Chapter 77

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 77: Eruption of Power (4)

Not everyone was celebrating Kwon Hanul’s victory.

“We—we lost!”

Goriki Nana was on the verge of a breakdown as she saw Ferderance fall. Terror consumed her.

Having already betrayed Takamine Ryoko, Ferderance had been her only remaining lifeline. And now, that lifeline had just been cut off.

“Wh-what do we do now?”

Goriki Nana turned to Nomura Masataka in desperation.

Unlike her, who was visibly shaken, Nomura Masataka was calmly assessing the situation.

“We have to run.”

“W-what? Run away?”

“Yes. If we get caught here, that’s really the end. Running is our only option.”

“B-but… how do we escape from the Hunters…?”

Nomura Masataka frowned in frustration. She really was useless at times like this.

“Everyone’s distracted by that Kwon Hanul guy right now. If we sneak out quietly, no one will notice.”

Despite his explanation, Goriki Nana still didn’t look convinced.

Nomura Masataka gave up on persuading her and started moving on his own.

“W-wait for me!”

Goriki Nana hurried after him. The two tiptoed toward the exit, keeping their footsteps as quiet as possible.

Luckily, fortune seemed to be on their side. No one noticed them by the time they reached the entrance.

“We—we made it!”

“Shh! Quiet!”

Nomura Masataka scolded her and looked toward the entrance.

When Kwon Hanul had entered, he’d destroyed everything—including the stairs. They were completely smashed.

Fortunately, the rubble was unevenly piled, creating a path they could potentially climb.

“If we can just get up there!”

Nomura Masataka began climbing the debris.

All they had to do was make it outside. He still had plenty of connections. With their help, he might still be able to turn this around…

“Where are you rushing off to?”

A sudden voice made Nomura Masataka look up.

Standing just ahead was Joo Hayun.

“……”

His entire body tensed up.

“What’s going on down there?”

For a moment, Nomura Masataka saw a glimmer of hope in her question.

She didn’t know they were the traitors yet.

“Perfect timing! Your team leader… Kwon Hanul defeated Ferderance!”

He quickly spun his tale.

“Miss Ryoko ordered us to go back and inform the people at the estate right away! To calm everyone’s nerves, you see.”

“I see.”

“Then we’ll be on our way.”

Nomura Masataka and Goriki Nana tried to walk past her.

But then—

A surge of magic bound them tightly, and both were thrown to the ground before they could escape.

“Wh-what are you doing?!”

“You’re acting this suspicious and expected me to just let you go?”

With a wave of her hand, Joo Hayun lifted them into the air.

“I don’t know what your story is, but for now—let’s head back down.”

Their faces turned pale.

Joo Hayun dragged the two back to the hideout and threw them to the floor.

“Caught these two trying to escape.”

“Thanks. I almost let them slip away,” said Kwon Hanul.

Joo Hayun narrowed her eyes.

“You didn’t let them go on purpose just because you knew I was coming, did you?”

“How’d you guess?”

As the two joked, Takamine Ryoko approached the prisoners.

“M-Miss Ryoko…”

Goriki Nana was trembling violently.

Though her limbs were tightly bound, she still managed to bow her head desperately.

“I-I was wrong! I-I wasn’t thinking straight for a moment… P-please, just spare my life…”

Takamine Ryoko turned her gaze to Nomura Masataka.

He sighed and spoke.

“…Looks like I’ve lost.”

Unlike Goriki Nana, who was trembling, Nomura Masataka remained unflinchingly composed—almost shamelessly so.

“I’ll leave the punishment to you. Turn me over to the police or whatever you see fit.”

But Takamine Ryoko shook her head.

“I have no intention of calling the police.”

Both of them looked shocked.

“M-Miss Ryoko…!”

Goriki Nana cried out in relief, clearly misunderstanding her words in an overly optimistic way.

“There’s no way the two of you planned and executed something this large on your own.”

But that wasn’t what Ryoko meant at all.

“I’m sure there were collaborators—at the estate, the hospital, and from outside. Am I wrong?”

There’s a saying: if you see one cockroach in your house, there are a hundred more hidden.

Takamine Ryoko had no intention of ending things with just these two. Even if they were the ringleaders.

“I’ll be hiring a new security detail for the estate. People experienced with killing and torture.”

