{The Southern Admiral's Request}

Translator : Elizabeth

"Then the deal is struck. The reward will be 50% as a down payment and 50% upon completion."

"Of course. I’ll write the check immediately. Hey, go and bring the checkbook and a pen right now!"

Roan called for the butler standing behind him.

"Yes, Your Grace!"

The butler moved immediately according to the Duke's command.

In an instant, a transaction for a massive sum was finalized. Serafina, standing to the side, watched the scene with her mouth agape.

'T-that kind of amount… changing hands over just a few words.'

Money that she might not touch in her entire ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lifetime was moving back and forth before her eyes. She felt just how incredible the value of the man known as Fist Emperor Jin was. It was a moment where she felt the overwhelming financial power of the Escar Ducal House deep in her bones.

At the same time, something hot squirmed in her chest.

'I want to be a tycoon who moves money like that at will, too!'

It was ambition. An ambition to one day stand shoulder-to-shoulder with such giants. The desire to reach the pinnacle as a merchant was blooming within her.

"Now, the talk about money is over."

Kang Jin-ho clapped his hands.

"Shall we talk about the work? What is it you’re requesting?"

"Right. Come inside. This isn't a conversation for the outdoors."

Roan turned and guided them into the mansion. The sound of shattered glass fragments being stepped on echoed, but no one cared. Upon entering the drawing room, Roan dismissed the maids and sat down.

His expression turned serious. The playful smile vanished, leaving only the sharp gaze of the Southern Admiral.

"The Charon Merchant ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Guild. They are not simple merchants," Roan began. "On the surface, they engage in trade, but behind the scenes, they are a criminal organization that doesn't hesitate to engage in illegal slave trafficking, drug smuggling, and even contract killing."

"A criminal organization, huh."

"Yes. I’ve tried to wipe them out several times, but I failed every time. It hasn't been easy to catch their tail."

"Why? No evidence?"

"No, there is more than enough evidence. If I set my mind to it, burying a trashy group like that at the bottom of the sea would be nothing."

Roan toyed with the teacup on the table. For a moment, fear and vigilance flickered in his eyes. It was not an expression a Sword Master and ruler of the South should show.

"The problem is those behind them."

"Behind them?"

"Yes. The Charon Merchant Guild is merely a source of funds and a shell. Their true identity is… a subordinate organization of the Followers of the Abyss, a cult that serves an outer god."

The Followers of the Abyss.

The moment that phrase was mentioned, Kang Jin-ho's eyebrows twitched. It was a name in his memory—a troublesome villain group from the middle and latter parts of the original novel, <The Regressor Saintess Only Walks the Flower Path>, that threw the Empire into chaos.

However, the danger Kang Jin-ho knew of them wasn't just at a "troublesome" level.

'So it was those guys.'

According to the original settings, the outer god they served was an existence standing in direct opposition to Iscarion, the main god of this world. It was a being that twisted the laws of the world and bestowed curses and authorities upon its followers that defied common sense. It was a heterogeneous power that was difficult to counter with ordinary magic or Aura.

"They are different from general criminal organizations," Roan continued heavily. "If they have laid a trap, even I, a Sword Master, might be in danger. Stepping into such a dangerous place rashly would lead to many sacrifices."

Kang Jin-ho nodded. It was a convincing reason. While the comment section of the original work praised Roan as a "cheerful, dashing man," from Kang Jin-ho’s perspective, he was a thorough self-preservationist. He was the type who wouldn't step into a dangerous situation where his safety wasn't guaranteed.

'In the original, he went crazy with love for Han Seol-ah and didn't care about anything.'

However, becoming a fool who didn't care about anything—or rather, a pure-hearted man—only when it involved the female lead, Han Seol-ah, was Roan's character trait in the original story. It seemed he was the type who was calculating but went mad when in love.

'Well, that's a story ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for later.'

In any case, this self-preservation must have been the driving force that allowed Roan to rule the southern seas.

'True, their curses are quite nasty.'

Memories of the North flashed through Kang Jin-ho’s mind. Frederica. The story about her husband she spat out before their intense time in the treasure warehouse.

'In my memory, that guy was Hart, right?'

He knew who the target was. The former Northern Knight Commander, Hart Castel. In the original novel, the reason he became a vegetable was precisely because of a curse cast by these Followers of the Abyss. Even a powerhouse who approached the level of Sword Master had his soul bound by a single curse and became a living corpse.

Therefore, Roan being cautious wasn't cowardice, but a wise move.

'Well, whether it's Hart or Heart, it's none of my business.'

To Kang Jin-ho, Hart was just a background setting from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the original. However, he knew at least that he shouldn't underestimate the danger of those bastards.

"That's rational. It's better than charging in like an idiot and letting your subordinates die for nothing."

As Kang Jin-ho affirmed this, Roan's expression softened slightly.

"I appreciate your understanding. Anyway, that’s why I need your strength."

"Because to bring them down, you have no choice but to attack with the strongest force possible?"

"That’s right. No matter what trap they’ve laid, I need a powerful martial force capable of breaking through it."

