South Korea's top 10 guilds were known to wield imnse power.
So much so that even the governnt dared not interfere with their affairs. These guilds had established kingdoms of their own within the nation, leading so to liken them to warlords.
However, they couldn't truly act as warlords due to the existence of the Kangin Guild, which dominated South Korea.
A law mandated that all guilds in the country operate under the Kangin Guild, a law upheld solely because of the Kangin Guild's overwhelming power.
Renowned as the strongest guild in the world, the Kangin Guild not only held sway over South Korean industries but also commanded substantial international influence.
At the heart of this vast power was Choi Kang-in, the guild master of the Kangin Guild.
In the original story, it was Choi Kang-in who chose Baek Seo-jin as his successor early during the latter’s academy days, naming him the heir to the Kangin Guild.
"The Kangin Guild is the perfect place to overturn this situation."
To counter those spreading baseless slander and manipulating public opinion against Seomun Ye-jin, I decided to seek out Choi Kang-in.
Choi Kang-in wasn’t in Seoul but Kaesong—a detail that didn’t surprise . After all, Seomun Ye-jin and I lived in a remote place like Anju in South Pyongan Province.
So preferred North Korean regions, which were developed later than the southern provinces, over the bustling crowds of Seoul. Many wealthy individuals built massive estates in these quieter areas, making use of the advanced security asures that kept out both intruders and villains.
These estates were protected by barriers that could detect and fend off unfamiliar entities. If villains tried to break through, the barrier would buy ti for hunters to arrive and repel them.
Even Park Ji-hoon, the villain who had targeted Seomun Ye-jin, kidnapped her not from her house but while she was out.
If I hadn’t rescued her, she would have ended up on the slave auction block. If soone else had intervened to save her, she would likely have moved to Seoul.
But now that I was here, she could feel secure.
Even as I arrived in Kaesong, my thoughts remained focused on her safety.
You seem quite fond of that girl, Ramisa, the Black Serpent draped around my shoulders, remarked.
Ramisa knew that part of my attention was always monitoring Seomun Ye-jin’s safety. Alongside the protective necklace I had given her, I had several other asures in place to ensure her security.
"Of course. She’s soone important to ."
Soone important, huh? Well, that makes sense. That girl is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful won in the world. Even the Fox That Devours Worlds would covet her flesh and soul.
I scoffed at Ramisa’s words.
"And you wouldn’t? Don’t act like you’re above it."
True enough. If properly matured, her flesh and soul could be a treasure worth keeping for eternity. But, Seo-jun, you know that I’ve abandoned such intentions.
"Yes, I know. Your priority is survival. You gave
all your power so I could protect you while remaining unnoticed."
My relationship with Ramisa was one of mutual necessity.
Unlike the outright malevolence associated with the Fox That Devours Worlds, Ramisa wasn’t inherently malicious.
She was cold, indifferent to an extre degree.
While the Fox moved with malice, Ramisa treated everything as re sustenance.
Like a snake devouring hatchlings and eggs from a nest, she consud without ill will. To her, the cries of the victims were no different from the desperate chirps of baby birds being eaten.
That indifference made her a cosmic horror to humanity.
"I wonder how Choi Kang-in has changed."
In the original story, Choi Kang-in’s quest for a successor in the Kangin Guild was tied to Ramisa.
But with Ramisa no longer a threat to the world and even greater dangers looming, how would he view the current situation?
"I guess I’ll find out when I et him."
The Kangin Guild master’s estate in Kaesong was a sight to behold.
The massive hanok-style mansion resembled a palace in its grandeur.
"State-level power, indeed."
Choi Kang-in and his Kangin Guild were often described as wielding state-level authority.
As the leader of the nation’s most powerful mana awakeners, Choi Kang-in stood at the apex of South Korea’s supernatural hierarchy. Calling his power “state-level” might even underestimate it.
But even his power couldn’t compare to world-ending threats.
"Let’s see how long it takes for Choi Kang-in to notice ."
Concealing my presence, I calmly entered the estate.
The barriers protecting the property failed to detect . Their magic wasn’t strong enough to sense my existence.
"Too easy."
I moved effortlessly through the mansion toward the source of Choi Kang-in’s energy.
The interior was surprisingly empty.
Aside from a few staff mbers, the massive estate was almost devoid of people.
This made sense. The mansion was Choi Kang-in’s personal residence, not a guild building.
The Kangin Guild had its own facilities in Kaesong, occupying an entire district of the city.
"This must be the room."
Standing before the door to Choi Kang-in’s room, I opened it deliberately.
Creak.
The deliberate sound of the door opening was t with a deep, masculine voice.
"Who’s there?"
Though clearly unsettled by the door opening on its own, he concealed his surprise well.
Choi Kang-in, despite being over ninety years old, looked like a middle-aged man. His appearance matched the description from the original story—red hair, piercing black eyes, and an imposing build.
Revealing myself, I greeted him.
"Good evening, Choi Kang-in."
I spoke politely, but he remained wary.
It was only natural for him to be cautious. A stranger had entered his ho undetected, and such a visitor was unlikely to inspire trust.
However, I had no intention of antagonizing him, so I offered a lighthearted smile to ease the tension.
"There’s no need to be so tense."
"Who are you? What’s your purpose here? Have you co to kill ?"
It was the opposite. His death would be inconvenient for .
And I wasn’t the type to kill soone without cause. My targets were reserved for villains at the very least.
"I have no intention of killing you. In fact, your death would be troubleso. I’m here to request your help."
"Help?"
"Yes, Choi Kang-in. I need your assistance—your power and authority."
He stiffened at my words, perhaps imagining sothing drastic. I pulled out my phone, causing him to flinch, likely thinking it was a weapon.
But all I did was search for an article.
I scrolled through the internet until I found the slanderous news pieces about Seomun Ye-jin. I also pulled up screenshots of the hateful comnts posted by the won’s organizations.
I held the phone out to him.
"Do you know about these articles?"
Choi Kang-in’s sharp gaze turned to the screen.
As he read, his expression shifted from confusion to understanding. He looked back at , his eyes narrowing.
"And why are you showing
this?"
"Isn’t it obvious? I want you to crush these tabloid writers, the won’s organizations behind them, and the Baekho Guild supporting them. Use your power to stomp them into the ground."
Choi Kang-in looked at
as if I were ridiculous.
"All this... over sothing so trivial?"
He was incredulous, but I was deadly serious.
"This isn’t trivial to . In fact, I’m barely restraining myself from killing them all in a fit of rage."
Sensing the bloodlust emanating from , Choi Kang-in flinched before softening his stance.
"Hmm. That was an insensitive remark. I suppose, for so, this could indeed be a grave matter."
He was likely considering my fake identity as Kim Ho-jun.
"And how, exactly, do you want
to handle this?"
"Make them regret ever crossing ."
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