SMH 123
Chapter 40 – Let’s Do Business (2)
TL: Boko
Editor: Frost
As soon as the gem attached to the ring was infused with mana, green mist began to spread. The Vampire Viscount, Entilrike realized what the mist was with a single glance.
“It’s magic poison!” Entilrike yelled. However, it was already too late to avoid it. Befitting an S-rank item, the speed at which the poison mist spread was incredibly fast.
It wouldn’t work on enemies that possessed an S-rank’s mana, but it would work on the several thousand surrounding soldiers, which would lessen the burden on his stamina.
“Ugh!”
AH!”
The poison mist dispersed faster than the enemy forces could retreat. The poisoned soldiers vomited black blood and weakly fell.
The only ones unaffected by the magic poison were the Vampire Viscount, Entilrike, as well as the three first class assassins amongst the Ghost Squad.
The rest of them were killed by the magic poison. It didn’t take even five minutes for the magic poison to annihilate the thousands of troops.
“Absorb.”
Sung Joon absorbed the mana from their bodies, and perhaps because he had killed so many of them, he was able to absorb a large quantity of mana.
“Your synchronization rate is at 51%.”
His synchronization rate had increased by 1%.
“It’ll be a real hassle to collect the magic stones from all of these guys.”
In the other world, the monsters’ corpses didn’t dissipate. Therefore, he would have to perform the tiresome task of extracting all of the magic stones from the heart of the monsters.
“I didn’t think you’d be able to use magic poison…”
Entilrike looked at the chilling bodies of his fallen subordinates and muttered. There was no hope in his voice. It hurt him that his soldiers hadn’t been able to put up a proper fight and had died in vain. Seeing that, Sung Joon smiled cynically.
“That’s why I told you. That there would be a lot of people going to their graves today.”
Sung Joon infused his sword with mana, and the aura around his sword became even clearer. Entilrike likewise drew his sword, and a red aura oscillated around his sword.
The three first class assassins waited for an opportunity in places that would make it easy for them to ambush Sung Joon. Amongst them, two of them even used stealth, but Sung Joon’s Presence Detection made it possible for him to ascertain their locations.
“It seems like Vampire Viscount Entilrike will fight you for the most part. The first class assassins will be waiting for an opportunity from behind,’ Rishubalt said. Sung Joon kept his guard up and organized his thoughts.
The Vampire Viscount possessed combat abilities equivalent to that of a high tier S-rank monster.
The first class assassins likewise possessed strength equivalent to high tier S-rank monsters. Sung Joon was facing off against four of those monsters. However, he didn’t think he’d lose; not one bit.
‘Let’s start by killing one of them with Illusionary Sword.’
He possessed the lethal finishing move, ‘Illusionary Sword’ and his synchronization rate was above 50%. He had felt it today as he fought in this Awakening Dungeon, but his physical abilities had increased significantly.
‘Four S-ranks are…’
Within the stream of his consciousness, he felt a flash of a sharp killing intent coming towards him, and he hastily swung his sword. At some point, Entilrike had gotten close and as their swords clashed, shards of mana scattered.
“You’re young, yet you’re a Swordmaster? Your skills are impressive!” Entilrike was in awe. Sung Joon retreated and attempted to unleash his Illusionary Sword, but Entilrike didn’t allow him to do so, and forced him into a contest of strength.
Entilrike possessed plentiful combat experience. When Sung Joon had attempted to widen the distance, Entilrike immediately recognized that Sung Joon was trying to do something.
“It seems like it will be tough as the Viscount has plentiful combat experience,” Rishubalt said. Because he was in the midst of battle, he couldn’t nod his head, but Sung Joon agreed with him. Sung Joon and Entilrike fiercely exchanged blows, and while they fought in close combat, he felt a presence from behind. The two first class assassins that had utilized stealth were moving.
The two moved so silently that their stealth was barely not released. Unfortunately, even while Sung Joon exchanged blows with Entilrike, he had grasped their movements.
“Tempest Sword.”
He unleashed his Tempest Sword by speaking the activation words. Even with just the slight movement of his sword, sword winds raged; his technical skill was impressive.
“AH!”
