Chapter 115: Park Dong-jae (1) |
“It seems like contracts like this would always be welcome. It’s regrettable, but I’ll have to be satisfied with just having tasted it once.”
Kang-hoo eyed the Pure Black Seeker, who had risen to the status of a ‘Main Constellation,’ the same rank as the Dimension Plunderer.
The privilege of a Constellation is a very special benefit, exclusive to those who achieve the status of Main Constellation.
Thanks to the twisted contract, a Main Constellation was added without any issues regarding order or balance.
He could now enjoy the benefits from the Dimension Plunderer along with those provided by the Pure Black Seeker.
Since he didn’t undergo a typical Constellation test, he initially obtained three advantages.
First, he was granted a ‘Dark Energy’ stat of 100.
This becomes the seventh stat, joining the common stats all hunters use: strength, agility, health, magic power, anti-magic, and toughness.
Hunters usually refer to this as a special stat and highly value its rarity.
Although he hasn’t yet obtained a skill to convert magic power into Dark Energy.
Just having the foundational Dark Energy created without the intermediate steps significantly reduces the time required.
Typically, to directly awaken the Dark Energy stat…
It’s complicated to describe in detail and necessitates a long journey of at least three years, in the best-case scenario, to be frank.
Second, he was granted the ability to recover 1 Dark Energy per minute.
This is a great ability that the Pure Black Seeker could bestow upon a contractor, being one himself.
Normally, Dark Energy can only be replenished by converting magic power into Dark Energy or by being in a place where Dark Energy is present.
But with the second privilege, even if all Dark Energy was depleted, it could be fully restored in 100 minutes.
This was one of the reasons why Jang Si-hwan in the original work did not hesitate to use Dark Energy wherever he fought.
Third, it was possible to suppress the inherent properties of Dark Energy, such as irregularity, variability, and unpredictability.
It could be perfectly controlled with the power of a Constellation.
Having snatched this ability from Jang Si-hwan, it’s obvious how great his sense of loss would be.
It’s as if Kang-hoo had snatched the Dimension Plunderer away from him. The foundation of all his calculations would be shaken.
Now, Jang Si-hwan has to be much more careful when using Dark Energy than usual.
The Dark Energy might explode in an unexpected place.
Or, the Dark Energy might evaporate without reason.
It’s like having a flat tire on a moving car; stability is now far from reach.
“Dark Energy skills are the key.”
The foundation has been laid, but the road ahead is still long. Without Dark Energy skills, Dark Energy is useless.
To enhance its utility, skill plundering is essential, but Dark Energy-related skills are hard to come by domestically.
There are few undead monsters with useful skills. It’s necessary to look overseas.
Then.
【I'm already frustrated with someone else coveting the main constellation, but why did you bring this guy?
Moreover, how is this contract that allows him to maintain the same rank as me valid?】
The Dimension Plunderer was furious.
The ‘this guy’ here likely refers to the Pure Black Seeker.
Her audacity to call someone of such high rank as him ‘this guy’ is commendable.
“I used something called a twisted contract. It’s a contract approved by the Great War, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
【I knew that the work at the Great War wasn't perfect, but they haven't disposed of that insane contract template?】
“Why don’t you go ask them yourself?”
Kang-hoo replied with a smile.
This was a conversation that had to be had among the Constellations themselves.
He was simply the party who discovered and ingeniously exploited a loophole in the contract.
However, what came next was equally surprising news for Kang-hoo.
【I never imagined I'd encounter a former lover here. A trash that can't resist women.】
“……?”
That implied.
Were the Dimension Plunderer and the Pure Black Seeker former lovers? Similar to his own relationship with Han Seo-yeon?
【New contractor, welcome. I'm not sure when you became aware of me, but this is indeed surprising.】
The Pure Black Seeker completely disregarded the Dimension Plunderer’s remarks and addressed Kang-hoo directly.
It must have been a shock for her as well.
Especially after abruptly ending her main contract with Jang Si-hwan and then forming a connection with a new contractor.
And even more astonishing if the new contractor’s Main Constellation happens to be her former lover.
“The relationship was established through the contract, so I believe there won’t be any issues.”
【My stance is straightforward. Regardless of the contract utilized, the power of the Great War is paramount, and I will honor that.
And if someone is astute enough to discover and leverage such a contract, they are worthy of being a new contractor.】
“Thank you for your understanding. I won’t disappoint you. I’ve always been this way.”
【What transpired between her and me is our concern. We'll manage it, so you needn't worry excessively.】
【You insane fool! What do you mean you'll manage it……】
【The Constellation 'Pure Black Seeker' exercises strong control, effectively silencing the conversation.】
An unexpected reunion of former lovers.
Their issue is something they must resolve on their own. The Dimension Plunderer’s mind must be overwhelmed, considering he already has numerous adversaries.
Kang-hoo returned to the hotel he had reserved in advance, changed into comfortable attire, and watched hunter-related news on TV.
Today’s broadcast was filled with many entertaining offerings, including variety shows and movies.
However, Kang-hoo had never once switched to those channels.
Whenever he turned on the TV, there was only one channel he watched: a professional cable broadcast dedicated solely to hunter news.
The full-scale attack by the Jeonghwa Guild began about an hour ago.
The Jeonghwa Guild stated that to prevent mercenaries with impure intentions and external forces from colluding, they would accelerate their extermination efforts.
The Hunter Public Safety Bureau has issued a second-class arrest warrant for all 13 executives of Pyeongjeong.
The charges include drug trafficking and distribution, as well as the kidnapping and human trafficking of promising domestic talents.
