Chapter 178: Chapter 179: Wind Of The Gods (1)

Fumiya’s suggestion was a reasonable compromise.

If he had brought up the guild in a way that would affect all of Kang-hoo’s activities, he wouldn’t have even considered it.

But he added the condition of ‘limited to overseas activities.’

In other words, he was asking if the Rikou Guild would be suitable only when working abroad.

It was an enticing proposal.

‘Just like most hunter novels, my novel also portrays that skilled hunters are better off as freelancers.’

However, in this world, as Kang-hoo thought, freelancers were given more privileges.

That loophole was precisely the ‘Observer.’

An existence that received the same treatment as guild members, or even better, without any obligations to the guild.

Previously, the Spitfire Guild had also proposed the Observer position to Kang-hoo.

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand Fumiya’s desire to recruit talent, but the alternative was too clear.

Kang-hoo responded.

“That’s fine. If you wish to propose cooperation, you can grant me the Observer status.”

“Of course… I see.”

Fumiya nodded and smiled. It was a response that showed he had expected this answer.

He seemed to have wanted to try once, without adding unnecessary words.

“If the Rikou Guild needs me and grants me the Observer status, I will consider it as my first priority.”

“Understood. We’ve been having a hard time finding a hemorrhage dealer recently. I will certainly convey your message.”

“Thank you. Is the number of assassins or berserkers in the guild low?”

“Very low. We lost quite a few during the all-out war with the Toushi Guild. There’s an imbalance.”

Fumiya pressed his forehead with his thumb. It was a problem that gave him a headache the more he thought about it.

The lack of assassins was a common issue among most guilds.

Kang-hoo knew well that the value of his profession was being highly evaluated compared to the past.

“Anyway, I appreciate your proposal, but I have to decline. I hope you understand.”

“Not at all. Proposals and rejections are everyday occurrences for hunters. There’s nothing else, just regret.”

Fumiya laughed.

He was quite an impressive person with a warm smile. He would certainly make a good uncle to An Yeong-ho.

The Rikou Guild would continue to prosper unless there were any significant variables.

Despite having the Toushi Guild as a hostile force, it would actually be an opportunity to strengthen their power through appropriate tension.

An hour later.

Kang-hoo was walking through Osaka city with An Yeong-ho.

An Yeong-ho had dragged Kang-hoo out under the pretext of a gourmet tour.

Since the dungeon attack was starting tomorrow and he had no plans for separate training today.

Kang-hoo reluctantly followed An Yeong-ho, observing the scenery of Osaka city.

Looking at An Yeong-ho’s constellation information, he had grown significantly compared to when they first met.

Although it was difficult to gauge the exact level, it seemed to be at least 250.

Kang-hoo asked.

“What level are you now?”

“Level? Around 265?”

“What was it when we first met?”

“About 137, I think.”

“You’ve raised it quite a lot.”

“My uncle didn’t want me to get beaten up, so he made me practically live in the dungeon. I really wanted to die… seriously.”

“You should be grateful that you have an uncle who can give you such opportunities.”

“That’s true. He carried me a lot too. I really need to make it worth it. So many people have helped me.”

It seemed that they had also carried out operations to transfer experience points to An Yeong-ho through unconventional methods.

In fact, such growth is only possible with comprehensive support.

An Yeong-ho’s strength lies in his exceptional healing skills and intuition.

However, his extreme weakness is that he has no combat abilities. His killing power is zero.

That’s why, when Kang-hoo first met him, even much lower-level hunters couldn’t do anything.

For An Yeong-ho, running away was the only option. That was his weakness.

‘The constellation also supported his growth by providing experience points, so there shouldn’t be any worries in the future.’

An Yeong-ho’s future seemed bright, just like Jung Yuri and Park Dong-jae.

Since he avoided a deep grudge with the Jeonghwa Guild, he would likely continue to grow within the Rikou Guild.

An Yeong-ho was also a significant asset for Kang-hoo.

As a competent healer, he could be a great help in tackling tough and challenging dungeons in the future.

With the vice guild master of the Rikou Guild, Fumiya, and the backing of many well-known relatives.

There were many factors that could help Kang-hoo expand his connections both directly and indirectly. Yes, he was valuable enough to use.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah?”

“My uncle has researched a lot about you. It’s definitely not a background check. He’s very interested in skilled assassins.”

“I heard earlier. He said there are few assassins in the guild.”

“He also has some acquaintances in the Groo Guild, and he heard about your exploits there!”

“Are you talking about the mercenary work I participated in as a hemorrhage dealer?”

“Yes, exactly! It’s also difficult for our guild to find competent hemorrhage dealers, to be honest.”

“Is it that scarce?”

“Very much. In the international mercenary market, the pay related to hemorrhage dealers has tripled in the past few months.”

“Oh.”

It was interesting news.

The international mercenary market literally refers to the global market for hiring mercenaries regardless of nationality.

