Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Franz Levi's Gem
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Kang Jin-hyuk picked up the gem and tried appraising it.
[Franz Levi's Gem]
- A gem containing power distorted by dimensional magic.
- Possesses the power to induce dimensional rifts.
- The size of the rift can be controlled by infusing it with mana stones.
Kang Jin-hyuk couldn't hide his shock at the explanations scrolling before his eyes.
Was it really okay for something like this cheat item to exist in the world?
The relic handed over by the giant scorpion was an item tremendous enough to upend the lives of all the hunters who'd built their careers up until now.
He had no idea why a mere monster possessed such a thing.
"Franz Levi... It must be connected to that name somehow."
Kang Jin-hyuk didn't think it was the giant scorpion's designation.
The giant scorpion had wielded an extraordinary ability similar to auras.
But it was hard to believe it had the skill to wield dimensional magic.
The description mentioned power distorted by dimensional magic, which strongly suggested artificial intervention.
"For now, this is something that absolutely cannot be discovered."
Normally, in overseas expeditions like this, the hunter who slew the monster claimed its materials.
But if the Qatari government learned of this item's existence, they wouldn't just sit idly by.
An item capable of inducing dimensional rifts on its own.
There was no way they'd let Kang Jin-hyuk return safely to his home country with that in front of them.
Kang Jin-hyuk shoved the gem into the deepest part of his inventory.
"It's a good thing Cheon Sang-ho and I came separately."
Cheon Sang-ho had shown a gentlemanly demeanor so far, but would he maintain that attitude if he knew about the gem?
Kang Jin-hyuk didn't trust him that much yet.
He couldn't very well share such a massive secret with someone he didn't have enough personal connection to draw his sword for.
Kang Jin-hyuk stored the giant scorpion's battered corpse and mana stone in a separate inventory slot.
If the Qataris demanded proof of the subjugation, he'd show them this.
Putting them in the same inventory as the gem risked exposure of its true nature, which he couldn't afford.
Kang Jin-hyuk slapped his own cheeks with both hands to calm his swelling emotions.
"Manage your expressions properly."
Kang Jin-hyuk took deep breaths, striving to appear as calm as possible.
Every time he thought of the gem, his heart raced wildly, so he mentally counted prime numbers to steady himself.
Thanks to continuously calming his mind and body, by the time he exited the tunnel, Kang Jin-hyuk's face looked remarkably serene.
Cheon Sang-ho, who had been waiting after leaving the tunnel first, eyed Kang Jin-hyuk's expression with puzzlement.
"Did something good happen?"
"Huh? Why do you say that?"
Kang Jin-hyuk startled, undoing all his prior efforts in an instant.
"It looks like you picked up a valuable item."
"Hahaha..."
Feeling completely exposed, Kang Jin-hyuk could only laugh it off.
He grew nervous, wondering if Cheon Sang-ho would press him here.
Cheon Sang-ho could clearly read that anxiety on Kang Jin-hyuk's face.
"Don't worry. I'll keep your secret so there are no unnecessary conflicts."
"R-Really?"
"Of course. Items obtained from hunts belong entirely to us in the first place, don't they?"
Cheon Sang-ho had undertaken countless overseas commissions.
He'd clashed plenty with foreign governments and associations as a result.
Like how people entering and exiting a bathroom differ.
Those who groveled pitifully when requesting a subjugation would inevitably start throwing their weight around once the job was done.
Cheon Sang-ho figured that if Kang Jin-hyuk had snagged something pricey, the Qataris would surely make unreasonable demands.
Such unfairness shouldn't happen from the start, so he promised not to utter a word about whatever item Kang Jin-hyuk had obtained.
"If they demand your inventory, refuse outright. It's illegal under international law, so they can't force an inspection."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for the advice."
Kang Jin-hyuk was relieved Cheon Sang-ho showed no interest in the item.
But he didn't let his guard down completely.
Cheon Sang-ho currently assumed the gem was just some valuable good.
Whether he'd keep the same attitude after learning that assumption was wrong remained to be seen.
"By the way, taking down that scorpion alone... Impressive as expected."
Cheon Sang-ho marveled that Kang Jin-hyuk had soloed the giant scorpion, which even two of them wouldn't have taken down easily.
He'd believed it possible, but Kang Jin-hyuk had finished far quicker than anticipated and emerged.
"I thought you'd come out only after the sun had fully set."
"Then why wait outside instead of coming to help?"
"If I joined the hunt, it would complicate the shares."
Cheon Sang-ho didn't want arguments over portions leading to hard feelings.
Having claimed ample rewards from slaying countless scorpion offspring, he saw yielding the adult's materials to Kang Jin-hyuk as only fair.
He had no inkling how massive a reward that decision had brought Kang Jin-hyuk.
