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Chapter 6
The elite members of Garam Guild had just returned from clearing the previously unconquered Gate in Asan. Before disbanding, they were reorganizing and discussing the raid.
“Well… they say even a broken clock is right twice a day. Who would’ve guessed the core was really hidden under its hoof?”
“Seriously. It was the first time anyone had ever seen that monster. How could he have known?”
“Did they teach that at the Academy?”
“Don’t be stupid. Even if they did, do you really think Hyun-soo would know? He barely attends class.”
They were talking about Jung Hyun-soo.
He had accurately identified the weakness of the newly appeared A-Rank magical beast.
“Still, thanks to him, we suffered almost no casualties.”
“Come on, Senior. You didn’t actually believe him, did you?”
“You’re right. I only had one arrow left, so I figured I might as well shoot where he said the core was.”
“And then the core exploded, and the boss froze instantly.”
As a result, the Gate Boss Raid had ended with surprising ease.
They had cleared an A-Rank Gate without a single casualty, in record time.
Garam Guild’s reputation would undoubtedly rise.
Just then—
BOOM!
Something crashed down from the sky like a meteor.
Steam-like energy drifted from the body of a muscular man.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Chae Gwang-seop.”
The name belonged to one of Songgwang Guild’s executives.
The Songgwang emblem was clearly embroidered on his suit.
“Even if you’re an executive of Songgwang Guild, this is Garam’s restricted area.”
“Restricted?”
“You dare lecture me after attacking Songgwang first?”
“Attacking?”
“Out of my way!”
“I’ve come to see your Guild Master!”
Ignoring everyone, Chae Gwang-seop tried to force his way upstairs.
Naturally, Garam’s Hunters blocked him.
“Move.”
“Would you?”
“Know your place if you don’t want to regret it after death.”
“Even for Songgwang, you’ve crossed the line.”
“You crossed it first!”
“What exactly are you talking about?”
A calm, authoritative voice cut through the shouting.
Everyone turned.
“Guild Master!”
“It’s fine.”
“Stand down.”
Garam Guild Master Jung Cheol had appeared.
Chae Gwang-seop sneered.
“So you’ve finally shown yourself.”
“Finally?”
“Hand over your son.”
“We’re taking him to Songgwang immediately.”
“My son?”
“Or perhaps you’d like to explain what happened.”
Jung Cheol silently stared at the aggressive executive.
“What needs explaining?”
“I already told you!”
“Your eldest son crippled Seung-jin!”
The heir of Songgwang Guild—
His arms and legs had been shattered.
Even his ribs had been crushed.
Those physical injuries could be healed.
The real problem…
…was the damage to his mind.
“What kind of despicable thing did your son do?”
“My nephew’s mind has completely collapsed!”
“He’s fallen into heart demons!”
“What despicable thing?”
“You still ask?”
“Unless your son resorted to dirty tricks, how could that worthless brat ever defeat Seung-jin?”
Chae Seung-jin was considered one of the Academy’s greatest prodigies.
A future leader of Korea.
Meanwhile, Jung Hyun-soo was widely known as nothing more than a troublemaking disappointment.
“Do you honestly believe your son could defeat Seung-jin in a fair fight?”
If he knew nothing…
Jung Cheol couldn’t have answered.
But before leaving for the Gate…
He had personally confirmed Hyun-soo’s breakthrough.
“He certainly could.”
Chae Gwang-seop laughed.
“Ha.”
“So that’s your answer?”
“My son’s conduct leaves much to be desired.”
“But as for talent…”
“I believe he stands equal to any heir of the Ten Great Guilds.”
Jung Cheol himself had reached the Seventh Star of Hwancheon True Qi at fifteen.
But that wasn’t what mattered.
Only six months ago…
Hyun-soo had still been stuck at the First Star.
Whatever had happened…
It wasn’t through cheating.
Neither Hwancheon True Qi nor the Five Kings Martial Arts could be mastered through shortcuts.
“And you expect me to believe that?”
“The entire country knows what kind of son you have.”
“Even parents don’t fully know their own children.”
“So how can you be so certain?”
“What?”
“And…”
A terrifying aura exploded from Jung Cheol’s body.
It was the overwhelming force of Paecheon Qi, the most domineering technique of the Five Kings Martial Arts—
The very art Hyun-soo had requested the previous night.
“Can you bear the consequences?”
“W-What?”
“You’re only an executive.”
“Can you truly bear speaking so arrogantly to the head of another Great Guild?”
The pressure pouring from Jung Cheol was overwhelming.
Even Chae Gwang-seop momentarily lost his voice.
Then he forced himself to recover.
“It seems you still don’t understand.”
A meaningful smile spread across his face.
“Songgwang came here to offer Garam a chance.”
“But if this is how we’re treated…”
“That’s rather disappointing.”
“…”
“Evidence has surfaced proving your son trafficked illegal Artifacts.”
“And Manazia.”
Jung Cheol’s expression didn’t change.
Not even slightly.
Chae Gwang-seop mistook it for bluffing.
“But if you continue acting like this…”
“Even Songgwang won’t be able to help you.”
At that moment—
“That’s all nonsense.”
Everyone turned.
Jung Hyun-soo walked into Garam Guild’s restricted area.
Though two Guild guards had both of his arms restrained after catching him sneaking away.
“Nonsense?”
