[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
Chapter 246
After hanging up the phone, Jeong-hoon thought about Jas Marcus.
The face of the man who had betrayed him before his regression.
If it were up to him, he would’ve liked to strangle him right away. But it was necessary to find out when exactly Marcus had started coveting power.
“If he had been planning this from the very beginning…”
Then, he would crush him in advance.
[“Whoa, whoa, Master. Relax your expression a bit.”]
[“Yeah, if you go in like that, a few people might not make it out alive.”]
As Mukho and Anima pointed out, Jeong-hoon’s expression was as nacing as it could be.
In the past, he had been betrayed by those he had spent a long ti with.
Now, the ringleader who had brought together those traitors wanted to et him. How could he possibly feel any goodwill toward that?
“Anyway, this is his second attempt to approach .”
The first had been before his regression.
The second was now.
Jeong-hoon got ready quickly and headed to Jang Dae-hwi’s house.
Ha-jin, who had been inford, was waiting outside Dae-hwi’s house with Bong-goo.
“Jeong-hoon! You’re here?”
“Yeah. But why are you waiting out here instead of going in?”
“Oh, I called Dae-hwi hyung, and he said he was cleaning up. So, we’re waiting outside for a bit.”
“I see.”
After about ten minutes, Jang Dae-hwi opened the window.
“All done. You can co in now.”
With his permission, Jeong-hoon entered Dae-hwi’s house.
“Hyung, Ha-jin told Jas Marcus reached out. Is that true?”
“Yeah. He said he wants to et so of the people featured on HoneyTube.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Specifically, he wants to et HoneyOne—you, to be exact.”
“?”
“Yeah. I guess he got interested in you because of everything you’ve shown in the videos so far.”
This was sothing Jeong-hoon had expected.
Jas Marcus’s ultimate goal was recruiting allies.
It wasn’t that he was particularly interested in HoneyTube itself but rather that he was intrigued by Jeong-hoon and had extended the invitation because of that.
“You haven’t responded yet, right?”
“Of course not. I wanted to hear your opinion before deciding.”
“Good. In that case, send a reply saying we’ll et.”
“You’re going to et him?”
“Yes.”
The influence of HoneyTube was beyond imagination.
It had surpassed 100 million subscribers, and in South Korea, not knowing about HoneyTube was enough to be labeled clueless.
During this process, prominent guilds and even the South Korean governnt were trying to make contact with HoneyTube.
“They must think we have so kind of detection ability because we keep finding honey repeatedly.”
Ordinary people might find it once, if at all, yet HoneyTube consistently uncovered honey.
Now, if HoneyTube were to et with Jas Marcus?
If that beca known, the impact would be imasurable.
Of course, the eting would proceed in complete secrecy, so that wouldn’t happen.
“Got it. So, we’re agreeing to the eting?”
“Yes. But we’ll decide the ti and place.”
“Okay!”
***
“Jas, there’s a reply.”
“Really?”
Jas Marcus’s face lit up as he checked the monitor.
Just as he was told, a response had arrived from HoneyTube’s editor.
The reply was surprisingly positive. It stated that they would confirm the schedule and contact him again.
“Do you really plan to recruit these people as allies?”
The voice belonged to a young woman in her early-to-mid 20s, Alie Reina, who had accompanied Jas Marcus this ti.
Her current level was 443, and her class, Heretic Inquisitor, was a hidden one among priest professions.
Despite her class, she was also known as the Saintess, a title that reflected her status as a high-level player.
However, her feelings toward HoneyTube were far from favorable.
“Because of this channel, I still haven’t completed my fifth job advancent.”
The last stage of her fifth job advancent quest required her to identify and judge 1,000 heretics. But how was she supposed to et such a high number?
Even after the ga's elents began to manifest in reality, increasing that count was no easy task.
Simply targeting players in reality didn’t contribute to the count. Instead, she had to engage NPCs to fulfill the quota.
If HoneyTube hadn’t ddled, she would’ve already completed her fifth advancent.
“Yes,” Jas replied confidently.
“…I don’t like them,” Alie responded with clear distaste.
“Why not?”
“Because of HoneyTube, I haven’t been able to finish my fifth job advancent.”
“Ah…”
Jas Marcus quickly understood.
