Of course, Jeon Se-hyuk didn’t explicitly ntion the nas of his support forces. A wise decision.
It’s not hard to deduce.
First, there’s Lee Hyun-seok, the warlord of The Abyss, which has bases in the northern and northeastern regions.
Then there’s Lee Ye-rin from the Cheong-an rcenary Corps and Black Tiger. They are hostile to Eclipse, after all.
If Jeon Se-hyuk is as smart as he seems, he must have been contemplating their usefulness for a long ti.
There’s undoubtedly so undisclosed deal or collaboration that he hasn’t shared with . It’s obvious.
‘Yes, this is it.’
Kang-hoo felt a thrill as he realized the importance of Lee Hyun-seok’s presence.
Lee Hyun-seok, Jeon Se-hyuk’s greatest backer and close confidant, was not supposed to exist at this point in the original story.
Because he had been killed by Moon Yu-seok.
The one who altered that future was none other than Kang-hoo himself.
The butterfly effect of saving Lee Hyun-seok didn’t just preserve The Abyss, the counterforce to the Jeonghwa Guild.
It also influenced Jeon Se-hyuk’s current actions.
With The Abyss backing him, Jeon Se-hyuk’s ambition to confront Eclipse becos a plausible scenario.
‘In the original story, Jeon Se-hyuk might have wanted to target Eclipse at this point too. But I didn’t write it that way because it wasn’t realistic.’
When writing the original, Kang-hoo had considered depicting Jeon Se-hyuk daringly targeting Eclipse.
But with The Abyss having collapsed, Jeon Se-hyuk and his comrades couldn’t possibly challenge Eclipse on their own.
It would have been suicidal.
But now, with The Abyss intact, Jeon Se-hyuk has the support he needs. The chain of cause and effect is complete.
Kang-hoo spoke.
“I think I understand now.”
“If you pull the net too gently, the catch will escape. You have to pull it in one go for a good harvest.”
“Taking down all of Eclipse at once won’t be easy. As you know, their scale is massive.”
“I’m aware. But at the very least, we can deliver a powerful blow to their core. One that will leave them reeling for a long ti.”
Jeon Se-hyuk smiled.
It’s no wonder Kang Dong-hyun finds Jeon Se-hyuk so unnerving.
Jeon Se-hyuk, without exaggeration, spends every waking mont plotting ways to trouble Eclipse. He’s been like that for as long as Kang-hoo can rember.
Even now.
Though he spoke vaguely, Jeon Se-hyuk must already have a plan to tornt Eclipse.
The upcoming battle will rely be a prelude. The true calamity, like a tidal wave, will follow.
“Oppa! I recently got a really cool skill. Wanna see?”
“A skill book?”
“Yeah! A gunner-exclusive skill book from a dungeon! Se-hyuk oppa let have it, so I learned it right away.”
“Let’s see.”
As Kang-hoo crossed his arms with interest, Ban Se-yeong aid at the wall of the underground parking lot.
The wall, already scorched from nurous demonstrations, was a testant to her enthusiasm.
Click, bang!
Her gun spewed fire, a white trajectory blazing as the enchanted bullet flew.
So far, it seed no different from the usual magic bullet attack.
But then—
Whoosh! Fwoosh!
The bullet shattered part of the wall and ignited flas, enveloping the surroundings in fire.
The flas resembled a flower in bloom. Ban Se-yeong’s comntary confird Kang-hoo’s thoughts.
“Magic Fla Bullet! My new skill!”
“Not bad.”
“…Huh? That’s it? That’s your evaluation?”
“What more is there to say if it’s good?”
“It’s a death-dealing trajectory crowned by flas of execution—a breathtaking, truly magnificent skill.”
“Who says things like that?”
“….”
“Ah.”
Kang-hoo’s curt review spread to Jeon Se-hyuk, who couldn’t help but chuckle.
The enhanced lethality of the skill seed perfect for increasing Ban Se-yeong’s value.
It also seed ideal for targeting groups of hunters, where the flas could cause multiple injuries.
Kang-hoo added casually.
“This is going to be incredibly useful. You’ve gotten a great skill.”
“Tch.”
Hoping for more detailed praise and recognition, Ban Se-yeong pouted.
Kang-hoo, with an awkward smile, patted her on the shoulder. Jeon Se-hyuk smoothly transitioned the conversation.
“I’ve recently upgraded my bow. It’s a berserker-type, and I think it’ll co in handy.”
“What kind of bow is it?”
“The lower my health, the faster my skill casting speed. It’s a tier-2 weapon.”
“If it were a skill effect, compatibility would have been an issue, but since it’s a weapon trait, the synergy must be great.”
“Exactly. I’m looking forward to it.”
Indeed, growth wasn’t sothing exclusive to Kang-hoo. Everyone around him was finding ways to enhance their abilities.
Jeon Se-hyuk changed the topic.
“About Ishihara Yuji.”
“Yes?”
“Did you know he’s connected to Kang Dong-hyun? They’re sixth cousins.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“We only found out recently. Upon investigation, it turned out they are indeed related. Sixth cousins may be distant, but it’s still a connection.”
“Then… there might be a more straightforward way to enter Korea than I thought.”
Kang-hoo’s gaze deepened.
Since his relationship with Yuji was a brief but intense enmity, clashes with him were always in the back of his mind.
Even if he went back to the past, he would have landed a solid blow on Yuji then. No regrets about that.
If anything, he felt a tinge of regret for not being able to kill him.
The next ti they et, it would surely end with one of them dead.
“You should always keep it in mind. If Kang Dong-hyun decides to clear the way, entering the country will be easy.”
“Thank you for the information.”
