Chapter 98

‘Brain Chain…’

Kang Yuseong was still thinking about it.

Given the nature of abilities that grow stronger with increasing levels, he wondered if Brain Chain’s ultimate form might be mind control, a power he had only ever imagined.

A power to connect and control consciousness.

‘Hmm…’

Suddenly, Kang Yuseong spotted Kim Do-jin standing by a corridor, quietly gazing out the window.

Seeing him with his fedora pulled low, his usual expressionless face fixed on the view outside, an interesting idea sparked in Kang Yuseong’s mind.

‘He’s a perfect test subject, that guy.’

He had always been curious about what went on inside Kim Do-jin’s head.

This seemed like the perfect time and place to test if Brain Chain could read his thoughts.

Kim Do-jin was deep in thought, not even looking his way, so Kang Yuseong activated Brain Chain.

*Flash!*

At that moment, a resonance entered Kang Yuseong’s mind.

—Phoenix. First place. Annihilation. Lunchbox.

Kang Yuseong frowned.

‘What was that?’

The resonance closely resembled Kim Do-jin’s voice, but only fragmented words came through.

‘Wasn’t it supposed to allow immediate consciousness control?’

Kang Yuseong activated Brain Chain again.

*Flash—*

—Kang Yuseong. Ramen. Idiot.

Kang Yuseong’s expression twisted.

The expected effect was nowhere to be found; instead, he felt like he’d seen something entirely unexpected.

‘Kang Yuseong… idiot?’

Were those the thoughts currently swirling in Kim Do-jin’s mind?

But this alone wasn’t enough to understand what Brain Chain truly was.

‘Hmm…’

Just then, Kang Yuseong saw something floating beside Kim Do-jin.

It was a long, red, rod-shaped object, with tiny letters beside it that read “0.1%.”

‘What’s that?’

After a moment of thought, Kang Yuseong quickly deduced its identity.

‘Proficiency! Yes, it’s proficiency!’

When one practices Chakra Cultivation, each ability is assigned a proficiency level.

The higher the proficiency, the greater the damage dealt even when using the same ability.

However, Brain Chain seemed to be assigned proficiency in a slightly different sense.

‘This was quite an advanced ability, it seems.’

Honestly, forcibly controlling another living being’s will couldn’t be easy.

The terrifying spectacle Gil Ji-yeon had displayed before was likely a temporary phenomenon created by her momentarily explosive will.

The ultimate killing ability, forcefully injecting one’s thoughts and making the target’s brain explode.

But now, Gil Ji-yeon looked as ordinary as ever, as if nothing had happened.

Unaware that she even possessed an ability like Brain Chain.

‘It’s definitely worth researching.’

Kang Yuseong nodded inwardly.

He didn’t know what would happen when the proficiency increased, but he was certainly very interested in this new ability.

‘Speaking of which… that Kim Do-jin bastard…!’

Kang Yuseong frowned and approached Kim Do-jin.

“What are you doing here?”

Kang Yuseong walked up to him and tapped his shoulder.

Kim Do-jin flinched and then looked at him.

He then scowled and blurted out,

“Just looking out the window.”

Kang Yuseong chuckled and said,

“Nothing much to see.”

Then he stood beside Kim Do-jin and also looked out the window.

He knew well that Kim Do-jin wasn’t just looking out the window, but he didn’t show it.

“Feeling confident?”

Kim Do-jin glanced at him and opened his mouth.

“About what? If it’s the Phoenix…”

Kang Yuseong didn’t miss the cold smile that briefly touched his lips.

“No reason to worry much.”

‘Liar.’

Kang Yuseong chuckled inwardly and continued,

“I trust you.”

He patted Kim Do-jin’s shoulder.

“Good luck. I’m heading off first.”

And he turned away.

Kim Do-jin gave a slight nod and returned to looking out the window.

He, too, seemed to have something on his mind.

Kang Yuseong smiled and walked to his room.

Now, another great calamity was approaching.

He needed to get enough rest in preparation for that time when he wouldn’t be able to relax.

* * * * *

The next morning, a car pulled up in front of Star Pharmaceuticals early.

The door opened, and someone stepped out.

*Thud, thud.*

The man, tall and with a firm, impressive demeanor, walked with a straight gait toward Star Pharmaceuticals’ main gate. The security guards on duty at the gate asked him,

“What brings you here?”

The man standing at the gate smiled at them.

But in that instant, the security guards were seized by an overwhelming pressure that felt like their chests would explode, causing them to involuntarily step back.

They weren’t just ordinary security guards.

They were former special forces, highly trained in special operations, veterans who had participated in countless missions. And they were Hunters who had awakened their Chakra Force.

In short, they were seasoned elites who had weathered every storm, yet they were overwhelmed by the man’s single smile. Such was the formidable aura he exuded.

It was like standing before a finely honed blade.

The man spoke.

“I’ve come to meet Kang Yuseong.”

One of the security guards managed to regain his posture and said,

“But… who are you?”

Realizing that this visitor was not here with friendly intentions, the guard’s expression hardened as he asked.

The man gave a faint smile and replied,

“You’ll know me as Moon Baek-woo of Phoenix.”