He had developed an interest in HoneyTube and had watched all their videos, including those featuring the Märchen Kingdom.
One of them had a thumbnail that read:
[A single quest can raise your level by 3?]
Because of that video, Alie still hadn’t completed her job advancent. It was no wonder she harbored resentnt.
“Either way, I’m against this.”
“I get it. But you must admit, that YouTuber’s detection ability is insane.”
“Even so…”
“If he joins us, we’ll gain an even greater advantage.”
“….”
Alie couldn’t refute this.
How many videos had they uploaded so far? It was far too many to dismiss as re coincidence.
That ant he likely had a unique ability to detect rare opportunities. If he were to join their ranks, they could discover untapped opportunities and significantly accelerate their growth.
“Any word from Alessandro about Sophia?” Jas asked, changing the subject.
Sophia Stephanie Agaret, a mage class player ranked number one in France, was another individual Jas was trying to recruit.
Alessandro shook his head.
“You know how she is. Sophia’s temper isn’t exactly mild.”
Sophia, having also been a professional gar, was acquainted with both Jas Marcus and Alessandro Bryden.
For that very reason, they knew she wouldn’t be easy to recruit as an ally.
“Still, we have to keep trying.”
Those with power needed to unite. Only then could they thoroughly prepare for what lay ahead.
***
After so deliberation, Jeong-hoon sent Jas Marcus the date and location.
The chosen location was a dungeon.
Jeong-hoon intentionally selected it so that, in case he sensed anything suspicious about Jas, he could deal with him imdiately.
“Isn’t this dungeon a bit too dangerous?”
“Sir, the monsters in this dungeon are level 360.”
Ha-Jin and Bong-Goo hesitated in front of the dungeon entrance, reluctant to go inside.
The dungeon was 30 levels above their own, and they had yet to complete their fourth job advancents. The difficulty of the quests made them ti-consuming, and failure had delayed their progress further.
“In that case, why don’t you two just focus on your advancent quests?”
Even Jeong-hoon’s mother had been absent from ho, busy with her own advancent quest.
Though Jeong-hoon wished she wouldn’t overdo it, she couldn’t stop mid-way; otherwise, she’d have to start over from the beginning.
“Heh, but how can we miss eting Jas Marcus?”
“Exactly! When else would we get a chance to see soone like him?”
Despite the dangers, Ha-Jin and Bong-Goo prioritized eting Jas Marcus over their advancent quests.
He was a superstar of New World, and the opportunity to et him in person felt like an honor in itself.
“...Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
“What is it?”
“Yes, sir! Speak your mind!”
Jeong-hoon fell silent for a mont.
While he would’ve preferred not to bring these two along, their persistence had left him with little choice.
“I want you to keep an open mind about whatever conversation I have with Jas Marcus.”
“An open mind…?”
“What kind of conversation are you planning to have?”
“Who knows? We’ll see how it goes.”
Jeong-hoon gave a cryptic smile as he stepped into the dungeon.
***
Once inside, Jeong-hoon imdiately began clearing the surrounding area.
Slash.
“Krrrrk!”
“Kiieeek!”
The monsters, each level 360, were no match for Jeong-hoon’s Heavenly Demon Annihilation Sword and were effortlessly cut down.
“Wow…”
“Sir, I think you’ve gotten even stronger than before.”
Ha-Jin and Bong-Goo couldn’t even track Jeong-hoon’s movents properly.
Watching level 360 monsters fall so easily made it clear how vastly Jeong-hoon’s strength had grown.
“All right, let’s get ready to greet him.”
The ti to et Jas Marcus face-to-face had finally arrived.
Jeong-hoon took out a table and chairs he had purchased with points and set them up.
Not long after, the entrance portal shimred, and three figures erged.
“Wow…”
“J-Jas Marcus…!”
Ha-Jin and Bong-Goo recognized him instantly, as did Jeong-hoon.
The face he hadn’t seen in a long ti was noticeably different from what it had been before his regression—clean and youthful.
The once-wrinkled skin was now firm, and the long scar that had stretched from his left eye down to his jawline was gone, replaced by smooth, pale skin.
His sharp features were striking, eliciting admiration from anyone who saw him.
It was no exaggeration to say that his looks contributed significantly to his popularity as a superstar.
