Chapter 88
"Outwardly, the Soshoo Sect operates as an ordinary guild or sect, but in reality, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they dominate the underworld of Qingdao, China."
Jin Jawoon's face hardens as he begins to recite information about the Soshoo Sect.
"Not only does the Soshoo Sect engage in evil deeds like opium trafficking, human trafficking, and organ smuggling, but their leader Kang Yiryeong is also known as the 'Great Demon' for his numerous atrocities... They're not the type to request a friendly match with pure intentions."
Although the core purpose of the Soshoo Sect was missing, it wasn't difficult to understand the situation itself.
"So... are you trying to tell me that this sect called Soshoo is trying to threaten me using the friendly match?"
"Exactly."
A satisfied smile spreads across Jin Jawoon's face as he nods.
"Since you seem to clearly understand your situation, I'll be taking my leave..."
Just as Jin Jawoon was about to turn and leave after unilaterally finishing what he had to say, Lee Seongjun quickly spoke up.
"Wait a moment."
"What is it? Was there something you didn't understand?"
"No, I understood perfectly. I just had one personal question I wanted to ask."
"If it's something I can answer, I'll do so."
As thought earlier, no matter how kind-hearted Jin Jawoon might be, Lee Seongjun couldn't place complete trust in him.
'Even if the Soshoo Sect is a dark sect... there's no reason for Dragon City or Jin Jawoon to give me this information.'
He didn't have a close relationship with Dragon City either.
If anything, it could be said that their relationship wasn't good.
After all, recently, he had gathered scouts from various guilds and made what amounted to a unilateral proposal.
'And Dragon City doesn't stand to gain anything by providing this information either.'
It was a situation that didn't make sense logically.
"Why are you, Dragon City, or rather Mr. Jin Jawoon, so concerned about me?"
It was a very natural question to ask, but the reaction was anything but natural.
"C-concerned? I-I just don't want to tarnish the reputation of my homeland, China!"
Jin Jawoon's eyes, which had always maintained a solemn expression, were now as round as full moons.
Moreover, his voice was trembling, and he was making exaggerated gestures, waving his arms repeatedly.
"...Is that so?"
As Lee Seongjun's eyes reflected slight bewilderment at Jin Jawoon's intense reaction, Jin Jawoon hastily blurted out words as he turned his back.
"W-well, if your curiosity is satisfied, I'll be going now!"
Whether he had mastered a movement technique worthy of being called divine, Jin Jawoon's form instantly became a dot and disappeared.
If he exerted all his effort, he could probably chase after him, but there was no need to do so.
Although Jin Jawoon's reaction was quite intense, there was no malice felt in his actions.
Rather, strong goodwill was being shown.
'...There's no reason to repay a show of goodwill with suspicion.'
Moreover, when it came to diplomatic issues between Korea and China, there was a place to get more definitive information than Jin Jawoon.
With a relaxed smile on his lips, Lee Seongjun grasped the smartphone tucked in his breast pocket.
* * *
As he walked down the street, continuing his phone call with Vice Chairman Ko Taehyun, Lee Seongjun was feeling considerable surprise internally.
This was because the information that Jin Jawoon had just given him was far too accurate.
"It's exactly as you just said. Soon, there will be a friendly exchange between our Korea and China... and we've received an official document stating that the executives of the Soshoo Sect, including their leader Kang Yiryeong, will be attending as honored guests representing the hunters."
"Then, are they also requesting a friendly match?"
"Yes. The Soshoo Sect side keeps requesting a friendly match with Hunter Lee Seongjun."
After a brief moment of heavy silence, Ko Taehyun cautiously spoke again from the other end of the phone.
"...I'm not sure where you heard this information, but as we've always done, I'll wrap things up at my level to ensure there are no constraints on your actions, Hunter Lee Seongjun, so there's no need to worry too much."
If it were the usual Lee Seongjun, he would have agreed with Ko Taehyun's words and paid no more attention to the Soshoo Sect.
But now, Lee Seongjun wasn't immediately responding.
He was just letting out a thoughtful hum.
"Hmm..."
He couldn't help it, as the previous conversations with Ko Taehyun had lent considerable credibility to Jin Jawoon's words.
While it couldn't be said to be 100% certain, the probability that the friendly match itself was a ploy by the Soshoo Sect had become high.
It meant that some troublesome elements had latched onto him.
In normal circumstances, this would have been a somewhat irritating situation.
But now, a faint smile was forming on Lee Seongjun's lips.
This was because the Soshoo Sect's ploy, the friendly match, could be an unparalleled opportunity when viewed broadly.
'...A friendly match between Korea and China will attract quite a few reporters.'
If he were to defeat Kang Yiryeong, an SSS-rank hunter, in such a setting?
It would clearly imprint his existence, Lee Seongjun, in the public consciousness.
In other words, he could take a step forward on the path of the emperor, the ruler, which could be considered his current goal.
Of course, he wasn't accepting the friendly match simply to make his presence known to the public.
'The Soshoo Sect and Kang Yiryeong... there are too many bothersome points to just leave them be.'
