Chapter 97

“He’s lost his mind.”

“He certainly has.”

Gil Hyeok-jun and Kim Do-jin reacted identically.

Kang Yuseong grinned at the two of them.

“What, are you not confident?”

Gil Hyeok-jun frowned, and Kim Do-jin lowered his head, shaking it.

Kang Yuseong smiled at them and continued.

“The Phoenix Attack Unit is just an excuse.”

“An excuse? What on earth are you thinking?”

Kim Do-jin also leaned on the desk, looking at Kang Yuseong.

Kang Yuseong faced them and spoke.

“I plan to take over the Phoenix Guild. It seems it will be difficult without an organized guild moving forward.”

“Huh.”

Gil Hyeok-jun’s mouth fell open, and Kim Do-jin remained silent.

Kim Do-jin slightly narrowed his brows and said to Kang Yuseong.

“…Isn’t that going too far? No matter what, the Phoenix Attack Unit is one of the most renowned attack units in our country.”

Kang Yuseong shook his head.

Just then, Gil Hyeok-jun interjected.

“No, that’s beside the point, but looking at you now, I can’t help but feel you’re rushing things… Is there a reason? Is it because of what you mentioned last time? That the Second Shock isn’t over yet?”

Kang Yuseong looked at him and nodded.

“That’s right.”

“But… when I heard it then, I just accepted it, but thinking about it now, it seems strange. Since the last battle, I haven’t heard of any unusual signs near the dungeons. So why are you so sure that something far more serious than last time is going to happen?”

Kang Yuseong briefly averted his gaze to look out the window, then slowly opened his mouth.

“Among the monsters we fought… have you ever seen an AA-grade monster?”

At his words, Gil Hyeok-jun frowned, and Kim Do-jin’s expression hardened.

Now that he thought about it, they hadn’t seen any AA-grade monsters.

It had been extremely difficult due to the sheer number of monsters, but the monsters themselves weren’t particularly strong.

“Perhaps they appeared elsewhere?”

Kang Yuseong shook his head.

“That’s not it. You know what dungeons were near where we were, right?”

Gil Hyeok-jun fell silent at his words.

Kang Yuseong was right.

Near the restaurant they had visited, there were two AA-grade Dungeons.

It was impossible for AA-grade monsters not to have emerged from them.

Both the Mega Shock and the Second Shock involved the dungeon gates opening and monsters pouring out.

“So… there will be an even harder battle…?”

“Exactly. When that time comes, it will be difficult to resist with small attack units like now. That’s why I intend to take control of the Phoenix Guild.”

For a guild to properly establish itself, significant effort is required.

It takes a long time, and countless things must support it, such as human infrastructure and various item and equipment management systems.

For Kang Yuseong now, forming a guild is not difficult.

He has more than enough funds, and there are Hunters who can serve as its core.

However, he cannot create the systems to support it in a short period.

“Stealing the throne…”

Gil Hyeok-jun muttered softly.

Then he nodded.

“Well, that’s not a bad choice. And that means you’ll defeat the Phoenix Attack Unit.”

“That’s right.”

“And the method… will be to prove our strength in the upcoming shock, won’t it?”

Kang Yuseong smiled.

As expected, Gil Hyeok-jun was seasoned.

“That’s why I need Team Leader Gil Hyeok-jun and Do-jin’s strength. You two will probably have to fight like madmen. As you both said, the Phoenix Attack Unit is by no means easy.”

Gil Hyeok-jun nodded, a broad smile spreading across his face.

Now that he knew the reason, the goal had become clear.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted blood to my heart’s content.”

Kim Do-jin adjusted his fedora slightly, his eyes gleaming.

“You should be careful. If that’s the case… I intend to obliterate everything.”

Both men seemed sufficiently provoked by Kang Yuseong’s words.

They were two people who were maniacally fond of fighting.

And with a competition against the Phoenix Attack Unit, one of the best in the country, it was only natural for their blood to boil.

“Oh, by the way… how is Ji-yeon?”

Gil Hyeok-jun replied.

“Well, nothing unusual. That power hasn’t manifested since then…”

Kang Yuseong nodded.

The mysterious power Gil Ji-yeon had displayed.

That strange power, neither telekinesis nor magic.

“Understood. I’ll go meet her.”

“She’ll be in her room.”

“You two should start preparing as well. The battle will begin again soon.”

At Kang Yuseong’s words, the two men gave cold smiles.

“We’ll be perfectly prepared.”

“As will I.”

With their bodies almost fully recovered thanks to the Healing Potion, Gil Hyeok-jun and Kim Do-jin left the room first.

Left alone, Kang Yuseong wore a contemplative expression for a moment before opening the door and heading out.

He was curious about the power Gil Ji-yeon had shown.

* * * * *

Knock, knock—

Kang Yuseong knocked on Gil Ji-yeon’s door.

“Yes. Come in.”

A bright, clear voice answered.

As Kang Yuseong entered, Gil Ji-yeon greeted him with a surprised look.

She was dressed in casual clothes, but with a healthy blush on her face, the surroundings seemed to brighten.

“How are you feeling?”

When Kang Yuseong asked, Gil Ji-yeon smiled and said.

“I’m fine. Thanks to Captain Kang Yuseong’s help, I don’t feel any pain now. Thank you.”

Kang Yuseong also smiled.

“You were very surprised the day before yesterday, weren’t you?”

“The day before yesterday” referred to when the Second Shock had begun.