“Don’t ntion it. Calling it information is a bit much. In any case, I just want to be of help to you, Kang-hoo.”
Jeon Se-hyuk laughed as he stroked his thick beard. It was certainly unfamiliar, given how different it made him look compared to before.
Yet, seeing him smile brightly with the scars covered, Kang-hoo thought it was a good change.
The beard seed to hide the awkwardness of his expressions.
‘It’s a pipe dream for soone like whose beard doesn’t grow properly.’
For a mont, Kang-hoo considered growing a beard like his, but he quickly shook his head.
With his smooth, pale face that refused to sprout facial hair, a rugged beard was nothing more than a fantasy.
Unless he painted one on himself… Honestly, soone once said he’d look more like a pale vampire instead.
After exchanging so pleasantries.
A thorough briefing followed.
Although Kang-hoo didn’t plan to stick with Jeon Se-hyuk and Ban Se-yeong’s team to the end, he attentively listened to the details.
Because he couldn’t predict how the situation might unfold.
Without knowing the bigger picture, he could easily beco lost if variables arose.
Kang-hoo gave high marks to Jeon Se-hyuk’s rationale and the feasibility of targeting the Pyeongtaek branch.
Of particular interest in this situation was whether Go Kyung-ho could be drawn out.
On that front, the prospects were promising.
Jeon Se-hyuk had ticulously considered and highlighted possibilities even beyond Kang-hoo’s expectations.
The departure ti was set.
Not today.
Go Kyung-ho was reportedly busy encouraging his subordinates at the Pyeongtaek branch and inspecting the surrounding security facilities.
Thus, the mission was scheduled for tomorrow night. The forecast called for heavier rain than today, making the timing ideal.
‘It’s a sha Park Dong-jae isn’t here.’
They say you don’t notice what’s there, but you do notice what’s missing. After the briefing, Kang-hoo keenly felt Park Dong-jae’s absence.
If Park had been there, not just Kang-hoo but many other hunters present would have benefited greatly.
He had reportedly entered a dungeon due to an urgent support request from the Myeongga Guild.
For an organization as exclusive as the Myeongga Guild to issue an “urgent” request for support spoke volus about Park Dong-jae’s capabilities.
Once again, Kang-hoo was reminded of Park Dong-jae’s potential.
The guy was destined for greatness. That’s why Kang-hoo needed to keep him close and tightly secured.
The rain poured violently, obscuring visibility.
Water rushed in torrents, surging endlessly into the sewers.
So sewers, overwheld, began to regurgitate the rainwater they had swallowed, causing flooding.
On the third floor of an abandoned apartnt building.
At the end of a hallway with shattered windows, Kang-hoo stood quietly, observing the scene below.
It was a perfect mont for “rain-gazing” or “water-gazing,” with no thoughts intruding upon his mind.
At that mont, Ban Se-yeong climbed the stairs and naturally stood beside him.
After the briefing and dinner, she had searched for Kang-hoo and eventually found him here.
She held a paper cup filled with freshly brewed drip coffee. Its rich aroma was delightful.
“What are you doing here, oppa?”
“Nothing in particular. Just ca to do nothing.”
“Here, drink this.”
“Thanks.”
Although Kang-hoo liked coffee, he had little experience drinking drip coffee.
The reason was simple—he found the process too troubleso. Pre-made coffee was just more convenient.
But if soone else went through the trouble, that was a different story.
Taking a sip, he discovered a charm distinct from instant coffee. The lingering aroma of the beans was exquisite.
A mont of silence passed.
Neither felt the need to fill the quiet, as sharing the sa view seed to convey an unspoken understanding.
After about five minutes, Ban Se-yeong broke the silence.
“It’s the perfect weather for a fight. But for so reason, I feel gloomy.”
“Why’s that?”
Kang-hoo fully agreed with her sentint about the weather being ideal for a fight.
Most hunters disliked rainy weather, and ordinary people weren’t much different.
While it might be enjoyable to watch rain from a window, dealing with it directly was a nuisance.
But for hunters like Kang-hoo, who evaluated conditions for tactical advantage, bad weather was ideal.
Especially for assassins.
The sound of pouring rain drowned out footsteps, movents, and even the intent to kill, making it perfect for concealnt.
Of course, the rain also increased the chance of being discovered, but the advantages outweighed the drawbacks.
“Tomorrow is an anniversary.”
“Ah.”
Kang-hoo knew whose anniversary it was.
It was the death anniversary of Ban Se-yeong’s late boyfriend, sothing she had ntioned before.
“It’s also a day for revenge. I really want to get proper revenge this ti. Those Eclipse bastards, I’ve had enough of them.”
Ban Se-yeong ground her teeth.
The resentnt she and Jeon Se-hyuk harbored toward Eclipse was on a completely different level from Kang-hoo’s.
When Kang-hoo had killed Cha So-hee.
He and Kang Dong-hyun could have maintained a strategic truce. Conversations to that effect had even taken place.
In other words, Kang-hoo’s relationship with Eclipse wasn’t one of deep enmity.
Had Kang Dong-hyun not crossed the line first, they might have maintained a precarious peace.
But Ban Se-yeong had lost a loved one to Eclipse, and Jeon Se-hyuk had suffered similarly.
Thus, they harbored unrelenting hostility toward every mber of Eclipse. They wouldn’t let a single one survive.
The only way to avoid provoking their wrath was to leave Eclipse entirely.
At that mont,
“Oppa, you said you absolutely wanted to kill Go Kyung-ho, right? Do you have a painful reason for that?”
Her unexpected question took Kang-hoo by surprise.
Though unexpected for Kang-hoo, it was a natural question from Ban Se-yeong’s perspective.
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