< Chapter 1347 > 1347. Special Strategy
After witnessing the ending of Ghost Romance, I was momentarily stunned. The conclusion was way out of left field.
“Never thought I’d be busting ghosts till the end.”
If it were me, I’d have quit ghost hunting ages ago and gathered a harem of ladies to live luxuriously with. Sure, I might occasionally seek out a ghost for a fight when bored… but not to the extent of traveling the world doing exorcisms.
“…Guess I did a lot of ghost-busting in this world.”
The reason must be that I actively killed ghosts to lower my demonic aura in order to romance the heroines. Especially killing the spirits from the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons was decisive.
“But it wasn’t all bad.”
A life like the ending of Ghost Romance sounds kinda appealing. Traveling the world, seducing beautiful women and getting them pregnant…
After closing the entertainment app, I took a shower and immediately collapsed onto my bed. My body wasn’t tired, but mentally, maybe from being immersed in the Ghost Romance world nonstop, I felt somewhat drained.
“Come to think of it, I hardly ever got proper rest in the Ghost Romance world.”
I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
For a while, I focused on reality instead of entering the entertainment worlds. I’d been neglecting real life while focusing on those virtual worlds. I needed to regain my sense of reality and adapt to my enhanced physical abilities.
“I need to clearly distinguish what I can and can’t do.”
My abilities differ in each entertainment world.
I mustn’t confuse what my real self can actually do. Doing so could cause problems in crucial moments.
“My current physical capabilities are above average for an A-rank Hunter, but still lack something to be considered top-tier.”
An A-rank Hunter’s strength isn’t just about physical ability. Combat experience, awakened powers, equipment – these factors matter too. In reality, my strength can be considered upper A-rank.
“Though since I haven’t fought many upper A-rank opponents, this is just speculation.”
Wooong. Wooong.
My phone rang.
I pulled it out of my pocket and checked the caller ID.
Baek Ji-eun.
The female junior officer of the association who’s under my hypnotic influence thinks of me as both a childhood friend and a sex buddy.
Narrowing my eyes, I stared at the smartphone. It was rare for her, who’s usually busy climbing the career ladder, to call me directly.
“Guess I’ll answer.”
“Seong Yoo-jin! You free?!”
Baek Ji-eun’s voice boomed. Her energetic tone immediately told me she wanted to assign me some task. Honestly, it didn’t sit well with me.
“Busy.”
“Don’t kid me. I know everything about when you’re free. You only enter B-rank dungeons. At this rate, when do you plan to officially become A-rank?”
Despite having A-rank level skills, my official rank was still B.
There was no helping it. To reach A-rank, I needed more than just skill; I required achievements too. There were illegal ways to gain those achievements… but my goal is S-rank. I prefer avoiding anything that might come back to bite me later.
The reason for only entering B Rank dungeons was simple. Unlike A Rank dungeons, there were hardly any variables. Moreover, tackling an A Rank dungeon alone felt like too much of a hassle.
“Hunter work I’ll handle on my own. Or is there some high-yield work?”
“Hoho, that’s why I contacted you—there’s good work.”
“What kind of work? If it’s annoying, I won’t do it.”
“Even if it’s annoying, you should probably take it.”
I could sense joy in Baek Ji-eun’s voice. She seemed confident that I wouldn’t refuse.
‘This girl underestimates me too much. I’m the type who can reject any offer.’
“This task is decided by the higher-ups. It’s somewhat bothersome, but they’ve suggested entrusting it to promising candidates.”
“…Promising candidates?”
“Yeah. Those with potential to become S Rank candidates.”
“So, does that mean if I complete this task, I’ll be recognized as an S Rank candidate?”
“Nope. The higher-ups are just confirming potential. This happens periodically, gathering young A Rank hunters every quarter—it’s not particularly special.”
“But I’m B Rank, not A Rank.”
“You’re practically near A Rank skill-wise. Besides, your growth rate is absurd. Even though you started late, you’re already eyeing A Rank. There’s plenty of reason for them to notice you. In fact, I’d say they’re being a bit slow.”
“…What’s in it for me if I succeed? Do I immediately become A Rank?”
“Not exactly, but you’ll be able to ascend to A Rank quickly. And the Korean Hunters Association will focus on you—in a good way.”
“Hmm…this is quite an irresistible offer. What do I need to do?”
“It’s related to the Thousand Hands Guild. You seen the news?”
“I don’t have time to watch the news…but I know about Thousand Hands Guild. They’re a fairly well-known guild.”
Thousand Hands Guild is one of the medium-sized guilds active in Seoul. They treat hunters well and even accept inexperienced rookies, so their reputation among hunter circles is relatively high for a mid-tier guild.
“That Thousand Hands Guild has been designated as a Black Guild three hours ago. Their headquarters is currently occupied by the association.”
“…Thousand Hands Guild became a Black Guild? Did they evade taxes or something? No, tax evasion alone wouldn’t warrant being labeled a Black Guild…what did those bastards do?”
Black Guild. The term referred to criminal guilds. In other words, Thousand Hands Guild had become a criminal organization.
