Chapter 434: Face to Face (4)

Chapter 434: Face to Face (4)

Bang Jin-Hun could only groan deeply at the sight of Kang Jin-Ho relaxedly drinking coffee.

'Does he really have no plan?'

That carefree—or thought-free—expression on Kang Jin-Ho's face forced Bang Jin-Hun into a serious crisis of confidence.

The image of 'Kang Jin-Ho' in Bang Jin-Hun's mind was that of a crafty man. A mysterious man. Once Kang Jin-Ho started something, he was the type to not give a damn about consequences and aftermaths and flip everything on its head like a Chad. However, it was never clear why he would start something in the first place.

In a way, this felt similar to seeing a powerful machine gun capable of wreaking havoc when it started firing sitting pretty before Bang Jin-Hun's eyes. However, he was wary of touching it since no one knew where the trigger was.

'Yup, I can't trust him 100% on this one.'

Kang Jin-Ho might have said he had no plan in mind, but Bang Jin-Hun wasn't convinced. At least, not fully, anyway. Kang Jin-Ho must be thinking of something.

'Without being as crafty as that, he couldn't have created the current situation.'

Looking at the relaxed Kang Jin-Ho sometimes made one forget... that this young-looking returner was someone incredible.

Was it because he was strong? No.

Kang Jin-Ho was not incredible merely because of his superhuman strength. One shouldn't forget that it hadn't even been one year since Kang Jin-Ho 'revealed' himself to the Korean martial society. Yet, in such a short time, he easily united practically everyone affiliated with that shadowy world under his banner, effectively taking over South Korea's underworld at the same time.

Was this situation the result of one coincidence piling up after another? Or was it because Kang Jin-Ho was ungodly strong?

'No, it's not!'

Looking back, Kang Jin-Ho seemed uncannily adept at finding the best available answer to any given situation. Even if his actions seemed reckless at the time, the power of 'hindsight' revealed that Kang Jin-Ho had been making the most optimal choices under the circumstances.

Kang Jin-Ho's martial prowess obviously played a hand in bringing about the best available result in those situations. However, one must not forget that having great power didn't always equal the most optimal results.

'People with power usually want to show it off, too...'

Every person possessed some level of pride. A desire to put on airs, so to speak. And those with excellent talent and abilities would be more inclined to package their good points and advertise them all to the world.

However, Kang Jin-Ho wasn't like that. He was actively trying to hide his powers. Maybe that tendency of his allowed him to reach the current heights.

Bang Jin-Hun became graver after his thoughts reached that far. He nodded slightly, then addressed Kang Jin-Ho. “In that case, what brings you to my office today?”

“Mm?”

“I thought you wanted to discuss the matter with the Japanese today, you see? Since that doesn't seem to be the case...”

Kang Jin-Ho subtly tilted his head while staring at Bang Jin-Hun's face. The latter's expression seemed to say, Please give me an answer, Mister Jin-Ho.?“...I didn't have any particular reason, though?”

“I'm sorry?” Bang Jin-Hun blinked his eyes.

“I didn't have any real reason for coming here,” Kang Jin-Ho repeated himself.

That was when Bang Jin-Hun noticed the unusual lack of energy in Kang Jin-Ho's voice. When he stared wordlessly, Kang Jin-Ho flinched slightly and quickly turned his head away.

“Mister Jin-Ho, did you... get kicked out of home?”

Kang Jin-Ho immediately denied it. “No, it's not like that.”

“Then, did you do something wrong?”

“No, it's not that, either.”

“You can be honest with me, Mister Jin-Ho. It's not like I'm older than you, so I can't give you life advice, but talking to me should be better than worrying about it alone, so how about...”

“It's not something to worry about like you say. It's just a trifling matter.” ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

“A trifling matter?”

“Yes. What happened was...”

After listening to Kang Jin-Ho's explanation, Bang Jin-Hun's jaw nearly dropped to the floor of his office at the sheer inconceivable nature of the situation. “So... Your mother nagged you for being an unemployed slacker sucking your thumb at home? Is that it?”

“...Keep it down, please,” Kang Jin-Ho gestured to Bang Jin-Hun to lower his voice.

Bang Jin-Hun chuckled wryly before handing a fresh cigarette over to Kang Jin-Ho. “Here. Have a smoke.”