Naturally, Entilrike, as well as the two approaching, stealthed first class assassins were incredibly taken aback. There wasn’t anyone severely injured, but because the assassins had hastily avoided the sword winds, their stealth was lifted, and the Vampire Viscount Entilrike also used his Blood Magic to conjure up a defense; thus, he couldn’t stop Sung Joon, who had widened the distance.
“Illusionary Sword.”
“D-Damn it…!”
Sung Joon didn’t miss that opportunity and spoke the activation words, unleashing the Illusionary Sword. Thirty one aura clad illusionary blades aimed for Entilrike.
He, who was being barraged by the illusionary swords, cursed. With just a single glance, he could tell that it was no ordinary technique. Contrary to the sword winds, the illusionary swords were seeped in aura, and there was a limit to how much he could defend himself with Blood Magic.
“AH!”
The Vampire Viscount Entilrike did his best and used his Blood Magic to defend himself. However, as soon as the thirty one illusionary swords rained down upon him simultaneously, the blood wall was shattered and he was afflicted with horrific pain.
He also did his best to dodge the blades, but his left arm was severed, and he sustained a severe wound in his right flank. His hot blood spewed within the cold night.
“Viscount Entilrike!”
The assassins, who had been waiting for an opportunity, hastily used their high-speed movement and blocked Sung Joon’s path. Through their intervention, they were able to stop Sung Joon’s follow up attack, so Entilrike was able to survive.
“Ugh!”
Even as he yelled out, he staunched the bleeding. Blood Magic wasn’t only used for attack or defense, but was also effective in controlling bleeding.
‘I’ve stopped the bleeding, but it’ll be difficult to fight like this!’
He dual-wielded swords, but he had lost an arm, which proved to be a fatal problem.
“Flash Cut.”
With Sung Joon’s utterance of the activation words, he quickly swung his sword. One of the first class assassins that had come forward to block Sung Joon and assist Viscount Entilrike, was cut deeply in his upper body and began to stumble.
The first class assassin was much too slow to block a Flash Cut from a 51% synchronization rate Sung Joon.
“AH!”
“Team Leader!”
“I’ll cover you!”
The two other first class assassins attacked Sung Joon together, their attacks rained down like a storm upon Sung Joon. However, it was much too easy for Sung Joon to nullify their attacks.
‘Was a synchronization rate of 50% this amazing?’
He had fought against a first class assassin last time as well, but he wasn’t able to overpower them this easily. The difference between then and now was his synchronization rate.
“How is this possible!? How can he be this strong?”
“He’s definitely an elite high-rank knight!”
The two first class assassins exchanged their opinions as they attacked Sung Joon simultaneously. However, that was a huge mistake. Sung Joon caught a gap in their defenses, drew his mana, and opened his mouth.
“Gale Sword.”
He lunged forward, accompanied by sword winds, and surged forward like a bullet. His sword pierced through the injured Team Leader’s heart and the sword winds struck the two other first class assassins. As he caught them off guard, the two first class assassins weren’t able to react and were caught by the sword winds.
“AH!”
“Ugh!”
Their screams were accompanied by their blood spewing through out the air.
“Shit!”
Entilrike cursed, something he normally considered crude, and casted Blood Magic; waves of sharp red blood thrashed Sung Joon. However, Sung Joon didn’t feel any danger whatsoever.
Blood Magic was also composed of mana. Sung Joon lightly cleaved through it with the Spell Breaking Sword and instantly closed the distance.
“Illusionary Sword!”
He used his lethal finishing technique once more. Entilrike had lost his left arm, so he couldn’t mount a proper defense.
“AH!”
The thirty one illusionary swords brutally tore Entilrike’s body apart. The torn pieces of the Vampire’s body rolled onto the floor and its red blood soaked into the cold earth.
Entilrike had even been buffed by the night, yet Sung Joon’s combat abilities were too much for the Vampire to handle. Sung Joon looked down upon the chilling body of Entilrike and opened his mouth with a calm expression.
“Absorb.”
As soon as he absorbed the mana from the body, he was notified that he had cleared the Awakening Dungeon. Eventually, Rishubalt showed himself.
“Your synchronization rate has increased by another 1% as a clear reward. Your synchronization rate is currently at 52%.”