For a thriving medium-sized guild to suddenly fall into ruin—it was baffling.
“They teamed up with a Black Guild from China to distribute drugs. It’s estimated they made around 8 trillion won from drug trafficking.”
“Drugs, huh. But isn’t that case closed? The association took over their HQ.”
“Unfortunately, we missed the guild master and a few key members. They prepared expensive artifacts just in case. Your job is to track down the remnants of the Thousand Hands Guild with the other promising candidates. Capturing them alive is ideal, but killing them is also fine.”
“Haa…such a troublesome task…still, I can’t refuse. Do we at least know where they are?”
“Don’t underestimate the Korean Hunters Association. We’ve already pinpointed their location.”
I didn’t bother asking how they found out—it was obvious. Magic, artifacts, awakened abilities…there are many ways. Who knows, maybe they even used scientific technology.
“Got it. So what do I need to do?”
“I’ll text you. Be at the location by 18:00.”
“18:00? That’s only an hour away. Guess I need to leave right now.”
“If you don’t want to come, you don’t have to.”
“I said I’m going, didn’t I?”
I arrived at the agreed-upon meeting spot.
In front of a closed hardware store stood a van. Without hesitation, I climbed inside. Apart from me, three A Rank hunters were already there.
“We’re short on time, so let’s head out immediately.”
The man sitting in the driver’s seat spoke. He wore a navy blue baseball cap.
“Surprising. Didn’t expect a B Rank to join us.”
The guy in the passenger seat…
It was a statement. Despite the tone, his voice sounded indifferent. For some reason, it didn’t feel like he was looking down on me.
He was large and muscular.
“…….”
The person sitting next to me was the only woman. She was tall, thin, and had extremely sharp eyes. Among all of us, she looked the least cooperative. Though her appearance was above average, it was a bit awkward to call her a beauty.
“Everyone. Let me say this upfront: take only your share. Only your share.”
The man sitting in the passenger seat chuckled at my words.
“You sure talk big. I like it. Here, information about us and our target. Memorize it.”
He extended the documents he was holding backward and handed them to me. I took them and began skimming through them roughly.
First, I checked the info on the three people I’d be working with.
The guy driving with the light-blue baseball cap was Kim Si-eom. An A-Rank Hunter with the ability of Enhancement—he can enhance either his own body or armed weapons.
The muscular guy in the passenger seat was Jang Jucheok. Also an A-Rank Hunter, his ability is Blood Control—the power to manipulate blood.
The squinty-eyed woman sitting beside me was also an A-Rank Hunter. Her ability is Hammer Crash… which sounds like it destroys hammers, but in reality, it’s the opposite. It’s the ability to temporarily create hammers. There are six types of hammers, each with special effects, though she can only summon one at a time.
These three are all A-Rank Hunters and promising talents watched by the Guild. At least, they won’t become baggage.
I read the info on our target.
“Ignore the small fries and go for the boss.”
Oh Gang-hu, the Guild Master of Thousand Hands.
He has a separate nickname—Myriad Poison Lord—and is an A-Rank Hunter. His ability is Poison Creation. As his nickname suggests, he can create all kinds of poisons. The document also says he can make temporary body-enhancing drugs.
“Poison and drug creation ability… Can this guy make elixirs too?”
Though I wondered, I didn’t really expect much. If he could make elixirs, he wouldn’t be trafficking drugs.
And he would’ve already used those elixirs to strengthen himself and lived flauntingly as an S-Rank Hunter by now.
“Our opponent is Oh Gang-hu. Don’t let your guard down. Sung Yoojin. If you look at the back seats, there are antidotes prepared by the Guild. Take three. I’ve heard there are poisons that can’t be detoxified, but these will at least prevent instant death from poisoning.”
Kim Si-eom said this while turning the car wheel. I casually grabbed the antidotes. Since I have Full Recovery and Heavenly Heart techniques, I don’t need antidotes, but there’s no reason to reveal my cards to them.
As I continued reading the documents, I saw something absurd written, making me doubt my eyes.
“…You’re saying Oh Gang-hu is heading north? Do you mean *that* north?”
“That’s right. Oh Gang-hu is going to North Korea, and we’ll chase him until the end.”
Jang Jucheok replied while facing forward. Bewildered, I asked again.
“Isn’t this going to cause international issues?”
“The Guild will handle it.”
An irresponsible answer came back.
Heading to North Korea seemed a bit over-the-top, so I was considering calling Baek Ji-eun to question it when Kim Si-eom added more information.
“The Guild has already received permission from North Korea. The condition is that we don’t publicize this mission externally.”
“It’s surprising that North Korea agreed. Do you know why?”
“Not exactly. But since Oh Gang-hu is tied to China’s Black Guild, perhaps North Korea doesn’t want to cause trouble with China. Their relationship hasn’t been good recently. Or maybe they just want to assess our Full Strength.”
I furrowed my brow and nodded vaguely after thinking about it. Come to think of it, it wasn’t something I needed to worry about. The Guild will handle all the trivial details.
