Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Change (1)
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The world was turned upside down.
The news of White Flame Baek Jincheon's arrest, Kang Inhyeok's death, and the Hero Guild's crimes was more than enough to shock the entire globe.
Even late into the night, the news spread like wildfire, ushering in a white Christmas morning amid the frenzy.
While the world outside was blanketed in snow, the internet was a cauldron of shock and chaos.
But the reporters felt wronged.
There simply wasn't much to write about.
The government hadn't released the full details yet.
And the government was just as frustrated.
They had secured Baek Jincheon, who had turned into a superhuman wreck, but he was keeping his mouth shut tight.
Kang Inhyeok had vanished without a trace, so he wasn't even in the equation.
The truth about what happened on the artificial island remained murky.
As a result, the internet was flooded with speculation and conspiracy theories.
Some of them were surprisingly sharp.
It was a tantalizing conspiracy theory for netizens wandering in search of entertainment.
The comment dubbing Kim Gunja the "Gentleman's Sword" exploded with replies.
As domestic public opinion boiled over, the world watched Korea's government closely.
With the fire at their feet, the government anxiously awaited Kim Gunja's recovery.
And finally.
The moment word came that Kim Gunja had regained consciousness, officials rushed over.
#
VIP room at Korea University Hospital.
Park Mu-won, leader of Alpha Team who had executed the operation on the artificial island, was sweating bullets.
It was just a visit to ascertain the truth from one person, yet it felt harder than any mission.
Coughing awkwardly as he eyed Kim Gunja, propped up halfway in bed, Park Mu-won cleared his throat.
"Uh... Ahem! How's your... condition?"
"Yes, much better now."
"Thank goodness. First off... I apologize for dropping in unannounced like this. You still need rest..."
Kim Gunja smiled warmly.
"No need to be so formal. I understand you had no choice—it's your job. Ask away comfortably."
True to the Gentleman's Sword.
His body wasn't fully recovered, and he'd only just woken up, yet he was so polite.
But.
"Haha... I'd love to, but..."
The atmosphere was too intimidating.
Park Mu-won glanced at the people surrounding Kim Gunja.
They glared at him like he was about to be devoured—the intruder disturbing their friend's rest.
He didn't mind Geum Jinung from the Geumsan Group, Sin Yeji, Hong Sua, or the other civilians much.
But.
Mountain King Hong Gyuhyeon...
His gaze was not to be taken lightly.
Park Mu-won respected him too.
Swallowing dryly from the tension, he couldn't help envying Kim Gunja.
They said a life with even one true friend was a success.
Kim Gunja seemed surrounded by more than a few.
The way they doted on him was palpable.
Wondering if he had anyone like that, Park Mu-won shook his head at the pointless comparison and spoke up.
"I'll keep it to the key questions."
"Sure."
"White Flame... I mean, did you... make Baek Jincheon that way?"
The most critical question.
The answer could rock the world again.
Kim Gunja replied calmly.
"No, not me."
It wasn't a lie.
It was Kaishir, not him.
"Then..."
"I fought to survive against Baek Jincheon, who had killed Kang Inhyeok, and passed out. When I came to, everything was over. Then I passed out again."
This was also the truth.
So Kim Gunja stood tall without flinching, and Park Mu-won sensed no oddity.
It matched the surviving agents' statements.
— While guarding the scene, White Flame and the Gentleman's Sword suddenly clashed. White Flame tried to kill us. The Gentleman's Sword desperately protected us in that chaos. Without him... it's horrifying to think.
Baek Jincheon must have tried to silence the two and the witnesses to cover his tracks.
It all lines up perfectly, but...
That made it more problematic.
Park Mu-won looked troubled.
If the statements held, a third party had intervened and wrecked Baek Jincheon.
Someone strong enough to rip off both arms. But even...
Even a Single Number like Chris couldn't have done that.
Only one person could.
The Radiant Kim Gongja...
If that being beyond Single Numbers was involved, maybe.
But he'd vanished after the Second Bloody Day.
Rumors of death swirled, but Pentagram never confirmed.
Still, he held rank one unchallenged—an absolute powerhouse.
But this was just idle speculation.
Park Mu-won sighed softly and continued.
"...Understood. Next question..."
He asked a few more things, and Kim Gunja answered honestly without revealing his abilities.
Kaishir's appearance had thrown a curveball, but he had prepared answers.
As Park Mu-won rose to leave after the questions, Kim Gunja spoke first.
"By any chance, can you tell me how the government plans to handle Baek Jincheon and the Hero Guild?"
After a brief hesitation, Park Mu-won answered straightforwardly.
The Gentleman's Sword was a key figure, not one to blab.
"...Single Numbers live up to the name. Even without arms, his life isn't in danger. He'll face trial, but expect life in prison. He'll rot in an Awakener facility. Those Hero Guild members involved in crimes will go through legal channels too."
