Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Became the Last of the Giant Clan
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A voice came through from the other end of the smartphone.
Kang Hyuk opened his mouth in confusion at the sound.
"Lee Ye-sol?"
[Yes, Team Leader.]
"...What brings you to call?"
[Do you have time today by any chance?]
Kang Hyuk paused at the straightforward question.
"...I can spare a moment after 6 PM."
[Then, could we meet briefly then? There's something I need to pass along...]
"Yes, understood."
The call ended with those words.
Kang Hyuk stared at the smartphone, silent for a moment, then thought to himself.
A lot had changed since the labyrinth gate at Seoul Station.
Among those changes, the most notable one was Lee Ye-sol.
'...'
Perhaps because of her ability called Mind Demon, Lee Ye-sol's expression had always been dark.
Her atmosphere was perpetually subdued, matching that look. But after the Seoul Station incident, both her demeanor and expression had changed dramatically.
'She used to hardly smile, but now... she smiles a lot.'
As he recalled that change, Kang Hyuk soon tilted his head.
'What could have caused such a sudden shift?'
Having lived through his previous life and this one—spanning no small amount of time—Kang Hyuk knew well.
A person's personality or character didn't change easily.
In that sense, Lee Ye-sol's drastic transformation raised many questions.
But he soon set aside the thought and shrugged.
'...Whatever. As long as it's a positive change.'
She was destined to become a "villain" known as the Future Nightmare.
In that light, even small changes like this could lay the foundation to alter that future.
With that thought, Kang Hyuk turned his gaze to Ha Namjin.
"Finished with the call?"
"Yes. I have a sudden appointment, so I won't be able to join you for dinner."
Ha Namjin smiled brightly at that.
"That's fine. We can always eat another time."
Kang Hyuk nodded after watching him for a moment.
Then, after some hesitation, he slowly spoke.
"President Ha. Please don't be startled by what I'm about to say."
"Pardon...?"
"...We've caught them. The mysterious assailant who attacked Ha Seokjin."
Ha Namjin's eyes widened.
He stammered in shock.
"R-Really, Kang Hyuk?"
"Yes. I can't go into details yet... but we've apprehended the bastard and made him pay."
Ha Namjin staggered, unable to steady himself at the response.
Kang Hyuk, who had anticipated the reaction, quickly grabbed his shoulder and hand to support him.
"Th-Then... where on earth is that guy...?"
Ha Namjin asked amid the chaos.
Kang Hyuk shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that."
"...?"
"We caught the mysterious assassin, but the one who planned it... we haven't gotten yet."
Ha Namjin's eyes widened once more.
Kang Hyuk quickly continued.
"Of course... if you insist, I can tell you. But in my opinion, that information would do more harm than good right now."
"..."
"The mastermind behind this hasn't given up yet and will try to cover it up somehow. That's why I think it's premature to tell you, President Ha."
Ha Namjin fell silent at the explanation.
His eyes reddened, at a loss for words.
Kang Hyuk watched him quietly, then murmured in a low,沉 voice.
'If I can't stop Xiao Ran... everyone involved in this will suffer.'
In that sense, giving Ha Namjin more information could put him in danger.
That was why Kang Hyuk hadn't explained everything.
"...Ugh!"
Ha Namjin finally burst into tears.
Kang Hyuk didn't offer hasty comfort at the pitiful sight.
Instead, he revealed his resolve.
"I will uncover it all."
Ha Namjin lifted his head at the determination.
"Ha Seokjin's death. And all the masterminds behind it... I'll make sure they pay for their crimes and face proper punishment."
Ha Namjin's twisted expression softened a bit.
"So... just trust me a little longer and wait."
Kang Hyuk's eyes gleamed.
"Soon, true retribution for Ha Seokjin's wrongful death will come."
After parting with Ha Namjin, Kang Hyuk stood at the Hunter Association's main gate to meet Lee Ye-sol.
Perhaps because it was quitting time, countless people passed by without giving him a second glance.