The difficulty of this Awakening Dungeon was on the harder side, but the rewards matched that difficulty. Contrary to the Raids or dungeons on Earth, the monsters here weren’t unsummoned; however, he would have to extract the magic stones from the heart himself.
There were so many monster corpses, so Sung Joon felt dour.
“You are protected by the barrier and the time inside has been stopped. It seems like you can just loot all of them.” Rishubalt smiled. Sung Joon shook his head and opened his mouth.
“Right. I’ll remember that,” Sung Joon said, and returned his sword, Roel, back into a ring. Then, he drew the dagger at his waist.
“Shall we begin looting?”
Through his hard work, he looted all of the magic stones from the monsters’ corpse, and even burned down the military post. Sung Joon left the dungeon looking haggard.
He went straight to the Dungeon Bureau. He first sold all of the magic stones he’d acquired from the rank dungeon and received his payment.
Because they might get suspicious if he came out of an rank dungeon with S-rank dungeon loot, he couldn’t sell the magic stones he looted from the Awakening Dungeon at the Dungeon Bureau.
“If you can’t sell them at the Dungeon Bureau, do you have another solution?”
“If I go to Park Jung Chul, he should be able to deal with it,” Sung Joon replied. He thought he remembered hearing Jung Chul say that while uncommon, magic stones were also traded in secret, just a little while ago.
He prayed that his memory wasn’t wrong and called Jung Chul.
“This is Park Jung Chul.”
“I have something I’d like to ask regarding magic stones. Are you free right now?”
“I’ll meet you near Seoul Station.”
Jung Chul was quick on the uptake. He had realized that Sung Joon needed his help and moved quickly.
Sung Joon drove his car all the way to Seoul Station. And just a little bit later, Jung Chul arrived at the location they promised to meet at.
“I’m over here.”
Jung Chul waved his hand from afar and came closer. Sung Joon nodded his head. The two moved to a nearby park and sat atop a bench.
It was afternoon on a weekday, so there wasn’t many people using the park.
“I’ve procured some magic stones. I need a way of selling them besides the Dungeon Bureau,” Sung Joon said straightforwardly.
“Did you acquire them through some other means aside from a dungeon?”
“To be exact, you could say that I acquired them in a dungeon. I can promise you that it’s not illegal.”
“But you’re saying that you’re not comfortable selling them to the Dungeon Bureau, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
It was difficult to understand, but Jung Chul didn’t ask where he got them. It wasn’t good to ask a lot of questions due to the nature of his job, so he was always trying his best to stifle his curiosity.
“How much do you have?” Jung Chul asked, and Sung Joon told him in detail regarding the quantity of his magic stones. Because Rishubalt had counted beside him while he was looting, he was aware of how many he had.
“You should able to sell that at around $150 million.”
SMH 124
Chapter 41 – South Korea’s First (1)
TL: Boko
Editor: Frost
He would’ve been slapped by other Hunters if he told them this, but there really was a limit to how much money he could gather from soloing rank dungeons.
He was able to acquire all of the magic stones and then sell them, but the amount of money he’d gain from an rank dungeon was around $500,000 – $20 million, which wasn’t enough for him to gather a large sum in a short amount of time.
‘I should get reexamined,’ Sung Joon thought. It wouldn’t be good to draw excessive attention to himself, but it couldn’t be helped. He would only be qualified to solo S-rank dungeons by becoming an SS-rank Hunter.
An S-rank dungeon was a lot more difficult than an rank dungeon, as well as taking much longer to clear, but if one is successful in their attack, they would receive at least $20 million; therefore, one would be able to gather a large sum of money in a short period of time.
Sung Joon took out his phone and input in Hyun Sung’s number.
“Are you planning on requesting a reexamination?” Rishubalt asked. He knew about what Sung Joon was thinking about.
Sung Joon said, “I have to.”
“You should be well aware as you’ve assaulted S-rank dungeons as a party before. They’re all different, but in general, they’re either similar in difficulty to the Awakening Dungeon or higher. It’s impossible to attack them continuously without rest,” Rishubalt advised. Even now, Sung Joon would have to rest after assaulting an Awakening Dungeon due to the severe strain. But because that rest period was still much shorter than other Hunters’, he retained the nickname ‘Unlimited Power’.
