Chapter 134 – The World Martial Arts Tournament (1)

After finishing my conversation with the director, I left the agency building.

I felt disgusted by the director’s gentle face as he decried justice.

The 100 Mages.

As expected, they were a special forces unit of Awakened composed of modern-day people.

The director spoke only of humanity’s goals, conveniently omitting any mention of the plundering his organization had committed in other worlds.

I didn’t know how they had obtained the method for interdimensional travel.

But one thing was certain: their method of unconditionally sacrificing the few for the sake of the many was wrong.

I couldn’t comprehend the slaughter of innocent people under the guise of protecting modern humanity.

To find out what kind of organization they were and how they operated, I had no choice but to go in there myself.

Lucky Boy, Lee Han-seong.

Despite being, by all accounts, South Korea’s top Awakened, he knew very little about the inner workings of the organization.

A group that worked for the well-being of the nation, and furthermore, for world peace.

‘Villain gangs, and chimeras.’

Villains who crossed over to take revenge on modern humans, and soldiers legally permitted to kill.

The world had become distorted ever since the gates appeared.

They had already recovered an astronomical amount of gold bars from other dimensions and were copying over magical civilizations, one by one, that didn’t yet exist in the modern world.

The bizarre items created by merging magical and modern civilizations would undoubtedly grant immense power to the nation. And the day that power was eventually used, a terrible chaos would ensue.

‘The Wizard System.’

It had been a question from the very beginning.

The current Second Wizard System operated on a sensor-based method utilizing an excellent network system.

But the First Wizard System—no one knew what kind of system it was or where it came from.

The Wizard System had shown a world-renowned accuracy rate.

Since it demonstrated a superior performance that the second system couldn’t replace, there were even rumors circulating that it was black technology.

‘That must be why they can’t restore it.’

In any case, I pretended to shake hands with the director.

Having lost an S-rank card like Lee Han-seong, he would surely want to get his hands on an even better one.

From now on, the director would likely try to grant my every wish.

Now that I knew his dark intentions, I would milk him for everything he was worth.

If I participated in one of their ‘missions,’ I would naturally learn how they traveled between dimensions.

“Oh my, Hunter Lee Hyunbin.”

Just then, a short woman with glasses saw me and scurried over.

Who was she again?

“Hello! It’s been a while.”

“Hello.”

I smiled and returned the greeting, but I couldn’t quite place her.

This was what I really hated about becoming popular. The entire nation knew my face, but I didn’t know all of theirs.

All I knew was that they had two eyes, one nose, and one mouth.

“I told you to come back again, why didn’t you? You were so disappointed you couldn’t test properly because of that bug.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

I remembered who she was.

She was from the research institute, the one who had been in charge of my S-rank supporter test.

Head Researcher An Su-yeong, I think her name was.

“Then again, you must have been too busy to find time to visit the lab.”

“I’ll be sure to stop by when I have time to get my team members tested. For today, I’ll be on my way…”

I was about to turn away after the polite remark, but Head Researcher An quickly continued.

“Our training system has been completely revamped. Would you like to take a look before you go?”

“Right now?”

“Yes, yes. We used a ton of grant money to completely overhaul it! We based it on your data from last time, Hunter Lee Hyunbin, and got some pretty good results.”

Honestly, this was outside my interests.

It had been novel and fun at the time, but at my current level, what would I gain from experiencing a simulation with a few dozen goblins?

“You can even do versus fighting now!”

“Versus fighting?”

Oh, that piqued my interest.

“Yes, yes. Hunters often talk about who’s the strongest, but you can’t actually find out because it’s too dangerous. But this virtual reality program makes it possible.”

I was getting interested.

“May I take a quick look?”

“Oh, y-you can? That would be great for me. I’ll show you the way!”

Head Researcher An beamed, a flush rising to her cheeks.

I didn’t realize she would be this happy.

From what I remembered, the virtual reality test I’d experienced before had a poor measurement rate.

For one, it took a long time to get used to it.

The variance between individuals was also too great.

The senses felt somewhat muted, to the point that most people found it difficult.

And yet, they had developed it to the point of allowing interpersonal combat. If I could be the first to experience such advanced technology, all the better.

“You’ve been here before, right? This is our lab. I’ll help you get ready.”

Head Researcher An bustled around.

There were capsules that looked like they came straight out of a game fantasy novel.

It seemed I was supposed to get inside one.

They certainly had a lot more prepared than last time.

“Connect the ECG monitor, run a full sensor test. Assistant Manager Woo, get up here, quick. Hunter Hyunbin is here!”

She was a very dedicated researcher.

The assistant manager, who I’d seen before as the head researcher’s aide, also came and began loading the system.