[Steel Beak Goblin's Mask]
[Grade: Magic]
New power is imbued into the goblins' mask by the hands of an excellent blacksmith. A very cunning magic has been granted.
✨ Special Ability:Change Self (Illusion Magic)
The Steel Beak Goblin's Mask, enchanted with illusion magic.
His subtly altered appearance thanks to the item's effect was the reason.
'In another sense, this item has become essential for me right now.'
After recent events, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say every citizen of Korea knew his face.
Thus, the Steel Beak Goblin's Mask was proving more useful than any other item at the moment.
As he waited for his appointment amid a rare sense of solitude, a familiar voice called out.
"Team Leader?"
"Is that you, Team Leader?"
He turned to see Lee Ye-sol standing behind him, holding a small bag.
Kang Hyuk gave her a puzzled look.
'...She spotted me right away?'
His face was altered by the Steel Beak Goblin Mask.
Yet Lee Ye-sol had recognized him instantly and approached.
When he asked how, she smiled faintly.
"You always wear the same suit every day."
"..."
"I had a hunch. There's only one person who wears a suit like that standing at the main gate."
Kang Hyuk responded awkwardly.
"I thought I changed it up every day... Hm."
Her eyes curved at his reaction.
After hesitating, she held out the small paper bag.
"...What's this?"
"A gift."
"A gift?"
"Yes. With everything that's happened... and your promotion..."
Kang Hyuk's eyes widened.
He hadn't expected it to be a gift.
Unable to respond, he peered inside the box.
A sleek black necktie lay within.
"...Thank you. I didn't see this coming at all. Especially since this incident was mostly my fault."
Lee Ye-sol's eyes curved happily.
"That's why I'm even more grateful, Lee Ye-sol. I'll wear this tie every day to work now."
Kang Hyuk looked up.
She murmured.
"You have to."
"...?"
"You must wear that tie."
Surprised by the unexpected words, Kang Hyuk nodded.
But Lee Ye-sol ignored his gaze and asked.
"Have you eaten?"
"No. But I have another appointment, so I need to rush off."
Disappointment flickered across her face briefly, but she quickly recovered and asked again.
"Then... could you buy me a meal next time?"
"Of course. After receiving this, it's the least I can do."
"Promise? I'll hold you to it."
Kang Hyuk chuckled.
"Absolutely. I'll buy you anything."
Her eyes sparkled at the reply.
After some thought, she shook her head.
'Sigh.'
She wanted to push further.
But rushing things wouldn't help.
'Time to back off for now.'
With a grin, Lee Ye-sol waved goodbye.
"See you tomorrow, Team Leader."
Her long hair swayed as she walked away.
Kang Hyuk watched her back for a while.
[Team Leader Kang! W-We’ve arrived!]
His smartphone vibrated.
Kang Hyuk smiled at Lee Hyun-jin's voice on the line and retracted his gaze.
"Tell them I'm on my way. We can't keep such an esteemed guest waiting."
He retied the new necktie from Lee Ye-sol.
"And... make a reservation. At a restaurant with food that people from Manchester, England, would enjoy."
"Ho! So this is Korea!"
A middle-aged man with a wild bomb head, excessively ripped jeans, and a leather vest unfit for the weather spread his arms wide.
"Hmmm! The mana is subtly permeating everywhere—clearly a great place to live!"
His secretary spoke up beside him.
"Highenz. Kang Hyuk is arriving soon."
"Oh? Hoo...! Finally meeting him. That rumored S-rank!"
Highenz entered the restaurant, leaving the outdoor garden behind.
"So, what do you think?"
"Pardon?"
"About that S-rank. What kind of person do you think he is?"
As she poured tea into Highenz's cup, the secretary replied.
"He seems kind, at least."
"Kind?"
"Yes. Eastern people might look youthful... but they all give off a gentle impression. This man even more so."
"Hm! Fair point. And next?"
"He doesn't seem greedy. Actually... isn't this meeting a great opportunity in many ways?"
Highenz laughed.
"Exactly. A chance to meet me—the great archmage—alone! He could earn money if he wants, fame if he craves it... a golden opportunity!"
