Three days had passed since the Association arrested Ji Seong-tae.
Contrary to experts’ predictions that the Burang Party would respond violently, nothing happened at the Association for a while.
Because of that, the Association lifted its emergency posture and was gradually returning to its normal system.
Around that time, in an abandoned building in Gonjiam, the core combatants of the Burang Party, who had received a summons, gathered there one by one.
Before long, the building, now filled with combatants, began growing noisy with their voices.
Soon, a massive man opened his mouth.
“Your bodies must have been itching to move all this time. Good work holding yourselves back. Hahaha.”
Another executive, Go Yeong-ho.
Unlike Ji Seong-tae, who had been intellectually sharp, he was a man who had risen to the position of executive through nothing but charging straight ahead.
At his opening words, the combatants immediately shut their mouths and focused on Go Yeong-ho.
“You must have heard that one of our warehouses was robbed this time. According to the boss, Ji Seong-tae was also captured and taken into the Association.”
At the fact that the Association had captured an executive of the Burang Party, the combatants’ blood boiled.
Among them were even some who excitedly opened their mouths.
“How could those Association trash have captured him?”
“Let us charge into the Association right now and bring Brother Seong-tae out!”
“We need to recover the funds they stole from us too!”
At that, Go Yeong-ho struck the wall right beside him.
KABOOM!
When the concrete wall he struck with his bare hand collapsed, the combatants became quiet again.
“I do not care whether someone like Ji Seong-tae gets captured or not. The boss will bring in another guy to replace the one who uses his head.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
“But the problem is that our Burang Party was attacked. And not even by the Association, but by someone else…….”
“It was not the Association?”
“That is right. According to the boss, there must have been a third party who intervened before the Association was dispatched. Someone who must think very little of us.”
As he said that, veins bulged on Go Yeong-ho’s face.
His face turned red in an instant and looked as if it would soon burst.
Then one of the subordinates beside him handed him a fairly thick stack of paper.
“Let the brainy guys handle recovering the funds. What we need to do is take revenge. We have to show the bastard who dared touch the Burang Party that we are still standing.”
Go Yeong-ho passed the list to the combatants gathered before him without even looking at it.
It was a “Customer Information List,” a list of victims managed in Ji Seong-tae’s territory.
And it included information on “Yoo Seonghyeon,” whom Gong Yeong-beom had been managing.
Without needing to be told, the combatants divided the list among themselves.
“I will give you three days. Investigate every person on that list and everyone around them, then narrow down the suspects…….”
And so, the customer list for the Ansan region entered the hands of one of the combatants.
***
After making an unexpectedly good deal at the workshop, Seonghyeon arrived home and immediately tried on the equipment.
First, he wore his original combat outfit, the hoodie and jeans.
Then he put on all of the Special Composite Equipment over them.
At that moment, a System Window appeared.
[【Special Composite Protective Gear】 set equipment option activated]
【Special Composite Protective Gear】 Set
Defence +20%
Movement Speed +3%
Attack Speed +3%
Evasion Rate +3%
As Master Gu had said, the additional set effect had definitely applied.
The protective gear’s defence had increased by 5%, and the other options had each increased by 1%. And aside from the numbers themselves, Hunter equipment definitely felt different from ordinary clothes.
Seonghyeon moved his body this way and that while wearing the equipment.
‘Oh, the difference is clear.’
Swinging his arms, jumping in place.
Since it was something worn over clothes, he had wondered if there might be uncomfortable parts, but his body’s movement was actually freer than when he was bare-bodied.
‘……Now that I am wearing this, I really feel like a Hunter.’
The reflection in the mirror now looked unmistakably like a Hunter.
Only after equipping himself did it finally feel real that he had become a Hunter.
Ah, of course, the reason he needed equipment had more to do with the impact of his own skill than with monsters.
After finishing his appreciation, Seonghyeon opened his Inventory.
‘The number of remaining enhancement vouchers happens to be three too…….’
【Inventory】
Low-Grade Magic Stones 142,967
……
Item Enhancement Voucher: Recognition Interference 3
……
Equipment Durability Recovery Voucher 10
As expected, if he did not want his identity revealed to people, he had to raise the option value as much as possible.
Seonghyeon took out all the enhancement vouchers.
Then,
[Would you like to use “Item Enhancement Voucher: Recognition Interference” enhancement?]
■ Applicable Target: Protective Gear Breastplate
[Would you like to use “Item Enhancement Voucher: Recognition Interference” enhancement?]
