Chapter 46

Choi Gi-woong was at the Training Arena, he was sparring with C-Rank agents, and he wasn’t just sparring—he was teaching them move by move, and it was supposedly incredible, and so on.

The rumors were fast and destructive.

So much so that even agents who were at home voluntarily came to work.

And they did not regret their decision.

Fwoosh!

On the Training Arena, a vicious sound of something cutting through the air licked past Choi Gi-woong’s face.

If it had been off by even an inch, his face would have caved in, yet Choi Gi-woong was at ease.

“He’s doing that on purpose, right?”

“One hundred percent. He’s matching his opponent’s level right now.”

The agent who answered gestured toward the Training Arena with his chin, his eyes shimmering with desire.

“But it doesn’t even look like practice. He’s hitting them hard, just like a real fight. Look at that.”

One person was sent flying by Choi Gi-woong’s kick.

That made twenty.

“It’s like watching Jung Hye-in. The way he adjusts his strength just enough to knock them out.”

“Ah, I’m so jealous. An experience like that is so precious.”

“Should we, even now…”

“Forget it. I heard it’s already over.”

“Already?”

“The team members under Choi Gi-woong were taking reservations with lightning speed, like this wasn’t the first or second time they’d done this.”

“Damn it. I guess we’ll just have to enjoy the show.”

Thud!

The twenty-first person to tumble out of the Training Arena was Hong Gyeong-pyo.

Despite his battered face, Hong Gyeong-pyo gave a thumbs-up with a very refreshed expression.

“When did Squad Leader Hong get in there… Wait a minute, I thought Choi Gi-woong was a B-Rank. D-don’t tell me his Rank already went up?”

“No. He’s a B-Rank, all right.”

The person who said that was Im Han-na.

“And you said Choi Gi-woong is like Jung Hye-in?”

“Ah, that was… a figure of speech, I guess…”

“When it comes to combat sense alone, Choi Gi-woong is on a higher level than Jung Hye-in.”

The two agents whipped their heads around, their expressions saying, That can’t be right.

“Jung Hye-in fights with slightly more power than her opponent, right?”

“Right now, Mr. Choi Gi-woong is also…”

“No, he’s not.”

“He’s not?”

“He’s fighting a whole step down. Deliberately keeping it on the edge. Like he’s been rolling around on a battlefield for decades.”

The look in Im Han-na’s eyes was even more intense than theirs. Greed shimmered in their glistening depths.

“But how does he win?”

A D-Rank cannot beat a B-Rank, and between a C-Rank and a B-Rank lies an enormous, insurmountable wall.

“I don’t know either. It’s either talent, or.”

Im Han-na shrugged.

“He’s a veteran who’s been through hell and back.”

If the opponent was a D-Rank, I lowered my level to E-Rank, and if the opponent was a B-Rank, I matched my Mana to a C-Rank.

I did it on purpose, so that I too would be in danger if I made the slightest mistake.

Even so, my consciousness didn’t flinch in the slightest.

I even took a hit on purpose just before, but it’s still the same.

Damn it. There’s no need to check any further.

“Let’s stop here,” I said while receiving treatment from a Healer who was on standby.

“Can’t you just do one more with me?”

“I’ve been waiting for three hours…”

The challengers whose turns were cut off smacked their lips and made disappointed noises.

I’m the one who’s more disappointed.

All I confirmed was that some half-assed trick wouldn’t work.

In that case, instead of a half-assed opponent, what about a truly strong one?

“Are you sexually frustrated?”

I lifted my head at the unexpected voice.

Speak of the devil. Im Han-na was striding over.

“You just have this look on your face like you’re dying of thirst.”

“I’m not.”

“Why, should I give you a round?”

“I’d appreciate it if you would.”

I bit instantly.

I was planning to go find Im Han-na anyway, so this was perfect.

It might be different with another Squad Leader, but Im Han-na would surely be able to beat me as I am now.

“It’ll feel different from the others.”

“That’s fine.”

“You might be in big trouble if you try to half-assedly control your power against me.”

“That’s what I was hoping for. Like a real fight.”

We were on the same wavelength.

It would be an intense fight, so I should clear everyone out first…

“A real fight?”

Im Han-na, who had been excitedly getting ready, paused.

Wondering what was up, I nodded.

“Yes. It would be great if you could think of me as a Demon.”

Seeing how she dealt with Byeon Hui-yong last time, she was vicious.

