A New Identity
Rain was pouring heavily outside the window. Time had flown by; it had already been about a week since Kang Hyuk had fallen into the world of Hero of the World.
Beep!
Kang Hyuk, who had been watching the breaking news, promptly switched off the television. There was no need to watch any further.
After a week of careful verification, he had finally confirmed that this world was unfolding exactly according to the main storyline of Hero of the World.
Fire Force will eventually be subdued by the A-class hero, Black Rose. But in the process, Black Rose will suffer severe third-degree burns across her entire body. Losing her beautiful appearance will eventually drive her to turn evil... Well, either way, it's a good thing for me. If the future plays out exactly as I know it, the benefits I can reap will be substantial.
Kang Hyuk calmly organized his thoughts and looked down at the smartphone he had purchased just yesterday. Now that he had secured a new place to live and finished verifying the main storyline, he intended to fully embark on his new life starting today.
To do that, his immediate priority was earning money. He had spent every last penny of his savings on renting his studio apartment and buying the new phone.
What kind of job can make money quickly? Ideally, something that lets me earn cash while also gaining the experience points I need to level up...
Kang Hyuk pondered deeply as he scrolled through the web. Some might ask: why not just skip leveling up altogether, find a legal job, and live a quiet, wholesome life?
But that was a naive notion only held by those who didn't know the late-game plot of Hero of the World. The latter half of the game's story was incredibly bleak. A shadow organization would seize control of an entire nation, wars would break out between countries, and massive terrorist attacks and riots would erupt worldwide!
In other words, now that he was forced to live in this world, Kang Hyuk could never afford to neglect his level. Without power, the natural order of this world dictated that he would be crushed in an instant, like an ant on the street.
"Ah... Come to think of it, there's such a thing as bounty hunters in this world too."
As he racked his brain, a sudden realization struck him. Kang Hyuk quickly navigated to a specific website.
The site he accessed was run by the Public Security Bureau, where one could officially search for wanted villains.
A bounty hunter... It certainly seems like a decent profession for a new identity. It's also the only occupation where the state legally permits you to kill...
Kang Hyuk nodded. If one had to point out the biggest difference between a "Hero" and a "Bounty Hunter," it lay in whether they used lethal force to subdue villains.
Ordinary heroes generally avoided killing unless an unexpected emergency forced their hand. On the other hand, bounty hunters didn't hesitate to spill blood to bring down a target. After all, their goal wasn't to save people; it was to get paid.
That's why some people describe bounty hunters as beings standing on the thin line between heroes and villains. Honestly, that seems like the most accurate description. Bounty hunters are a breed that can turn into villains at any moment, depending on the circumstances.
Continuing his train of thought, Kang Hyuk began to carefully scan the list of wanted villains. His mind was already made up. From now on, he would live as a bounty hunter.
"...This guy will do nicely for my first target."
After browsing the site for about two hours, Kang Hyuk finally selected a fugitive.
His first target was none other than Kim Juhwan, a wanted serial rapist. He possessed mediocre supernatural abilities and had no backing organization, so he hadn't even earned a proper alias.
For Kang Hyuk, who was still at a low level, such a target was absolutely perfect.
Besides, I know exactly where this bastard is hiding right now. He's just one of the minor mobs that appears during the main story.
Kang Hyuk quickly combed through his memories and began preparing to head out. Strike while the iron is hot—he intended to hunt this guy down immediately.
"...Ah, I almost forgot."
Kang Hyuk paused in the middle of changing his clothes as the thought struck him.
A moment later, he extended his hands into the empty air and began to visualize an object. A sturdy frame made of reinforced plastic, an integrated automatic magazine, a multi-cylinder, and even an accidental-discharge prevention hammer block...!
Flash!
About ten minutes later, once his visualization was complete, a simple revolver materialized in his hands.
5.56mm Pistol-type Creation
This weapon was created using the 5.56mm Pistol-type Creation skill he had acquired a week ago. Currently, it was the most powerful firearm he was capable of materializing.
Though it has an extremely simple mechanism, there's no better weapon than this for dealing with a nameless villain. Still, I'll never get used to the feeling of mana depletion.
Feeling a wave of severe dizziness, Kang Hyuk tucked the revolver inside his coat. Since the firearm he created operated on a mechanism that automatically replenished its ammunition, there was no need to craft separate bullets. In fact, the greatest advantage of his created weapon was its infinite magazine.
"...Let's go."
Having completed his preparations, Kang Hyuk finally stepped out of his apartment. Raindrops splattered against his head.
Deafening music filled the underground dance floor. Kang Hyuk frowned, scanning his surroundings.
He should definitely be around here somewhere...
Kang Hyuk began to scrutinize the faces and features of the crowd one by one. He was currently inside a Gangnam underground nightclub. If his memory served him right, this club was Kim Juhwan's primary haunt.
Kim Juhwan had been designated as a villain after raping dozens of women. Since then, he had been operating mainly in underground clubs to evade the eyes of the law.
"...Hey, handsome! Are you looking for someone?"
As Kang Hyuk was scanning the crowd, a voice suddenly called out to him. He turned to identify the speaker.
She looked barely twenty. Her beauty was absolutely breathtaking—large, clear eyes beneath a smooth forehead, a sharp, elegant nose, and lips as small and red as cherries...!
Gulp.
Kang Hyuk swallowed hard despite himself. But he quickly composed his expression and turned away. He had come here to hunt Kim Juhwan, not to flirt with women.
"Hey, why are you ignoring me? I asked who you're looking for!"
"Stop bothering me and go away," he replied bluntly.
"...What? Are you playing hard to get just because you're handsome?"
When Kang Hyuk waved his hand dismissively, the woman pouted and stepped even closer. The strong scent of alcohol wafting off her made it clear she was heavily intoxicated.
"Aren't you here to pick up girls? If so, how about me?"
"You're not my type."
"Wow, that's so mean! I'll have you know I'm incredibly popular, okay? You could look around all day and night and you won't find anyone prettier than me! Come on, don't be like that. Hang out with me, handsome. Please?"
Despite his cold rejection, the woman clung to him tenaciously. Truth be told, Kang Hyuk didn't exactly hate having a beautiful woman throw herself at him. Unless a man was otherwise inclined, who would dislike such a situation?
"Shoo. Go away."
Yet, Kang Hyuk continued to push her away. He had a job to do. If he wasted time fooling around with a girl and let Kim Juhwan slip through his fingers, everything would be ruined. For all he knew, Kim Juhwan might spot him first and run away.
"...Hey, you there!"
While Kang Hyuk and the woman were bickering, a sharp, irritated male voice suddenly cut through the noise. Kang Hyuk turned his head toward the sound.
The man calling out to him was a tall, middle-aged man with a small scar on his left cheek. The moment Kang Hyuk laid eyes on him, his expression turned utterly bewildered.
The man was none other than Kim Juhwan.