Chapter 60
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Villain's Demise (1)
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I sat on the porch, lighting a small brazier with chunks of charcoal made from the Disaster Flower ashes I'd brought back from Okinawa.
On top of it, I placed a thick griffon leg I'd picked up from the black market.
A satisfying sizzle rang out as the golden skin crisped up beautifully, filling the entire yard with a savory aroma. The clean smoke rising from the Disaster Flower charcoal infused the meat with a subtle smoky flavor.
"Looks delicious."
I tore off a well-cooked piece and popped it into my mouth. The crunchy skin gave way to tender, juicy meat inside. The more I chewed, the more the salty seasoning bloomed, mingling perfectly with the mysterious smoky notes dancing at the tip of my nose.
-Hmyu!
"Pwaeng!"
"Kkokkok!"
Before I knew it, the three little ones had gathered beside me, their eyes sparkling as they stared up expectantly. I shredded the tender meat and divided it equally among them. They devoured their shares with the joy of owning the world itself. Thanks to the charcoal, the griffon meat was truly top-notch.
"That's all, Muryong! No more eating."
After the meal, I pulled out the item I'd bought from the black market.
'Said it made you age 30 years just by grabbing it.'
But did that apply to me?
I gripped the worn wooden handle without hesitation.
Crack...!
The moment I did, a cursed energy seeped from the hoe, trying to drain my life force. But it fizzled out the instant it hit the wall of Internal Energy flowing through my body.
"Hm."
I injected a strong surge of Internal Energy once more. The hoe trembled violently before settling down as if nothing had happened. It was a show of dominance.
"So, what can this hoe do?"
Of course, trying it out would tell me. But first...
"Oh, right. That."
I decided to pull it out after a while.
The artifact Shin Seung-ah from MK Sphere had given me. I hadn't had much use for it lately, but I made a point to check it whenever it crossed my mind.
"Tell me about this hoe."
A surveying tool. That was unexpected info.
"So how do you use its original function?"
Earth energy. My mind went to my skill, [Absolute's Herb Garden]. This garden itself was practically pure earth energy incarnate.
Thud!
Without hesitation, I plunged the hoe into the soft soil at the center.
At that moment.
Thump!
The hoe vibrated handle and all. Soon, its sharp tip began spinning wildly like a compass needle.
Rumble...!
Then, unbelievably, the hoe started digging into the ground on its own.
"Wha—huh?"
In an instant, it burrowed deep into the earth and vanished. I stared blankly at the hole it left behind.
"Where... did it go?"
"What'd it go fetch?"
"When will it come back?"
It was puzzling, but I guess I just had to wait for it to come back on its own. Its lightspeed disappearance was absurd, but it also sparked some anticipation.
-Hmyuuuut!
"Pwaaeng!"
"Kkiyoot!"
They seemed thoroughly shocked by the bizarre spectacle.
"Why are you guys freaking out?"
They bounced around, circling me and cheering like kids who'd just witnessed an amazing magic show.
And then.
"Kkokkow!!!"
Even the chicken that had been quietly eating in the corner couldn't hold back its excitement at the once-in-a-lifetime sight and crowed at the top of its lungs.
"Pfft."
Now we had one more sound in the chorus.
Near Hongdae in Seoul, in a rundown bar without even a signboard, lay the hideout of the information guild Hydra. In the corner sat a man staring intently at his laptop—Viper, the shadowy world's most capable info broker, whose affiliation and identity remained unknown.
A new commission arrived on the special terminal in front of Viper.
Viper snorted. Rumors had it Phantom needed [Chaos Spores] for their next-gen artifact development. Looks like they'd reached out to him now.
"Huh?"
As he went to reply, another commission popped up.
"Hah."
Viper let out a dry laugh. Korea's No. 2 guild and a national agency both clamoring for the same person.
"Reject all."
No need to think twice. Money mattered to Viper, sure. He was infamous for refusing deals even with the president if the price wasn't right. Their offers weren't lacking by his standards or objectively.
But Viper valued something more than money: trust. Gorani-man 12 had become incredibly important to him. Gorani-man's crops were miracle drugs restoring his body wrecked by all-nighters, and their occasional trades were Viper's one small joy. He wanted to keep it going long and safe.
But then.
A restricted caller ID call came in on his private line.
-It's me, Viper. Management Bureau's Park Jin-su, Team Leader.