“Just like a real battle.”

“…A Demon? For real?”

But Im Han-na’s reaction was rather lukewarm.

“If it’s like that, I won’t do it.”

“Pardon?”

“I said, I won’t do it.”

No, it’s not that I didn’t hear her. Why such an overreaction?

The atmosphere changed completely as the person who was usually all smiles suddenly became stern.

“What if I fight with the intent to kill and actually kill you?”

“It’s fine…”

“And how can I fight like it’s real if I don’t feel like killing you?”

“I heard that’s how you usually spar.”

From the rumors I’d heard, her record was spectacular.

I even heard reviews that people who sparred with Im Han-na were too scared to ever sign up again.

“I do that depending on the opponent. But not with you.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re Choi Gi-woong.”

What the hell.

I tried to persuade her a few more times, but she wouldn’t budge.

She said she’d do a proper spar, but she’d rather die than do the life-or-death battle I wanted.

Even a tempting offer didn’t work.

Damn it. I finally gave up.

“……”

“What’s with that face? I’m the one who should feel wronged. I thought I was finally going to get a proper workout.”

I let Im Han-na’s words go in one ear and out the other and made a new plan.

I saw earlier that all the B-Rank and higher missions were full.

How about going into a B-Rank Dungeon? By myself.

Yes. That would be good.

To do that, I first need to see Deputy Director Kim Ho-seon…

“Look at this. That look in your eyes is suspicious. Like you’re about to cause some trouble.”

“You haven’t left yet?”

“…I’ve felt this for a while, but are you always this reckless? Once you decide on something, you have to do it no matter what?”

“I tend to be that way if I think it’ll be fine.”

If I think it’s really dangerous, I can just use a Dungeon Escape Stone.

“I’m saying this because it’s not fine.”

Anyone listening would think she was worried because she cared about me a lot.

But in reality, she was probably acting this way because of my abilities, including my Divinity.

“Anyway, if you need something dangerous and brutal, just stick by my side and do it.”

“Is there something like that?”

“There is. It’s a classified mission, so you wouldn’t have known, Mr. Choi Gi-woong.”

Im Han-na said, pressing her forehead as if it was throbbing.

“We’re going to catch the Black Market executives tomorrow.”

It turns out that most of the Black Market executives were Demons.

I expected as much, so I wasn’t surprised.

As soon as I heard, I said.

“I’ll go with you.”

As long as I have the powerful ability of Divinity, there’s no reason to miss out on a Demon mission.

If the opponents are executive-level, I’ll be able to build up a solid record, too.

“Hear me out. There’s one more condition.”

“What is it?”

“No killing.”

Perhaps sensing the bewilderment on my face, Im Han-na quickly added.

“If at all possible. If at all possible.”

“I’m still not convinced.”

Since when were there conditions attached to Demons?

“It’s a condition Yang Won-hoon set. You heard about it too, right, Mr. Choi Gi-woong? That he said he’d turn Demons into humans.”

“I heard, but…”

I was still skeptical.

It’s absolutely impossible with that half-assed Divinity.

“It’s surprising that the higher-ups are listening to Yang Won-hoon.”

“The higher-ups are actually looking forward to it.”

The explanation that followed was absurd.

Apparently, there were no lies in his testimony, and he even handed over all the Black Market’s classified data.

If I hadn’t seen his half-assed Divinity, I might have been tempted too.

“Do you think it’ll work, Seonbae Im?”

“He’s that confident, so shouldn’t there be something to it?”

There might be something, sure. But it’s not enough, that’s the problem.

I feel on edge.

I felt it from the moment I met Yang Won-hoon, but that man. He was too full of conviction.

But if that conviction and anticipation were to suddenly collapse.

Then it feels like a real powder keg will explode.

The Black Market mission is the Black Market mission. The thought of entering a B-Rank Dungeon alone remains.

To do that, I think I need to solve this first.

“By type, by difficulty. I picked and chose the best.”

Deputy Director Kim Ho-seon pushed a list in front of me, his face parched.

I’ve never seen him look like that, not even when he was reporting to Han Seung-hoon.

If there was a camera, I’d want to film this.

It seems like it would be helpful to watch over and over when I’m in a bad mood.

I skimmed the list and shook my head.

“I don’t really like any of them.”

“…What part. How do you not like them?”

“It’s hard to explain, but I just don’t like them overall.”

I threw back the exact words this man had said to me in the past.

