"That''s not what I''m talking about."
nk—
An ear splitting metallic sound.
As soon as Yoojin finished speaking, the Living Armor regenerated, its eyes shing as it lunged at Song Myeongseok.
"Regeneration ability?"
"Living Armor keeps reviving unless you destroy its core."
Though it might not be urate to use the word "reviving" for an inanimate object.
As Yoojin chuckled, Song Myeongseok swung his sword once again.
"How''s this?"
"How''s what? Did you hear my words with your ears or your ass?"
Song Myeongseok turned around with a sense of foreboding.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The Living Armor, shattered twice already.
The monster, which should have returned to its original form of scrap metal...
- Kee, ee, ee.
It rose once again, mimicking the sound of a living creature by rubbing its metallic parts together.
"Where is this core you speak of?!"
"I don''t know. The location of the core is different for each individual."
"Thank you for the kind advice."
Meaning that unless hepletely disintegrated this pile of scrap metal, he wouldn''t be able to extract the core.
Song Myeongseok''s arms tensed as he spat out the sarcastic remark.
''There''s a reason why every raid team that entered the Iron Tomb was annihted.''
The absurdly high regenerative ability of the monsters.
To raid the Living Armor, a lightning-type mage was essential.
''Even so, I can do it.''
If he couldn''t kill it with ten strikes?
Then he would swing a hundred times.
The owner of the Heavenly Bone.
Even though he couldn''t handle aura, his pure physical strength wasparable to a low-level 4 Star martial artist.
"I''ll..."
【Wow, what an interesting monster.】
A thought that resonated directly in his mind, not his ears.
Right before Song Myeongseok swung his sword, a being had entered his range without him even noticing.
A three-meter giant.
It was Fafnir.
【So that''s where the core is?】
A hand the size of a cauldron lid dug into the Living Armor''s armpit.
As a few pieces of scrap metal were torn off, the Living Armor trembled and copsed with a tter.
Song Myeongseok''s eyes twitched.
"H-How did you do that?"
【There''s a ce where mana is concentrated. You can see it if you focus.】
"That''s not what I''m asking. How did you do it?"
【If you''re a Hunter, you should be able to enhance your senses.】
Fafnir''s answer felt vague.
Enhance his senses?
To locate the magic core?
''He''s acting all high and mighty after finding it with some special skill!''
Song Myeongseok tried his best to hold back the curses caught in his throat.
【It''s so easy. And you can''t even do that.】
Yoojin''s warrior nonchntly carved a long scar on Song Myeongseok''s pride.
[Trantor - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]