Chapter 223: Chapter 221: Meeting (1)

Lee Ye-rin called.

Since he could check his skill anytime, he canceled the activation and answered the call right away.

“Yes, this is Shin Kang-hoo.”

-Are you free to talk?

“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have answered.”

-Ah…

Lee Ye-rin sighed briefly, perhaps because she was met with Kang-hoo’s characteristic bluntness from the start of the conversation.

Considering that most of Lee Ye-rin’s clients are easygoing and enjoy jokes…

Kang-hoo is undoubtedly among the dull ones. If ranked by dullness, he would certainly be at the top.

“Is there an overseas request?”

-Ah, that matter is still under discussion. There are quite a few details to coordinate.

“I see. Then, what’s the reason?”

-I received a call from the Jeonghwa Guild. They want to arrange a meeting with you.

“Why didn’t they contact me directly?”

-They want to show respect. They think contacting you directly might seem less formal.

“Whose status are they worried about?”

-Yours, of course. They want to approach as carefully as possible.

“Hmm.”

Kang-hoo pondered briefly.

There was no real reason to avoid the meeting.

In fact, avoiding it would be strange.

Kang-hoo knew Jang Si-hwan’s nature, so he couldn’t help but be curious about his every move.

But if he looked at himself from Jang Si-hwan’s perspective, the picture would be entirely different.

To Jang Si-hwan, he was just one of many hunters.

For instance, he recalled meeting Baek Seon-tae from the local warlord group Jajang during a previous trip to Yeosu.

Back then, Baek Seon-tae even gave him his contact information and showed a lot of interest.

However, Kang-hoo considered Baek Seon-tae just a peculiar assassin, nothing particularly remarkable.

Since then, he hadn’t been curious about Baek Seon-tae, nor did he care to know where he was or what he was doing.

If he swapped positions, placing himself in Baek Seon-tae’s shoes and Jang Si-hwan in his own, he could somewhat understand.

Jang Si-hwan might find him intriguing.

But to go beyond that, he would need to stand out and grow even more than he does now.

Otherwise, from Jang Si-hwan’s position, “Shin Kang-hoo” would only seem somewhat unique at best.

-What should we do?

“Let’s meet. Since this is happening, let’s just suggest the Cheong-an Building. I might as well take care of two things at once.”

-Meeting me first, then taking care of the next agenda all in one go?

“Can a monk move first? The temple has to move.”

-Haha. That joke was actually funny. Maybe I’m getting old.

“If you lump me in with old-timers like that… Haha.”

Kang-hoo chuckled.

-When should we meet?

“I’m in Suwon right now. I’ll head straight to Daejeon. Please arrange the meeting with the Jeonghwa Guild as soon as possible.”

-Got it. Shall I send someone to Daejeon Station?

“No need. I’ll go myself and get a feel for the surroundings. Don’t worry about me coming.”

-Alright, then. I’ll wait.

After ending the call, Kang-hoo headed directly to Suwon Station.

He would have opportunities to train and hone his Death Flame skill anytime. He didn’t feel it was a loss to not display it now.

Daejeon Station.

Since he hadn’t visited recently, the area around Daejeon Station had changed noticeably.

The flags and emblems of the Cheong-an Mercenary Corps and Heuksaja were flying more prominently than before.

And the hunters affiliated with Eclipse, who used to appear occasionally, were nowhere to be seen, as if they had disappeared entirely.

Therefore, despite expecting some level of conflict upon arrival at Daejeon Station, there was nothing to worry about.

Currently, Kang-hoo was under a kill order from Eclipse, so many were actively pursuing him.

Of course, unless they were skilled hunters, they were risking their lives trying anything.

As he sipped his takeout Americano to freshen his dry mouth…@@novelbin@@

He overheard a conversation between two men nearby and listened in slightly.

“By the way, why are those Eclipse guys nowhere to be seen at Daejeon Station lately?”

“Eclipse has too many enemies. They’re stretched too thin, so they’ve pulled out from here.”

“Well, they did deploy hunters here to provoke Cheong-an and Heuksaja, didn’t they?”

“There isn’t even a dungeon here at Daejeon Station, honestly. It was just to cause trouble.”

“I heard they stationed quite a few hunters here for symbolic reasons. They must have more urgent issues elsewhere.”

“Who knows why they go looking for trouble? Wasn’t that guy who died in Japan recently named Cha So-hyuk? He’s Cha So-hee’s brother, right?”

“Oh, really?”

Despite being civilians without access to Constellation information, the two men seemed very interested in hunter-related issues.

It’s only natural.

The quality of life changes depending on which hunter organizations influence their neighborhood.

Daejeon is still relatively livable.

This is because Cheong-an, Heuksaja, and Eclipse maintain a delicate balance of power, paradoxically keeping the peace.

Although it’s an uncertain peace, balance is maintained for now, and conflicts are rare.

‘What is Yun Sang-mi up to?’

Someone he always thought of when he came to Daejeon Station.

He shared quite a few memories with Yun Sang-mi in Daejeon, so he often remembered her when he least expected it.

He knew she was dedicated to dungeon exploration, but it felt as though she had suddenly gone silent.

‘Well, no news is good news.’

Overthinking would be a luxury.

He decided that if she needed him, or if she missed him, or if she remembered, she would reach out, and he moved on.

Just as the two men had mentioned earlier, Eclipse’s traces had noticeably vanished.

It seemed Kang Dong-hyun was struggling.

A while later.

Lee Ye-rin, who came out to greet him in front of the Cheong-an Building.