The reaction was perfect. It was the face of someone who wanted to chew me up and swallow me but couldn’t, so he was going crazy with frustration.

That lasted only a moment before Kim Ho-seon raised the trembling corners of his lips and spoke.

“What, what should I do. Huh? How can I make you forgive me. Should I get on my knees?”

“Are you going to?”

“If I do, will you forgive me?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Choi Gi-woong.”

He wiped his face with his palm and spoke deliberately.

“It’s true you’re doing well and you’ll continue to do well. But if you make enemies like this, it won’t last long…”

“Are you done talking?”

“Yeah. I’m done. I’d rather quit than get on my knees for a no-name punk like you.”

Kim Ho-seon shot up from his seat. Then he gestured to Head of section Yoo Gwang-sik next to him.

“Head of section Yoo. Let’s go. If we’re both gone, this place will be a mess. Let them figure it out themselves.”

“……”

“What are you doing? I said let’s go.”

I held out my hand to Yoo Gwang-sik, who was standing there with his mouth shut tight.

“Head of section. Please give me the Dungeon list.”

“Here…”

Head of section Yoo Gwang-sik handed me the documents he was holding.

“This place looks good. The D-Rank Xiphos Dungeon.”

“I’ll, I’ll process it as is.”

Head of section Yoo Gwang-sik answered haltingly. Next to him, Kim Ho-seon was staring at the scene as if he could kill.

Now’s the time.

Now that the right-hand man he trusted has switched to the other side.

He has lost everything.

Kim Ho-seon, who could only tremble without saying a word, finally let his shoulders slump.

Trudge, trudge. His retreating back was pathetic.

Late at night, Kim Ho-seon sat at a bar table, downing drink after drink.

Even as the hot energy churned his insides, he felt nothing.

Because a rage that was growing like an active volcano was coiling within him.

Just then, a man in a hood sat down next to Kim Ho-seon.

“If you don’t want to die, find another seat…”

Kim Ho-seon trailed off and tilted his head.

“Head of department Han?”

“It’s been a while. But what’s with your face? Did you get hit by someone?”

Han Seung-hoon, pulling back his hood, grinned.

“By Choi Gi-woong?”

As soon as he heard the name, Kim Ho-seon’s face crumpled.

“If you came here knowing everything, stop rubbing salt in the wound and go. In my current mood, it wouldn’t be strange no matter what I do.”

“Why, planning to get revenge? On Choi Gi-woong?”

“Revenge? Why. Are you going to help me or something?”

“Am I crazy? To help with that. I came to stop you.”

Kim Ho-seon scoffed, saying, “I knew it,” and downed another glass of liquor.

“If that’s the case, you came for nothing. Why would I do something as childish as revenge? I’ll just have a few drinks and get over it.”

“No, you won’t. I think you will.”

“…Cut it out. You’re not my boss anymore.”

Kim Ho-seon spat as if disgusted and got up from his seat.

“Come to think of it, where are you now, Head of department Han? Have you decided on your next move?”

“That’s none of your business. Sit back down. We’re not done yet.”

“Head of department Han. This is your last warning. I’m not in a good state right now, you see?”

“You’re the type to hold a grudge against Choi Gi-woong and get revenge. Not now, but in about half a year.”

Kim Ho-seon spun around violently.

To grab Han Seung-hoon by the collar and maybe choke him. Then he’d know his place.

In that moment, his body froze.

He couldn’t move a muscle, as if paralyzed.

At the same time, Han Seung-hoon looked behind him and said.

“Let’s take care of him cleanly. He’s beyond rehabilitation.”

Tap, tap. A girl about ten years old appeared from behind Kim Ho-seon.

Kim Ho-seon’s eyes widened.

“Ch-Chairman.”

Ignoring him, Yeo Ju-kyung walked toward Han Seung-hoon and clicked her tongue.

“I told you I don’t like doing things without a proper reason.”

Han Seung-hoon was still leisurely sipping his drink.

“Just think of it as pulling forward the reason that would have appeared in six months.”

“Tsk.”

“Hurry up.”

At Han Seung-hoon’s words, Yeo Ju-kyung made a troubled face and swiped her hand through the air.

The next moment, Kim Ho-seon’s vision spun.

Thud. As his head fell, Kim Ho-seon’s body crumbled.

Han Seung-hoon stared at the spot for a moment before turning his gaze away.

Staring into the empty air, he muttered.

“Next is…”