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

“A little…?”

I had changed into the clothes provided by the lab, and since it was a kind of bodysuit, it was a bit embarrassing.

“Ahaha. You have a great body, so it’s fine. It’s fine.”

But I’m not fine.

A sudden wave of shame washed over me.

“I’ll connect you to the equipment. We’ve waited so long for the day we could test you again. We’ve already sent out official notices to the engineers of each guild for technical collaboration. Ah, we’ll start now. Please get ready.”

Under Head Researcher An’s direction, I entered the virtual reality space from the capsule that was said to enable versus fighting.

“…”

*Hoo, haa.*

Breathing felt incredibly natural. Just like in real life.

All I could see was a black curtain.

At that moment, a program message began a countdown.

When the countdown finished, my surroundings brightened, and a reality that was impossible to believe was virtual unfolded before my eyes.

—How is it?

Head Researcher An asked, her voice filled with pride.

“It’s amazing.”

I was truly impressed.

* * *

Hanul Guild’s Team 3 training room.

Just six months ago, Hanul had a reputation as a thug guild, and it was a foregone conclusion that the Hanul Group would soon pull its support.

But now, no one looked at Hanul that way.

Ever since Im Jae-joon, the illegitimate son of Hanul, took over, the guild’s image had changed drastically. In fact, it had made great strides, entering the top three in the domestic guild market share rankings.

Hanul was composed of four teams in total, each maintaining a good balance.

The most prominent among them was Team 3, led by the franchise star, Lee Hyunbin.

Lee Hyunbin, affectionately known as the ‘Deliveryman,’ was the world’s first S-rank supporter and had made brilliant contributions by taking down disaster-class monsters and subduing the worst of villains.

Now, when people heard the words ‘the nation’s hunter,’ the first person who came to mind was Lee Hyunbin.

Initially, hunters were objects of fear.

Because they eliminated monsters, everyone saw them as heroes, but incidents of civilian harm caused by hunters due to PTSD-induced episodes and drug withdrawal, as well as the emergence of ‘miners’ who only cared about money, caused the image of hunters to plummet.

So, the government’s idea was to push star-level hunters to the forefront.

Of course, it didn’t last long.

Some caused major accidents like Lucky Boy, or were involved in power abuse scandals.

In contrast, Hunter Lee Hyunbin became a popular hero figure on his own.

The starting point was the video shot by an SBC reporter: the Dragon Raid.

The footage of him fighting tooth and nail to save people against a colossal dragon perfectly matched the image of the hero people wanted.

After gaining fame, he didn’t live extravagantly like other hunters.

Many ordinary hunters led very decadent lives due to the life-draining nature of their work.

On the contrary, Lee Hyunbin led by example with his frugal conduct and even took the initiative to help the less fortunate.

Thanks to him, Hanul’s stock price skyrocketed, and the group rediscovered the value of the guild, which had been a perpetual money-loser.

It went without saying that the group’s image improved as well.

Seo Hyun-ji searched for Lee Hyunbin’s name on her phone and looked at the articles.

Just a short while ago, he was only known as ‘Mr. A who caught the villain.’ Now, everyone in South Korea knew him and was curious about his every move.

Even in the vlogs Seo Hyun-ji had been doing recently, questions about Lee Hyunbin poured in.

—*You never know when the Team Leader might get famous, right?*

The words the two Kims had said in the past came back to her. They were certainly right. Now, Seo Hyun-ji couldn’t even hold a candle to him.

—*What are you talking about? The Mawang back then was Dantalian, and there was only one Hero.*

She had learned something when talking with her clansmen.

Apparently, there was only one Demon King who appeared before the Undying Demon King. And there was only one Hero who fought him.

‘That’s strange.’

The man Seo Hyun-ji had seen as a child was definitely a Hero. And he had died.

Considering the age difference between them, it was impossible for them to be the same person.

‘But why do they look so similar?’

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that the current Lee Hyunbin and the Hero from back then had the same face.

‘No, that oppa was much more handsome.’

The current Team Leader had the face of a devil.

He was completely different from the man who was like the spring sunshine back then.

Seo Hyun-ji let out a groan, deep in thought.

Even though she thought it wasn’t true, the thought kept resurfacing.

She wanted to ask him directly, but if she asked awkwardly, it might haunt her for the rest of her life as an embarrassing memory.

It was then that she heard a voice.

“The Team Leader said we have team training today and to come to the agency’s research institute.”

Lee Hyunbin hadn’t been around much lately, and now there was a sudden summons to the agency’s research institute.

“The research institute all of a sudden? Ugh, I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Come on, you don’t think he’d beat us up at a research institute, do you?”

