Chapter 1155

〈 Episode 1155 〉 1155. The Academy’s Savior

I turned on the engine of the old car I bought from a broker for 1.5 million won.

The car shook like a sick patient.

“Tch.”

The car was far from satisfying. Part of me wanted to just steal one of those fancy foreign cars parked by the side of the road, but as a fugitive, I had to be careful. If the cops caught me, my peaceful life would be over.

We got onto the highway. It was pretty empty due to being a weekday. All I could hope for was that this piece of junk wouldn’t break down in the middle of the highway.

“Geez, why is this car so noisy? When we make some money, let’s get a new one first. Everyone says foreign cars are great.”

Seong Hari, sitting in the passenger seat, spoke. Makina was sleeping in the backseat.

“Have you forgotten that there’s a bounty on us?”

“We can use a broker.”

“Brokers take too much as commission.”

“So what? How much is it really?”

“It’s not about the amount. It’s irritating how useless brokers still take commissions. We could at least borrow a car.”

“…No way. That’s going too far.”

A truck drove ahead of me. Even though I was going over 100km/h, I felt restless. I sharply turned the stubborn steering wheel and passed the truck, not forgetting to flip off the driver.

“Big Brother. Are you really a Devil Hunter?”

“…Why do you ask?”

“You haven’t done anything related to demons this whole week. Just running errands for brokers.”

“Hunting demons isn’t easy. They’re good at hiding. Are you getting bored? We could go back to the academy.”

“I’m not bored. I was just curious. Besides, with my bounty, going back means straight to jail. Big Brother, you’re all I’ve got. You know that, right?”

She started to argue, but I stopped her.

The academy would welcome Seong Hari back with open arms. She’s an unparalleled talent. Plus, her family is one of the most prestigious in South Korea. If she wanted, she could return to normal life anytime.

“Do you know how dangerous this job is?”

I asked Seong Hari. She nodded while looking out the window.

“I know. Three crime organizations are involved, but we only need to focus on guarding.”

“100 million won per day. They wouldn’t offer that kind of money for nothing. Chances are, we’ll have to kill people.”

There’s a huge difference between killing monsters and killing humans. As far as I know, Seong Hari has never killed a person.

“…Even without you saying it… I’ve already made up my mind.”

“…I won’t interfere anymore.”

Only time will tell if she can adapt to this line of work.

•••

We arrived at the designated spot.

As soon as Seong Hari and I got out of the car, we naturally looked around. This abandoned factory gave off no signs of life.

“In movies, secret deals always happen in places like this.”

Our client hasn’t arrived yet.

Seong Hari and I leaned against the car, basking in the night air after driving for half a day…


After doing that, the night air felt refreshingly crisp.

“Oppa, how old are you really?”

“You’re curious about my age?”

“Judging by appearance alone, I’d say you look around my age… but you looked the same even a few years ago. What’s your real age? You’re not over forty, are you?”

“Forty? That was ages ago.”

As I was about to tell my age to Seong Hali, I closed my mouth and smirked. Seeing her eyes sparkling with curiosity made me feel playful.

“……”

In response to my silence, her lips pouted in dissatisfaction.

“Are you seriously not going to teach me? That’s so unfair!”

“They’ve arrived.”

“Huh?”

Seong Hali turned around. From a distance, three black cars entered the abandoned factory one after another.

“They’re a bit late compared to the agreed time… Should we complain?”

At my muttering, Seong Hali waved her hands.

“It’s only been five minutes! Just wait! We’re the ones who need the money urgently!”

Actually, we weren’t that desperate for money. The amount of money we had wasn’t insufficient. It’s just that Seong Hali’s economic concept was slightly different from others.

The three black cars that came in from outside stopped simultaneously. The doors opened, and men dressed in black suits poured out.

I quietly observed them.

Well-trained bodies, refined auras.

They were no ordinary gangsters.

Finally, a man got out of the car. A robust middle-aged man. Wearing a black coat with an unlit cigar in his mouth, his angular face was covered with scars. He slowly approached us, his gaze sharp like a finely honed blade.

‘This is Yoo Il-seong, the boss of Taesung Group, huh. Not an ordinary guy. He seems to be at the level of an A-Rank Hero.’

A sidelong glance confirmed Seong Hali’s state.

As expected, Seong Hali was stiff. She wasn’t scared. For someone as skilled as her, capable enough to defeat academy teachers, there was no way she would fear mere gangsters. She was overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

‘Seong Hali lacks experience, regardless of her abilities.’

There was nothing to do but let her get used to it.

“Young.”

Yoo Il-seong exhaled smoke from his cigar while speaking. His low voice was heavy like a lump of steel.

“Too young.”

An overt attempt to intimidate. I chuckled softly, shaking off the oppressive atmosphere.

“So you’re not going to hire us? I’m kind of pissed thinking we came all this way just to hear that.”

Yoo Il-seong stared at me intently.

“You’re not bluffing. Could you be someone from this side?”

“Do you not recognize my face? I’m pretty famous.”

