Chapter 37

The man didn’t show any particular displeasure at Siyoon’s bold words.

If anything, he likely confirmed Siyoon’s capability through his demeanor alone.

‘It doesn’t matter. He probably came expecting that I was the one behind it, based on his investigation.’

A little digging would probably reveal the connection.

A hunter who carried out Haind’s commission months ago is now being pursued by Haind.

They even placed a bounty on him in the black market.

Wouldn’t anyone find that suspicious?

Moreover, coincidentally around the same time, Haind’s troubles erupted one after another.

The leak of their new drug, the assaults on transport route trucks, and the release of Embertic mk.2.

It would be more unnatural not to notice.

Of course, this might not be the best choice.

He could end up inviting a tiger while trying to catch a wolf.

That was how risky revealing his identity was.

‘But for certain revenge, I have to endure it.’

Bringing down Haind alone was difficult.

Until now, he could inflict damage because they hadn’t been able to identify him specifically.

But now that Haind clearly recognized Siyoon, things were different.

Their stock had plummeted, but Haind was still a legitimate corporation.

They would squeeze Siyoon with their capital and resources.

Just like the pursuit team they had sent this time.

To achieve certain revenge, he needed to be somewhat bold.

Of course, he had prepared for the worst-case scenario as well.

‘I have other means prepared, after all.’

While Siyoon organized his thoughts, the man spoke.

“Anyway, let’s introduce ourselves properly before we get started in earnest. I’m Baek Euntae, a mercenary hired for Serpa’s commission.”

“Lee Siyoon.”

“Never heard the name before.”

“Does that matter?”

“No. The commission is what matters.”

Baek Euntae said with a smirk, rubbing his index finger and thumb together.

“So, where do we start hitting them?”

Straight to the point, as expected.

Typical of a commission-driven mercenary.

From Siyoon’s perspective, the directness was refreshing.

“Haind’s Smart Farm in the western district of Seoul. We’re destroying that first, completely.”

From the moment he had made the call, Siyoon had already planned where to strike first.

And the most critical target among them was the Smart Farm.

The Smart Farm was Haind’s most vital facility.

The results and cultivation data obtained from harvesting and growing.

Research data for improving the quality and performance of medicinal ingredients.

It was the place that even supplied materials for crafting potions and doping agents.

In other words, it was Haind’s root and foundation.

That was why the Smart Farm was known for its multiple layers of security and numerous guards on constant duty.

It was a top-rank security zone that must never be breached.

And correspondingly, it would be incredibly formidable.

“The Smart Farm in the western district… Ah, you mean that place.”

“For the record, we’re moving immediately.”

Siyoon was exhausted.

But as long as he wasn’t actively fighting, his stamina could recover through Patience of Nature.

He had also brought Hot Seven and Special Vitamin for situations like this.

‘No time to waste. If we’re hitting them, now is perfect — when they’re most off guard.’

Siyoon’s insane stamina recovery rate was information Haind didn’t have.

Even if they anticipated an attack, they would assume he needed a minimum recovery period.

Striking now would catch them somewhat off guard.

“Yeah? Well, alright. Not a bad plan…”

“…What are you doing?”

“This? Ah, hold on a second.”

But after hearing Siyoon’s explanation, Baek Euntae pulled a phone from his pocket.

He then tapped the screen, busily operating something.

Siyoon, still maintaining his guard, watched him.

“If that place blows up, Haind’s stock is going to tank again, right? Gotta short sell before we move.”

“…Hah.”

Hearing the actual reason, Siyoon was dumbfounded.

This was clearly market manipulation, no matter how you looked at it.

When Siyoon stared at him, he shrugged nonchalantly.

“What? I’m a contracted mercenary. Is there a law saying mercenaries can’t do this?”

“The client doesn’t say anything?”

“Of course not. It’s not even illegal in the first place, and they know all about this kind of thing when they hire you.”

“…I see.”

Was it really not illegal?

He couldn’t tell.

And he didn’t particularly want to know.

“This much is basics, so you’d better remember it too.”

“Got it.”

“Seriously. If you want to make a living in this line of work, you’ve got to do at least this much, right?”

Siyoon didn’t bother responding to the follow-up remark.

He simply headed toward the Smart Farm.

* * *

Smart Farm.

This place, which could be called Haind’s heart, was a term encompassing both the research institute and the cultivation facilities.

Not only was countless data for cultivating numerous medicinal ingredients stored there.

Specimens from experiments to enhance the effects of potions and doping agents were also kept on site.

But befitting its name as a Smart Farm, the cultivation facilities were far larger in scale.

They had to supply most of the medicinal ingredients needed for mass-producing potions.

In other words, if the Smart Farm was destroyed, Haind would be unable to manufacture potions.

Because of this, the Smart Farm’s defenses were extremely stringent.

This was why Siyoon had only targeted transport routes until now.

Raiding the Smart Farm alone was too dangerous.

Hundreds of CCTV cameras installed was a given.

A surveillance system with guards stationed 24/7, operating without a single gap.

Moreover, they patrolled every corner of the research institute in preparation for potential intruders.

This alone could be called ironclad security.

On top of that, Haind had installed holographic barriers to defend against external bombardment.

They possessed a defense system into which hundreds of millions, even billions, went effortlessly.

Siyoon went to such a place with just Baek Euntae, the two of them alone.

To blow it up.

‘Infiltration is impossible through conventional methods.’

Haind’s western district Smart Farm.

There were only two entrances to this facility.

One was the main gate, the other was a rear passage for transporting medicinal ingredients.

