BRDM 35

Chapter 35

The sedan carrying Hyun started down Gangbyeonbuk-ro.

“Would you like a drink?”

Executive Director Jung pulled a canned beverage from the mini-fridge set into the side bar and held it out to Hyun.

“No, I’m fine.”

“You’re a cautious one, aren’t you?”

The tone was blatantly provoking.

“I was taught that recklessness and bravado are the shortest paths to death.”

Hyun drew a clear line with his response.

The meaning was obvious: I consider you an enemy.

Too direct.

For Executive Director Jung, who had survived the political world where one always hid their true intentions, this was a first.

In the end, he had to drink the can himself.

Pssht, clack!

The hiss of escaping gas filled the air as he popped it open.

“Your master gave you quite the lesson.”

“Yes. He was a true role model to many disciples.”

Jung took a long gulp.

The sound of him swallowing made the tension in the car even thicker.

His presence alone… definitely not someone to take lightly.

Hyun observed him with a wary gaze. The pressure radiating from Jung was on an entirely different level from the late Team Leader Jung.

Jung Gyu-han, Executive Director.

Among White Burn’s employees, there wasn’t a soul who didn’t know him. His rank and authority were that high.

His alias: Night Lantern.

When he wielded mana, dozens of ghostly flames were said to ignite around him, like lanterns in the dark.

Since being handpicked directly by Guildmaster Mo Jeong-gyeon, his rise had been unstoppable, never once tasting defeat.

He was one of fewer than ten SS-rank High Rankers in Korea.

Rumor even had it that he had strong connections with Chinese Party officials—particularly within the Central Hero Committee.

Some say he’s second-generation Chinese-Korean, descended from those who came down during the Korean War.

In other words, power, politics, and connections—he had them all.

Few in the guild dared to treat him lightly.

So much so that whispers circulated: once Mo Jeong-gyeon passed away, wouldn’t White Burn naturally fall into his hands?

Jung himself never bothered to hide that ambition. And Mo Jeong-gyeon had long declared she would never hand over guild leadership to a mere blood relative if they weren’t truly qualified.

That’s why Deputy Director Lim was politically cornered. The only thing she could claim was her bloodline.

Hyun understood now why Lim Won-young had been so desperate for him.

To counter an ambitious figure like Jung, she needed someone utterly trustworthy at her back.

And…

He and I are worlds apart.

Hyun caught the same “scent” on Executive Director Jung that he had once smelled on Team Leader Jung—only thicker, heavier.

[‘Relic: Golden Eyes of Insight’ opens wide, scanning the surroundings.]

Hyun’s eyes glowed golden.

“I heard you paid the Guildmaster a visit,” Jung remarked casually as he set aside his empty can.

But the subject matter was anything but casual.

After all, Hyun had met Mo Jeong-gyeon barely an hour earlier.

So he’s keeping tabs on everything inside the company… and not even hiding it. Pure pressure tactics.

The message was clear: Whatever you do, it’s in the palm of my hand.

“That’s correct.”

“Did she perhaps…”

“I think we can skip the roundabout talk here.”

Hyun had no intention of ceding control.

“Wouldn’t it be better to go straight to the point?”

“You… Not bad. Very well, let’s not waste time. This isn’t exactly a pleasant reunion.”

Jung’s gaze hardened.

“To be frank, my original plan was to kill you the moment we met today.”

“But you didn’t.”

“Because the Guildmaster is watching. Whatever my ambitions, I won’t risk falling out of her favor.”

Even Jung, with all his greed, understood Mo Jeong-gyeon’s danger.

“And besides… you don’t seem the type to go down quietly.”

“Your high estimation honors me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. You boarded this car for the same reason I invited you—so we could size each other up properly.”

Hyun only smiled in response.

A frown creased Jung’s brow.

“To walk into a tiger’s den knowing full well it wants to devour you… not many have that kind of nerve.”

“…”

“And if it’s not reckless bravado but cold self-awareness driving you? That makes it even more dangerous.”

The preamble dragged on.

But Hyun instinctively knew this was the setup to the real proposition.

“There’s no reason to make an enemy of someone like you. In fact, I should make you my own.”

For the first time, Jung’s eyes turned squarely to Hyun.

“Well? What do you think of joining me?”

“An unexpected offer.”

“Understandably. No father would make such a proposal mere hours after his son’s death.”

“Yes, that seems so.”

“But perhaps that makes it all the more sincere.”

His eyes gleamed sharply.

“My son’s greatest mistake was overestimating himself. He could never have handled you.”

“And you think you can?”

“What do you think?”

“You’re different, certainly. Though I imagine… you’re burning inside.”

Hyun didn’t miss the flicker of murderous fire in his eyes.

Jung despised him. He was suppressing the urge to rip Hyun apart with inhuman patience.

But beneath it, there was something greater.

An ambition so vast, even paternal grief could not eclipse it.

If he could secure Hyun, he was certain his ambitions would succeed.

“Whatever Deputy Director Lim promised you, I can offer far more.”

He turned his gaze back to the windshield.

By now, the sedan had turned into a side street.

“And what is it you’d give me?”

“The world.”

“The world?”

Hyun tilted his head.

Jung nodded.

“Yes. The world. You’ve heard the rumors I have ties in China, haven’t you? They’re true. People call me a sellout, a lapdog, a traitor. Let them.”

His lips twisted into a grin.

“But once our project is announced, those same people will trip over themselves to curry favor.”

