Chapter 215: Chapter 214: Preparations For Entry (2)

Afternoon.

Kang-hoo decided to leave after resting at the guest villa inside Yuri Land, thanks to K’s hospitality.

The rain, which had just begun, was expected to stop by nightfall.

Of course, the weather wouldn’t make much difference when heading to the dangerous Ground Zero…

Still, the rain was coming down quite heavily, so he wanted to avoid it for a bit.

He re-planned his route based on the map K had given him.

“First, I’ll grab the Mad Solarkium here. Then, it’s best to go deeper and find the Queen of the Herd here.”

The shortest route felt satisfying, but optimistic predictions were usually wrong.

So, he added a few detours to the route, as it seemed more realistic this way.

“I’ll be going quite far north. This area is a no-communication zone, but I can’t avoid it.”

It was clear that he would end up in a communication dead zone.

Realistically calculating this made him feel at ease. It seemed he would be stepping into North Korean territory quite thoroughly.

While resting, he saw a large number of trucks passing by outside the window.

All of them bore the emblem of the Jeonghwa Guild.

The Jeonghwa Guild’s emblem was a rather impressive design, representing blazing flames.

In the original story, there had been an illustration of this emblem, and he recalled the readers had responded well to it.

[Unwavering conviction, unbreakable persistence.]

Along with the emblem, the slogan was also visible.

In the original, it was a phrase that stirred some pride, but from Shin Kang-hoo’s perspective, it felt revolting.

Who exactly were the Jeonghwa Guild’s hunters sacrificing themselves for, under this misguided conviction and forced persistence?

The shadow cast by Jang Si-hwan and Chae Gwanhyeong had infiltrated deeply and covertly.

Even when strange or problematic elements were found within the guild, their affection and pride in the guild made them ignore the uncomfortable truth.

“There’s no way our guild would do that. The master wouldn’t be that kind of person,” they thought, caught in a cycle of denial.

Surprisingly, the Jeonghwa Guild had turned into a kind of cult, intoxicated by the figure of Jang Si-hwan.

Every process was structured that way.

While the hunters might casually criticize Chae Gwanhyeong, they would never do the same to Jang Si-hwan. They believed in him completely.

“K said he doesn’t fully trust the Jeonghwa Guild either. Guess it’s hard to avoid capitalism.”

Seeing the endless stream of Jeonghwa Guild trucks, Kang-hoo couldn’t help but remember K’s words and chuckled.

Of course, he didn’t doubt K’s intentions.

The more transactions K made, the more profit he earned. And it was the Jeonghwa Guild spending the money.

Then,

a phone call came.

It was from Jung Yuri.

“Hey.”

Oppa! Where are you? I didn’t even realize you’d called; I’ve been in a dungeon for the past three days! How’ve you been?

“Yuri Land.”

What? Why are you there, Oppa? Did you come because you knew I was here?

“Of course not.”

Kang-hoo bit his lip and nodded, immediately putting an end to Jung Yuri’s cute assumption.

He could’ve cheekily said he came to see her, but he couldn’t manage to say it and just hit a wall instead.

However, it seemed Jung Yuri was immune to it, as she responded even more cheekily.

Actually, I planned my dungeon schedule nearby, knowing you’d come here!

“That’s a bit much.”

Ugh, you’re no fun! Where are you? I’m coming to see you. It’d be a shame not to meet after coming all the way here!

“I’m at the guest villa.”

Ah, that place? Bored? You must be, without Hyung-seo or Bohye-noona to talk to.

“To be honest, the two you mentioned aren’t exactly people to talk to. It’d be more awkward if they were here.”

Heh, true. Anyway, wait for me! I needed a break too, so I’ll come rest with you!

“Alright. See you later.”

Since the villa was quite large, there was no need to misunderstand Jung Yuri’s intention to “rest together.”

By evening,

he met Jung Yuri.

As soon as she saw Kang-hoo, she waved her hand energetically from afar, looking like a child.

To Kang-hoo, who wasn’t one to wave back more than a few times, her greeting seemed even more childlike.

Jung Yuri ran over to give him a hug but stopped when she saw his stoic expression.

Then she muttered under her breath, loud enough for him to hear.

“You really can’t act happy to see me, huh? Running all the way here is embarrassing.”

“You know that.”

“Know what? Hmph.”

“By the way, your skin’s gotten quite tanned. I can see the bronze.”

“Right? The dungeon I went to was in constant daylight, and the sun was no joke. I got completely tanned!”

“You look healthy.”

“Standing next to you, the contrast is really noticeable. Wow… Is this like the difference between milk chocolate and regular chocolate?”

Jung Yuri laughed as she compared her bronzed skin to Kang-hoo’s pale complexion.

Meanwhile, Kang-hoo observed a new constellation that had appeared on Jung Yuri while they were apart.

【Calamity God】

【The grudge and curse towards the target of vengeance continuously stimulate the target’s unconscious.

Neurological and psychological changes may occur, depending on the target’s mental strength.】

‘Even if she doesn’t show it outwardly, her deep-rooted hatred for Chae Gwanhyeong has now summoned a constellation.’

Thinking of the always cheerful and lively Jung Yuri, this constellation seemed like her complete opposite.

Besides the constellation scan, there might be other positive elements benefiting her that he hadn’t yet noticed.

But based on what he had confirmed, her desire for revenge against Chae Gwanhyeong had reached its peak, embodying a curse in its purest form.

Kang-hoo, who knew Jung Yuri’s painful past better than anyone, wasn’t surprised by her contract with such a constellation.

