The Red Knight’s cruise ship.
The deck was bustling with people.
As always, lively music accompanied the scene.
In this neutral zone where information traders conducted business, Choi Jin-cheol broke out in a sweat upon confirming the identity of the mysterious person who had arrived at his area.
“Huh, I believe Sir Dark Knight usually dealt with another merchant…”
He recalled Lee Geum-cheol, the information trader he had dealt with last time regarding ‘Dark Knight.’
“I want to know about him. Where does he usually stay after disembarking from the ship?”
After hearing the response from ‘Dark Knight,’ Choi Jin-cheol immediately grasped his intention.
‘So he’s here to kill Lee Geum-cheol!’
Choi had always believed the greedy Lee would meet an unfortunate end sooner or later.
Lee Geum-cheol operated as an information trader on the same ship as Choi Jin-cheol.
Known for his extensive connections in China, he was well-versed in information related to that area and was often called a “China expert.”
However, Lee’s excessive greed often led to quarrels with customers.
‘He pushed his luck once too many times. Bold to cross Dark Knight.’
Choi Jin-cheol turned on his laptop and began searching the database for information on Lee Geum-cheol.
There was no sense of loyalty between them as business partners.
In fact, Choi was secretly pleased to see his competitor removed.
After finding all the necessary information, Choi Jin-cheol rubbed his hands and subtly hinted to the villain standing before him.
‘Dark Knight’ caught the hint and placed a bag filled with cash down.
“Five thousand.”
Shinnoda was wealthy.
Some villains were involved with criminal organizations, and their spoils were abundant.
Since Shinnoda wasn’t particularly extravagant, the money he earned from killing villains remained untouched.
“I’ll take ten thousand. The information isn’t extremely detailed, so I don’t feel comfortable charging too much.”
The information trader said this while withdrawing several bundles of cash from the bag.
“Lee Geum-cheol rarely disembarks. If he does, he immediately heads to China.”
“Lee Geum-cheol?”
‘Dark Knight’ asked curiously, not even knowing the name of the information trader he had previously dealt with.
“Oh, the information trader you dealt with is Lee Geum-cheol. He’s of Korean-Chinese descent, which is why he has strong ties in China.”
“Can you tell me exactly when and how he will leave for China?”
“Sorry, but that depends on Lee’s decision, so I can’t give you specifics…”
‘Dark Knight’ responded with apparent disappointment and left the office.
“Wait, you don’t intend to do something rash here, do you? This is Red Knight’s territory!”
Startled, Choi tried to stop him, but ‘Dark Knight’ paused momentarily before continuing.
‘Dark Knight’ remained silent and acted.
The unsheathing sound of a blade slipping out of its scabbard and wriggling like an eel in ‘Dark Knight’s hand startled everyone.
Even though it was simply a draw, the speed was so incredible that Choi Jin-cheol, being an ordinary person, perceived it as an incredible feat.
“Huh.”
Choi nervously hid his body.
Shinnoda decided on a direct approach. He was told the information trader had stayed on the cruise and would only head to China when convenient. Thus, waiting for him to disembark indefinitely wasn’t an option.
The eyes of ‘Dark Knight’ glinted sharply.
It didn’t take long to locate Lee Geum-cheol.
Even though the cruise ship was enormous, as a ship, it was still finite—determined walking could get you anywhere in 20 minutes.
Lee Geum-cheol, the first information trader to negotiate with ‘Dark Knight,’ was still in his office, making deals.
Huh.
The hallway outside his office was bustling with noise.
“What’s wrong?”
Lee Geum-cheol tilted his head in confusion, only to see ‘Dark Knight’ bursting into the room; an involuntary chill ran down his spine.
“Huh! Sir Dark Knight.”
Lee Geum-cheol had no idea his unreliable actions had been discovered and tried to mask it with a casual smile.
“I dare say, you’ve committed a rash act.”
“What? I don’t know what you mean…”
‘Dark Knight’ immediately grabbed Lee by the neck.
“You still don’t get it?”
At that moment, the doors opened and several ‘guards’ entered.
“What is the meaning of this?!”
These guards aimed their guns at ‘Dark Knight.’
With a glance, ‘Dark Knight’ surveyed the guards.
“This one betrayed me.”
Frankly, they hadn’t established enough trust to call it a betrayal, but there was no denying that he had broken their implicit agreement as human to human.
Besides, this was a breach of etiquette towards someone known as an ‘Awakened One’ of A-rank.
The guards shared nervous glances with each other.
Their trembling hands revealed their lack of confidence in restraining ‘Dark Knight.’
They were simply stalling for time.
“Even you cannot settle grudges here.”
One of the guard leaders mustered his courage and warned him.
“Is there anywhere else then?”
‘Dark Knight’ dragged Lee Geum-cheol out by the collar and headed to the deck.
He intended to take Lee off the ship.
When the information trader was brought out to the deck, many eyes turned to the scene.