*Yes, he would.*

She wanted to say it, but Kim Tae-yang held his tongue, afraid the Team Leader might hear him from somewhere.

“Lee Ja-rang will not go.”

“He said you have to come too.”

“Will not go. Our tofu will be damaged. Lee Ja-rang is asking. If you are going, call 1393 for a consultation.”

Of course, Lee Ja-rang had no choice but to be dragged along.

He had said no one was exempt, and if someone skipped, the two Kims would be tormented.

“This is a most foolish act! All humans die eventually. If so, I will choose. My own way!”

“Shut up and follow me!”

The anxious team members rode in the van the Team Leader had prepared and moved to the research institute.

The tension was palpable on everyone’s faces.

“Everyone’s on time, I see.”

The Team Leader, whom they hadn’t seen in a while, was smiling brightly.

Seeing Lee Hyunbin’s smile, Lee Ja-rang nervously took out his phone and dialed 1588-9191.

“Alright, let’s all go. Something fun is waiting for us.”

“Is that the Lifeline? My life is in danger.”

Lee Hyunbin snatched Lee Ja-rang’s phone.

Lee Ja-rang stared back and forth between his hand, where the screen and body of the phone had been crushed, leaving only the SIM card, and Lee Hyunbin’s smiling face.

Team Leader Lee Hyunbin soon met with the research institute heads and led them deeper inside.

“Alright, everyone change your clothes in here.”

Naturally, there was no right to refuse.

“…Are these the only clothes you have?”

Seo Hyun-ji asked, flustered.

It was a tight-fitting bodysuit. But Team Leader Lee Hyunbin had already changed into one.

“Yep, that’s all.”

“……”

“This is why I told you to build some muscle.”

“…?”

Seo Hyun-ji just blinked, dumbfounded by Lee Hyunbin’s remark.

“Everyone’s here!”

In the waiting room, a familiar face greeted them with a wide smile.

“Seo-yeon, when did you get here?”

“Heheh, I’ve been living here with Ajeossi.”

Seeing the Team Leader’s niece, Lee Seo-yeon, looking so bright, the team members felt a small sense of relief.

If he had been putting her through insane sparring and training, there was no way Lee Seo-yeon would have such a cheerful face.

“Alright, let’s all get going now!”

Following Lee Hyunbin’s lead, the team members were taken to a room with capsules large enough for a person to enter.

“This is a newly developed program from the agency’s research institute. It allows for versus fighting. I’ve been testing it here for the past few days, and I thought it would be good for you all to try it too.”

“Versus… fighting?”

Seo Hyun-ji’s bewilderment was shared by everyone.

“Well, seeing is believing. Let’s all log in and talk there.”

Lee Hyunbin was already used to it, having experienced it several times.

The research institute staff guided the other team members on how to use the capsules.

Thanks to them, the first-timers logged into virtual reality without much difficulty.

“Wooooah!”

A clear sky that looked like it had been painted with blue watercolor, and white clouds that seemed like they would melt at a touch.

And a massive crowd filling the spectator seats.

They had just closed and opened their eyes, but the world had completely changed.

As the team members stood bewildered on the square-tiled fighting stage, Lee Hyunbin explained.

“We’ve done a lot of sparring, right? But here, it’s possible to have battles just like in real combat, using abilities, skills, and weapons, not just regular fighting. Today, I’m going to test what level you’re all at.”

“That’s all well and good.”

Seo Hyun-ji stared at Lee Hyunbin with a frosty expression.

“Why are my clothes like this?”

“What’s wrong? It looks good on you.”

“What am I, a Namekian? And what’s with these shoulder pads?”

“Hey now. You got pretty popular with that fashion thanks to me before.”

Seo Hyun-ji bit her lip and retorted.

“Fine. Let’s say that’s fine. But why is my skin green?”

“Color coordination?”

A proper look has to be matching from top to bottom.

Even if Seo Hyun-ji was a fashion terrorist, she wasn’t so clueless as to not know what costume she was wearing.

“Who puts an actress in a cosplay outfit like this?”

Seo Hyun-ji, looking like she was about to devour Lee Hyunbin, took off the Namekian cape and turban.

But as she took off the turban, something felt strange.

With a trembling hand, Seo Hyun-ji felt her forehead.

Two antennae, one on each side.

She pulled at them to try and tear them off.

They wouldn’t come off.

Seo Hyun-ji glared at Lee Hyunbin.

Lee Hyunbin was calmly explaining things to the team members.

“Captain. Call 1393.”

“1393? Isn’t that the suicide prevention hotline? Why there…”

As he was speaking, Hyunbin saw Seo Hyun-ji aiming a Special Beam Cannon at him.