Chapter 177
Lee Seong-jun was the beginning.
For Wi Ji-gang, Yoon Min-su, and other talented individuals he had recruited as subordinates, he used the Dreaming Blood Person technique to imprint information in their minds that would fill the gaps in their abilities.
Naturally, the effects were significant.
Both of them, over the course of a month, had grown to surpass their original abilities, mastering powers or skills beyond their previous limits.
Even if a Black Gate were to suddenly erupt and threaten Korea, he was confident they could hold the defense until he, Lee Seong-jun, returned to Korea.
However, as it concerned the safety of his family, he wanted to make the maximum possible preparations.
'...This level of progress is sufficient.'
Lee Seong-jun nodded once and tapped the screen of his smartphone to open a chat with Baek Mu-jin.
There were numerous photos and messages, but Lee Seong-jun ignored them lightly and immediately sent a message containing what could be considered the main point.
As if on cue, a vibration sounded.
Buzz-! Buzz buzz-!
Baek Mu-jin - Really? Really? If I protect Korea completely, will you accept me?!
Baek Mu-jin - It seems you've come to trust me a little! Hahaha-!
Baek Mu-jin - You can go to America at ease. I'll guarantee Korea's safety with all the martial arts I've mastered!
Baek Mu-jin - Since you'll be my master now, if you have any additional orders, feel free to tell me anytime!
His manner of speaking was still strange enough to be called eccentric, but it wasn't a big problem.
'...At least he's not the type to break his word.'
In a situation like this, where their contractual relationship was established, he could be trusted.
'His skills aren't bad either.'
Baek Mu-jin was a master who had reached the Manifestation Realm.
Moreover, he had recently broken through another barrier to reach the Extreme level.
'It may not be perfect... but it should be enough to handle most situations.'
The current forces gathered in Korea were arguably the best in Asia.
This could be considered the maximum preparation mentioned earlier.
Thanks to this, Lee Seong-jun could prepare for his departure with a somewhat lighter heart.
However, Lee Seong-jun's peace of mind didn't last long.
Just before departure, he had to face an uncomfortable situation due to people who suddenly barged into the lounge.
'Hunters?'
The number itself was five.
It couldn't be considered many.
But the aura they were emitting was not something to be ignored lightly.
The four men who entered first were masters of at least supreme level in martial arts terms, and the blonde woman who appeared last was comparable to a powerhouse who had reached the Manifestation Realm.
Moreover, all of them were wearing the emblem of the World Returnee Union - a symbol of crossed wings.
'I thought it was strange that there were hardly any people in the lounge... Did they directly intervene with the airline?'
Lee Seong-jun let out a short, mocking laugh and turned his head, parting his lips.
"It seems you've come here with a clear purpose. Let's hear what business you have."
As soon as Lee Seong-jun spoke, the blonde woman stepped forward and spoke in fluent Korean.
"Hello, Returnee Lee Seong-jun. I am Victoria Darren, an investigative examiner of the World Returnee Union."
The woman who introduced herself as Victoria was greeting him with a smiling face, but Lee Seong-jun didn't return the greeting.
He couldn't look favorably upon uninvited guests who had secretly followed him.
Or rather, it was impossible that these people, who had thoroughly investigated everything from his departure time to his flight, wouldn't know him, right?
Seeing Lee Seong-jun's lowered gaze, Victoria hurriedly bowed her head.
"First, I'd like to sincerely apologize for coming to you so suddenly. We had to act urgently as we would lose all chances of contact if you joined the Guardians, so we ended up being rude."
It could be considered a proper apology, but Lee Seong-jun's guard was still not lowered.
This was because the situation with the Returnee Union had already deteriorated as much as it could.
No matter how favorably he tried to view it, he couldn't.
"Skip the apology and get to the point."
"If that's what you wish, I'll do so."
Victoria, who had been smiling constantly, stiffened her face and opened her mouth.
"It's an obvious proposal. We want to scout you, Lee Seong-jun, for our World Returnee Union."
"I refuse."
He answered immediately, as it wasn't something that needed consideration.
But there wasn't even a hint of wavering in Victoria's expression.
"Double."
Instead, Victoria's voice was filled with deep confidence.
"Honor, power, money. These are all things you rightfully deserve, Lee Seong-jun. But if you join our World Returnee Union, we'll ensure you can claim twice the amount."
The unwavering eyes, expression, and voice full of certainty.
As a Blood Devil who had met countless people, Lee Seong-jun could tell.
Victoria wasn't just spouting empty words now.
It meant she had strong faith and confidence that she could handle all the conditions that he, Lee Seong-jun, would propose.
"You're saying you can let me enjoy twice the rights I should originally have?"
To Lee Seong-jun's question, Victoria nodded without a moment's hesitation.
"Yes, I can promise that with everything I have."
It wasn't an empty promise.
"Our World Returnee Union is prepared to fulfill anything. If you wish for a personal territory or even a country, we can provide you with the power and strength to seize it."
Lee Seong-jun, who had been listening to Victoria's words, put his hand on his chin and opened his mouth.
"A personal territory doesn't sound bad, but... Can you handle giving me the entire Earth, no, everything in the universe as my land?"
"Pardon?"