Without hesitation, ‘Dark Knight’ strode to the edge of the deck, fully intending to jump into the sea with the information trader.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out.
It was a tough female voice.
“Brother, coming here to act like this is really appropriate?”
‘Red Knight’ appeared in full armor.
She had her ring on her finger, her crescent sword in her hand, and a circlet on her head—all of these high-grade items were trophies from her hunter days.
“Red Knight…!”
Shinnoda berated himself for hesitating too long.
He should’ve ignored the guards and rushed forward.
On the other hand, ‘Red Knight’ was just as confused.
“It seems the information trader betrayed you?”
It seemed that ‘Dark Knight’ had been selling his information but had been caught in the act.
Though ‘Red Knight’ doubted he should go this far just out of personal conflict, she could somewhat understand given her own history of recklessly killing people when displeased.
“On my ship, I said no fighting. You of all people, Dark Knight, know this, right?”
‘Red Knight’ said this with an almost demonic expression.
Most guests who witnessed her demeanor hurriedly retreated into the cabins or hid.
Only a few brave souls dared to watch.
Lee Geum-cheol’s expression relaxed.
‘Even if you’re Dark Knight, do you really think you can do anything against S-rank Red Knight?’
He interpreted ‘Red Knight’ coming to his rescue as a sign that she would save him.
“So, I was just about to leave with him.”
Shinnoda answered calmly.
It appeared like he was backing down.
‘Red Knight’ was inwardly relieved, believing Shinnoda was acknowledging her as an S-rank ‘Awakened One’ on the same level as herself.
She didn’t want to clash with him unnecessarily.
“Honestly, brother, if you had a frustrating issue, why didn’t you come talk to me first?”
‘Red Knight’ loudly scolded him, making sure everyone could hear.
Shinnoda remained silent.
He knew tearing down her dignity here would lead to nothing but an uncertain battle.
The disturbance he had already caused was a major embarrassment for ‘Red Knight.’
By implying he was unafraid of her retaliation, he was essentially challenging her.
“What’s the problem? Is someone messing with our S-rank Awakened One?”
‘Red Knight’ approached, pretending to comfort him, but in truth, she was trying to preserve the reputation of the neutral zone she had worked hard to maintain.
If ‘Dark Knight’ killed the information trader here, her reputation would vanish like bubbles.
“Lee Geum-cheol. This one sold me information but then went on to sell my information to others. He showed no integrity.”
‘Dark Knight’ declared this with a voice like rusted iron, confident and righteous.
As if this man truly deserved punishment, it was presented as an indisputable truth.
Even in front of S-rank ‘Red Knight’ and armed guards, ‘Dark Knight’ showed no retreat.
The spectators, as well as ‘Red Knight,’ were overwhelmed by the imposing presence.
Some might have thought, within themselves, that searching for integrity in this den of criminals was futile, but none dared to voice it aloud.
Here, ‘Dark Knight’ was the absolute powerhouse.
Even the notorious ‘Red Knight’ refrained from acting rashly.
Those who understood could see she was trying to save face.
Shinnoda had no intention of offending ‘Red Knight’s face, but neither did he wish to play along with her acting as a younger brother.
‘Damn punk, are you making a show of embarrassing me because I tried some intimidation earlier? Why don’t we just fight?’
A muscle under ‘Red Knight’s eye twitched.
It was stressful for her, by personality, to act so low-key.
But she had to finish her charade.
“Is the one captured Lee Geum-cheol?”
“That’s correct.”
Lee Geum-cheol trembled in fear.
Being someone who had lived a long time in the underworld, he instinctively knew what was coming.
‘Red Knight’ brutally snatched Lee Geum-cheol and slashed his neck with her crescent sword.
In a flash.
Except for Shinnoda, none of the others even recognized the movement of her weapon.
The information trader’s head rolled across the deck.
The body, separated at the neck, sprayed out blood fountains from the severed surface.
“Huh.”
“Hmm.”
The spectators let out soft groans.
People used to such scenes weren’t shocked by the sight of the corpse.
Instead, they were astonished by ‘Red Knight’s uncharacteristic weakness.
“Since this traitor harmed my ally, S-rank Awakened One ‘Dark Knight,’ it’s only right that he die.”
‘Red Knight’ slammed her crescent blade into the deck, declaring as if she had planned this from the beginning.
For her, this was the best option unless she had to fight ‘Dark Knight.’
“I now owe you a debt.”
‘Red Knight’ stealthily murmured to ‘Dark Knight,’ inching closer.
‘Dark Knight’ briefly glanced at ‘Red Knight’ and left the ship.
He never intended to kill Lee Geum-cheol.
He had planned to sever a limb to teach him a lesson, but ‘Red Knight’ had taken the life.
“Guess there was nothing I could do.”
After this day, rumors spread that ‘Dark Knight’ had reached S-rank.
There was even talk that he had earned the recognition and friendship of ‘Red Knight.’
People familiar with her personality understood that ‘Dark Knight’s reputation was truly well-deserved.
