Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Abyss (1)

A rainy morning.

Incheon Airport, always bustling, was packed with passengers preparing for departures and arrivals from the early morning.

Recently, with the outbreak of the White War, the demand for foreign mercenaries had surged.

As a result, many mercenaries from countries like China, Russia, and Mongolia were entering the country.

If they were planning domestic terrorism or attacking civilians, their entry would be strictly controlled.

However, since they were war mercenaries participating only in the pharmaceutical companies’ wars, they were not restricted from entering.

Of course, all passengers who were not citizens were thoroughly checked.

At the very least, it was impossible to hide one’s name, identity, or activities upon entry.

From the start, even foreign mercenaries wanted to enter the country openly, not through dangerous means like smuggling.

Amidst the crowd, a man navigated through.

Despite the gloomy weather, he wore unnecessary sunglasses, giving off an air of arrogance.

“Damn weather.”

The man frowned.

He kept looking around. The person who was supposed to meet him hadn’t shown up yet.

Just then.

“Oh! Here! So-hyeok, over here!”

Another man who recognized him waved vigorously and rushed over.

The man’s frown loosened.

“In-ho hyung. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, So-hyeok. I thought you would continue your activities in China, but suddenly you have a schedule in the country. It surprised me.”

“What’s so surprising?”

“You said you didn’t want to work in the country. That’s why the boss sent you to China.”

“I have a reason I can’t stay idle.”

Kim In-ho slightly nodded at So-hyeok’s answer.

But he seemed slightly skeptical rather than completely convinced.

Kim In-ho.

He was a member of the criminal organization ‘Tae-yang,’ which dominated the Jeonju region.

He was also the trusted aide of the boss, Kang Tae-yang, who was Kang Dong-hyun’s half-brother and skilled at mediation due to his easygoing nature.

So today, he came out personally to ‘escort’ his notoriously ill-tempered younger brother.

“But you had a really bad relationship with your younger sister, didn’t you? I heard you completely split when she joined Eclipse and you joined Tae-yang.”

Kim In-ho cautiously started.

Indeed. This man’s identity was Cha So-hyeok, Cha So-hee’s older brother.

As Kim In-ho said, their thoughts and beliefs were different, leading them to choose different organizations.

The problem was that the leaders of Eclipse and Tae-yang were Kang Dong-hyun and Kang Tae-yang, respectively.

They were antagonistic towards each other, more like enemies than siblings. Their relationship couldn’t be described as merely bad.

According to rumors, each believed the other was responsible for killing their mother.

They saw each other as enemies who killed their mother, betraying familial bonds.

So, it was no wonder they were at each other’s throats.

And this hostile relationship extended to their subordinates as well.

Cha So-hyeok nodded.

“That’s right. We did split. But you see, even if So-hee is to be killed, it should be done by her own brother, not by anyone else.”

“……”

“I must kill Shin Kang-hoo. That’s my duty as her brother. I will grind his bones and blood and offer them to So-hee’s spirit.”

Grit.

Cha So-hyeok ground his teeth.

His purpose for entering the country was clear from the beginning.

To kill Kang-hoo.

He had no intention of leaving the country until he achieved this goal. He would use any means necessary.

Noon.

Despite Min Su-hyun’s offer to greet Kang-hoo himself, it was Lee Hyun-seok who personally came to meet Kang-hoo at the agreed location.

Given the importance of security, the meeting place was changed four times during phone calls in between.

The purpose was to check if anyone was tailing Kang-hoo, and fortunately, there was no one.

The place where Lee Hyun-seok met Kang-hoo was inside a hotel directly operated by the Abyss.

Over 90% of the guests were hunters affiliated with the Abyss, and with many benefits, it was practically free to use.

The place Lee Hyun-seok led Kang-hoo to was the penthouse in the hotel.

They entered and activated the soundproofing facilities perfectly.

Lee Hyun-seok, who had kept his mouth shut firmly, finally spoke. He had ensured complete security.

“I saw the news about Kang Dong-hyun this time. Really… it was impressive. I have a newfound respect.”

“To survive, you have to fight.”

“You captured two cunning female investigators from Eclipse who were known for their wits.”

“I don’t know about their cunning. Anyway, I think I just got the appropriate results.”

Kang-hoo spoke calmly.

Cha So-hee was overly eager, and Jin Hyo-young was overconfident in her appearance and skills. Both had flaws.

“I dissuaded Su-hyun from coming to thank you personally. I thought it might undermine the significance of the meeting if he unintentionally offended you.”

“It seems you have a mischievous nephew. Indeed, our first meeting wasn’t ordinary.”

Kang-hoo recalled the occasion when he went to rescue Min Su-hyun.

Min Su-hyun had entered the Kimcheon Liberation Area alone, intending to steal an item from Shin Jun-ho, the leader of the Ebony Bone.