“Oh, thank you.” Kang Jin-Ho mouthed it without hesitation.

When he thought about it now, maybe he made that extreme decision in the past life to turn everyone into his enemy because he... He couldn't subconsciously deal with all the pressure bearing down on him.

If Kang Jin-Ho could go back in time, would he have made a different choice? If it was the current him, Kang Jin-Ho would have potentially picked a less controversial option and even discussed it with the people around him first.

Saying things like 'I didn't have anyone to trust' and 'I did it on a whim' could not excuse the extreme decision he made toward the end of his second life.

“I see. Thank you, Mister Jin-Hun. I'll take your suggestion into consideration.”

“Sometimes, resting without worrying about anything could be a good way to prepare for your future, Mister Jin-Ho. Please don't think of me trying to nag you or something like that. I only wish to recommend that you take your time reflecting on yourself.”

“I see.”

“And do it as soon as possible, too.”

“Mm? What do you mean?”

Bang Jin-Hun sighed in lamentation. “I know it's uncool to say this after telling you to take a break, but... Honestly speaking, Mister Jin-Ho, you're not in a position to rest just because you want to. This world won't just leave you alone, after all. For instance, the matter with Japan we discussed earlier. Those Japs will definitely not sit still. And there should be plenty of problems yet to be discovered piling up as we speak.”

“Mm...” Kang Jin-Ho slowly rubbed his chin.

“That's why you need to rest as much as possible while you can. An opportunity like this won't come around often.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded, clearly contemplating something.

Bang Jin-Hun smiled in satisfaction after thinking that Kang Jin-Ho had listened to his advice. “In that case, how about a game of billiards between...”

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly said something to cut Bang Jin-Hun off. “Actually, there's something I've been thinking about lately...”

“Sorry?”

Kang Jin-Ho raised his head and stared straight at Bang Jin-Hun. “I thought that... This matter needs to be looked at sooner or later. Since there never was a good time, and I was skeptical about its necessity, I kept delaying it... But, since I have some free time on my hands, maybe I should take care of it now.”

Bang Jin-Hun grandly sighed. “I thought I advised you to get some rest, yet here you are, searching for something to do...”

“That's because it's not a difficult task, you see. Something of this difficulty level won't trouble me. And it's not going to mentally pressure me, either.”

Bang Jin-Hun narrowed his eyes, still unconvinced. “...I see. What is this new task you're thinking of?”

The corners of Kang Jin-Ho's lips slightly curled up. “Well, it's something I noticed while dealing with the Japanese.”

“...Yes?” Bang Jin-Hun tilted his head, wondering why the Japanese were suddenly brought into this conversation.

“It seems there is a gap in strength between Korea's and Japan's martial artists.”

“Unfortunately, yes. It's the painful truth,” Bang Jin-Hun slowly nodded. He had no excuses to offer on that sad situation. The truth was, though...

In terms of global ranking, South Korea's martial society could never be called 'weak.' No, objectively speaking, South Korea should be seen as one of the stronger nations.

However, the Korean peninsula just so happened to be sandwiched geographically between Japan and China. The current level of martial arts in South Korea was simply too inadequate to stand out when two of the strongest nations in the world existed right next to it.

Kang Jin-Ho grinned softly. “That's why I was thinking of changing that a bit.”

“...Sorry?”

“If I work on your people for a bit, they should become so much stronger than now.”

“...Mister Jin-Ho, did you just say you'd 'work' on my people?”

“Yes.”

“On my people?”

“Yes, that's what I said.”

Bang Jin-Hun crossed his arms in front of his chest while frowning. Okay, so... If I'm not mistaken, Mister Jin-Ho is saying he wants to train my people, AKA the martial artists of the Martial Assembly.

He naturally recalled how Kang Jin-Ho 'trained' the orphanage kids not too long ago, and a radiant smile suddenly bloomed on Bang Jin-Hun's face. “Mister Jin-Ho, is it okay for me to say no?”

Kang Jin-Ho smiled brightly back at Bang Jin-Hun. “Of course not.”

“...”

Bang Jin-Hun slowly raised his hands and shielded his face.

I tried, but...

I'm sorry, guys.

I'm really sorry.