Only then did the two realize what Ryoko really meant.

“I’ll scrape every last bit of information from your heads—whether you want to or not.”

Even Nomura Masataka couldn’t keep his expression steady. Goriki Nana passed out from sheer terror.

Seeing there was nothing more to say, Ryoko turned away from them.

Then she bowed to Kwon Hanul.

“Thank you. If not for you, the Takamine family—and I—would’ve been in serious danger.”

“It’s nothing. I just did what I was hired to do.”

“That’s too modest. What you’ve done is more than enough to earn our gratitude.”

Ryoko raised her head.

“Mr. Kwon Hanul, if anything happens during future dungeon expeditions, please come to Takamine Hospital. We’ll provide you with the best service—same goes for anyone you recommend.”

Takamine General Hunter Hospital is equipped with world-class facilities—so much so that even famous Hunters often can’t get appointments.

To have unrestricted access to such a hospital was an immense privilege.

Of course, Kwon Hanul himself had Superhuman Blood and Healthy Bloodline, so he likely wouldn’t need it.

But his teammates or acquaintances were a different story.

“No need to go that far.”

He appreciated the gesture but found it a bit too much. After all, he’d simply completed his assignment.

Still, Ryoko wasn’t backing down.

“This is also for me. I want to stay connected with you, Mr. Kwon Hanul. You never know what might happen next.”

She added,

“My grandfather and Chairman Kwon Seonwoo shared a long-standing friendship—they always helped each other out. I don’t see why we shouldn’t do the same.”

Suddenly, a thought crossed Kwon Hanul’s mind.

Was this why the Chairman had suddenly assigned him this mission? To help him build connections with the Takamine family?

But he quickly shook his head.

That stubborn old man would never be that subtle.

“I’ll gladly accept your offer then.”

Kwon Hanul decided to accept Ryoko’s goodwill.

As she said, there was no downside for either of them.

“Oh, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Is it true that the Takamine family discovered a method to induce a full-body rebirth?”

Ryoko’s expression shifted to surprise.

“Where did you hear that?”

“That man over there brought it up to me.”

He gestured toward Nomura Masataka.

“…We’ve recently developed a procedure that can artificially trigger a full-body rebirth. But—”

Her tone darkened slightly.

“It’s still only theoretical. There are way too many uncertainties. And the required materials are excessive.”

“What kind of materials?”

Ryoko listed them off one by one. Kwon Hanul looked dumbfounded.

“That’d cost almost as much as a national annual budget.”

“That’s why I didn’t bring it up.”

Kwon Hanul shot a glare at Nomura Masataka.

He’d implied it was difficult but doable. But in reality, it was completely unfeasible.

So he had no intention of actually doing it. He’d just dangled the bait.

“…You really thought I was a pushover.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing.”

It was disappointing—but nothing could be done. Just as Kwon Hanul was about to let it go…

Suddenly, the words Frederance had said just before his death came rushing back.

He had accepted this mission to become even stronger.

But what method could make someone who had already reached the pinnacle of a Hunter even stronger?

Rebirth—a complete transformation—was the only path.

“……”

Kwon Hanul opened the subspace skill “Greed’s Jar of Treasure” that he had inherited from Frederance.

The subspace could store up to 300kg, and it was already filled with more than 200kg of items—all of it belonging to Frederance.

“Ryoko, could you repeat the list of medicinal ingredients you mentioned earlier?”

Though confused, Takamine Ryoko recited the list once again.

As he checked the contents of the subspace, Kwon Hanul’s face lit up.

“It’s not everything, but I’ve got at least half.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll contact you once I get the rest.”

A hint of doubt crossed Takamine Ryoko’s face, but she nodded in understanding.

“I’ll be waiting anytime.”

After finishing their conversation, Hanul went to find Hudon.

He had something he needed to say.

—Hudon! I’m so glad you’re safe!

Inside the communication crystal, Kwon Mi appeared, tears streaming down her face.

—If something had happened to you too, then I…

“I’m okay, Mom. So don’t cry.”

In a reversal from usual, it was Hudon who was comforting Kwon Mi.

But his words did little to stop her tears.

“I’m sorry, Mom. You worked so hard to build that team for me, and I ruined it all…”

—Don’t say that! As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters! A new team can always be formed again.

