Chapter 47: Jang Si-hwan (2)

Chapter 47: Jang Si-hwan (2)

Where did you come from?

Yangyang. Its a bit far.

You seem to be a mercenary, isnt that right? Yangyang in Gangwon Province is well-known as a gathering place for mercenaries.

Yes.

Kang-hoo nodded.

There was no need for Jang Si-hwan to know the specifics.

He gave Yangyang as his origin because, as the man said, it was a place where many mercenaries gathered.

With so many mercenary groups there, there was no need to specify which one he belonged to.

A moment of silence passed.

Jang Si-hwan looked at him intently, as if expecting him to recognize him at any moment.

Being fussed over meeting a celebrity was the exact opposite of Kang-hoos character.

No, it was embarrassingly and uncomfortably impossible for him to even mimic.

On the other hand, there was also no reason to bother recognizing him. Whats so great about this guy?

How do they view the Jeonghwa Guild and me in Yangyang?

Jang Si-hwan changed the subject.

Even then, he seemed to want to impress upon Kang-hoo what kind of person he was.

Kang-hoo answered with an awkward smile.

There is a lot of interest in the Jeonghwa Guild and Mr. Jang Si-hwan, who created the orderly Seoul of today.

Oh, is that so?

Everyone wants to join the Jeonghwa Guild. Theres no need to wander, and you get support.

Thats pleasant to hear.

It was a lie to make him feel good.

Kang-hoo, who had never been to Gangwon Province, let alone Yangyang, fabricated a lie effortlessly.

Unless someone could sift through his thoughts, there was no way to detect the lie.

Jang Si-hwan continued.

Then, are you interested in joining our Jeonghwa Guild?

It would be a lie to say Im not interested. But unfortunately, I dont have the skills for it.

Our guild is always open for entry tests.

Im still embarrassed.

Youre very modest. Most hunters take pride in their skills, whether big or small.

Perhaps its because Ive been bested so often, but I really lack confidence.

Their conversation unfolded, with both probing and learning about each other.

The exchange could have been casual, but Kang-hoo found himself tense throughout it.

You never know when or how the situation might change.

For some reason, Jang Si-hwan seemed unusually interested in him.

He was amiable, but not one to engage in lengthy conversations with a stranger.

With nothing more to say, Kang-hoo glanced back and noticed Jang Si-hwans protective hunters beginning to stir.

They were simply doing their job.The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

Silently pressuring anyone who lingered too close to their unidentified charge.

The message was clear: dont overstay your welcome. Such was their security protocol.

I should get going now. It was a pleasant visit to Seoul.

Take care. Brief though it was, it was good to meet you.

Wish you always well.

Kang-hoo exchanged insincere pleasantries before leaving.

The keen gaze of the escort hunter followed him until he was out of sight.

Perhaps because he avoided eye contact as much as possible, his face seemed unlikely to be remembered.

I should not come here often.

In the descending elevator, a bitter smirk crossed Kang-hoos face.

The observatory was a place of rest and reflection for Jang Si-hwan, and considering his frequent visits, it was probable they would encounter each other often.

To Jang Si-hwan, Kang-hoo was still just an inconsequential hunter, his interest only mildly aroused, if at all.

That was for the best.

There was no need for premature recognition until it was inevitable that his name and face became known worldwide.

The hunters from the Haeohwa Guild had a notorious reputation.

They didnt bother with prisoner exchanges; torture and murder were part of their daily routine.

The other three competing organizations collaborated to keep them in check, as they were so brutal.

On the battlefield, members of the four organizations would first target Haeohwa Guild members when they mingled.

Kang-hoo stopped in his tracks

and quietly watched them from a distance.

However, one of the hunters, who appeared to be the leader, noticed Kang-hoos behavior and shouted immediately.

Hey, whats with that guy? Why is he loitering here? Get him! Take him down!

Kang-hoo didnt want to expend energy before entering the dungeon and hoped for a peaceful passage.

But the Haeohwa hunters, visibly on edge, displayed hostility towards Kang-hoo without attempting to identify him.

Kang-hoo said,

Just go your way. Im not from here. If you dont want to get hurt, go do your job.

What did you say, you punk! Sounds like a Kingdom guy. Kill him! Go for the neck!

As expected, the conversation deteriorated after just one sentence, and Kang-hoo immediately assumed a combat stance.

There were nine opponents.

Five were hunters contracted with constellations; the rest were insignificant.

Being misunderstood was exasperating, but it seemed better to issue a clear warning.

Tadadat!

Entering an accelerated state, Kang-hoo charged towards the group, quickly closing the distance.

Unperturbed by the numerical disadvantage, his actions were decisive.

Just as he was about to close the gap with the leader, who also held a dagger,

Swoosh.

Kang-hoo deftly shifted from in front of the leader to behind him.

It was an unexpected change of position.

Fwoosh!

The leaders arms back spurted blood.

Kang-hoo had struck with his dagger.

Furthermore, he stabbed another hunter who was beside the leader in the side.

It served as a stark warning.

Crazy.

What the?

He disappeared and then suddenly appeared behind us, and we couldnt even react!

The expressions of the Haeohwa Guild hunters who had witnessed the entire sequence quickly hardened.

Anyone with eyes could see Kang-hoos movement.

Of course, their eyes werent following the movement but rather catching up with the situation belatedly.

From an observers perspective, it might have seemed like a spectacle, but for the involved parties, it was a life-threatening afterthought.

The quick-witted among them realized that Kang-hoo could have killed the two but chose not to.

Hes no ordinary guy.

Lets get out of here.

Move quickly to the battlefield! Hes not our designated target!

Three hunters left.

Ironically, the ones bearing constellations were the first to retreat.

They knew the value of their lives.

The ones left with the leader were just small fries.

The observant ones made a swift exit.

The constellations werent worth much, so there were no regrets there.

Had they possessed more useful constellations, perhaps things would have been different.

Selfish but wise.

Kang-hoo smiled as he watched the three hunters leave without looking back.

But six foolish ones, not yet favored by Lady Luck, remained in front of him.

It was time for a swift cleanup.