He furrowed his brows. A man beside him whispered something into Yoo Il-seong’s ear, probably gossiping about me.

Yoo Il-seong’s already fearsome expression grew even more terrifying.

“Never thought a terrorist would show up. Is Park insane? Though his skills were guaranteed, so I came personally…”

“My skills are reliable. Far more than what you think.”

“The issue isn’t skill. The problem is that I can’t trust you. Who in this world trusts a terrorist?”

“In that case, you won’t hire me?”

It’s not me who’s in a hurry, it’s Yoo Il-seong. That’s why he hired bodyguards through a broker. If trust was really the issue, he wouldn’t have used a broker.

“…You’re quite confident. Are you really that sure of your abilities?”

“I wouldn’t have come if I weren’t.”

“Wouldn’t it be fine to check once? If you two meet my standards… I’ll hire you right away.”

“It’s natural for an employer to check the qualifications of the employee… What should we do?”

Yoo Il-seong glanced sideways and nodded. A giant man over 2 meters stepped forward. He emanated an extraordinary aura. His calm gaze was akin to that of a seasoned warrior who has seen countless battles.

“My subordinates don’t understand calling outsiders… Prove your necessity directly.”

“Hyeji.”

Seong Hali reacted a beat late.

Hyeji was Seong Hali’s alias. Even when operating openly without hiding her face, it’s better to conceal her name. Using her real name versus using an alias makes a difference.


There’s a huge difference…

She pulled out a blade from the backseat of the car and stepped forward. The man’s eyebrows twitched.

“…You’re telling me you’re sending just a woman to fight me alone instead of both of you? Pathetic. You should give it your Full Strength while I’m in a good mood.”

“They say even a lion uses its Full Strength to catch a rabbit. But we aren’t lions, after all.”

“Hmph, fine then. I’ll deal with this woman first, then crush you into oblivion!”

A formidable aura erupted from the man.

Before Seong Harie could take a fighting stance, the man made a preemptive move. Clutching his scarred, massive fist, he lunged toward Seong Harie, aiming for her abdomen. A single strike seemed to be his goal, as his fist crackled with an icy blue energy.

But Seong Harie’s legs moved like they were gliding across the ground. The man’s punch grazed nothing but air where she had been.

Startled, the man spun around to track her movement. Too late. From the moment he lost sight of her, the battle was already decided. Seong Harie’s blade now pointed directly at his throat.

The man stared at Seong Harie, his shock palpable. He realized that his defeat was not due to any technique or strategy, but simply because of the physical gap between them.

“…I’ve lost.”

Seong Harie lowered her blade and walked over to me with composure. I looked at Yoo Ilseong.

“Is the interview over? What time do I need to show up tomorrow?”

“…This woman’s skills are commendable.”

“For reference, I’m stronger than Hye Ji.”

“I don’t trust others easily.”

“You want to see it yourself? Quite troublesome type, aren’t you?”

I stepped forward. The man who had lost to Seong Harie tensed up, clenching both fists as he glared at me.

—

A sound of static electricity rang out. Only Seong Harie tilted her head slightly in confusion; the others didn’t seem to notice the warning sign. Yoo Ilseong finally looked up.

A bolt of lightning struck the man square on the crown of his head.

He collapsed face-first, unconscious.

Startled gangsters quickly surrounded us. Sensing the threat, Seong Harie gripped her weapon tightly with both hands.

“I didn’t kill him. Just knocked him out.”

Yoo Ilseong raised his hand, diffusing the tense atmosphere. They checked on their unconscious leader.

“…Magic. Or rather, an ability? The ability to summon lightning… Impressive.”

“Are you hiring us?”

“Of course. If it had been some random guy… I might have buried him right here. But you two… you’re the real deal.”

He gestured, and his subordinates began clearing the area, preparing to leave. A man standing near Yoo Ilseong handed me a piece of paper with an address and contact information.

“Come to this address by 9 AM tomorrow morning. Oh, preferably wear formal attire.”

They departed.

Seong Harie watched the retreating car with a complicated expression.

“Was what he said earlier true?”

“About burying us here?”

Seong Harie nodded slightly.

“It must be true. That’s why he chose this place. Are you scared?”

“Who’s scared?! Don’t be ridiculous!”

Seong Harie flared up, but I noticed the flicker of fear in her eyes. It was an instinctual reaction to realizing how close we were to a world drenched in blood and violence.

No need to dwell on it too seriously. Someone like Seong Harie will adapt without much trouble.

—

Seong Harie and I stopped by a nearby tailor shop to pick up suits before heading to Taesung Group.

Seong Harie looked great in the suit. The black pants hugged her thighs perfectly, giving off a sexy vibe, while her ample chest added a sultry touch to her upper body.

Still, Seong Harie seemed uncomfortable in the suit, constantly checking herself in the compact mirror while sitting in the passenger seat.

We arrived at Taesung Group.

It was a five-story building located away from downtown.

I felt eyes on us. There were people hiding everywhere, watching us closely. Security was tight.

Following the directions of a man who came out of the building, we entered.