Chapter 27: Journey To Ulsan (2)

Chapter 27: Journey To Ulsan (2)

Heres the translation of the provided text:

His real name is Gong Tae-su.

He earned the moniker The Butcher of Ulsan because numerous hunters died by his hands.

Operating in crime syndicates, warlords, and mercenaries alike, he kidnapped and killed indiscriminately, earning him utter disdain.

Despite being a trivial grudge, the biggest reason for the disdain was his disregard for the moral code of the criminal underworld.

If it involved money, he wouldnt hesitate to cut the throat of even a partner he agreed to work with, drawing widespread resentment.

Regardless, his criminal organization, Red Blood, was one of the groups based in Ulsan.

Its significant size meant that organizations disliking Gong Tae-su couldnt rashly provoke him.

Gong Tae-su was known for being crazy, and a wrong move could escalate into a full-blown war with Red Blood.

Thus, most turned to mercenaries for discreet assassination contracts.

Assigning murders to mercenaries was safer, with fewer risks of being traced back.

In the original story, he doesnt die.

That was the reason for Kang-hoos grim expression.

There was a similar issue in the original story.

Many mercenaries gathered to kill Gong Tae-su.

However, it ended in a massacre of the mercenaries.

Gong Tae-su became more arrogant and successful after that.

Of course, the difference between the original story and now is the presence or absence of Shin Kang-hoo.

Nevertheless, Kang-hoo knew the strategy and tactics Gong Tae-su used to lure and kill the mercenaries.

He also possessed the insight to see through the situation more clearly.

Kang-hoo, checking with Lee Ye-rin, asked,

Is this a fireworks show?

Thats right. Multiple mercenary groups have been assigned the task, and it seems everyone is aware and moving.

To be certain that the unfortunate protagonist isnt me is that it?

A bitter smile appeared.

The term fireworks show refers to a scenario where multiple mercenaries are hired to target one strong individual.

In such scenarios, one of the mercenaries inevitably loses their life. Its an unavoidable consequence.

However, this sacrifice enables the surviving mercenaries to more effectively target their prey.

In essence, if he doesnt perish, it becomes an opportunity to close in on the target.

The goal is almost certainly achieved through numerical superiority.

Then, the hunter who endures until the end reaps all the rewards. Thats the crux of a fireworks show.

How many are we expecting?

Not exact, but I can give you a minimum estimate. A hundred.

Thats insane. With this kind of setup, more will join the fray.

The frenzy has already begun.

Lee Ye-rin chuckled.

Kang-hoo looked down, reviewing the details of the request and its associated rewards.

Lee Ye-rin continued to explain with ease.

You dont even have to kill Gong Tae-su. Just retrieve his left arm, and youll earn 2.5 billion.

Since he performs magic with his left hand more than 99% of the time, losing it is nearly as good as him being dead.

Thats correct. Actually, if you end up killing him, the reward decreases by 500 million. Odd, isnt it?

The reward was indeed significant.

It also reflected the number of organizations that bore grudges against Gong Tae-su.

If he remembered correctly, Gong Tae-sus level was in the early 200s.

In theory, even Lee Ye-rin could take him on alone.

But she refrains because Gong Tae-su is equipped with powerful items, depending heavily on item power.

Like moths drawn to a flame, a single misstep could be fatal.

You can decline if it seems too challenging. Participation isnt compulsory. However, I thought it might pique your interest.

Im in. Theres no penalty for failure, anyway.

Exactly. Consider it a breath of fresh air in Ulsan.

I accept.

Kang-hoo accepted the contract.

He skimmed through it and then burned it.

The information was all from the original story he knew.

In the end, this assassinationor more precisely, a physical dismemberment requestwasnt about the level.

It was about seizing that one chance and making it count.

The fireworks show mentioned in the contract was scheduled for tomorrow evening.

Though there was a day to prepare, moving ahead of time seemed wise.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

Kang-hoo parted with Lee Ye-rin in front of Pyeongtaek Station and headed to the terminal to catch a safety bus.

The next moment!

Swoosh! Slice!

Kang-hoo spun around with all his strength, channeling that force into a dagger strike to the rear.

His movement, maximized with a sudden acceleration skill,

Ugh!

The opponent didnt have a chance to react.

The dagger pierced right through the center of their forehead, their eyes flipping as they died.

Thud!

Simultaneously, Yun Sang-mi, holding her greatsword in a reverse grip, stabbed through the seat, instantly killing her target with a chest wound.

Being in the front seat ironically provided the space to wield the greatsword.

Damn it! He noticed!

Kill them! Just kill them!

What are you doing, driver! Speed up! Just go!

Their true colors were revealed.

The remaining eight passengers, each gripping a weapon, targeted Kang-hoo and Yun Sang-mi.

The third passenger who had boarded with them at Pyeongtaek Station was also in on it, apparently biding their time.

The driver, pale-faced, frantically stepped on the accelerator, likely having been threatened several times.

Glancing at the driver, Kang-hoo noticed blood dripping from his right ear, a sign of a threatening cut.

Kang-hoo spoke,

Driver, hit the open door button.

Ill die if I do that!

If you dont, youll die by my hand.

Click!

As soon as Kang-hoo finished speaking, the door opened. With the bus moving, a strong wind rushed in.

Yun Sang-mi silently guarded his side, curious about what Kang-hoo would say next.

You guys. Anyone who jumps off now, Ill let live. You get one chance. Ill count to three. Three.

Idiot! Look at our numbers! Is this the time to be brave?

The nearest hunter yelled; he was a hunter without a constellation.

The hunter with a constellation, whom Kang-hoo had taken an interest in from the start, sat at the very back of the bus.

He sprawled with his legs spread wide, a posture that exuded arrogance and disdain for the world.

With his arms crossed, he casually observed the unfolding situation.

Two.

Ignoring the previous comments, Kang-hoo continued his count.

The others complete lack of movement suggested they were confident of a decisive victory due to their numerical superiority.

One. End.

After counting down, Kang-hoo immediately used the skill enhancement he had saved.

He used it on Blood Flower.

[Blood Flower]

[Skill Proficiency: Ultimate]

[Causes a powerful explosion using the target's wounds and flowing blood as a medium.]

[Not limited to a single target; can select all targets within a 10m radius as subjects for Blood Flower.]

[To reapply Blood Flower to the same target, a day must pass.]

Good.

Kang-hoo clenched his fist.

The skill proficiency indicator turned Ultimate, symbolizing its highest ability status.

Now, Blood Flower was an unparalleled skill for finishing off multiple opponents in battle.

The explosive power it gleaned from blood and wounds had escalated to a level far beyond the original Blood Flower.

Even a minor wound could now result in severe or fatal damage with a single use of Blood Flower.

Perhaps that was the reason.

Snap!

Kang-hoo flicked his finger, intending to send a clear warning to the kidnappers, using the two he had killed earlier as a sacrifice.

That instant.

Boom!

With a deafening explosion, the head of the hunter Kang-hoo had pierced earlier vanished without a trace before everyone.

Shit, damn it

What is that? What the hell is that?

People are exploding?

The entire gangs faces, once confident in their easy domination and unilateral mistreatment, turned pale.

Their eyes conveyed that things had gone terribly wrong, far beyond a simple miscalculation.