“I won’t always assault the dungeons on my own. Efficiency is important, so depending on the situation, I’ll make a temporary assault team.”
“Are the candidates Park Jang Hoon and Yoo Shin Chul?”
Kang Hoon’s and Shin Chul’s abilities were superb, even when compared to other rank Hunters. If they assaulted an S-rank dungeon with him, they would be really helpful in taking care of the unimportant monsters.
“Yeah,” Sung Joon affirmed.
“I’ll have to split the rewards, but you should know about this by now. Your share is reduced if your rank is lower than the dungeon you’re attacking,” Sung Joon said. Rishubalt nodded his head and opened his mouth.
“I’m aware.”
“They won’t be able to take much of the rewards.”
Contrary to Sung Joon, Jang Hoon and Shin Chul definitely possessed a finite limit to their mana and stamina; therefore, he couldn’t always take them with him, but he planned to bring them with him as much as possible.
Sung Joon was absolutely sure that they’d be helpful.
“This is Kang Sung Joon.”
Sung Joon checked the inputted number, called Hyun Sung, and brought the phone to his ear. He heard the dialing sound for a short while, and Hyun Sung soon picked up his phone.
“This is Kim Hyun Sung.”
“I’d like to request a rank reexamination. I’ll go to the Hunter Bureau right now, so please have it ready.”
“Already? It hasn’t even been long since you were promoted to S-rank.” Hyun Sung was astonished. Like he said, it hadn’t been very long since he had been promoted. Sung Joon thought that perhaps he was drawing too much attention to himself when he heard Hyun Sung’s overly agitated reaction, so he briefly pondered whether he should go through with this or not, but soon shook his head.
He had already decided to go through with the rank reexamination, so he would follow through.
“I just wanted to check the quantity of mana.”
“I understand. You can come by immediately. We’ll get everything ready for you.”
The conversation ended. Sung Joon went straight to his car, and drove to the Hunter Bureau. Like always, Hyun Sung was waiting for Sung Joon in the Hunter Bureau’s parking lot.
“Mr. Kang Sung Joon.”
Hyun Sung, who noticed Sung Joon exiting his car, waved his hand to him while sporting a joyous expression. And they went up together to his office.
“The examiner is waiting for you,” Hyun Sung said. He had called an examiner just as Sung Joon had requested. Regardless of when a Hunter’s last examination was, the Hunter Bureau was obligated to accept any request for a rank reexamination.
However, just because one requested a rank reexamination didn’t mean that an examiner would accept right away. Normally, the Hunter would have to schedule an appointment and wait, but because the Hunter Bureau had accommodated Sung Joon up until now, he was an exception.
As soon as he arrived at the office, Hyun Sung opened the door for him. The Investigation Team members were diligently working inside and the examiner was waiting for Sung Joon in the corner of the office.
“You’re here?” the Examiner stood up and said. In order to finish this examination quickly, he took his measuring tool out of his bag.
“I’ll measure your mana right away. Is that alright with you?” the Examiner asked.
“Of course.” Sung Joon nodded his head and replied.
“Then, I’ll get started.”
The Examiner waved the measuring tool around Sung Joon’s body, measuring his mana.
A short amount of time passed, and the measuring tool emitted a mechanical beep, signaling that it was finished.The Examiner’s face stiffened when he looked at the measuring tool’s screen.
“SS-rank…”
He was witnessing history in the making.
“SS-rank? I’ll check as well.”
Because the Examiner’s muttering voice wasn’t soft, Hyun Sung, who was beside him, was able to hear him. As soon as he heard ‘SS-rank’ from the Examiner, he immediately snatched the measuring tool from him, raised the measuring tool, and checked the screen.
And he saw it.
The clear letters ‘SS’.
“H-How can this be… Examiner. There’s absolutely no way the measuring tool is wrong, right?” Hyun Sung asked. His question was only natural; after all, it hadn’t even been one year since Sung Joon had become an S-rank. The Examiner opened his mouth with an expression of disbelief.
“The measuring tool is never wrong. Still, you never know, so would it be alright if I measured your mana one more time?”