Kwon Mi’s eyes sharpened.

—This time, I’ll gather people who will never betray you, who will devote themselves to you fully. So don’t worry and get some proper rest.

At her words, Hudon wore a strange expression. Scratching his cheek, he finally spoke.

“Mom. That won’t be necessary.”

—What do you mean?

“No matter how I look at it… I don’t think I’m fit to lead anyone.”

—There you go again. I told you, everyone struggles with new things at first! This time didn’t work out, but you can use it as experience and next time—

“Mom.”

Kwon Hudon’s voice was calm. The quiet weight of it caused Kwon Mi to go silent instinctively.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t live up to your expectations. But this just isn’t my path.”

Only then did Kwon Mi realize something.

Her son, who usually stammered and constantly worried about others' reactions, wasn’t showing any of that now.

—Then what do you plan to do from now on?

“I’ve already decided. I’m not sure if it’ll work out, but…”

—Already?

Just then, they sensed someone approaching from behind.

It was Kwon Hanul.

“I came to see what was going on… and it’s Aunt Mi, huh?”

Hanul looked curiously at the communication crystal.

—You…

Kwon Mi fell silent for a moment before barely managing to speak.

—…Thank you.

“There’s no need to thank me. I didn’t save Hudon because you asked me to.”

—You didn’t?

Kwon Hanul turned his gaze to Mei Hong.

“Do you see that sword?”

—That’s…

“He came to return my father’s keepsake to one of our teammates. I was just repaying that gesture.”

Kwon Mi couldn’t find words. Barely, she murmured,

—…Even so, thank you.

“Well then, I’ll be going now.”

Just as Kwon Hanul turned to leave, Kwon Hudon quickly stopped him.

“W-Wait, Hanul.”

“Still got something to say?”

“Well, uh… I mean…”

Hudon fidgeted, his eyes darting.

“I-I’m not much of a f-fighter or anything, but… I’m confident in my stamina, at least. So…”

“So what?”

“E-Even as just a g-gofer or something… would you l-let me join your t-team…?”

He squeezed his eyes shut as he spoke.

“W-Would that be o-okay…?”

“Of course.”

The immediate response made Hudon’s eyes go wide.

“R-Really?”

“Yeah.”

“B-But I’m not even g-good at fighting…”

“I saw you earlier. You fought just fine. What are you talking about?”

Even though he got hurt, Rockbreaker was a world-class Hunter.

Yet Hudon had endured Rockbreaker’s attacks and even brought him down.

Despite his self-doubt, his talent and skill stood out even among the purebloods of the Hyukcheon.

“I’m counting on you.”

Hanul reached out his hand.

Hudon stared blankly for a moment before taking it.

“……”

* * *

Inside the Hyukcheon Group’s operations room.

Kwon Mi silently touched the corner of her eye as she watched the scene in the communication crystal.

Her emotions were tangled.

She was proud to see her son grow… but it hurt that he had chosen to follow Kwon Hanul.

“Secretary Kim.”

“Yes, I’m listening.”

“What do you think of Hudon’s decision?”

The young secretary didn’t answer right away.

Sensing the hesitation, Kwon Mi added, “It’s fine. Speak freely.”

“I think it was a wise decision.”

“In what sense?”

“Master Hudon possesses great ability. But when it comes to leadership, I can’t help but have doubts.”

Kwon Mi bit her lip at the blunt response.

“You saw it too, didn’t you? Lord Hanul… that’s not just talent. It’s genius, beyond comprehension.”

A rookie who had never even appeared in world rankings defeated a villain of Pandemonium.

It was like a newborn pup killing a lion—utterly absurd.

“It’s time to accept it. Lord Hanul is a true-blood. Sooner or later… perhaps very soon, the entire Hyukcheon clan may find itself under his command.”

“You’re saying we should ride that wave?”

“Yes. They say it’s better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon—but I disagree. Even a dragon’s tail still flies in the sky.”

Kwon Mi closed her eyes.

Secretary Kim wasn’t wrong.

“Then there’s only one thing left for me to do.”

Kwon Hudon had chosen to become the dragon’s tail.

In that case, the head had to rise higher—so that the tail might rise with it.

“To think there’d come a day when I side with Cheon’s son…”

She chuckled bitterly.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]