The multinational mercenary group that attacked the first research lab of Jeongmun Pharmaceuticals was also born this way.

Although a large number of hunters from China had concentrated, the structure was still like that.

“Considering your recent growth, no matter how I look at it, you’re a talent we absolutely can’t afford to lose.”

“Yeong-ho, you’re really honest.”

“That’s right, I can’t lie. No, I can’t even if I wanted to.”

“You shouldn’t be involved in recruitment then.”

“True, hyung. Hahaha!”

An Yeong-ho burst into laughter.

【Clairvoyant of Truth】

【A neutral constellation that makes the target speak the truth but also compels the user to always speak the truth.】

An Yeong-ho, with the Eyes of Truth as his main constellation.

As a result, whatever he says ends up being the truth. It’s hard for him to speak indirectly.

The best way not to be caught by Yeong-ho’s constellation is simple. Don’t speak.

Once you start talking, you’ll only speak the truth, so business conversations need to be handled carefully.

At that moment.

At sunset, when the peaceful red glow of the evening descended along the horizon.

“Catch that guy!”

“It’s the Toushi Guild!”

Suddenly, the surroundings became noisy.

Even though only two phrases were heard, it was enough to understand the situation.

“What’s going on?”

An Yeong-ho looked around.

Where did the noise come from?

Judging by the circumstances, it seemed that a Toushi Guild member had infiltrated Osaka city and was discovered by the Rikou Guild’s patrol.

As they were in an all-out war, it was as if a spy had entered the enemy’s territory.

“This way! Over here!”

“Here!”

Citizens shouted.

The citizens, enjoying peace under the Rikou Guild’s jurisdiction, had high trust in them.

Naturally, they were hostile to the Toushi Guild hunters.

At that moment.

The Toushi Guild member, who had momentarily lost his direction, turned the dagger he was holding.

He targeted an elderly woman walking with her granddaughter.

With a rough hand, he pushed the granddaughter aside and immediately aimed the dagger at the grandmother’s neck.

“Grandma! Aaah!”

The child cried.

“Yuko! Don’t come here! Grandma’s fine! Run to those ladies over there!”

The grandmother, worried that her granddaughter might get involved in the sudden hostage situation, waved her hand frantically.

“You damn bastard.”

An Yeong-ho cursed without hesitation.

He was about to stop Kang-hoo from getting involved when he realized.

“Huh?”

Kang-hoo, who should have been right next to him, was gone.

He hadn’t heard a single sound, yet Kang-hoo had already moved. It was an unexpected result.

That wasn’t the only thing that surprised An Yeong-ho.

When Kang-hoo reappeared, he was already positioned behind the Toushi Guild member.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

And then.

Slash! Swish! Shick! Slash!

Kang-hoo’s dagger mercilessly cut through the Toushi Guild member’s body.

Both wrists, the hamstrings behind the thighs, and the back of the neck!

He chose the best spots to disable the opponent’s ability to fight.

It was a deliberately targeted attack.

The situation unfolded so quickly that the Toushi Guild member had no time to threaten the grandmother.

Instead of holding a hostage, he ended up being butchered.

“Thank you! Thank you!”

The blood-covered grandmother moved away from him.

Although she was covered in blood, none of it was hers. It was all from the vile ‘bastard.’

“Wow, what’s going on?”

“Who is he? Is he a hunter from the Rikou Guild?”

“He saved the grandmother immediately!”

Passersby, witnessing Kang-hoo’s amazing performance, all took out their smartphones to film him.

Kang-hoo wasn’t particularly pleased with the filming, but he couldn’t just watch the grandmother be in danger.

In this moment, he seemed to have briefly forgotten that it wasn’t his business.

Perhaps he hoped that a tragedy wouldn’t befall the grandmother, who was living a happy life with her granddaughter.

He had no regrets.

Even if thinking selfishly, not all actions need to be for oneself.

“Kheugh!”

Thud!

The Toushi Guild member, who had been perfectly disarmed by Kang-hoo’s dagger, fell to his knees.

The unceasing flow of blood indicated his inevitable fate.

“Thank you! Really, thank you!”

The Rikou Guild’s patrol was approaching quickly.

Both were swordsmen hunters, which explained the slow pursuit. It’s the inevitable drawback of sword-wielders.

But right then.

“Damn it…!”

The furious Toushi Guild member bit his lips, and soon his whole body began to swell.

‘Self-destruct.’

Kang-hoo knew well what this change meant. It was essentially a suicide bombing situation.

Rather than using an external bomb, the mana within his body would serve as the explosive medium.

If he detonated now, the explosion, along with the mana, would endanger everyone nearby.

Snap!

So, he snapped his fingers.

Blood Flower.

In this situation, it was the safest way to disarm the ‘human bomb.’

And then.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

With a bloody explosion, red flesh rained down from the sky like snow.

Fortunately, the grandmother, who had returned to her granddaughter, had already covered the child’s eyes and ears.

At least, the gruesome scene was shielded from the young one’s view.