Though he no longer did such ‘foolish things,’ thinking back to that time, he was indeed a reckless troublemaker.

“Since then, I’ve been managing and supervising him directly, curbing his curiosity significantly.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Although he said this, Kang-hoo could sense Lee Hyun-seok’s affection for his nephew in his words.

It felt more like a father’s love than an uncle’s. It was like seeing a doting father.

As the conversation began, Kang-hoo naturally started assessing Lee Hyun-seok as a constellation.

It matched exactly with the settings implemented in the original work. If so, his level should be around 620 now.

When Lee Hyun-seok died due to Moon Yu-seok’s betrayal, his level was exactly 620.

“If there is anything you want from me, feel free to tell me. Repaying the favor for saving Su-hyun is not a burden for me.”

The way Lee Hyun-seok spoke without specifying the scope of the reward was slightly intimidating.

It might not be 100% goodwill; it could also be a test to gauge Kang-hoo’s character and thoughts.

However, Kang-hoo twisted his thinking one more time. There was a simpler and more meaningful choice.

“I would like to hear about the reward you can provide. Please feel free to speak without any burden.”

He passed the ball back.

It was a situation where that was acceptable.

The direction of the conversation didn’t matter much.

No matter what, the fact that Kang-hoo saved Lee Hyun-seok’s beloved nephew didn’t change.

Until the reward was settled, it was right that the initiative of the relationship was with him.

Did he expect this answer?

Or was he prepared to give the same answer regardless of what he heard?

Lee Hyun-seok immediately responded without hesitation to Kang-hoo’s words.

“I will give you free access to five dungeons owned by the Abyss. I am authorizing it.”

The dungeons owned by the Abyss were managed by the Abyss and had no influence from the Hunter Public Safety Bureau.

In other words, as Lee Hyun-seok said, he had full authority. If he guaranteed it, it was perfectly guaranteed.

“Can you provide information on the dungeons to help me choose the five?”

“I can provide information on everything below the 2nd grade. That should make the selection easier.”

Lee Hyun-seok readily agreed to Kang-hoo’s request. Information on the 1st and 2nd grades involved core strategies and secret routes, so it was right to protect them.

It meant it wasn’t an area of information that would be disappointing if not shared. It was confidential.

Perhaps thinking the reward was insufficient, Lee Hyun-seok raised his index finger and added more.

“One more thing. I can organize a support team for you. Experience monopoly guaranteed.”

“It seems you have a professional team for training.”

“Yes. It’s a team that helps promising talents grow faster.”

The Abyss was famous for operating various elite teams.

If memory serves right, the team that supports growth was called ‘Cheongho Unit.’

And the team composed of snipers was called ‘Jeokho Unit,’ and the team of assassins was called ‘Heukho Unit.’

They each undergo rigorous training to become the best and are Lee Hyun-seok’s solid core forces.

“Five dungeons…”

“Does it seem insufficient?”

“No. I just think I need to choose carefully. Thank you for your consideration.”

Kang-hoo bowed politely.

This was sufficient.

Considering how closed the Abyss was as an organization, this consideration felt even more special.

Originally, external people could never enter the dungeons owned by the Abyss. They didn’t hire mercenaries either.

All strategies were handled internally, so there was a lot of veiled information.

For the Abyss to offer five dungeons to Kang-hoo.

And to attach a support team to help with smooth experience farming was an extraordinary gesture.

“Additionally, I can assist with the sale of tricky items or the purchase of useful items.”

“May I ask just one thing? I would appreciate an honest answer.”

“Go ahead.”

“You are giving me access to dungeons that are rarely opened to outsiders. Do you trust me?”

“It’s not so much about trusting you, Shin Kang-hoo, but trusting the situation. It’s true that you saved Su-hyun, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Since that situation is true, I am expressing my gratitude sincerely. If a situation arises that denies such a past, I too will deny you, Kang-hoo.”

“A wise answer.”

“Let’s call it a realistic answer. Haha.”

In short, it meant he would respond differently based on how much trust he showed or didn’t show.

It was a fitting answer for Lee Hyun-seok’s character, who clearly distinguished between gratitude and resentment.

Anyway, with this, Kang-hoo was promised the opportunity to strategize in five dungeons owned by the Abyss, which could serve as a catalyst for growth domestically.

Most of the dungeons owned by the Abyss were valuable.

Especially attractive to Kang-hoo were the dungeons with numerous mid-bosses and main bosses.

If he could list and include such places in his strategy, it would be possible to acquire a large number of skills.

During the brief pause in conversation.

Lee Hyun-seok seemed to have thought of something else and cautiously changed the topic with a question to Kang-hoo.

It was a deep, direct question that came unexpectedly.

“By the way… what do you think of the Jeonghwa Guild? I would like to hear your thoughts.”

It was a heavy and significant question for the listener.