Upon meeting her, Kang-hoo narrowed his eyes as he looked at her constellation information.

Since the last time he saw her, she had gained one more constellation. This time, it was a constellation that strengthened her defenses.

For a mage like her, acquiring defensive abilities maximized stability.

For Lee Ye-rin, who pursued a radically “out-fighter” combat style, this constellation was an ideal match.

As Kang-hoo’s gaze seemed different from usual, Lee Ye-rin playfully shrank back and asked,

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You look like you’ve gained some weight.”

“Wow… You just say that right to my face?”

“I can’t lie.”

“You’re getting better at jokes, Kang-hoo!”

“It wasn’t a joke.”

“Tsk. You really know how to counter well. Come on, this way. I’ll guide you personally.”

Perhaps because they’d spent a lot of time facing each other, Kang-hoo had become quite friendly with Lee Ye-rin.

Thinking back, after he possessed Shin Kang-hoo’s body and escaped the Cheongmyeong Detention Center…

Lee Ye-rin was the first connection he made after Han Seo-yeon.

During the early adjustment phase, Lee Ye-rin played the largest part in helping him adapt. Yun Sang-mi too.

While moving to the VIP lounge.

Lee Ye-rin praised Kang-hoo non-stop, talking about his achievements in Japan.

How he rescued a grandmother and granddaughter, how he landed a solid hit on Yuji and Kenji, and how he took down Cha So-hyuk and the Touushi Guild members. ŔÃ₦ȱ฿Ě𝘴

Considering that everyone repeated these stories upon hearing them, they must have left a strong impression.

Once they arrived in the lounge, they sat down, and Lee Ye-rin continued the conversation over coffee with Kang-hoo.

“Because of the fame Kang-hoo has gained lately, whether by choice or not.”

“Not by choice.”

“Yes, then not by choice! Because of that, a lot of clients overseas have been requesting mercenaries.”

“It’s probably due to the shortage of bleeding dealers rather than my fame. A single video alone wouldn’t change their perception.”

“You’re underestimating the power of video. Those with keen eyes can recognize something special just from that.”

“Well, it’s good news nonetheless.”

“Indeed. It’s become easier to set the stage under favorable conditions. And setting the stage is my specialty…”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Is there anything else I should consider when accepting requests? Feel free to let me know.”

“I’ll prioritize requests from Germany or South Africa.”

“Understood.”

Lee Ye-rin didn’t ask for any further explanation.

Not having excessive curiosity is one of the virtues of a skilled broker.

If she had personal curiosity, she could investigate on her own. No need to show it.

“May I bring up a different topic?”

“Sure, go ahead. I also accept date requests, you know.”

“It’s not that.”

“…Learn to take a joke!”

“I met Ayane. I have her consent to mention this. She also agreed that I could talk about her to you.”

“One moment.”

Lee Ye-rin paused the conversation briefly and made a phone call.

Kang-hoo knew exactly who she was calling. Naturally, it would be Ayane.

It was a reaction he had expected. Partly, he brought it up to test her response.

If Lee Ye-rin had casually started talking about Ayane after Kang-hoo claimed he had her permission…

He would have questioned her capability, thinking she didn’t understand the weight of being a broker.

But she didn’t.

“Ah, yes. I see. I confirmed it. So with that consent, I’ll proceed if there are related matters.”

The conversation, which seemed to include mutual consent and opinions, concluded.

Lee Ye-rin resumed speaking to Kang-hoo.

“It’s a necessary verification process, so I paused the conversation and made a call. I hope you don’t mind?”

“Of course.”

“It’s amazing how these coincidences overlap. Although, I did arrange both for the Jeongmun Pharmaceutical case.”

“Going to Fukuoka in Japan wasn’t part of the original plan, though.”

“Exactly. And then Ayane was there for a request I received. I suppose it’s fate.”

“Thanks to that, I was able to express my late gratitude. For the help we exchanged back at the lab, which we couldn’t acknowledge.”

Kang-hoo nodded.

“Ayane is really picky when it comes to evaluating hunters. It shows especially when she’s choosing a partner…”

Seeing Lee Ye-rin’s reaction, it was clear Ayane had high standards. Lee Ye-rin continued,

“If she finds a truly impressive hunter, her focus shifts completely. She becomes captivated, in a good way.”

“That’s a unique trait.”

“Exactly. She treats hunters without skill as absolute trash. Courtesy greetings? Humility? None of that.”

“Hmm…”

“The fact that Ayane is this interested in Kang-hoo means she acknowledges that his skills are different.”

“Ayane is skilled too.”

“Right. That’s why it’s even more impressive. To capture the interest of such a selective hunter is amazing.”

“I didn’t intend to capture her interest, but she’d already invested her interest by the time I knew.”

Kang-hoo laughed, recalling his encounter with Ayane in the Fukuoka Liberation Area.

At that moment.

Lee Ye-rin, her thoughts seemingly shifted, adjusted her seat and her expression grew slightly somber.

“Among the overseas requests, I’ll coordinate those that can be linked with Ayane upon mutual agreement. But that’s not the main topic for today.”

Kang-hoo had an idea of what was coming, but he deliberately tilted his head as if he didn’t.

Discussing the expected “topic”…

It would be better for her to realize and address it herself than for him to prod unnecessarily.

And that was—

“Today, I want to talk seriously to you about the Jeonghwa Guild. I hope you listen closely.”

It was a conversation to confront her resentment towards the Jeonghwa Guild, reminding her of the fate her character was heading toward in the original story.

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