“I know you’re feeling confident after leaking everything to the media…”
“But barging into someone else’s home and making a scene?”
“Pretty crude.”
Chae Gwang-seop frowned.
“Hyun-soo.”
“When someone spouts nonsense, should I just stay quiet?”
“Have you forgotten?”
“Even if others behave like beasts…”
“You must still act like a human.”
“…I remember now.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Jung Cheol asked calmly,
“The Songgwang executive claims you trafficked illegal Artifacts.”
“And Manazia.”
“Is it true?”
“Absolutely not.”
Chae Gwang-seop smiled mockingly.
Jung Cheol ignored him.
His eyes remained on his son.
“Did you injure Chae Seung-jin?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He tried to blackmail Hyun-ah using fabricated evidence.”
“And?”
“I warned him to stop.”
“He chose violence.”
“So I answered in kind.”
Jung Cheol turned toward Hyun-ah.
She had arrived shortly afterward.
“…Father.”
“Hyun-soo’s telling the truth.”
“Chae Seung-jin threatened me with those fake Artifact and Manazia accusations.”
“I see.”
“So you’ve chosen the worst possible move.”
Chae Gwang-seop looked toward a giant outdoor screen on a nearby rooftop.
A news broadcast had begun.
Hyun-ah’s face paled.
“That’s…”
It was the exact edited footage Chae Seung-jin had shown her earlier.
[Breaking News]
A tip has revealed that the heir of one of Korea’s Ten Great Guilds was involved in trafficking illegal Artifacts and Manazia.
The footage played.
A young man carrying a bag walked through a dark alley.
Anyone would assume it was Jung Hyun-soo.
[The young man is suddenly attacked by another individual.]
The reporter continued.
“Now you understand.”
“Even if we wanted to help…”
“We can’t.”
[The attacker claims to have acted after receiving information about an illegal transaction. The bag contained numerous Artifacts and an unidentified powder.]
Every member of Garam Guild watched silently.
Had Hyun-soo really deceived them all?
Meanwhile…
Hyun-soo simply stood there calmly with his hands behind his back.
[The Artifacts were confirmed to be unregistered. The powder was identified as Manazia, a highly addictive drug that induces hallucinations and enhances mana for awakened individuals.]
Chae Gwang-seop couldn’t hide his delight.
Then—
The audio suddenly changed.
“Hey… are you sure this is okay?”
“What are you whining about?”
“You sure this’ll work?”
“Of course.”
“Hyun-soo’s reputation is already garbage.”
“If people hear he’s selling drugs, who’s going to doubt it?”
The video switched again.
This time…
It showed Chae Seung-jin and his group sitting inside their hideout.
“If this goes well, your Guild becomes part of Songgwang.”
“Do you think we’ll keep all of Garam’s territory for ourselves?”
“Really?”
“Just leave Hyun-soo to me.”
“I’ll trick that idiot into delivering the bag.”
“If I bait him with Ji Min-jung, he’d probably kiss a necromancer’s ass.”
Hyun-soo clenched his teeth.
His embarrassing first-love obsession from years ago…
…had just been exposed to everyone.
“You…”
Hyun-ah started to speak—
Then stopped.
Another scene appeared.
One of Chae Seung-jin’s followers was using a disguise Artifact to impersonate someone before meeting Hyun-soo.
He attacked Hyun-soo.
Opened the bag.
Confirmed the illegal Artifacts.
Confirmed the Manazia.
The recording ended.
“Now Garam belongs to me.”
“When Garam collapses and I take in Jung Hyun-ah…”
“Her face will be priceless.”
“Hyun-soo really is an idiot.”
“He still thinks we’re his friends.”
Chae Gwang-seop suddenly felt overwhelming killing intent.
“Hic…!”
Every Hunter in Garam Guild was staring directly at him.
Their bloodlust filled the entire hall.
“…Didn’t you say you came to save Garam?”
“I-I… this…”
Jung Cheol spoke quietly.
“Before worrying about saving Garam…”
“Perhaps Songgwang should explain itself.”
“Otherwise…”
“I’ll formally declare Guild War myself.”
Chae Gwang-seop’s mind went blank.
If the video was authentic—
Then everyone could clearly see Chae Seung-jin framing Jung Hyun-soo to destroy Garam Guild.
The one in danger now…
…was Songgwang.
That idiot Seung-jin!
He was so confident…
Yet he left evidence behind?
“…I was mistaken.”
His attitude changed instantly.
“Mistaken?”
“I lost my composure because it involved my nephew.”
“So you’re saying Songgwang had nothing to do with it?”
“After speaking on behalf of your Guild only moments ago?”
“Seung-jin has always been reckless.”
“This is his personal mistake.”
“I ask that you don’t associate Songgwang Guild with his actions.”
His judgment was swift.
There was a reason he had become an executive of a Great Guild.
“We’ll issue an official statement soon.”
By immediately separating the Guild from Chae Seung-jin’s actions and apologizing…
He gave Garam little justification for escalating into full-scale war.
Just then, another breaking news headline appeared on the giant screen.
[World News: Edward Parrington, wanted for stealing a British royal treasure, has been captured. Authorities refuse to comment on whether the sacred relic has been recovered.]
While Jung Cheol and Chae Gwang-seop continued speaking…
Jung Hyun-soo quietly watched the headline.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