A project.

That word caught Hyun’s ear.

“You don’t seem inclined to share the details.”

“Haha. Security, you understand. But know this—it involves mythology.”

Myth-grade meant at least 3- or 4-star dungeons.

Could it be related to relics?

“And since vague promises won’t sway you… I’ll show my sincerity first.”

Jung opened his palm.

A faceted cube appeared, glowing faintly.

Fwoooosh—!

[‘Relic: Golden Eyes of Insight’ peers inside the cube.]

[Exact identity difficult to confirm. Something hot, volcanic, seems ready to burst.]

All Hyun could see were shadows.

But the shape was unmistakable.

…A heart?

Blood pulsed through veins and chambers, beating as if alive.

And then—

[Attribute detected: Fire.]
[Synergizes strongly with Demon Ogre’s Deep Breath (A).]

…!

An elixir.

One perfectly suited for him.

“As I thought. It resonates with you. Hard to discern through the seal, yet you still spotted it. Impressive.”

“…What is it?”

“The heart of a Phoenix.”

“…!”

“Three thousand years old. A gift from our Chinese partners when the project began.”

[Information confirmed!]

[Heart of Bennu]

The heart left behind by a Phoenix through cycles of death and rebirth. A crystallization of flame, purifying all corruption, capable of restoring even a fallen life from ashes.

• Type: Elixir

• Origin: Tradition – Book of the Dead

Bennu, the Egyptian divine bird, golden- or crimson-feathered, known to burn and be reborn every thousand years. Symbol of death and rebirth, solar cycles, and resurrection by fire.

A treasure coveted by all Hunters.

Consuming this is essentially gaining another life.

And more: greatly enhanced endurance, stamina, and affinity with fire.

For Hyun, it was perfect.

Not only would it strengthen his thunder element, but it could balance the <Snow Queen>’s epic dwelling within him.

He’s using this to tempt me.

“As you know, such a thing is nearly impossible to obtain. Just swallowing it would make you a Ranker.”

“…”

“The project leaders told me to consume it and rise quickly to the top. But that’s easier said than done. Instead, I’d rather gift it to you.”

His eyes burned.

“Do you feel my desire to claim you? You won’t find a clearer gesture of sincerity.”

“I feel it. I’ll consider it carefully during my probation.”

Hyun nodded quietly.

Jung stared at him.

“…”

“…”

A heavy silence.

Then—

“…You don’t intend to consider it at all.”

Annoyance flickered across his face.

“Clicking your tongue at such shortsightedness… You’ve made a mistake.”

“I’ll still give it thought.”

“Thought, huh…”

Jung smirked bitterly.

“Well, prudence is admirable. But you’ve no such intention. Care to explain why?”

“You wouldn’t understand, even if I did.”

“…I see. Then so be it.”

His voice sank low.

Impossible to read his intent anymore.

The car stopped.

They were in front of Hyun’s home.

Click.

The door opened.

“Out you go. Let’s meet again at the office, if fate allows.”

“Thank you for the ride.”

“No matter. Short, but entertaining.”

Once Hyun had fully stepped out, Jung suddenly tossed him the cube.

“Take it. Don’t worry. Think of it as a gift for indulging my whims today.”

He shut the door without waiting for a reply. The sedan drove away.

Son Oh-gong appeared beside Hyun, watching.

「What kind of lunatic is that? Your enemy kills his son, and he not only chauffeurs you home but gives you a present!?」

“He wanted me to know he can strike me here anytime. As for this…”

Hyun smirked, staring at the cube.

“I think it’s his way of saying, put your heart in there too. Since a Phoenix’s heart can transfer ownership after death.”

In other words: just as Hyun stole his son’s life, Jung intended to steal Hyun’s.

Chilling.

But Hyun casually stowed the Phoenix Heart into his inventory.

Only a fool would swallow something he might have tampered with. I’ll find another use for it.

Still, the meeting hadn’t been a waste.

He’d gained valuable information.

China.

A mysterious project.

And that “scent.”

It was now certain.

“If I press him, Seo Chang-woo will surface.”

Hyun returned home and immediately sought his next target.

Though he’d been suspended for five days, he could still access the intranet.

Thanks to that—

[Activating ‘Relic: Golden Eyes of Insight’ to scan for sites linked to scattered ■■■■ myths.]
[Scanning…]

Two sub-abilities unlocked already. The other four will open soon enough.

Each stat surpassing 100 revealed new functions, granting Hunters greater power.

Once all six were unlocked, a Hunter truly entered a new world—

The world of Rankers.

And with his growth, Hyun expected his dungeon choices to have broadened.

Sure enough—

[Scan complete.]
[Three sites discovered.]

Not one, but three.

「Oho! Just one run made you this strong, and now three more! My apostle will become powerful in no time, brother!」

「Cough! My apostle, not ours!」

「Come now, why be stingy? Brothers can share an apostle. Speaking of sharing, how about a taste of that tofu pudding you’re eating?」

Son Oh-gong clutched his pudding defensively.

「No! Mine! Both this and him!」

「Tsk, so greedy.」

「What was that!?」

The two gods bickered behind him while Hyun turned to the dungeon list.

Just then—

Clack, clack.

The brooch pinned to his collar began to shake.

“…What?”

The Branch of Yeonriji.

The keepsake he’d shared with Go Jin-woo.

It only moved in dire emergencies—

And now it was shaking violently.