Gil Ji-yeon looked a little bitter for a moment, then shook her head.

“I was surprised, but… I’m okay. It’s something I have to go through if I’m alive, after all.”

She was truly Gil Hyeok-jun’s daughter.

‘Hmm…’

Kang Yuseong looked at her and nodded inwardly.

“Actually, I came to see you about what happened back then.”

Gil Ji-yeon looked puzzled for a moment, then, as if something occurred to her, she nodded with an “Ah.”

“That… you mean that incident… I’m actually not sure what happened myself… I’m sorry.”

Kang Yuseong smiled gently.

“There’s no need to apologize. We don’t know anything about it either… I just came to see if I could take a look at you, Ji-yeon.”

“Me?”

Kang Yuseong nodded.

“Among my abilities, I have one that can see through others’ powers, and I thought it might be helpful.”

“Oh, such an ability…”

“May I intrude for a moment? It’ll only take ten seconds.”

Gil Ji-yeon nodded, slightly surprised.

“Yes. If I can be of help, I’d like to help.”

Kang Yuseong said with a smile.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me. If it makes you uncomfortable to look at me, you can look elsewhere.”

“Okay.”

Gil Ji-yeon said that, but met Kang Yuseong’s eyes.

Clear eyes, a prominent nose, and small, plump lips beneath it.

Kang Yuseong met her gaze and activated Thieving Eye.

*Flash!*

A pattern appeared above Gil Ji-yeon’s head.

She had only just awakened her Chakra Force, so there weren’t many patterns.

But this pattern had a peculiar shape.

It had two heads, with the brains inside them clearly drawn, and between the two brains, a symbol like a lightning bolt was etched.

Kang Yuseong frowned as he saw it.

‘This is…!’

It wasn’t telekinesis.

Kang Yuseong instinctively felt it.

It seemed like an ability that connected the consciousness of one living being to another.

Kang Yuseong quickly read the description of the pattern.

[Brain Chain]

An ability that connects the consciousness of living beings.

If Brain Chain is successful, the target’s will can be controlled.

A powerful thought can be forcefully injected, placing a heavy burden on the brain.

* * * * *

‘Hmm!’

As he’d thought, it wasn’t telekinesis.

And in that instant, Kang Yuseong realized why the Chakra Force had only gathered in her head region in Gil Ji-yeon’s MRI scan.

Brain Chain.

In other words, forced brain connection for consciousness manipulation was the secret to Gil Ji-yeon’s power.

That day, in a life-threatening situation, Gil Ji-yeon had unconsciously activated this power, which was why all the monsters had died from their brains exploding, without a single external wound.

‘A terrifying… power!’

The ability to control a target’s will.

This meant she could turn powerful monsters to her side and control them.

Along with Kang Yuseong’s Necromancy, Gil Ji-yeon had awakened an extremely rare ability.

She herself probably didn’t know it, but an incredibly dangerous and destructive power resided within her, depending on how it was used.

Kang Yuseong hesitated for a brief moment.

‘Should I steal it?’

What if a child was given a gun?

Powerful abilities, if not properly controlled, could become a disaster.

But even Kang Yuseong didn’t know what her power truly was.

It was unprecedented in the past. And now, it had happened because Kang Yuseong had saved Gil Ji-yeon.

In that short moment, countless thoughts raced through his mind, but Kang Yuseong soon made up his mind.

It was impossible for her to figure out how to use that power.

But it wasn’t difficult for Kang Yuseong to figure it out.

Then there was only one answer.

*Flash!*

Kang Yuseong’s eyes glowed blue, and he plundered Gil Ji-yeon’s ability.

“How was it?”

At that moment, Gil Ji-yeon asked with a worried expression.

Kang Yuseong silently nodded and replied.

“We’ll have to observe it a bit more. I’ll take responsibility for this matter and ensure it’s resolved correctly. Ji-yeon, I’ll need your cooperation going forward.”

“There’s nothing wrong, is there?”

That seemed to be what Gil Ji-yeon feared most.

It was understandable, given that she had only recently recovered from such a painful illness.

Especially after hearing that the Chakra Force was concentrated in her head like a ticking time bomb.

Kang Yuseong smiled gently and shook his head.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong. Trust me.”

Only then did Gil Ji-yeon breathe a sigh of relief.

“That’s a relief… Thank you, Captain.”

Kang Yuseong chuckled and said.

“But we’re similar in age, so calling me ‘Captain’ feels a bit awkward.”

Gil Ji-yeon’s eyes widened.

“Oh, your age…”

“I’m twenty-five.”

Of course, his consciousness was far older than twenty-five, but his body was twenty-five, so it wasn’t a lie.

“Ah… so you’re my big brother!”

Kang Yuseong smiled brightly.

“That sounds natural. Big brother.”

Gil Ji-yeon also giggled.

“Then I’ll call you Captain Big Brother! Thank you for today, Captain Big Brother!”

‘Captain… Big Brother…’

For a moment, Kang Yuseong made a wry face, but he nodded.

“Well, now that I’ve confirmed you’re okay, Ji-yeon, I can rest easy. Get some rest. I’ll be going now.”

“Yes! Please take care!”

Kang Yuseong left her room with a bitter smile.

The moment he stepped out, the smile vanished from his lips.

At this very moment, his mind was filled with nothing but the Brain Chain.

A mysterious power known to no one.

But a power more terrifying than anything else.

*Thump.*

Kang Yuseong walked silently down the corridor.