Chapter 118
The rapid growth of Lee Seong-jun and the announcement of the creation of the Infinity guild through a new merger caused great concern for Cosmos, which had maintained the position of the strongest among the top 5 guilds.
However, they were not afraid.
They would not crumble.
Cosmos had always been a guild that bore the weight of being the strongest.
Because of this, Cosmos had been quietly waiting for an opportunity while eyeing a chance.
And finally, the opportunity they had been hoping for arrived.
"Red Gate..."
Yoon Min-su, who had been sitting cross-legged in the center of a wide hall, lifted his eyelids.
His gaze turned to Jeon Seok-won, the planning director of Cosmos.
"What was the association's response?"
At Yoon Min-su's question, Jeon Seok-won bowed his head as if he had been waiting and replied.
"At first they expressed opposition, but as soon as I mentioned that the Master had achieved an accomplishment, they immediately granted permission for the raid."
"Good work."
"...It was only a natural result."
It wasn't just empty words for the sake of appearances.
Yoon Min-su, the master of the Cosmos guild and hailed as Korea's strongest hunter, had achieved an accomplishment.
In reality, Yoon Min-su was now emitting an aura several times more intense than before, so deep and profound that one could not dare fathom its limits.
Even each word he uttered was filled with tremendous momentum.
"The stage has been set."
"Once again, everyone will recognize that our Cosmos... no, that the Master is the strongest."
"The strongest..."
Yoon Min-su's head nodded as he repeated the words as if savoring them.
It was a sign of agreement.
He, Yoon Min-su, was undoubtedly the strongest.
In fact, since the days of the Elden continent, called the second homeland, he had never lost the position of being the strongest.
However, he had no intention of being complacent, intoxicated by past glories.
After all, even a lion gives its all when chasing a rabbit.
But Lee Seong-jun, whom he had now set his sights on, was no mere rabbit.
The actions Lee Seong-jun had shown so far were truly unprecedented.
He could be considered a fellow lion.
Of course, Yoon Min-su didn't think they were completely equal lions.
"I heard that Lee Seong-jun fired a single ki blast when subjugating Razaka."
"...That's correct."
Yoon Min-su, who had been looking at Jeon Seok-won nodding his head, smiled and stood up.
At the same time, he drew his sword from the scabbard at his waist.
"He's certainly one of the handful of strong ones... but it's too early to discuss the position of the strongest with just that level."
If it was another person showing this relaxed attitude, it would have been treated as unwarranted bravado.
However, coming from Yoon Min-su, it felt different.
No, it wasn't just a feeling to begin with.
As Yoon Min-su gripped his sword tightly, blue energy began to surge from his entire body.
An incredible momentum like an active volcano erupting.
That overwhelming power enveloped the sword in his hand.
With his eyes shining, Yoon Min-su swung his sword as if dancing, firing off a blue sword energy.
Whoosh-
The blue sword energy cutting through the air undoubtedly took the form of ki.
As it was a symbol of power that could prove one's status as a great master, just being able to project it externally was truly remarkable.
But Yoon Min-su's sword dance wasn't over yet.
Whoosh-!
Following the trajectory of Yoon Min-su's swinging sword, blue ki continued to be fired off.
Once again, one shot, two shots, traces of ki amounting to five shots were etched on the wall.
With a confident smile blooming on his face, Yoon Min-su spoke in a tone full of certainty.
"I'll teach you, Lee Seong-jun, that you are of a different breed from me, who has always lived as the strongest."
* * *
Despite not having any special direct tasks, the new merger proceeded smoothly.
The reason was simple.
The vice-chairman, Go Tae-hyun, had assigned 15 talented individuals to assist with the new merger and guild activities.
It was literally support worth a thousand troops.
In fact, even when ruling the Blood Sect in the Cheon continent, there weren't many talented individuals who could handle such administrative work.
Yet he had provided support with as many as 15 such precious talents.
Moreover, Go Tae-hyun's consideration didn't stop there.
As soon as he obtained the position of Guardian, he took measures to provide various benefits including tax reductions, dedicated vehicles and drivers, and protection for family members.
Thanks to this, he was able to enjoy the benefits very comfortably without any complicated processes, and could immediately enjoy a comfortable daily life.
Although the surrounding environment itself could be considered quite satisfactory, it couldn't be said to be entirely peaceful.
This was because the grade of the Raid Gate located in Seodaemun-gu, which could be considered the heart of Seoul, was determined to be Red.
As it was in close proximity to Yongsan where he resided with his family, he couldn't help but feel some discomfort.
As there was no need to leave the discomfort unattended, he had planned to declare a raid on the Red Gate through the Hunter Association.
However, Cosmos and Yoon Min-su declared the raid even faster.
It could certainly be considered a good thing as it meant there was one less task to handle.
But the uncomfortable feeling settled in his heart still hadn't disappeared.
'...Will they be able to clear it?'
On the way to the gate, Lee Seong-jun's eyes narrowed as he started his daily routine.