"...What's the business."
-You have info on Gorani-man 12, right? Hand it over now. Money's no object.
Arrogant and rude voice. Park Jin-su was one of Viper's long-time clients. He'd climbed his position in the Bureau thanks to Viper's info more than once.
'Slick bastard who only takes the gains.'
Viper's brow furrowed.
"Deals only through official channels."
-You messing with me? Spill it, punk. Burying a worm like you is nothing.
"What'd you say?"
-You loved it when I bought your info before. Now you're playing hard to get? Guys like you rot in the gutter selling scraps your whole life anyway. I'm eating the nation's payroll now—where does a bug like you get off crawling up!
Unbelievable. When he needed info, he'd act like he'd give Viper his liver calling him "sir," but now "worm"?
'Well, he's always been like that.'
Classic bully to the weak, bootlicker to the strong. The type who swung his tiny power like it owned the world. No wonder the Bureau was rotting—with guys like this in charge.
"Team Leader Park Jin-su. Three days ago, you dropped 12 million won on a corporate card at a Gangnam room salon. The woman with you was a hunter trainee—want more details?"
-Wha—what! How the hell do you...!
Click.
Viper hung up without listening more and blocked the number. Then he fired off a quick message to someone.
Okinawa, a land of death strewn only with ash piles and twisted trees. Yet faint traces of life lingered even here.
"Heave-ho."
I gazed at where I'd planted the [Abyssal Glutton Tree] yesterday, recalling its growth conditions.
The chaos here in Okinawa would make it thrive, but one tree was fine—for a forest, it'd need more nutrients.
'Got plenty of magic stones left. Maybe feed it those.'
As I pondered...
A message from Tower Market.
A-Rank hunter Kim Tae-seong from the Management Bureau. He'd become my most loyal regular. Pure grit, refreshing 24/7 for fair buys. Always polite in trades too—nothing like his arrogant media image.
— SUNG_STRONG: Got it. Understood.
— SUNG_STRONG: Just in case... Lately, this guy Park Jin-su from the Bureau's been desperate to find you. Word is he's even hired shady info brokers for background digs. Won't get anywhere, of course.
'Park Jin-su?'
Viper's message made sense now.
— SUNG_STRONG: Total mess. Has his underlings 24/7 refreshing Tower Market, paralyzing field ops.
— SUNG_STRONG: Nearly caused a disaster ignoring a B-Rank rift reinforcement request for a crop drop. Guess that's how he thinks he can reach you.
Nothing changed since my Bureau days. No surprise.
"Guess I worried for nothing."
Staring at the Glutton Tree, it hit me. The darkest shadows are under the lamp. Time to meet and hear him out.
Park Jin-su kept redialing Viper in a huff. But only cold automated messages: "Unable to take call per customer request."
"Damn it!"
As he went to hurl the terminal, the screen lit up with an incoming call.
"Huh?"
Caller: Viper.
-Changed my mind. Let's deal.
"Hmph, money talks, punk. That's more like it."
-Price'll be high, though. You good?
"Money's not the issue! My neck's on the line! How much!"
-...About 500 million.
"Five—500 million?!"
Steep sum to scrape together on the spot. But he couldn't back out.
'Screw it! Buy first, worry later!'
Reluctantly, he siphoned emergency ops funds and wired it.
"Sent. Confirmed?"
Moments later, Viper sent a profile—with a note it was the sole contact for Gorani-man 12. Park cackled and messaged right away.
Park humbled himself to test the waters. But the reply was unexpected.
— Park Jin-su: Me? For real?
— Gorani-man 12: Yes. But on one condition: Absolute secrecy. No one—not media, not even Bureau insiders—can know. One leak, deal's off.
— Park Jin-su: Of course! Absolutely!
— Gorani-man 12: Good. Use the coordinate scroll I send to come over.
Park shot up laughing.
"Jackpot!"
He swore secrecy, but had no intention of keeping it.
"Assemblyman Park! It's me!"
He immediately called his backer, Park Min-cheol, to report the huge scoop. Had to brag about fulfilling the impossible order fast. This merit guaranteed his next promotion!
"Uahaha! Wait for me, Gorani-man!"
Park shouted in triumph at the scroll from Gorani-man, oblivious to its destination. And that there, not the man he'd desperately sought, but the one he'd once scorned and trampled awaited him—utterly unaware.