“It seems like he’s really upset.”
Seeing the news, it appeared Jang Si-hwan had every reason to be furious.
The cooperation from the Hunter Public Safety Bureau like this definitely indicated Jang Si-hwan’s influence.
In the original story, the relationship between the Hunter Public Safety Bureau and the protagonist, Jang Si-hwan, was ‘positive.’
It was a cooperative relationship for the implementation of justice.
But now, at the end, with the situation’s nature and essence changed, the Public Safety Bureau is nothing but an accomplice to villains.
Curious, Kang-hoo turned on Huntergram.
He didn’t use social media, but Huntergram was the one platform he checked for news about well-known hunters.
It was a quick and easy way to catch up on the activities of popular named hunters.
Especially Jang Si-hwan and Chae Gwanhyeong, who actively used SNS, always had updates on their accounts.
Upon entering, there was a battle video that seemed to have just been uploaded.
Calling it a battle was an understatement; it was essentially a one-sided massacre video by Jang Si-hwan. The victims were the Pyeongjeong-Bastard alliance.
The brutal scenes required special verification to view, and Jang Si-hwan’s ruthlessness was evident.
The comments were already flooding in.
The top fixed comment by Jang Si-hwan listed the fabricated charges against the deceased hunters.
Below it, comments in support of Jang Si-hwan and the Jeonghwa Guild were posted incessantly.
With the page refreshing automatically every 5 seconds, dozens of new comments appeared each time.
Negative comments were immediately met with dislikes or mass reporting, leading to their first-level filtering.
A manipulated world.
No other phrase could describe it better.
Seoul has become a massive fortress, constructed by Jang Si-hwan, Chae Gwanhyeong, and the Jeonghwa Guild.
For those allied with them, it’s heaven; for their adversaries, it’s hell.
5 minutes later.
As the news continued to overflow with content about the battle in Osan, Kang-hoo turned off the TV.
Then, out of habit, he put on his Bluetooth earphones to listen to classical music while doing push-ups.
At that moment, he received a call.
It was from Jeon Se-hyuk.
“Yes.”
-Is it okay to talk now?
“I was just resting. What’s up? I don’t recall asking you for anything.”
Kang-hoo tilted his head.
It wasn’t that he minded receiving calls from Jeon Se-hyuk; rather, he hadn’t given Jeon Se-hyuk any reason to contact him.
It was too soon to discuss entering another dungeon since they had only just parted ways.
Moreover, if it had been about that, Ban Se-yeong would have been the one to contact him. Jeon Se-hyuk was merely an observer.
‘Ah. Could that be it?’
Suddenly, it clicked.
The reason Jeon Se-hyuk might be looking for him seemed to be the right guess.
-Do you remember talking about Dong-jae before? Buffer Park Dong-jae. He’s a younger brother I deeply care about.
As expected.
“I remember.”
-Uhm… I’m not sure if I should say this.
“That doesn’t sound like you, Jeon Se-hyuk. Go ahead, you’re going to say it anyway, right?”
-Hm. Yes.
After Kang-hoo called him out, Jeon Se-hyuk cleared his throat. Kang-hoo was right.
He continued.
-I’ve found Dong-jae’s location. I’ve gathered the necessary information and figured out the approach, but…
“It seems like sneaking in won’t be a problem, but you’re worried about getting him out safely.”
-Exactly.
Infiltration is always like that.
Finding a way in is possible by finding gaps here and there.
The problem is what happens inside and then getting out.
After some action is taken inside, it’s hard to leave as quietly as when entering.
Especially with a hostage rescue. The guards protecting the hostage have to be subdued first, so it can’t be quiet.
Park Dong-jae.
He was one of the individuals Kang-hoo most desired.
He was indeed interested in people like Ban Se-yeong, Jung Yuri, and An Yeong-ho.
But compared to his interest in Park Dong-jae, they were clearly second priority.
He preferred solo play, but if he had to do a team play, the first choice, or rather, the zeroth choice would always be Park Dong-jae.
“Just a moment. Can I call you back in about a minute?”
-That’s fine. Sorry to bother you at night.
“Not at all. I’ll call you back. Then.”
Kang-hoo hung up the phone.
Once he could approach Park Dong-jae, he had already finished planning how to get him out.
It was the fourth special privilege given by the Dimension Plunderer, the ability related to teleportation.
However, there was a part that confused him.
So, he immediately spoke to the Dimension Plunderer.
“Miss Dimension Plunderer, sorry to interrupt you while you seem to be talking with your ex, but could I possibly ask you a question?”
【Impudent. Speak with respect.】
“May I request your esteemed opinion, Miss Dimension Plunderer?”
After Kang-hoo quickly adjusted his approach, the Dimension Plunderer, who was about to snap at him, was taken aback. Soon, she replied.
【Speak.】
“About the teleportation ability. I understand it’s 100% successful alone, and 50% with two. But I was wondering if ‘alone’ strictly refers to myself.”
He reverted to casual speech, but she didn’t seem to mind and promptly answered.
【It's not just about who is alone; it's about the number of people involved.】
“So, when there are two people, if I use teleportation on the other person, excluding myself, does it mean a 100% success rate?”
【Correct. You were unaware. The description doesn't mention 'I' or 'myself,' does it?】
It was exactly as the Dimension Plunderer had said.
That’s why he had thought the tooltip was vague, but it wasn’t vague at all; it was precisely as stated.
Since the probability of 100% is divided among the total number of people present, it indeed guarantees success when one is alone.
‘Park Dong-jae will definitely be rescued.’
This makes the calculations much simpler.