Naturally, neither side’s surveillance was lacking.

Both were critical thoroughfares.

A side path would have been nice, but there was none.

There might even be a secret passage.

It was too highly classified for Siyoon to obtain through his information broker.

But there was a way.

[ Equipping ‘Ghost Hideout +5’. ]

[ For 10 minutes, your presence will be completely erased. ]

[ Shadow Stealth state is maintained. ]

Ghost Hideout. An expensive piece of equipment Siyoon had acquired through his information broker.

A talisman-shaped device that granted stealth immediately upon use, but was single-use only.

Originally, its performance wasn’t particularly impressive.

It was meant for temporarily drawing aggro in emergencies.

Ultimately, it would be detected by thermal cameras or the latest detection technology.

But the Ghost Hideout Siyoon had Enhanced was different.

Its duration was extended to five times the original, and it had become the higher-rank ‘Shadow Stealth.’

He planned to use this to infiltrate through the rear entrance.

* * *

Siyoon waited until a truck loaded with medicinal ingredients came out.

How long had he been lying in wait? With a clattering sound, the door slid open horizontally.

Several armed personnel were escorting the truck.

Because Siyoon had been frequently attacking transport routes lately.

Either way, it worked in Siyoon’s favor.

The door opened wider as the personnel passed through.

The two of them slipped in quickly, taking advantage of the gap.

Glancing back, Baek Euntae’s silhouette was faintly visible.

Since they were using the same item, they could perceive each other.

Seogeok.

The two immediately moved toward the building housing the research institute.

Despite running, there was no sound of footsteps or rustling clothes.

The Ghost Hideout’s effect had completely erased their presence.

‘Two places to destroy in total.’

The research institute and the cultivation facilities.

The two facilities weren’t far apart, but if possible, it was better to blow up the research institute first.

‘The experimental data and specimens are probably all in the research institute.’

To put it in extreme terms, medicinal ingredients could be sourced elsewhere.

But once lost, data never came back.

Of course, there was a possibility they had stored the data on a server.

But even accounting for that, destroying the experimental facilities and infrastructure would be devastating.

From every angle, blowing up the research institute first was the right call.

Tak.

Siyoon and Baek Euntae successfully reached the research institute without a sound.

They couldn’t afford to spend much time.

It had already taken about three minutes to run from the rear entrance to here.

‘Quick and decisive.’

Siyoon pulled out a flask he had prepared in advance.

It was the Anti-Magibeast Explosive Potion he had purchased beforehand.

A product that caused an explosion on the spot just by throwing it.

‘Need to blow them all at once.’

There was no time to look around inside and throw them one by one.

Instead, he planned to detonate them all at once to amplify the explosion’s power and scale.

That was when it happened.

Jiiing.

Light erupted from the floor and enveloped Siyoon and Baek Euntae.

“Damn it…”

The moment Baek Euntae cursed, realizing something had gone wrong.

Ppiiiiik―!

“Intruders!!”

“The main gate! The signal went off at the main gate!”

The moment the alarm blared from inside the research institute, guards immediately swarmed in.

“We’re made.”

Baek Euntae muttered, clicking his tongue.

But neither of them was surprised.

They had expected this to some extent.

The door was one thing, but the research institute was a highly critical space.

No matter how high-rank the stealth they deployed, the odds of avoiding detection were slim.

In truth, just getting this far meant the Ghost Hideout had done its job.

Seogeok.

“Gah!”

Before the guard could fire his gun, Baek Euntae cleaved him in half.

Internal organs spilled from the cross-section of the guard hunter who collapsed pathetically.

But by then, an even larger force had begun converging.

“There are intruders inside the research institute.”

“The signal originated from the first floor! Repeating. Requesting backup!”

Before they knew it, the staircase and the first-floor hall of the research institute were packed with guards.

As hunters, they each wielded different weapons as they surrounded them.

Among them were a considerable number of Gunners, and crimson laser pointers dotted their entire bodies.

That was the moment.

Tudu-du-du-du-du-du!!

The Gunners spewed crimson flames as they fired their bullets.

Above, diagonal, right, left, front, even behind.

They sprayed fire from literally every direction with no blind spots.

Enough firepower to turn not just an ordinary person but even a decent hunter into a beehive.

Into that hail of bullets, Siyoon and Baek Euntae charged simultaneously.

It seemed reckless at first glance, but it was exactly the opposite.

Siyoon had anticipated this situation and coordinated with him in advance.

Baek Euntae’s role was to break through the front.

To carve a path into the research institute.

Swaeeeek!

His position was the front. Baek Euntae leapt straight ahead and swung his sword at the hunters.

This was Baek Euntae, who had slaughtered dozens of hunters in a single strike with instantaneous acceleration.

There were plenty of bullets, but sweeping them aside with his sword and breaking through was feasible.

Kudu-du-du-du-uk.

“Aaaargh!”

“Ugh, don’t retreat! Hold your positions!”

The bodies of dozens of hunters struck by the sword were split into upper and lower halves.

Of course, bullets from the remaining directions were still coming.

But Siyoon was handling those.

Hwioo…

Siyoon utilized the Wind of Horus to its absolute limit.

He mobilized the surrounding wind all at once, forcibly twisting the bullets’ trajectories.

With such a dense barrage, deflecting one bullet set off a chain reaction that ricocheted several more.

It was no easy task.

Manipulating wind was extremely difficult precisely because of its high versatility.

But his senses, heightened through Enhancement, and his combat experience made it possible.