Chapter 99

Chapter 99

The attack unit couldn’t help but reveal their tense expressions.

The building directly before their eyes was none other than the headquarters of the Phoenix Guild, one of the top ten guilds in the country.

Gulp—

Hunters could be seen swallowing dryly before its imposing grandeur.

Kang Yuseong stood before it and calmly spoke.

“Let’s go.”

No further words were needed.

Kang Yuseong strode purposefully into the Phoenix Guild headquarters.

Gil Hyeok-jun and Kim Do-jin quietly followed behind him, and the other hunters followed with tense steps.

As they entered the guild headquarters, what met them were piercing gazes.

Rumors about them had already spread far and wide, and their audacious provocation against the Phoenix Attack Unit had made them public enemies.

But Kang Yuseong remained unfazed.

They were guided into a rather large hall.

“…!”

The hunters couldn’t help but flinch once more.

An immense pressure emanated from within!

Legendary figures, renowned throughout the Phoenix Guild, were gathered there in an orderly fashion.

Not only the Phoenix Attack Unit, the First Attack Unit, but also their leader, Phoenix’s Vice Master Moon Baek-woo, Assault Captain Kang Cheol-han, and the Phoenix Guild’s most famous hunter, S-rank hunter Kim Jun-wook, among other formidable individuals, were all looking their way.

The sheer pressure was so vast and intimidating that those who hadn’t experienced it could never truly comprehend it.

Yet, Kang Yuseong walked through them as if to make a point.

In fact, as this scene unfolded, Kang Yuseong’s casual gait, though light and outwardly calm, was profound and utterly dominated his surroundings, making his composed back even more prominent.

With every step he took, the hostility filling the hall towards the attack unit seemed to dissipate.

As always, his retreating figure instilled in the hunters the conviction that he could overcome any impossibility.

Thump.

Then, a man of enormous stature followed Kang Yuseong, taking a step.

A man with the imposing presence of a mountain.

With a massive greatsword on his back and two axes at his hips, he wore an expression that paid no mind to the gazes around him.

And beside him, another man walked like a ghost.

That man, with a fedora pulled low, also wore an utterly nonchalant expression, seemingly unaffected by the surrounding pressure.

The hunters behind them swallowed dryly.

Before, just seeing Kang Yuseong’s back was reassuring, but now three figures walked ahead of them.

“Let’s go, too. We, too, are now proud members of the Phoenix Guild.”

At Baek Myeong-han’s words, the hunters nodded in agreement.

They, too, cast off their tense expressions and walked with their chests held high.

Piercing gazes once again flew at them from their surroundings, but they deliberately ignored them.

Their leader, Kang Yuseong, had already walked this path with dignity.

Having seen his back, there was no reason for them to stop.

Kang Yuseong smiled inwardly, seeing his attack unit overcome the crushing pressure from all sides and walk forward with confidence.

The battle with the Phoenix Attack Unit had, in effect, already begun.

If they lost this contest of wills, Stardust could no longer advance.

But they had overcome themselves and proven their worth to face the Phoenix.

“How have you been?”

Kang Yuseong smiled and opened his mouth, looking at the elderly man standing before him.

A sturdy physique, half-gray hair, yet eyes that gleamed with an uncharacteristic sharpness for his age. This was Song Sang-woo, the true master of the Phoenix’s throne.

Song Sang-woo gave a slight nod.

He already knew what had happened that morning, having heard it from Moon Baek-woo.

“You look well.”

Kang Yuseong grinned.

“It’s a good day, after all.”

Song Sang-woo’s eyes glinted sharply as he spoke in a low voice.

It was a voice that could only be heard and spoken at the distance between Kang Yuseong and Song Sang-woo.

“There’s nothing to gain from provoking the Phoenix, yet you’ve pulled off quite a daring stunt.”

“If they can’t even endure that much in a friendly competition, how can they represent the name of the Phoenix?”

Song Sang-woo gazed steadily at Kang Yuseong.

And after a moment, he spoke.

“I hope that confidence continues.”

Kang Yuseong nodded.

“Your words are greatly appreciated and taken to heart.”

Song Sang-woo, too, slowly nodded as he looked at him.

Then, he withdrew his gaze from Kang Yuseong and looked at the core Phoenix personnel lined up behind them.

“Today, we welcome a new family member.”

Expressions of displeasure filled the faces of the Phoenix hunters.

However, the Master’s command in Phoenix was absolute.

No one dared to question it.

“Allow me to introduce him. This is Kang Yuseong, CEO of Star Pharmaceuticals and leader of the newly formed 26th Attack Unit. I expect you to welcome him.”

As Song Sang-woo finished speaking, a chill spread among the Phoenix hunters.

Kang Yuseong turned around and smiled.

Countless hunters stood before him.

And gazes filled with displeasure, envy, and hatred directed at him.

But they wouldn’t know.

That in the past, he had risen above even greater envy and greater contempt.

This was merely the beginning.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Kang Yuseong, Captain of the 26th Attack Unit. The Master, with his generous heart, has accepted us, making us one family. I look forward to working with you all.”

Although he offered his greetings, the Phoenix hunters still reacted coldly.

Song Sang-woo didn’t bother to fault them.

Kang Yuseong hadn’t fully proven his strength yet, and overcoming that ironclad coldness was also his responsibility.

Just then, someone stepped forward.

“Master, I heard that one of his entry conditions is to win a match against our Phoenix Attack Unit. Please clarify the specifics of that condition.”