Even Baek Jincheon and Hero Guild had no escape.
Unlike Kang Inhyeok, Baek Jincheon lived to pay for his sins.
"However... Hero Guild's Team 1 and 2 in the US and Mexico went dark today. Being overseas, capturing them will be tough."
He said it mildly, but it was near impossible.
A skilled Awakener determined to hide was hard to track.
Kim Gunja nodded.
"Baek Jincheon seems to have accepted reality surprisingly well."
"Even a Single Number can't turn the country against him in that state. Plus, if we grant one request, he'll admit all guilt. Made things easier than expected."
"A request?"
"A cell with a view of one peak in Bukak Mountain. That's all he asked. Modest for a Single Number."
To the government, it was practically free.
Kim Gunja bowed gratefully to Park Mu-won.
"...I see. Thank you for your hard work."
"No trouble at all. Rest well. I'm one who hopes you keep hunting as Kim Gunja."
"Thank you."
With that, Park Mu-won left the room, and Kim Gunja chatted with his acquaintances.
#
"Whew, what a whirlwind."
Kim Gunja groaned.
His acquaintances finished their business and left one by one, considerate of his rest.
— Infinite Guild is perfect for you. We'll be waiting.
Hong Gyuhyeon left with Hong Sua after those words.
— You really... went through hell. Get better soon. Once recovered, drinks with Chun-deok hyung.
Byunghoon, his friends, and Chun-deok hyung departed too.
— The chairman wants to see you. I'll contact you soon. And... I learned a lot. Get well.
Geum Jinung was deeply impressed by Kim Gunja's meticulous plan.
And the last one remaining.
Sin Yeji scolded beside the groaning Kim Gunja.
"Seriously... Uncle, that was too much! If you were gonna collapse like that, at least warn me. You scared me half to death!"
"Haha... No time for that."
"No time my foot! You had time to whisper about grabbing stuff, but not to say that?!"
Pouting her lips, she pulled out the items she'd safeguarded.
The broken Crimson Moon and Kang Inhyeok's Master Ring.
Even on the verge of blacking out, Kim Gunja had asked Yeji to grab them before anyone arrived.
Taking the bent Crimson Moon, Kim Gunja stroked the blade apologetically.
Then he focused mana in his hand, activating his unique trait.
As expected...
He desperately wanted to fix it right away, but it was impossible for now.
One more reason to grind Customization proficiency.
Setting Crimson Moon aside, he checked the Master Ring and smiled at Yeji.
"Thanks."
"Of course!"
"And... thank you again."
The second thanks referred to that night.
Yeji got it instantly.
"R... right? You can't do anything without me, Uncle."
Recalling her tears that day, she scratched her cheek, embarrassed, averting her gaze.
"Yeah."
How many times was this now?
He'd lost count of how often he'd thanked her.
Especially this time—it had been truly dangerous.
Baek Jincheon's unexpected push, and the Annihilation Dragon Kaishir's aggressive possession attempt.
"Anything you want, just say it. I'll make it happen."
He meant it.
Yeji peeked at him, mumbling without meeting his eyes.
"Um... did you... hear what I said that day?"
"Huh? What?"
"Oh..."
Seeing her slightly disappointed, Kim Gunja tilted his head.
He really hadn't heard.
Too chaotic.
As he started to apologize, Yeji brightened and continued.
"Ah, nothing. Anyway! You really mean anything?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Hehe, can I tell you later when I think of something?"
"Anytime."
Only after pinky-swearing did she nod and leave.
"Phew..."
Finally, Kim Gunja could lie back comfortably.
He could've used the Customizing Room for instant recovery, but too many eyes were on him.
Such a massive incident...
Better not risk misunderstandings.
Besides, he was already planning ahead.
The dictator Baek Jincheon imprisoned.
If powerful Hunters complicit directly or indirectly faced mass punishment, guilds—unlike corporations—reliant on Hunters would lose immense power.
A guild infamous and stripped of Hunters? Its fate was obvious.
Ruin.
Hero Guild, once world number two, would plummet, rippling beyond Korea to neighbors.
Korea will look like an ownerless mountain...
Abandoned peaks.
Infinite Guild and Mountain King Hong Gyuhyeon endured, but not on White Flame Baek Jincheon's level.
Kim Gunja had contingencies.
No plans to stir trouble and wash his hands of it.
Officially unaffiliated, unofficially Pentagram—his fame and skill let him join or found any guild.
A guild, huh...
Thinking of his father's Pentagram led to Reverend Jeonghye's letter.
...Gotta visit that Jeju spot Dad left. And the Vatican.
Plenty on the plate.
Prioritizing, he sat up cross-legged.
Recovery first.
Without Customizing Room, at a steady pace...
Opening his status window absentmindedly, his eyes widened.
"Huh...?"
Perhaps from Kaishir's encroachment.
The status window had transformed.
In a highly favorable way.