“That’s fine with me.”
Sung Joon willingly nodded his head at the Examiner’s request. He was sure nothing would change even if he was measured again.
It was a fruitless effort, but Sung Joon allowed him do so as it would confirm his SS-rank status to the Examiner.
“I’ll measure you now,” the Examiner said anxiously. Eventually, the measurement was completed and together with the mechanical beeping sound, the Examiner was shocked once more.
“T-That’s impossible! He’s really SS-rank!?”
Just as Sung Joon anticipated, the result didn’t change.
“Are you saying that he’s really SS-rank?” Hyun Sung asked.
“I’ve measured him twice, so I’m absolutely sure!” the Examiner replied. Because his voice was so loud, all the workers in the wide office focused on him.
The Examiner did his best to calm down, and opened his mouth.
“It’s a moment of history. South Korea’s first SS-rank Hunter has been born. Also, South Korea has become the seventh nation to possess an SS-rank Hunter.”
The Examiner recorded something. Eventually, his attention turned to Sung Joon.
“Congratulations. You’ve become the eighteenth SS-rank Hunter in the world.”
Sung Joon smiled. He had expected this, but as the evaluation had been finalized, he felt great.
South Korea’s first.
It was the emergence of the eighteen SS-rank Hunter worldwide.
It was enough.
The news was enough to shock all. This joyous news was relayed to the Bureau Director first.
“Are you sure?” He looked at Ahn Seo Hyun, a B-rank Combat Hunter, as well as being his secretary, and asked.
“It’s true. Kang Sung Joon received a rank reexamination and has been judged SS-rank. The examiner in charge extracted the data from his measuring tool and sent it to us, so we’re absolutely sure. Kim Hyun Sung, of the Hunter Bureau’s Investigation Team, also sent us his testimony agreeing with the results,” Seo Hyun replied.
“Hoh.” Seung Tae reclined in his chair with an astonished expression. He had already asked twice, and gotten the same response, but the news was difficult to believe.
“To think that an SS-rank Hunter would appear in South Korea…” he muttered softly. It was an emergence of the eighteen SS-rank Hunter. America wanted him when he was an S-rank Hunter. Now that he was an SS-rank Hunter, it was highly likely that China or Russia would begin to move.
‘And Kang Sung Joon is much too young.’
Sung Joon was only in his mid twenties. Because he wasn’t even thirty yet, he could be seduced or enticed by outside sources.
“It hasn’t even been half a year since he became an S-rank Hunter, yet he has been promoted to SS-rank. This growth rate is quite peculiar. I believe there’s a 99% chance that Kang Sung Joon will become an SSS-rank Hunter within ten years,” the white garbed, gray haired middle aged man corrected his glasses and said. He had taken notice of Sung Joon’s growth rate since he became an rank Hunter, and he was the Director of Research, Lee Gun.
“The problem is that Russia or China will make their move. America might even make another move,” Seo Hyun said. They were obligated to record Hunters’ personal details, and it was impossible to cover up the information, so Russia and China would know soon that Sung Joon was judged an SS-rank Hunter. At earliest, Russia or China would obtain the corresponding information by tomorrow morning.
“I understand what you’re both concerned about Mr. Lee Gun, and Mr. Ahn Seo Hyun. Please take your leave. I need to report this to the President,” Seung Tae said. It would be disclosed eventually, but if that’s how it was going to be, they might as well try to slow down the spread of information as much as possible.
And they had begun controlling the spread of information with that goal in mind. The only one who had gotten the report that Sung Joon was judged an SS-rank Hunter was Seung Tae alone.
‘I have to report this to the President immediately.’ Seung Tae was urgent. Russia’s eyes and ears were everywhere. The worst case scenario would be that they were spying on the President as well.
“Then we’ll be take our leave.”
“I have to go back to the lab.”
Seung Tae had chased them off, so Seo Hyun and Lee Gun returned back to their respective workplaces. Seung Tae confirmed that they had left, went into a tiny secret room connected to his room, and turned on the monitor.
The dialing sound continued. And then, the President appeared on the screen.