His response brimmed with excessive confidence.
But the secretary didn't react negatively.
It was true.
This man, with his eccentric personality, was someone every powerbroker and chaebol in the world wanted to meet.
'The one who systematized over 50% of the magic systems used by mages worldwide. Not just that—he bridged science and magic, the pillars of this era.'
In short, he had every right to such arrogant words.
Meeting the world's top mage and inventor was bound to bring benefits.
"But... whether this guy knows that or not, it's odd."
"..."
"Insisting on such secrecy and conditions for meeting me."
The secretary cautiously replied.
"Doesn't he have some ulterior motive?"
"Sure he does. The fun part is I can't guess it."
Highenz grinned.
"Well, we'll find out soon enough. Let's wait."
Thirty minutes later, the sealed door opened.
Highenz's eyes lit up at the entering man.
"Ah, Hyuk!"
Kang Hyuk nodded.
"It's an honor to meet you."
Highenz gestured at the fluent English.
His secretary handed something over.
"This is...?"
"Put it on."
Kang Hyuk donned the small earpiece from the secretary.
Clear Korean filled his ears instantly.
"An invention of mine. A translator bridging science and magic."
Kang Hyuk smiled at Highenz's explanation.
"Impressive. Never thought I'd hear such natural Korean from a Brit."
"Haha! Korean's rare usage gave me trouble, but hearing this makes it worthwhile."
At Highenz's gesture, Kang Hyuk sat.
Highenz murmured.
'Hmm... subtle.'
The world's greatest mage tilted his head.
'His impression is totally different from the videos... those bold lines are striking.'
He wasn't just into magic; he delved into many fields, including Eastern physiognomy.
By that art, Kang Hyuk differed vastly from the rumors.
'Not lacking ambition—he's hiding it. The furrowed brow, eyebrows... signs of great ambition.'
Highenz's eyes curved.
'Interesting fellow!'
Rare to pique his interest on first sight.
Hiding his excitement, Highenz asked.
"Truth be told, I've been looking forward to this meeting."
Kang Hyuk played it cool.
"Didn't expect that. Looking forward...?"
"Haha! Not grand expectations. More like... curiosity."
Kang Hyuk thought inwardly.
'He has his own agenda too. Makes sense... a man like Highenz wouldn't come all this way without reason.'
This meeting happened due to Highenz's immense concessions.
Famous for never leaving his 'Magic Tower' in Manchester, England, his personal trip to Korea was huge.
'Not just that—he accepted keeping it secret, no publicity.'
True to his eccentric nickname, he loved attention, always advertising or YouTubing such meets.
Yet he agreed to total silence for this.
'All that accommodation... means he wants something from me.'
Kang Hyuk smirked inwardly.
'Then I'll wait him out. He's the eager one; he'll spill first.'
The conversation began.
"You have no idea how shocked I was! S-ranks with limitless potential break my barriers, but none shattered it like you, Kang Hyuk!"
Highenz spoke; Kang Hyuk nodded along appropriately.
"Is that so?"
"Yes! Even national-level hunters using those S-rank talents never demolished it!"
Unlike his title, he was quite affable, easing any awkwardness.
As food was served, Highenz exaggeratedly recounted the barrier-breaking.
"So I pondered deeply! What power did you awaken, Kang Hyuk?"
Kang Hyuk's eyes sharpened.
"From videos and my informants worldwide... I heard your power isn't mana or magic power."
Highenz's eyes gleamed too.
"S-rank enhanced body? Nonsense! A body is just a protein clump, no matter how reinforced—a lump still! Thus..."
He leaned forward.
"I'm very curious about your power's source. Mr. Hyuk. Do you know it?"
"...No."
"Aren't you curious!?"
He made a proposal.
"Neither mana nor magic power—I'll uncover what it is. Mr. Hyuk."
Kang Hyuk smiled.
"Unveiling that secret... you'll grow far stronger. No."
Highenz extended his hand.
"You might become the world's strongest hunter."