ocean-life Chapter 96: The Pursuer (1)
Chapter 96: The Pursuer (1)
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
Chapter 96: The Pursuer (1)
While Yoojin and his party were enjoying their sightseeing trip in America, Baek Seonghyeon calmly read through the neatly organized documents.
"This is hard to believe."
"We also had those thoughts many times before submitting the report, but..."
"Are you saying that everything is true even after cross-verification?"
"Yes, Vice President."
Baek Seonghyeon placed his hand on his newly acquired chair and tapped the armrest.
Tap— Tap—
The sound continued at regular intervals.
The secretary who submitted the report watched Baek Seonghyeon's expression with a nervous look.
How much time had passed?
Baek Seonghyeon, letting out a long sigh, glanced at the report.
⋯⋯⋯
Cheon Yoojin Investigation Report
◎ Age - 24
◎ Awakening Date - 3 months ago
◎ Unique Trait - Unidentified
◎ First Sighting Location - Ancient Garden
◎ Ability Type - Presumed to be a hybrid class of Priest and Magic.
◇ Evidence
1 Witness accounts of Cheon Yoojin handling undead in the Forgotten Temple and the Ancient Garden.
2 Traces of unusual magic power found on the bodies of guild members, including Song Myeongseok, deployed in the double dungeon raid.
3 ...
◎ Activities After Awakening
Listed by confirmed information, not in chronological order.
- Confirmed to have driven out the Red Spider from Ground Zero and taken over their businesses.
- Maintaining some kind of relationship with Seongcheon Corporation and Daehan Pharmaceuticals.
- Collaborating with business partner Shin Joonseok to commercialize mass-produced intermediate potions and promote new drugs.
- Types and effects of drugs require further confirmation.
- Seems to have a considerable friendship with Jang Miseon (next Sword Saint) of the Phoenix Guild.
- Close relationship with the Milky Way Pub, which has great influence in the Korean underworld and the hunter request industry.
◎ Danger Level
- Considering the awakening period, the current rank is estimated to be 3 Stars.
- The summoned creature bestowed by a constellation is confirmed to have the combat power of a peak 5 Star.
- The ranks of the Little Runts team members are also 3 Stars. The danger level is incomparably lower compared to Cheon Yoojin.
- Data on other undead summons is insufficient.
- Expanding influence with the Black Herb Farm as the center. Related information is under further investigation.
⋯⋯⋯
(Omitted)
"A hunter who awakened 3 months ago cut down half of the Red Spider's forces?"
One of the three major powers in Ground Zero.
The Red Spider was an organization that controlled smuggling routes to North Korea, the supply of Black Herb, and various businesses.
Baek Seonghyeon, who had secretly raised the Rakshasa Guild from the shadows.
The shock was even greater because it was a name he couldn't not know.
"Why hasn't this information been revealed?"
"The Milky Way Pub blocked the information from spreading."
"Huh. They caused quite a nuisance."
Even Arhan, the No. 1 guild in Korea, failed to obtain information about Yoojin in time due to Madam's intervention.
If they had known that Yoojin had wiped out half of the Red Spider's forces, they would have dug the trap even deeper when they caused the Daegu Double Dungeon incident.
"There's not enough information about the border region."
"We're confirming it. If you give us a little more time and budget—"
"Didn't you say that excuses are a sin?"
"I apologize, Vice President."
"We need to find out what method Cheon Yoojin used in the fight against the Red Spider."
An organization too large for a hunter who had only been awakened for 3 months to deal with.
Arhan Guild could only decide on their next move after confirming Yoojin's hidden cards.
'There is no next time.'
Baek Seonghyeon's eyes were filled with killing intent.
Song Myeongseok, the talent in whom Arhan had invested their heart and soul, died in vain, and the secret contact with the Romanov clan for the establishment of the family was also disrupted.
Moreover, whenever he got involved with Yoojin, such as in the Double Dungeon incident or joint raids, Arhan's honor was repeatedly trampled.
'Park Haneul...That guy comes to mind.'
Brrr—
The armrests of his newly acquired chair shook.
The secretary gulped.
'I hope it doesn't break again.'
A chair exclusively for Baek Seonghyeon, made by carving a reinforcement circuit five times into an Ent's branch.