Even the Saintess, Alie Reyna, who stood beside him, had been swayed to join him as the third mber of his group, largely due to his charm.
“Are you the owner of HoneyTube?”
Jas Marcus directed his question to Jeong-hoon.
Jeong-hoon gave a small nod.
“Yes. And you’re Jas Marcus?”
“That’s right. But may I ask why you chose a dungeon as the eting place?”
“No particular reason. I just want to keep this brief.”
Jeong-hoon’s tone made it clear he had no interest in small talk.
This attitude caused Alessandro Bryden and Alie Reyna to frown. Jeong-hoon showed not the slightest hint of courtesy.
Yet, Jas Marcus only laughed heartily and took a seat across from Jeong-hoon.
“Very well. Let’s cut to the chase. I have a proposal: I’d like you to join our group.”
“A group?”
Jeong-hoon feigned ignorance, tilting his head slightly.
“That’s right. I want to end this ga.”
“End the ga?”
Jeong-hoon smirked inwardly. As much as he wanted to rip that mouth apart, he suppressed the urge.
“That’s correct. If this ga has beco our reality, then there must also be an ending to it.”
“Not ending the ga—more like aiming to seize power, isn’t it?”
“...?”
“Why else would you only recruit people who are useful? You’re clearly trying to build a cartel.”
Jeong-hoon gave a sly grin, carefully watching Jas Marcus’s reaction.
Jas, startled, waved his hands in denial.
“No, absolutely not! That’s not my intention at all!”
“Then prove it.”
Jeong-hoon retrieved an artifact: a crystal orb he had purchased with points.
The orb, designed to uncover truths, worked by discerning whether spoken words were true or false.
“Place your hand on this and speak. Let’s see if your intentions are genuine.”
“…Fine.”
Jas Marcus placed his hand on the orb.
Jeong-hoon asked again, “Let repeat the question. Do you sincerely want to end the ga?”
“Of course.”
As Jas answered, the color of the orb began to shift.
‘If it turns green, it’s the truth. If it turns red, it’s a lie.’
If the orb turned red, Jeong-hoon would have no hesitation in eliminating him on the spot.
However, the orb didn’t turn red. Instead, it shifted to green.
Jeong-hoon narrowed his eyes.
‘The truth?’
The orb indicated that Jas Marcus was speaking honestly.
Seeing the color change, Jas Marcus smiled faintly.
“Now, you can trust , right?”
“Hmph, for now, I’ll take you at your word.”
Indeed, changing one’s mind is easy.
Perhaps at the beginning, Jas Marcus truly wanted to end the ga with pure intentions.
But, after tasting power, it was likely that his goal beca clouded.
“For now?”
Jas Marcus tilted his head in confusion.
“Well then, I guess I’ll give my answer. I refuse.”
There was no imdiate reason to attack him, so Jeong-hoon decided not to.
His ultimate revenge was to see the end of this ga, wiping out all the power these individuals had gained.
Of course, if soone like Lee Hwa-rang or Sa Jae-hyeok strayed down a strange path, things might change.
“Wait, can you at least tell why?”
“It’s simple. Because I can’t trust you.”
“Can’t trust ?”
Jas Marcus glanced at the green-glowing orb.
“I’ll believe that you’re not trying to form a cartel and seize power. But that doesn’t an I trust you, Jas Marcus.”
“…I see.”
“No matter what kind of show you put on, I won’t be swayed. So, let’s end the conversation here.”
Without hesitation, Jeong-hoon stood up to leave.
At that mont, a Fire Spear shot toward him, and Jeong-hoon quickly turned his head to dodge it.
The Fire Spear embedded itself in a tree behind him and imdiately ignited in flas.
Fwoosh—
“Alessandro! What are you doing?!”
Jas Marcus shouted in a panic.
“Jas, shut up. Are you telling to tolerate this attitude?”
Alessandro gritted his teeth.
Even though they were the ones making the proposal, he couldn’t overlook Jeong-hoon’s defiant attitude.
He was going to give this arrogant fool a lesson he wouldn’t forget.
“Hey, you attacked first?”
With those words, Jeong-hoon drew out Leviathan, a broad grin spreading across his face.
[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
Reviews
All reviews (0)