“Director Lee Seung Tae? You’re using the emergency line to contact me… What’s the matter?” the President asked with a grave expression. There were barely any times that Seung Tae had used the emergency line to contact the President. Excluding this time, there had only been around three other times when he had contacted him this way, and all of them had been to inform him of an emergency situation.
For example, Seung Tae had used the emergency line to contact him about the S-rank Hunter, Park Kyung Seok defected to America. Now that Seung Tae thought about it, whenever he used the emergency line, the President would feel on edge.
“Kang Sung Joon received a rank reexamination and has judged SS-rank.”
“Are you sure?”
The first emotion that came to him was ‘joy’. Now, South Korea was the seventh country that possessed an SS-rank Hunter.
But the second emotion was ‘fear’.
Would a country like South Korea be able to handle an SS-rank Hunter? Several thoughts mingled together and the President nodded his head with a complicated expression.
“China and Russia won’t just sit still. America could make their move as well.”
“Indeed.”
“America won’t do anything excessive, but China and Russia will be different. They’ll send agents.”
Just like Seung Tae said, Russia or China won’t be amicable to them. Because the President agreed with his opinion, he nodded his head.
“The Blue House won’t spare any expense. Hurry with the establishment of the armed intelligence agency, ‘White Tiger'[1].”
“We don’t have any Hunters who can lead it. Didn’t Kang Sung Joon reject our offer?”
“I think we could temporarily entrust leadership to Na Joon Yeol. He’s a patriotic Hunter, so he can lead the organization even while continuing with his Armed Policemen work.”
“Then, the first task is…”
“Protect Kang Sung Joon from all of the agents from China or Russia.”
[1] One of the four symbols of Chinese constellations. You might be familiar with it be calling Bái Hǔ, Byakko, or Baekho. It is used prominently in fantasy stories in China, Japan, and Korea.
SMH 125
Chapter 41 – South Korea’s First (2)
TL: Boko
Editor: Frost
He had become an SS-rank Hunter. But aside from him now being able to solo S-rank dungeons, nothing had changed at the moment.
There was no precedent of an SS-rank Hunter being born in Korea, so there weren’t any benefits that had been laid out for him.
However, it wasn’t like South Korea wasn’t making an effort for him.
They had called an emergency meeting and discussed unceasingly. While they did their best to ensure that Sung Joon wasn’t stolen from them, Sung Joon visited the hospital where his father was being treated.
“It seems like it’s been a long time since your last visit to the hospital,” Rishubalt said, and Sung Joon nodded his head. He was right.
“I should’ve come more often… I was too negligent.”
“But weren’t you busy all this time?”
“I’ve decided that I wouldn’t make excuses for myself.” Sung Joon shook his head and replied. Because it was true that he hadn’t made the time to visit, he didn’t defend himself.
Sung Joon arrived at the Korean Central Hospital, searched his memories, and visited his father’s hospital room, but he didn’t see Soo Hyuk there. He also didn’t see the guards that were posted to his father after he had become an S-rank Hunter.
“Wasn’t this patient Kang Soo Hyuk’s room?” Sung Joon stopped a nearby nurse and asked. She checked her chart and opened her mouth.
“Patient Kang Soo Hyuk was moved to a separate building two days ago.”
“What room is he in?”
“The entire fourth floor is for his personal use. If you go to the fourth floor, you’ll be able to see him,” the nurse said. It seems like they had heard the news of him becoming an SS-rank Hunter and the Seraphim Guild had been worried for his father’s safety.
When agents are dispatched for a high ranking Hunter, they usually aim for the Hunter’s family first. Therefore, families of S-rank Hunters or higher were protected by the best of guards provided by their respective countries.
“Thank you,” Sung Joon thanked the nurse and walked over to the annex. He saw Armed Policemen quite frequently on the way to the detached building.
The amount of Armed Policemen was especially high around the building. There were Hunters affiliated with the Armed Police Department, and there were some Hunters that had seemingly been dispatched by the Seraphim Guild.
“I should express my thanks to the Seraphim Guild.”
Seeing the impenetrable defense around the building, Sung Joon felt thankful to the Seraphim Guild. He thought he should personally express his thanks to the Guild Leader while walking to the annex entrance.
The Armed Policemen guarding the entrance didn’t block Sung Joon’s path, but as soon as reached the fourth floor through the elevator, one B-rank Hunter and three Armed Policemen barred his path.