■ Applicable Target: Protective Gear Gauntlets
[Would you like to use “Item Enhancement Voucher: Recognition Interference” enhancement?]
■ Applicable Target: Protective Gear Greaves
he used the enhancement vouchers on each piece of the protective gear set.
The enhancement vouchers shone and scattered as before, then were absorbed straight into the equipment.
[Equipped Gear Options]
Recognition Interference +60%
Defence +20%
Magic Resistance +15%
Movement Speed +3%
Attack Speed +3%
Evasion Rate +3%
Knockback Resistance +1
After finishing the enhancements and putting on all the accessories, the option values felt very reassuring.
At this level, he should be able not only to avoid people’s eyes, but also to endure Meteor to a reasonable degree.
‘If I want to feel it directly, I have no choice but to test it in a dungeon, right?’
Aside from the fit he felt on his body, there was no way to confirm it.
To check it properly, he had to face Meteor’s impact.
Just as he was about to enter a dungeon for that purpose, his phone suddenly vibrated.
BUZZ!
[Hunter, Jo Myeong-su – Mr. Seonghyeon! Are you busy? Could we meet once when you have time?]
It was a message from Jo Myeong-su, the Hunter who had joined the Association.
‘Huh? What made him contact me?’
It was the first message he had received since they had coincidentally met at the Association and exchanged contact information.
Judging by the message, he seemed to have some business, but Seonghyeon could not easily guess what it might be.
Surely…… they had not discovered that he was the one who robbed the Burang Party warehouse.
In a way, with slight caution, he called him.
[Ah! Mr. Seonghyeon, it seems you were not busy right now! Have you been well?]
“……Ah, yes! But what is the matter……?”
[Well, it is about what I mentioned last time, bringing you into the Association.]
“Yes, I said last time that I thought it would be difficult.”
[Ah, yes, you did. So I did clearly convey that position, but the Crisis Management Team Leader asked me to “please just ask if he could meet once.”]
“Ah, I see.”
Contrary to what he had been wary of, Jo Myeong-su’s business was unexpected.
If it was the Crisis Management Team Leader, was that the man named Min Ju-ho?
It seemed the Association viewed Seonghyeon’s ability favorably.
‘They want to meet and talk…….’
However, it was rather unexpected.
If he was a team leader of the Association, it seemed like he could easily find out Seonghyeon’s contact information.
But instead, he was contacting him through Jo Myeong-su, with whom Seonghyeon had exchanged contact information personally.
The fact that he did not handle information carelessly made Seonghyeon think that Min Ju-ho was a person with some degree of courtesy.
“Then let us talk today.”
So Seonghyeon decided to grant their request.
Of course, he did not intend to become an Association-affiliated Hunter.
He would only meet them once and talk.
Since they were putting this much effort into it, things might become troublesome if he happened to run into them by chance later…….
[Ah, really? Then where should we go?]
“I will go to the Association.”
Seonghyeon headed to the Association.
***
At that time, in an apartment in Ansan, Gaeko’s group, the Burang Party combat squad in charge of Ansan, was leaving the place.
In the youngest member’s hand was a list.
[Brada Company Customer List, Ansan Region]
Gwak Bu-yong – Production Skill Awakened, no combat power.
……
Kim Jin-ho – Civilian, no combat power.
Jo Myeong-su
……
※Yoo Seonghyeon
……
The youngest member drew a line through one name and added an explanation beside it.
Following Go Yeong-ho’s order, they were searching for the culprit behind the attack.
However, to them, the method was terribly boring.
One of the organization members complained to Gaeko.
“Ha…… Do you think the culprit will really come out just by digging through a list like this?”
“How would I know? If Brother tells us to dig, we dig.”
“There has been no fighting for days, and just watching before leaving makes my body itch.”
“It is the same for me, so stop whining, man. Hurry and check the next person.”
The youngest checked the address beside the name “Jo Myeong-su” and immediately started the car.
Meanwhile, the idle chatter continued.
“Wow, but should we not have gone to this person first?”
“What? Why is this guy ‘Yoo Seonghyeon’ highlighted like this?”
“There is not even an address. It only says things like ‘Trading Room’ and ‘rich person.’”
After properly checking the list, Gaeko smacked his lips.
The order was to quietly identify suspects first.
However, touching one person slightly would not stand out.
Gaeko came up with an amusing idea.
“After we check everyone on the list…… we will work on this guy last.”