"You heard me. To give me twice my value, giving me the whole world wouldn't be enough."
"Your confidence is excessive."
"This is already a very conservative estimate, but you see it as excessive confidence?"
For a moment, Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"As you probably already know... due to the annihilation of the Korean Returnee Union and Baek Mu-jin's betrayal, most of the executives in the World Returnee Union want to turn you into an enemy."
"And?"
"This is not just a simple scout offer, but the last negotiation and proposal from the World Returnee Union."
Lee Seong-jun's expression hardened like a plaster statue at Victoria's words, which felt cold.
"This is absurd."
Lee Seong-jun, who was snorting, stretched his hand towards the empty air.
"Negotiations and proposals are transactions made when both parties are at similar levels... for the likes of you to come to me with negotiations and proposals."
Void Grasping Technique, a martial art that could be performed by martial artists who had reached a certain level.
But it was extremely rare for it to be actually used.
At best, it could only move objects.
Therefore, Victoria didn't take any precautions even when Lee Seong-jun stretched out his hand.
And that was a significant mistake.
In an instant, invisible forces grabbed Victoria's collar and started to choke her.
"Kuh, kuhek."
When Victoria's eyes widened, Lee Seong-jun flicked his fingers and manipulated the forces he had raised in the air.
Naturally, Victoria's defenseless body was pulled towards Lee Seong-jun.
When they were close enough to feel each other's breath, Lee Seong-jun whispered icy words into Victoria's ear.
"Consider it a lifetime of luck that the plane's departure time is near. Otherwise, none of the guys here would have been able to walk out on two legs."
It wasn't just bluster.
Lee Seong-jun's eyes were emitting an irresistible killing intent that only predators could exude.
As her windpipe continued to be constricted, Victoria desperately shouted.
"St-stop!"
Of course, it wasn't an order to Lee Seong-jun. She was just shouting at the Union members who were emitting killing intent behind her.
Her senses, honed over a long time, were sending her signals.
'...If they charge in, everyone dies.'
Perhaps Victoria's desperate feelings reached them?
Fortunately, the Returnees who were about to rush at Lee Seong-jun hastily stopped their movements.
"It seems you don't know your place well, but... your judgment is quite usable."
Lee Seong-jun, letting out a cold smile, withdrew the forces binding Victoria's body and turned his back.
Thud. Thud.
Victoria, who hurriedly moved towards Lee Seong-jun as he was gradually moving away, bowed her head and held out a business card from her chest.
"I understand Returnee Lee Seong-jun's intentions well, but people's hearts can change at any time. So if you ever change your mind, please contact this number."
"..."
Victoria, the investigative examiner of the World Returnee Union who had always received preferential treatment, had thrown away her last bit of pride, but Lee Seong-jun was walking away without even glancing at her.
* * *
Airport Lounge.
Victoria couldn't leave that place for a long time.
Towards her, who was just staring blankly in the direction Lee Seong-jun had left, the Returnees asked questions.
"Are you alright?"
"There's nothing to worry about... I was just thinking for a bit."
Victoria, pushing away the gathered Returnees, takes steps as usual.
However, various emotions were still crossing in her inner mind.
'Lee Seong-jun... He's beyond what I thought.'
It was truly an excellent choice to have come out as a scout, insisting to the higher-ups of the World Returnee Union.
'If I hadn't come directly, I would never have understood.'
Although it was a brief encounter, she could clearly perceive Lee Seong-jun.
'He's an existence on a completely different level.'
In reality, he used the Void Grasping Technique, which is known to only move objects, to constrain her, Victoria's movements and manipulate them at will.
In other words, he displayed an overwhelming technique.
'No, even overwhelming is not enough.'
It would be right to describe him as an absolute being.
In fact, Lee Seong-jun's presence, which was subtly felt, could be called a perfect predator, an absolute being.
As an investigative examiner of the World Returnee Union, she had met numerous strong individuals, but she could count on one hand the number of times she had felt this level of emotion.
An overwhelming aura that made her feel like her neck could be cut off and her entire body could be mutilated at any moment.
Just imagining that moment in her head made her body tremble like an aspen leaf.
'A being who reigns.'
No, a being who has no choice but to reign.
Lee Seong-jun was born with such a destiny and aura.
'Now I understand why Baek Mu-jin was so desperate and longing for Lee Seong-jun.'
Just looking at him made her heart swell and unknowingly made admiration bloom.
'He will surely become an absolute being who will have the world at his feet in the near future.'
This meant he was a being who could take a central position in the World Returnee Union.
He was a person who should not be lost to the Hunter Association and the Guardians.
'...This is not the time to be like this.'
Victoria picks up her smartphone with trembling hands.
After the dial tone rings a few times and the call connects, Victoria, barely suppressing her trembling voice, spoke.
"I'm sorry... I failed to persuade Returnee Lee Seong-jun."
Normally, she would have quietly waited for the next order, but Victoria, who had already made up her mind, opened her mouth once again.
"However, Returnee Lee Seong-jun's potential and power are judged to be beyond what we, the World Returnee Union, expected. He is a talent that should not be lost in vain. Please... give us one more chance."
This could be considered the best judgment that could be made at present.
However, unfortunately, the answer that came from the other end of the phone was completely different from what she had hoped for.