Even so, if a 7 Star hunter put his mind to it, it would surely shatter into pieces before long.
Perhaps due to the tension, the secretary felt his neck stiffen.
He paused, considering the implications.
"Are there any unusual movements?"
-I've done my best, but there haven't been any unusual movements other than the investigation.
"There's still a chance you missed something."
-Hahaha. You're joking, right? Who do you think I am?
Her words were filled with confidence.
Instead of asking further, Yoojin changed the subject.
"Investigate the Rakshasa Guild."
-The ones who control the Busan underworld, right?
"They're a satellite guild raised by Arhan. Once you've finished investigating, they'll make their move."
The answer didn't come back immediately.
A moment later.
-CEO Cheon, this is the first time I'm hearing this.
"You didn't know? The head of the Rakshasa Guild, Park Jinsoo, is the half-brother of the Arhan Guild leader."
-Hmm. J-Just a moment.
Madam's voice trembled slightly.
‘Khehehe. Of course she'd be confused.’
The revelation that Arahan was backing the Rakshasa Guild, and that the two guild leaders were half-brothers, was a bombshell that wouldn't be dropped for at least another decade.
He imagined it must feel like she was strolling along, minding her own business, when someone suddenly jumped out and yelled, "The one-legged man is the mastermind!"
'Even if the future takes a different path, some things just don't change.'
This was the advantage of regression; he had access to knowledge that no one else possessed, and he intended to exploit it to the fullest.
-You're not going to tell me the source of the information, are you?
"Of course not."
-Then it's hard to trust you.
"I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm asking you to investigate the Rakshasa Guild."
-Alright. However, information about the Rakshasa Guild is a bit expensive.
"Put the payment on credit."
He ended the call and looked up at the sky.
〔Are you sure about this?〕
'About what?'
〔I'm worried that while you're away, those scoundrels might act like bandits.〕
'The Rakshasa Guild will also need time to prepare.'
Coincidentally, Yoojin had recently caused a major disruption to one of the organizations under the Rakshasa Guild.
The incident where he destroyed the strong moss supply.
They had to find new workers to collect moss from the sea, further modify the ships guarding the deserted island, and even recruit management personnel.
〔Even so, shouldn't you avoid being too complacent?〕
'I've seen everything I needed to see, so I should go back.'
He didn't remember the hidden opportunities across the continent in detail.
Even if he knew about major events, he would need perfect memory to remember every single small opportunity.
When Yoojin told the Little Runts team to return to Korea, the three of them were devastated.
"You said it was an overseas trip!!!"
"This is a bit too much."
Two of them blatantly lay down on the floor, and although Kang Minho didn't say anything, the emotions on his face were similar.
〔Khahaha. A masterpiece. You truly are a heartless person.〕
'Where did the constellation who was in such a hurry to go back earlier go?'
〔Wouldn't it be better to tell the little humans the story as well?〕
'I haven't decided yet whether to involve them in this.'
Yoojin thought.
‘Their combat abilities were nearing 4 Star.’
Yoojin mused, impressed by their progress.
They might not have mastered Aura or Multitasking yet, but their raw talent combined with my rigorous training has pushed them far beyond their initial ranks.
He knew their rapid growth was also thanks to their unique traits: [Moveable Fortress], [Transformation] & [Telekinesis], and [Space] — all abilities that could turn the tide of battle with the Rakshasa Guild in their favor.
〔Have faith. They are the little humans you have tempered.〕
'I need to think about it a bit more.'
Postponing the decision, Yoojin estimated the remaining time.
"Since we've come this far, it seems too much to just leave after playing for a day."
Gulp—
The eyes of the Little Runts team stared intently at Yoojin's lips.
"I'll give you some spending money, so go and experience the casino."
"Oppa! You're the best! I love you!"
"Woohoo!!!"
"Thank you, hyung-nim!"
The three of them were more delighted than when they obtained the [Emblem of Valor].
Sigh.
‘These kids...’
Yoojin and his party headed to Las Vegas, unable to resist the enthusiasm of the Little Runts team.
* * *
'Why are you here?'
Yoojin encountered an unexpected person in the basement of the casino.
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]