“Is that okay?”
“Who would know if we touch one person? It is not like anyone is watching.”
Their previously bored atmosphere changed in an instant.
With the ability of combatants, robbing a mere Hunter would be extremely simple.
All they could tell from the list was the name Yoo Seonghyeon and the description that he was rich. Nothing else.
Based on that, Gaeko’s group chose Yoo Seonghyeon as their target.
Without knowing anything.
***
The café on the first floor of the Association building.
Seonghyeon entered that café.
Inside the café, Jo Myeong-su, who had arrived first, could be seen staring only at the door.
As though he was still waiting for someone…….
Seonghyeon raised his hand once to signal that he had arrived.
‘Huh?’
Even so, Jo Myeong-su still did not realize at all that Seonghyeon had arrived.
Even someone he had met several times and who was paying close attention could not recognize him.
Seonghyeon began to feel the effect of 60% Recognition Interference to some extent.
Then he approached where Jo Myeong-su was sitting.
“Mr. Myeong-su!”
“Ah, you startled me! Where did you come in from?”
When Seonghyeon touched him and spoke, Jo Myeong-su was somewhat startled.
It seemed direct contact made recognition immediately possible.
Since it was as if Seonghyeon had suddenly appeared from behind him, it was understandable that he would be that surprised.
Beside Jo Myeong-su was Min Ju-ho, whom Seonghyeon had met in front of the previous Defense Battle.
He also looked very startled.
“Ah! It is good to meet you, Hunter Yoo Seonghyeon. I am Min Ju-ho of the Association’s Crisis Management Team. We met once last time…….”
However, he soon stood up and offered a handshake.
Seonghyeon accepted the handshake and sat in an empty seat.
Min Ju-ho carefully looked Yoo Seonghyeon over.
It had only been about a week since the Defense Battle incident.
‘He has already grown this much in that time?’
From the ability to hide his identity perfectly and approach, to the energy Min Ju-ho felt in his hand during the handshake,
Seonghyeon’s overall state seemed to have grown.
Min Ju-ho became certain that he was definitely not an ordinary Hunter.
“I heard through Hunter Jo Myeong-su that you rejected our proposal once before.”
At Min Ju-ho’s words, Jo Myeong-su quietly nodded.
“Yes. So what brings you here today?”
“I would very much like to recruit you, Hunter, even if we have to match your conditions. If you join us, we can provide everything so that there will be no problems in your activities, whether that means a house, a car, or even Association services!”
At those words, Jo Myeong-su’s eyes widened.
Association-affiliated Hunters already received various forms of support, but the level differed depending on rank.
And yet, providing all of that was a benefit only possible for at least a B-Rank Hunter.
“Hmm. A house and a car…… That certainly is good treatment.”
“Then perhaps we can discuss the details…….”
“Ah, that does not mean I am saying I will join the Association.”
“Excuse me?”
Even to Seonghyeon, the treatment was a tempting condition.
However, revealing his skill to multiple people for the sake of something merely tempting was…… well.
It did not seem like a good choice.
“As I said, I have a reason why I must be alone. I do not think affiliation is possible.”
“I see…….”
Min Ju-ho considered trying to persuade him further, but soon gave up.
That was because Seonghyeon’s eyes showed that he would refuse no matter what conditions were offered.
With regret, Min Ju-ho gathered his words.
“Since your intention is firm, it is unfortunate, but there is nothing we can do.”
“Indeed. It would be nice if I could handle Villains or Defense Battles alone, though.”
It was not that Seonghyeon had no interest at all in Villains or Defense Battles.
If possible, he did not want there to be dangers to his family, such as crimes or Dungeon Breaks.
That was why he had entered the Defense Battle last time too.
At Seonghyeon’s words, Min Ju-ho seemed slightly dazed.
Then,
“If doing it alone were possible, would you be interested in handling such work?”
“Is there a method?”
“There is not one right now, but I will try to create a system soon. One that grants rights even to individual Hunters…….”
The Association’s scouting attempt concluded in that direction.
After that, they chatted about recent topics, including the arrest of the Burang Party executive and the Meteor Lord Skin.
Then,
RUMBLE!
At the sudden thunderous roar, the people in the café rose noisily and looked outside the window.
However, Seonghyeon, sitting alone in his seat, looked with a flustered expression at the System Window that appeared.
[ACDS activated. Unidentified enemy 1 has been subdued.]
‘That was my skill? Why? ……Because of what?’