It was because it was a Red grade gate.
It meant that a boss monster even more powerful than the Werewolf King, Razaka, that he had hunted before, was inhabiting it.
Even for Cosmos, considered the strongest among the top 5 guilds, it would be somewhat difficult to hunt it alone.
However, he shouldn't make hasty judgments.
'Although Cosmos' situation has been deteriorating recently... they won't attempt a reckless raid at the cost of their lives.'
It meant they must have a hidden trump card that hadn't been revealed to the public yet.
'Probably... it'll be Yoon Min-su.'
Just last night, he had received news through the flood of news and articles that Yoon Min-su had come out of secluded training.
Of course, there was no way he would have finished secluded training without any gains.
'He must have gained enlightenment and surpassed a wall.'
Grand Master, in terms of martial arts, he must have clearly reached the realm of Hwakyung.
'A battle between a martial artist who has reached Hwakyung and a Red Gate grade boss monster...'
As he had never directly fought a Red Gate boss monster, there was no definite information.
However, it wasn't impossible to make an inference.
If he calculated by further strengthening Razaka, who was judged to be on par with Yellow Gate boss monsters...
'The probability of failing the raid is less than 30 percent.'
Although it wasn't to the extent of directly intervening in the raid, he had to be extremely cautious as it could pose a direct threat to his family.
'I need to prepare appropriately assuming the worst-case scenario.'
There were 10 days left until the raid declared by Cosmos.
It was the shortest preparation time given so far.
But there was no problem.
Thanks to consistently hunting at gates even after the guild's establishment, his level had already reached 127.
It meant there were only three steps left until level 130, where the 4th job advancement was possible.
By the time he had set a goal point in his mind, the gate that would be used as today's hunting ground was coming into view.
* * *
Cosmos, once called the best among the top 5 guilds but now evaluated as second to Lee Seong-jun, boldly declared a raid on the Red Gate.
It meant they were aiming to reclaim the throne that had been taken by Lee Seong-jun.
As it was news sufficient to create an issue, not only broadcast news but also internet articles were filled with content about Cosmos and the Red Gate.
[Yoon Min-su's achievement comes to Cosmos dreaming of revival!]
[Cosmos Master, Yoon Min-su declares: 'I will prove to the whole world that only I am the true strongest.']
[The fight to determine the 'strongest' starts now, Yoon Min-su and Cosmos Guild announcing their leap]
Although Lee Seong-jun also came across these news as articles poured out incessantly, he didn't pay much attention.
He simply continued doing his own work diligently.
It was when about a week had passed like this.
"...I can see the end."
Although he couldn't visually confirm the experience points, he could instinctively feel that he was approaching the target of level 130 based on the data accumulated through leveling up so far.
The certainty that he could become even stronger than now evoked a feeling of excitement in one corner of his heart.
Grin.
It was the moment when Lee Seong-jun smiled and shattered the head of the giant troll standing before him.
Ding-!
[You have killed an A-grade monster, Giant Troll.]
[Experience points increase!]
[Due to the effect of the title 'Sole Eater', the experience gained increases by 50 percent.]
[Congratulations! As you have met the required experience, your level has risen to 130.]
[Congratulations! You have reached the level eligible for the 4th job advancement.]
Lee Seong-jun, who lightly brushed off the blood on his hands, glanced around.
Due to the excited feeling as if he was about to open a gift box, he was thinking of finding a way to finish the battle as quickly as possible, but...
'There's no need to lift a finger.'
There were no trolls that could keep up with the movements of Hyuk Cheon-man, who was wrapped in various buffs including Star's Favor, Earth's Blessing, and Wind's Protection.
In fact, Hyuk Cheon-man was moving freely across the battlefield, tearing apart the hearts of the Giant Trolls with bewildered faces.
"Keeek!"
"Kegek!"
Lee Seong-jun, who turned his gaze away from the screaming Giant Trolls, immediately focused on the green hologram message window that appeared before his eyes.
[Would you like to proceed with the 4th job advancement? Y/N]
Lee Seong-jun, who decided to leave the handling of the remaining Giant Trolls to Hyuk Cheon-man, immediately nodded his head.
'Y.'
Ding-!
[Code 005 is activated.]
[The 3rd job advancement of the current 'Spirit Mage' job will proceed.]
[Progress 0... 47... 86%...]
[Congratulations! You have advanced to the Buffer, 'Holy Spirit Mage'.]
[You acquire the S-grade skill, Star's Favoritism.]
[You acquire the S-grade skill, Star's Suggestion.]
[You acquire the S+ grade active skill, Star's Fusion.]
Lee Seong-jun's eyes gleamed as he confirmed the message that appeared before him.
He was well aware that the skills given through job advancements were excellent through three previous results.
However, he could confidently say that the effects of the skills acquired this time were by far the best among them.
In fact, the grades assigned to the skills were all S or above.
'...I'm looking forward to this.'
Lee Seong-jun, drawing a smile on his lips, checked the detailed information of the skills.