The Soshoo Sect, led by Kang Yiryeong, an SSS-rank hunter known as the 'Great Demon', was one of the most powerful sects even within China.
It meant they were a sect with considerable strength and power.
'If I refuse the match, they'll likely try to approach in other ways.'
It meant they could cause even more troublesome issues than the friendly match.
'Considering the true nature of the Soshoo Sect that I heard from Jin Jawoon...'
They might even try to lay hands on his family.
It meant that the worst-case scenario, which absolutely must not happen, could occur.
'To prevent such a situation... I'll settle this cleanly through the friendly match.'
As he continued his mental calculations, Lee Seongjun spoke softly.
"No, let's accept the friendly match as requested by the Soshoo Sect."
Seemingly aware of the Soshoo Sect's unsavory true nature, Ko Taehyun didn't immediately give his cheerful consent, instead asking with a voice full of concern.
"It could be dangerous. The leader of the Soshoo Sect, Kang Yiryeong, is an SSS-rank hunter."
However, given Lee Seongjun's impressive showings so far, he wasn't outright expressing opposition.
"...Or do you have a separate plan?"
"Yes."
It was a short, one-word answer, but it was enough to calm Ko Taehyun's voice, which had been unable to hide his anxiety.
"I understand."
Over the past three months, the person he had observed, Lee Seongjun, was not someone who would put on unfounded bravado.
He could be described as a cautious person who only moved when he had confidence in himself.
This participation in the match with the Soshoo Sect and Kang Yiryeong was also likely declared because he had confidence in himself.
There was no reason to argue further.
"I'll report to the President right away that we're accepting the friendly match with China, and once the detailed schedule comes out, I'll immediately inform you, Hunter Lee Seongjun."
"Yes, I'll be waiting for your contact then."
The moment he ended the call with Ko Taehyun, a gate emitting a red aura coincidentally came into view at the edge of his vision.
* * *
The friendly match with the Soshoo Sect.
Naturally, Lee Seongjun didn't consider defeat.
He could confidently say he would achieve victory even if the leader Kang Yiryeong himself stepped up, let alone the affiliated executives.
However, to make it a global topic of conversation and imprint his name, Lee Seongjun, in the public consciousness, simply winning wasn't enough.
'...I need to overwhelm them decisively.'
In the past, with the power of the Demon God, it would have been an easy task not even requiring the lift of a finger, but with his current strength, it was nearly impossible even if he gave it his all.
But fortunately, due to the complex diplomatic issues involved, the friendly exchange with China wouldn't proceed immediately.
It meant he had gained time for growth.
Of course, he hadn't gained that much time.
'...The date for the friendly match informed by the Association, Ko Taehyun's side, is one month from now.'
Even for powerful individuals above a certain level, especially returnees known for rapid growth, this was woefully insufficient time to achieve meaningful changes.
This was inevitable because it was impossible to receive help from the System, which could be considered the best growth aid.
As mentioned before, after the 3rd job advancement, from level 80 onwards, the required experience points increase by more than double, and even hunters called rankers need two months to gain a single level.
Therefore, most hunters change their growth method after level 80 from leveling up to training or equipment like artifacts.
Originally, Lee Seongjun had also internally contemplated about the method of growth.
However, the rewards obtained from the recent treasure gate completely changed Lee Seongjun's existing thoughts.
'Sole Devourer.'
The newly acquired title, Sole Devourer, had the unbelievable ability of increasing experience by 50%.
Of course, if it was just the ability of Sole Devourer, the growth rate would have inevitably lagged behind compared to before.
However, the reward Lee Seongjun obtained from the treasure gate wasn't just the title Sole Devourer.
'Metamorphose.'
Given the clear drawback that the summoned being's abilities only reach 30% of the user's, it would have been difficult to achieve high efficiency in hunting originally.
This was inevitable because it couldn't produce enough destructive power to deal with B-rank monsters, which could be considered Lee Seongjun's current prey, in a single strike.
However, Lee Seongjun had a way to compensate for this drawback of Metamorphose.
'What's manifested as the summon is a person from my memories.'
In the previous case with Yang Junhyeok, due to the somewhat urgent situation, he had molded the summon into a form similar to himself, Lee Seongjun.
However, as written in the skill description, Metamorphose had the ability to manifest a person existing in memory, not just a simple summon.
'...It means I can manifest a person optimized for dealing with enemies in a single strike even with insufficient abilities.'
For a moment, numerous figures flashed through his mind.
But in the end, only one figure remained in his thoughts.
'Wind Blade Demon, Hyuk Cheonman.'
Naturally, he didn't choose Hyuk Cheonman because he was a close associate.
'Hyuk Cheonman is a top-class assassin who succeeded in assassinating countless masters of higher realms than himself.'
In reality, among connoisseurs, Hyuk Cheonman was praised more as the Wind Shadow Killing Emperor and one of the Three Great Assassins of the World rather than by his alias Wind Blade Demon.
'It means he possesses assassination techniques capable of killing enemies in a single strike even with somewhat insufficient abilities.'