Roan stared directly at Kang Jin-ho.

"With your strength—the one that bounced off my strikes with an Aura Guard and captured Mammoth Prime alive—you should be able to crush them."

Roan was full of conviction. He had experienced Kang Jin-ho's strength firsthand. It was something outside the norm that couldn't be described simply as being "strong."

"Fine. Accepted. So? When is the departure?"

Roan turned his gaze to look at Serafina.

"How urgent is the Lapis Guild’s request?"

Receiving Roan's gaze, Serafina hurriedly straightened her back. Perhaps because her answer was delayed, Kang Jin-ho’s reply was heard first.

"I don't know. Do I need to know that? I’m just going because I was told to find the goods; the urgency is her business. I’m fine as long as the payment is deposited."

It was a thorough business mindset of just performing the request. He acted as though Serafina's circumstances were none of his concern.

Because of this, Serafina actually regained her wits. She had been suppressed by the weight of the conversation between the Duke and the Fist Emperor, but this was a matter involving her own merchant guild. Kang Jin-ho wouldn't step up for the guild's sake. She had to step up herself.

"Th-there is about a week left until the penalty deadline." She swallowed her dry saliva and added, "But… it must be solved as soon as possible. Rumors are already spreading, and the longer it's delayed, the more the guild's credibility will hit rock bottom."

Roan nodded. "A week. It’s not generous, but it’s not insufficient. However, if it’s a matter of the guild's credit, there’s no reason to drag it out."

He asked Kang Jin-ho, "What about you? Do you need time to prepare?"

"I don't mind starting immediately?"

"Haha! That's a relief then."

Roan spread a map on the table. A treacherous area in the southern waters where black reefs were entangled like a maze. In the center, there was an island marked in red.

"Their location is here. The Black Reef Fortress."

Roan's finger pointed to the island.

"This entire area is their den. The currents are rough and there are many reefs, making it hard for ships to approach. There will likely be barriers and traps laid across the whole island. We don't know what curses or traps might be lurking. A general approach would be a suicide mission."

Roan’s expression was grave. He had sent numerous scouts in the meantime, but none had returned. It was that dangerous of a place.

However, Kang Jin-ho glanced at the map and smirked.

"Traps? Curses?"

Kang Jin-ho rested his chin on his hand and said, "Then we just have to smash it all."

Roan nodded. "Yes. We depart tomorrow at dawn. We’ll take their heads before the sun rises."

The night deepened. The Escar Ducal Mansion was as quiet as if the disturbance of the day had been a lie. However, within that silence lingered the tension of warriors facing battle.

Kang Jin-ho was lying in his assigned VIP room. The top-grade feather bed was plush, and the sound of waves coming from outside the window was as peaceful as a lullaby.

However, a knock on his door broke that peace.

Tap, tap.

"What is it, Southern Admiral?"

"Sorry for disturbing you."

The door opened and Roan entered. He was in comfortable indoor attire, but his characteristic boisterous energy remained.

"Why aren't you sleeping? You said we depart at dawn."

"I felt my hospitality toward my guest was lacking."

Roan gestured toward the back. Then, two women cautiously entered from outside the door. They were beauties wearing splendid dresses. One was a pure beauty with blonde hair, and the other was an enchanting beauty with black hair. They sent shy but seductive glances toward Kang Jin-ho.

"What is this?" Kang Jin-ho asked, frowning.

"It’s a service," Roan said confidently. "I’ve heard the rumors. You’re the 'Married Woman Hunter', aren't you? You enjoy women. I brought the best courtesans of the South for you to loosen up before tomorrow's big event. They are very high-class girls. Girls even average nobles would find hard to meet."

It was a gift Roan had prepared, thinking he was being considerate toward Kang Jin-ho. He must have thought there was no hospitality more certain than satisfying a man’s desire.

However, Kang Jin-ho's reaction was chilly.

"Get out."

"…Huh?"

Roan was taken aback. The women also opened their eyes wide in surprise.

"Didn't you hear me? Get them out."

Kang Jin-ho waved his hand while still lying on the bed.

"I have no interest in prostitutes."

At those words, the women's faces turned red. They wore expressions mixed with humiliation and embarrassment. Roan scratched his head as if in a difficult spot.

"Hey, your words are a bit harsh. These girls aren't just prostitutes who sell their bodies; they are equipped with art and culture…"

"Even so, selling their bodies for money is the same," Kang Jin-ho was firm. "I only have business relationships with clients. Sleeping together is different from business."

He sat up and stared intently at Roan.

"Do you know why I’m called the Married Woman Hunter? I enjoy doing it when we both want it, when our desires match. Women who sell forced smiles for money aren't fun. It feels like doing it with a dead fish."

Kang Jin-ho's taste was fixed. A woman who pounces while revealing her own desire, like Frederica. Or the secret deviations of noble wives searching for an escape from their tedious daily lives. Unless it was comfortable sex where he took no responsibility, it was just labor to him.

"So get them out. I have work to do tomorrow, so I’d rather just sleep."