‘The chief guard is a B-rank Hunter, huh… they put some real effort into this,’ Sung Joon thought. Most of the Hunters that the government or the Armed Police Department possessed were low rank Hunters. That’s because most of the skilled, high-rank Hunters were taken by regular assault teams or guilds.
The government dispatched a B-rank Hunter? That meant that they had taken that extra step.
“Hunter Kang Sung Joon?” the B-rank Hunter asked. He hadn’t contacted them beforehand that he was going to visit, but it seems like the intelligence agency had relayed the information. Sung Joon was South Korea’s first SS-rank Hunter. There were several people that were watching Sung Joon so that they could protect him.
“Yes, I’m Kang Sung Joon.”
“Mr. Kang Soo Hyuk is waiting for you. He’s in Room 401.”
“Thank you.”
After the Hunter informed Sung Joon of his father’s room, he resumed his duty, and Sung Joon walked towards room 401. There was an rank Hunter guarding the hospital room. He nodded his head when he saw Sung Joon and stepped aside.
As soon as the door opened, he saw his father. Soo Hyuk was laying in his bed, within the luxurious VIP room.
When he heard Sung Joon come in, he turned his head towards the door, and his face brightened with joy.
“Dad, I’m here.”
“Ah, son!” Soo Hyuk forcefully stood from his bed and greeted Sung Joon. It seemed like his health had worsened since the last time Sung Joon saw him. Seeing that, Sung Joon thought that he had to hurry and take over a research facility in order to develop a cure.
“It’s been such a long time, hasn’t it?” Soo Hyuk said. It seems like he was hurt that his son hadn’t come to visit him often.
“I’m sorry. I’ll come more often in the future,” Sung Joon replied. The two conversed for close to an hour. Soo Hyuk still looked as though he couldn’t believe that Sung Joon had become an SS-rank Hunter.
After conversing a bit more, he looked for the doctor in charge of his father. Professor Park Tae Ho was still responsible for his father.
“Welcome,” the white haired doctor greeted softly.
“Please sit down.”
Sung Joon sat in front of him and opened his mouth.
“How is my father’s condition?”
“It’s not good. It seemed like his condition had improved, but it has worsened again.”
“Has it worsened a lot?” Sung Joon’s questioning voice slightly shook. Tae Ho took out a chart and inspected it.
“As you well know, Mr. Kang Soo Hyuk’s disease is a rare form of blood cancer and is difficult to treat. The most we can do with current medical treatments is to stop his condition from worsening as much as possible,” Tae Ho said. He had already heard before that his father’s condition was rare and it was difficult to treat. It hurt to hear it again, but because he needed a reminder, he listened carefully.
“Our best medical team is doing their best to stop your father’s condition from worsening. But because his illness is so serious, it’s honestly not an easy task. It seems like we’re seeing the limits of the RG1 treatment method.”
It seemed like things weren’t going well. Sung Joon’s expression darkened.
“It doesn’t matter how much it costs. Please make it so his condition doesn’t worsen.”
He needed to buy time until he could take over a research facility and develop a cure. Tae Ho nodded his head and opened his mouth.
“Please don’t worry. We’ll do our very best.”
* * *
After he was finished talking with Professor Park Tae Ho, Sung Joon agitatedly returned to his studio apartment. He had been sighing all day long and placed a bottle of liquor onto the table.
“It seems like you’re not feeling well.”
“Of course I’m not. I had to hear something like that from him… Hoo!”
Sung Joon sighed again and filled his glass. At that moment, he heard a bell sound ring from his pocket, so he took out his phone and checked the screen.
Yoon Seol Ah had called him. He didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone right now, but because she was helping him with the research facility acquisition to develop new medicine, he had to accept the call.
“Hello?” Sung Joon placed the phone at his ear and said.
“Mr. Kang Sung Joon. I have some good news.”
Sung Joon’s eyes gleamed as he heard her voice from the phone. The good news she had called him for couldn’t be anything other the prospect of taking over a research facility.
“I’ve successfully negotiated for a Seo Guk Research Facility for $1.5 billion.”
“Really?”
