Chapter 157

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 157

Jin Geum-ho’s office was located on the 50th floor, the top floor of the City Hall.

The elevator carrying Zeon and Seo Tae-ran moved silently, swiftly reaching the 50th floor in what felt like less than ten seconds.

“Please, step out.”

Seo Tae-ran exited first, followed by Zeon.

As soon as they stepped out, they were greeted by the vast expanse of the office.

The large, unobstructed windows provided a breathtaking view, creating a sense of openness and freedom.

Standing against the backdrop of the massive glass window was a middle-aged man with neatly combed hair, a well-groomed beard, and a perfectly tailored suit. Every detail about him exuded elegance and sophistication.

This man was none other than Jin Geum-ho.

With a slight smile, Jin Geum-ho spoke.

“Welcome. I am Jin Geum-ho, the Mayor of Neo Seoul.”

“I’m Zeon. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Please, come in. Welcome to Neo Seoul.”

“Thank you.”

Zeon nodded and bowed slightly in greeting.

He was standing before the legendary figure who had built a vast city upon the ruins of a wasteland.

Without Jin Geum-ho, the people of this land would still be living in medieval conditions like other colonies.

It was through Jin Geum-ho and Dyoden’s efforts that Neo Seoul was established, and humanity could regain some semblance of their previous civilization.

For this alone, Jin Geum-ho deserved immense respect.

Jin Geum-ho’s face showed a relaxed expression as he welcomed Zeon.

“There is much to discuss. Please, take a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Zeon took a seat opposite Jin Geum-ho without hesitation.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“Water will be fine.”

“I’ll get it right away.”

Seo Tae-ran left to fetch the water.

“I heard you live in the slums. How is it there?”

“It’s manageable.”

“Is that so?”

“I was born there, so it’s comfortable for me.”

“I see.”

Jin Geum-ho nodded at Zeon’s response.

Jin Geum-ho treated Zeon casually, despite being the absolute authority of Neo Seoul.

However, Zeon wasn’t deceived by Jin Geum-ho’s friendly demeanor.

“I hear you are a Sand Mage.”

“Yes, I was fortunate enough to awaken as a Sand Mage.”

“Luck follows those who have the will and skill.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Zeon replied with a relaxed expression.

Jin Geum-ho found Zeon’s demeanor intriguing.

Anyone who stood before him typically showed signs of nervousness.

No matter how friendly he appeared, the pressure of his presence was immense.

Without applying any deliberate pressure, anyone facing Jin Geum-ho would naturally feel intimidated.

The most recent person he faced was Alexandro, the leader of the White Bear Caravan, who also displayed signs of nervousness.

Yet, this relatively young Zeon met his gaze with unwavering confidence and a faint, assured smile, reminding Jin Geum-ho of someone from his past.

“You remind me of an old friend.”

“A friend?”

“Yes, an old friend. Though you and he differ in appearance and aura, there’s something similar about you.”

“Who is this friend, if I may ask?”

“Dyoden. His name is Dyoden. He was my only friend and my greatest rival. Without him, Neo Seoul wouldn’t exist.”

“Where is your friend... now?”

“He left.”

“Where did he go?”

“I don’t know. One day, he just left and never returned.”

“His name is Dyoden?”

“Yes. It’s a name you won’t forget once you hear it.”

Zeon’s eyes lit up with interest.

He hadn’t expected Jin Geum-ho to make such an offer.

Given Jin Geum-ho’s power hunger and desire for talented individuals, he had expected an offer to join his ranks.

“I’ll also provide you with a house in Neo Seoul and citizenship. If you want, I can grant citizenship to the children you live with as well.”

“What exactly is it that you want me to do?”

“Just hunt one monster for me.”

“Excuse me?”

“I have a long-standing project to expand human territory, and I need the heart of a specific monster.”

“Doesn’t Neo Seoul have many Awakeneds.”

“Yes, but none of them can catch this monster except you.”

“What do you mean?”

“The monster’s name is Moby Dick.”

“Moby Dick?”

“A giant whale that swims in the sand.”

“Is such a monster real?”

“It was recently discovered by Pathfinder Team 1.”

Neo Seoul operated Pathfinder teams to find habitable lands.

Pathfinder Team 1 made an incredible report.

“It’s an enormous monster, over 120 meters long with a girth of over 30 meters.”

“That’s hard to believe. A monster that large?”

“I found it hard to believe too, but they sent this as proof.”

Buzz!

At that moment, a section of the office wall opened, revealing a massive white column.

“What is this?”

“This is a tooth from Moby Dick.”

The object that looked like a white pillar was actually a tooth from the terrestrial whale known as Moby Dick.

An immense amount of mana emanated from the tooth.

“Hmm!”

“Impressive, isn’t it? I was also shocked when I first received the tooth. The purity of the mana contained within is astonishing.”

“It’s almost overwhelming.”

Zeon spoke honestly.

He had never seen a monster’s part contain such pure mana.

Normally, when a part is separated from the main body of a monster, the mana diminishes.

“A mere tooth contains such immense mana. Imagine the heart.”

“What do you plan to do with Moby Dick’s heart?”

“I can’t disclose that. But I can assure you that whatever I do, it will benefit humanity and won’t cause any harm.”

“.......”

“This monster swims through the sand like a Sandworm. Ordinary Awakeneds can’t find or kill it. The Pathfinder team was able to discover Moby Dick by sheer luck.”

Moby Dick was a whale that lived in the sand.

It had all the characteristics of a whale.

It could breathe in the sand, so it didn’t need to surface.

That’s why Pathfinder Team 1 lost track of Moby Dick after initially finding it. They searched the area for ten days but only found its tooth.

“The only person in this world who can find and kill Moby Dick is you, a Sand Mage.”

“So that’s why you sought me out.”

“Exactly.”

“Even as a Sand Mage, finding Moby Dick in this vast desert is impossible.”

“But you could sense it if it was nearby, right?”

“Within ten kilometers, perhaps.”

“That’s enough. If you ever sense Moby Dick, even by chance, kill it and bring me its heart. I’ll be satisfied with that.”

Zeon closed his eyes.

He didn’t know what Jin Geum-ho planned to do with Moby Dick’s heart, but the proposal wasn’t detrimental to him.

If Moby Dick had the traits of a whale, it would travel thousands of kilometers.

The odds of encountering it in a lifetime were slim.

Jin Geum-ho’s request wasn’t to find and kill it at all costs but to hunt it down if they ever crossed paths.

Jin Geum-ho stared straight at Zeon.

“What do you think? Will you accept my proposal?”

His eyes glinted menacingly, as if refusing wasn’t an option.

[Translator – Peptobismol]