It was Moon Baek-woo, the Phoenix Attack Unit Captain and Vice Master of the Phoenix.

Song Sang-woo nodded and began to speak.

“Captain Kang Yuseong presented two conditions upon joining the Phoenix. One was for the attack unit he leads to receive the same treatment as the Phoenix Attack Unit.”

At his words, a great stir arose among the Phoenix hunters.

The Phoenix Attack Unit was their pride.

All Phoenix hunters yearned to join the Phoenix, and even revered its members; it was their very source of pride.

But to demand the same treatment as the Phoenix…!

Subtle anger began to simmer on their already cold faces.

To take the Phoenix lightly was tantamount to holding the entire Phoenix Guild in contempt.

“And another thing.”

But Master Song Sang-woo’s words continued.

“He requested to be appointed as the Vice Master of the Phoenix.”

“W-What!”

“How could he!”

At those words, even the hunters couldn’t hold back, each muttering their shock.

Even the hunters in Kang Yuseong’s attack unit wore blank expressions at this.

They couldn’t believe Kang Yuseong had asked for the position of Phoenix Vice Master!

While they stood agape, Song Sang-woo’s voice continued.

“However, it is tradition for the Captain of the First Attack Unit, the Phoenix, to hold the position of Phoenix Vice Master. Thus, a confrontation between the Phoenix and the 26th Attack Unit has become unavoidable.”

Even as he spoke, he conveyed his absolute certainty that the Phoenix would not lose.

What kind of entity was the Phoenix Attack Unit, after all?

Veterans among veterans, who had proven their worth by overcoming countless challenges.

It would be stranger to think that such veterans would lose to a ragtag group like that.

Of course, he was well aware of how strong Kang Yuseong personally was, and how exceptional his abilities were.

But the Phoenix didn’t want the attack unit he led.

A thorough calculation lay beneath it all: if Kang Yuseong’s attack unit suffered a crushing defeat against the Phoenix this time, they would naturally be cast aside, and Kang Yuseong would accept the outcome.

“Then, how do you intend to proceed with the match?”

At Moon Baek-woo’s question, Song Sang-woo looked at Kang Yuseong and said.

“I’ll give you the choice. What kind of match format would you prefer?”

“That would be…”

But just as Kang Yuseong was about to open his mouth to answer.

Rumble—

Suddenly, the floor shook violently.

A tremor so strong it made hunters lose their balance and stumble!

CRASH!

At that moment, the building’s wall suddenly crumbled, and something poured inside.

Instantly, countless flashes of blades glinted in the air.

“KEEEK!”

In a flash, the wall was breached, and monsters surged through.

The Second Shock’s second wave.

It had suddenly begun.

However, the hunters gathered in this hall were all renowned veterans.

They instantly regained their stances and cut down the monsters that had burst in.

WHIZZ!

CRASH!

“KROOAAK!”

But at that moment, something suddenly shot out like lightning from somewhere, sweeping over the hunters.

Several hunters were caught in the attack, flung high into the air, and then slammed onto the floor.

“Dodge!”

WHIZZ!

As a clamor of shouts erupted, another tremendous attack swept through the hall.

CRASH—

When the hunters collected themselves, they saw a monstrous spider-like creature standing there, baring its hideous fangs.

It resembled a spider, but near its tail, it had two sharp barbs which it used to attack the hunters.

Seeing the spider, the hunters’ faces twisted in disgust.

“Ganas…!”

Ganas.

It was a giant spider-shaped monster, possessing the formidable power of an AA-rank creature.

It was known to be an exceptionally difficult opponent even among AA-ranks, and was so powerful that the Phoenix Guild had failed several times to raid it.

WHOOSH!

BOOM!

“UGH!”

But at that moment, the opposite wall suddenly exploded violently, creating a large hole.

The hunters turned their gaze that way, and their expressions instantly froze.

An unbelievable reality unfolded before them.

“Giant Mantra!”

This time, it was a monster hovering in the air, with dozens of tentacles on its enormous body and multiple holes pierced through its center, from which smoke continuously billowed.

Hunters who knew the creature’s ferocity clenched their teeth.

The terrifying firepower spewing from those holes was truly monstrous, enough to wipe out an entire attack unit.

The Giant Mantra was also an AA-rank large monster.

Its ferocity and danger were in no way inferior to Ganas, and it was widely considered to be almost on par.

Kang Yuseong looked at the monsters and spoke softly to Song Sang-woo.

“It seems it has begun.”

SHING—

Kang Yuseong drew his sword with a cold smile. Then, he spoke softly into his comms.

“—Attack unit, prepare for battle.”

At his command, the members of the Stardust Attack Unit simultaneously drew their weapons.

They were certainly not the same people who had been intimidated just moments ago.

After Kang Yuseong’s order, they were clearly seasoned veterans, displaying the demeanor of battle-hardened warriors.

“Phoenix! Draw swords!”

At that moment, a shout also came from the Phoenix Attack Unit.

It was a shout imbued with such resolute will that it could quell the chaos in an instant.

Kang Yuseong’s and Moon Baek-woo’s gazes crossed for an instant.

Kang Yuseong wore a smile, while Moon Baek-woo’s eyes held a chilling intensity.

Then, they simultaneously averted their gazes from each other and, at the same time, issued a single command.

“—Attack unit, commence battle.”

“Phoenix, annihilate the enemy!”

* * * * *

As if by prior arrangement, they moved in opposite directions.

Stardust towards Ganas, Phoenix towards the Giant Mantra.

GROOOOOWL—

An indescribable, immense pounding filled the hall.