The thought that he could start developing a cure for his father brought life to his voice.
“Yes. I remember that you told me that the limit to your finances was $1.5 billion. Am I right?”
He had mentioned how much money he could provide when he had consulted her about taking over a research facility. Seol Ah had remembered the aforementioned sum.
“Yes. That’s my limit currently.”
“You can slowly worry about equipment and additional workers. For now, you should start with the takeover.”
“I agree.” Sung Joon agreed with her opinion. There wasn’t anything more urgent than taking over the facility.
“In any case, I called to get your final approval. I can just proceed like this, right?” Seol Ah asked.
“Of course. Please proceed.”
“I understand. It’ll be finished shortly,” Seol Ah replied. Though there were troublesome procedures involved in taking over the research facility, he felt reassured because Seol Ah had stated that she would take care of all of that.
“I’ll call you again later.”
Their conversation ended. After that, it took around a week before Seol Ah called him back. During that time, he was pestered with messages and calls congratulating him on his promotion.
Seol Ah wanted to deliver the good news, as well as deliver various documents to him, so she had come all the way to Sung Joon’s studio apartment.
“Mr. Kang Sung Joon! I’m over here!” As soon as Kang Sung Joon entered the park, Seol Ah spoke very brightly compared to before, and called his name. He surveyed his surroundings and found Seol Ah.
Despite it being a weekend, she still came wearing a suit.
“The takeover is done. Once you receive these documents, you become the Chairman of the Seo Guk Research Facility.” Seol Ah finished talking, and gave him the briefcase; Sung Joon accepted it with a solemn expression. He read over the contents inside, and opened his mouth.
“It’s certain. Thank you for all your hard work.”
“I’ve made it so you can exercise your authority in most matters, so nothing troublesome should happen,” Seol Ah said. Her work was really quick and precise; Sung Joon had indeed recognized that fact.
“I did well, right?” Seol Ah asked. Unlike usual, she spoke with a childish cuteness; both Seol Ah and Sung Joon seemed flustered, and Seol Ah slightly covered her mouth.
“Yes. You did well.”
“Is there a prize?”
“Is there something you want?” Sung Joon asked. He had lost $1.5 billion in an instant, but he still had a lot of money left in his bank account. Sung Joon could also acquire things that she wouldn’t be able to acquire.
Seeing Sung Joon speak so genuinely, she opened her mouth with a teasing expression.
“Please give me some of your time today.”
“Are you asking me to hang out with you today?” Sung Joon asked to make sure. It was because Seol Ah’s expression had been teasing. However, as soon as he spoke, Seol Ah looked as genuine as always.
“Yes. It seems like we should have a drink, too.”
“Is that really all you want?”
Because he had planned to rest for a few days, he thought it’d be fine to hang out with Seol Ah for the rest of the day.
“Yes, that’s plenty enough,” Seol Ah replied.
“I understand. You’re okay with cocktails, right? There’s a pretty good bar nearby,” Sung Joon offered and Seol Ah nodded her head. Sung Joon guided her to the cocktail bar, which was a place with a quiet atmosphere.
After the two ordered the drinks they wanted, as well as snacks, they conversed lightly and enjoyed both the drinks and the mood.
“Shall we get up now?”
It seemed like Seol Ah was drunk. Because he didn’t want to go through the troublesome process of dumping her into a hotel room, he thought it’d be best if they left now. However, Seol Ah shook her head and opened her mouth.
“I’m not drunk yet. I need some more drinks,” Seol Ah said, and Sung Joon just sighed when he realized he wouldn’t be able to convince her as she was being so stubborn. She, seemingly drunk, seemed to want to convey something with her eyes.
“What kind of drink would you like?”
“Your lips.”
The atmosphere briefly froze. Before he could say anything, Seol Ah suddenly stood up, faced flushed.
“W-Wait a second! Excuse me!”
It seemed as though she had said something irrational due to the alcohol. She stood up so quickly that she dropped her purse, and a single book popped out of her bag.
Sung Joon narrowed his eyes and read it.
“Eight surefire ways of attracting a man.”
Sung Joon was completely confused. He didn’t read through it, but considering how she made a lame joke about dungeons before, the book really wasn’t helping her.