The guard, being a former Hunter himself, immediately nodded upon hearing the name Phoenix and radioed inside.

He then turned to Moon Baek-woo and said,

“They’ll see you now.”

Moon Baek-woo gave a slight nod and stepped through the open gate.

*Thud, thud.*

As he slowly walked further in, a chilling coldness settled on his face.

* * * * *

“Welcome. I was expecting you.”

As Moon Baek-woo entered, Kang Yuseong met him as if he had been waiting.

Behind Kang Yuseong, a dozen or so men stood in formation.

Moon Baek-woo sharply scanned them.

His gaze stopped only twice in the middle.

On Gil Hyeok-jun, who held a large greatsword, and Kim Do-jin, whose fedora was pulled low.

But after glancing past the others, Moon Baek-woo nodded and said,

“I’ve come on Master’s orders.”

Kang Yuseong faced him and smiled.

“It’s an honor to have the leader of Phoenix visit in person. Welcome.”

At his words, a murmur ran through the Hunters behind them.

This man was the leader of Phoenix.

In other words, they were now facing their greatest adversary, one they would have to defeat with all their might. Yet, they were already intimidated by the natural aura Moon Baek-woo exuded from his entire being.

If Kang Yuseong possessed strength within gentleness, this man exuded the chilling sharpness of a blade held at one’s throat.

‘That man is the leader of Phoenix…!’

Phoenix, one of the top five elite attack units among Korea’s leading special attack forces.

The leader of Phoenix himself had come to Star Pharmaceuticals.

Only then did the Hunters truly grasp that they were about to join the Phoenix Guild.

They would be hunting alongside this formidable man, sharing the same pot.

‘Phew!’

Baek Myeong-han, along with many other Hunters, let out a nervous sigh inwardly.

At Kang Yuseong’s greeting, Moon Baek-woo’s lips curled slightly as he spoke.

“However,”

Kang Yuseong looked at him.

The smile had already vanished from Moon Baek-woo’s lips, replaced by a coldness. Kang Yuseong smiled inwardly.

‘He must be quite displeased.’

That was likely the case.

Moon Baek-woo was the leader of Phoenix, and Kang Yuseong had practically issued a direct challenge to Phoenix.

Moreover, from Moon Baek-woo’s perspective, it must have been even harder to accept that his Master, Song Sang-woo, had condoned the challenge.

“I heard you wish to compete against Phoenix.”

As Moon Baek-woo spoke, a chilling aura erupted from his eyes.

From his point of view, Kang Yuseong probably seemed arrogant, challenging them with Star Pharmaceuticals backing him.

Kang Yuseong replied calmly,

“I felt that was necessary to enter the Phoenix Guild.”

Moon Baek-woo narrowed his brows.

“Are you serious?”

Kang Yuseong laughed.

“I don’t have the luxury to make such a wager as a joke.”

Moon Baek-woo glared at Kang Yuseong.

Then, after a long pause, he spoke.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you will definitely pay the price for that decision.”

“I’ll let the results speak for themselves. Oh, since the topic has come up, let me offer some advice.”

Kang Yuseong looked Moon Baek-woo directly in the eyes and said.

A fierce gleam also emanated from his eyes.

“To stop us, Phoenix will have to give its absolute best. Otherwise…”

A faint, wry smile appeared on Kang Yuseong’s lips.

“Phoenix will lose its wings and fall.”

Moon Baek-woo was seen clenching his jaw tightly.

His tightly clenched fists were trembling, but Kang Yuseong smiled gently and said,

“Well, let’s end the pleasantries for today. We both have busy paths ahead.”

Moon Baek-woo kept his fists clenched, then after a moment, he spoke.

“Then I’ll see you at headquarters.”

“Yes. I’ll see you then.”

Moon Baek-woo turned abruptly and walked back the way he came.

Watching his receding figure, Baek Myeong-han said with a worried expression beside Kang Yuseong,

“Weren’t you a bit too aggressive? From now on, we’re family…”

Kang Yuseong grinned.

“The knife in your back from family hurts the most. When it’s like this, establishing the hierarchy clearly prevents future trouble.”

“That’s true, but I’m worried we might turn Phoenix into an enemy.”

Kang Yuseong nodded.

“You put it well. But if we go easy here, that’s when we’ll truly make Phoenix our enemy. They’ll never accept it unless we both give our absolute best and decide the victor.”

“So you provoked them?”

Gil Hyeok-jun said from behind.

Kang Yuseong replied with a smile,

“If Phoenix fights with all its might, it will only benefit us, not harm us. The Second Shock… isn’t over yet.”

Gil Hyeok-jun slowly nodded.

“That man, though… he’s quite skilled. He’s got a real edge.”

Kang Yuseong also cast his gaze toward where Moon Baek-woo had disappeared and said,

“So, we’ll have to put our lives on the line too. Phoenix won’t easily break its wings.”

The attack squad members wore determined expressions.

It seemed this would be the highest mountain they had ever climbed.

But at the same time, they felt a sense of profound emotion.

They had come this far, a group of ordinary Hunters.

To the day they would face off against Phoenix, the best attack squad in the country.

Kang Yuseong showed his white teeth in a smile.

“Let’s soar splendidly too. High into that sky.”