"You don't seem very greedy for money?"
"It's not that I have none, but being able to live comfortably is enough for me."
If he'd craved wealth, Cheon Sang-ho never would have joined the association voluntarily.
Snagging an executive spot in a top guild would shower him in cash.
Why choose a civil servant life with a fixed salary?
"Just in case, wrap whatever you got in this."
Cheon Sang-ho handed Kang Jin-hyuk something resembling silver foil.
"What's this?"
"Foil that fools association scanning devices."
"How'd you get your hands on something like this?"
"Thanks to slaving away like a dog under the association, I managed to snag a few."
The association president trusted Cheon Sang-ho deeply and granted him legitimate ways to pocket extra funds.
Cheon Sang-ho had no desire to exploit them for personal gain, so he passed it to Kang Jin-hyuk.
"Thank you..."
Kang Jin-hyuk felt a pang of conscience at Cheon Sang-ho's thoughtfulness.
Maybe he could just come clean.
As that impulse crept up, Kang Jin-hyuk shook his head firmly.
Business was business, and personal matters personal.
Taking risks on a momentary sentiment would be foolish.
Kang Jin-hyuk turned away from Cheon Sang-ho's view, wrapped the gem in the foil, and stowed it back in his inventory.
"We should head back before it gets any later."
Cheon Sang-ho said worriedly, glancing at the nearly set sun.
That was exactly what Kang Jin-hyuk wanted.
Eager to return quickly, he took the lead toward the barrier guarded by the Qatari hunters.
* * *
The Qatari hunters spotted Kang Jin-hyuk and Cheon Sang-ho approaching the barrier and erupted in commotion.
In the brief moment before the pair reached the entrance, bets flew among them—some mocking the vaunted Korean hunters as failures, others betting on their success.
The odds were 8 to 2.
When Kang Jin-hyuk presented the mana stone and materials as proof of subjugation, the few who'd bet against the odds cheered wildly.
"He's asking if you really took down that monster in half a day," the interpreter relayed.
Even without Han Bi-seo's translation, the Qatari association official's shocked expression said it all.
He stared dubiously at the mana stone and materials thrust before him.
"There was a nest of a new variant monster raising offspring."
Upon hearing Cheon Sang-ho's report, the Qatari association executive paled.
Only after the follow-up that every last one had been hunted did calm return to his face.
"Thank you so much."
Evidently deeply moved, the executive expressed his gratitude directly in clumsy Korean.
Receiving such thanks while hiding the gem made cold sweat trickle down Kang Jin-hyuk's back.
"He's inviting you to the association's party. What should we say?"
Kang Jin-hyuk furrowed his brow deeply at Han Bi-seo's words.
If possible, with the commission done, he wanted to fly back to Korea immediately.
But pushing to leave now would only arouse needless suspicion.
"No, just say we'll gratefully decline."
As Kang Jin-hyuk reluctantly prepared to accept, Cheon Sang-ho stepped in first with a refusal.
When Han Bi-seo relayed it, the executive looked flustered.
"He's asking if there's a problem."
"I have stamina potion side effects coming up soon, so I want to return home before my body stiffens."
He had no desire to linger long in a foreign land with a body too weak to move.
The executive accepted Cheon Sang-ho's firm stance and began preparations to see them off.
"Is it okay to say it that coldly?"
Kang Jin-hyuk worried if it had been unwise.
Cheon Sang-ho's words essentially implied it wasn't safe to stay in Qatar.
"Beating around the bush is worse. It really is a dangerous place."
Cheon Sang-ho continued, glancing sidelong at the nearby Qatari hunters.
They were the bunch who couldn't believe Kang Jin-hyuk and Cheon Sang-ho had dealt with the variant monster.
Kang Jin-hyuk could instantly spot the jealousy and envy in their gazes.
"Even if my body stiffens, I could handle those guys easily. But honestly, it's just a hassle."
Kang Jin-hyuk agreed with Cheon Sang-ho.
Even without the gem issue, he had no wish to linger in this atmosphere.
Han Bi-seo conveyed their stance to the Qatari association and returned, handing Kang Jin-hyuk a slip of paper.
"Here, Jin-hyuk. Take this."
"What's this?"
Kang Jin-hyuk saw only a single phone number scrawled on the paper.
With no name attached, he couldn't fathom why Han Bi-seo had given it to him.
"He said to call this number once things wrap up."
"Who?"
"He said you'd find out when you contact them."
Han Bi-seo's explanation made the number's owner seem highly suspicious.
Uncomfortable calling blindly, Kang Jin-hyuk first texted to inquire about their identity.
Moments after sending, a reply arrived from the number.
[The guild has been attacked.]
The short, curt message gave Kang Jin-hyuk yet another reason to hurry home.