He only hoped that the constellation’s harsh intentions wouldn’t taint her pure spirit too deeply.

Jung Yuri changed the topic.

“Oppa! Do you have a moment? There’s something I want to ask you, and I think you’d know.”

“What is it?”

“Recently, while going through dungeons, I’ve been feeling stuck. Could you check something for me at the training grounds?”

“Of course.”

The two of them headed to the practice training grounds located right next to the villa.

Though it didn’t seem like a place that people visited often, the training ground was neatly organized.

There wasn’t even a speck of dust, and the interior was bright, which was a refreshing change compared to the gloomy atmosphere of Ground Zero.

Jung Yuri stood in the center of the training grounds and continued talking.

“As you know, my abilities are mainly based on magic, right? I mix offensive spells with my ability to open spatial passages, plus my smoke form ability.”

“I’m aware.”

Kang-hoo nodded.

Her ability to open spatial passages was similar to Kenji’s, and her unique feature was the ability to transform into black smoke.

“Lately, I’ve been feeling frustrated when I open spatial passages. When battles get intense, I have to open passages without a break….”

Pa-at! Pa-pat!

Jung Yuri demonstrated.

As she repeatedly opened and closed the passages, her rhythm started to break at some point.

She added more explanation.

“It feels like I’m half a beat behind. Since the passages materialize slower than I expect, my battle rhythm gets thrown off too.”

“Keep going. Do it until you get tired. I’ll observe quietly, and if I notice something, I’ll tell you.”

With his arms crossed, Kang-hoo carefully watched Jung Yuri’s use of space.

Perhaps it was due to Takashi’s influence, or maybe it was part of his innate nature.

When he focused, patterns and habits that had been invisible became clear.

It was as if he could break down every movement and change into extremely short time intervals and make judgments.

As he observed Jung Yuri’s ability,

he recalled the incidents with Kenji and remembered what was covered in the original story.

Then, the problem became visible. And simultaneously, the solution came to mind.

“Stop for a moment.”

“Huh? Why?”

“You don’t need to continue.”

“You already… saw something?”

“I saw the issue, and I think I know why it’s happening. I can also give you a solution.”

“…Really?”

Jung Yuri seemed surprised.

She hadn’t confided in Kang-hoo expecting him to solve her problem, just to vent her frustration.

But now that he was offering a solution, she was taken aback. Could Kang-hoo really see what was wrong?

“But it feels wrong to just tell you for free.”

“Should I give you a kiss… or something?”

“Do you really think a measly kiss is a proper reward?”

“Oppa, that hit hard! Ouch!”

“Enough. Listen.”

The comment was a joke.

Jung Yuri was his partner moving forward. If there was something he could help her with, he should help.

He also hoped she’d surpass Kenji in spatial manipulation. She was talented enough.

Kang-hoo continued.

“When you open a passage, don’t think about the entrance and exit. Try reversing it.”

“You mean I should think about the exit first, then draw the entrance?”

“Yeah. The process of opening the passage is too causally linked, which is where the hesitation comes from.”

“You’re saying I’m overly concerned with safety?”

“The key to spatial manipulation is boldness. The more you hesitate, the slower it gets. Caution isn’t the answer here.”

“…Ah!”

It seemed like something had clicked for Jung Yuri, and she let out an exclamation.

While anyone could give advice, the understanding had to come from within her.

Since Jung Yuri was talented, the slight hint Kang-hoo provided seemed to have made a significant impact.

And perhaps because of that,

she started opening passages in rapid succession again. This time, the process flowed smoothly.

She had escaped the ‘half-beat’ nightmare.

The feedback had resulted in an immediate change, and even Kang-hoo was surprised at how quickly it happened.

“Wow…! As expected, Oppa, you’re amazing! Did you really see the issue as soon as I started? Really?”

Chook! Chook! Chook!

“….”

Before Kang-hoo could even react, Jung Yuri began peppering his cold cheek with playful kisses.

“Ah.”

“Um.”

“Uh… I usually do this when I’m happy, just like I used to with Grandma and Grandpa….”

Noticing Kang-hoo’s lukewarm reaction and gaze, Jung Yuri scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

“Kuk.”

Kang-hoo chuckled.

It was cute how she expressed her happiness like a child, then quickly became embarrassed about it.

These were actions Kang-hoo could never bring himself to do, feelings he could never imitate.

“Oppa, thanks so much. How did you even see that? I got chills for a second. You’re an assassin, right?”

“Just because I’m an assassin doesn’t mean I’m only good at assassin-related moves.”

“But to give such a deep and insightful piece of advice, you’d need to have knowledge about other professions, right?”

“As long as it has a happy ending, that’s what matters.”

“I’m so glad I asked you, Oppa. No one else suggested thinking in reverse.”

“From now on, when you feel stuck, try thinking in reverse. It’s surprisingly effective.”

What seems like opposites, like forward and reverse, are more interconnected than they appear.

It was an approach often used in the original story, and it worked here as well.

‘In the end, it’s my world.’

Kang-hoo once again felt the reality of the world he lived in.

A world designed exactly according to the creator’s intent.

That’s why he could pinpoint solutions so sharply.

But at the same time, it was also a world where he would inevitably face a dark future he didn’t want to confront.

Because of that,

he wanted to twist it.

If everything flowed ‘naturally,’ the only thing left at the end would be ‘despair’ without a trace of hope or dreams.

By twisting the natural order, despair could be turned into hope.

Lee Hyun-seok, who should have died long ago, was alive and causing havoc for the Jeonghwa Guild.

And Park Dong-jae, who should be suffering in prison, was growing explosively, revealing his potential.