Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: 21. Recruitment War (5)
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On the other end of the phone.
A young man's shout rang out.
[No way, not because of Kang San again...]
"I'll hang up now."
Click.
He cut the call abruptly.
Seeing Jeong Min-jun's resolute expression, a guild member nearby asked,
"Is it okay to handle the call like that? From what I heard, it sounded like Im Chan-young wants to join Flare. Isn't he a promising talent among Korea's mages?"
"He is. The problem is that he left Daeyang amid rumors of a falling out with Kang San."
Kang San.
He had just signed a contract with him.
With an important S-Rank Raid project underway, it wasn't wise to risk upsetting someone whose help they might need. And Yoo Jung-young had proven she followed Kang San's word to the letter. She hadn't responded to Flare's offers, but as soon as Kang San gave permission, she accepted immediately.
And that wasn't all.
Jeong Min-jun said,
"Losing Yoo Jung-young because of Kang San is just the start. Mess this up, and we could lose Yeon Woo-bin for good."
"In that case..."
The guild member nodded.
They had no choice.
They had shown interest in Yeon Woo-bin through Kang San, but in truth, Flare's fascination ran deeper than they'd let on. During the recent B-Rank test, she had unleashed explosive firepower—enough to rank at the top even among B-Rankers. Flare's executives had watched the footage and clamored to recruit her right away. Even in Flare, where Korea's top mages gathered, Yeon Woo-bin's talent was otherworldly.
Im Chan-young might have started with higher potential.
But in the same B-Rank test, Yeon Woo-bin had completely outshone him.
And with both in their late teens, there was no reason to pick a fight with Kang San just for Im Chan-young.
Yoo Jung-young and Yeon Woo-bin.
Kang San held the key to both.
Jeong Min-jun glanced at his ringing phone and said,
"It's simple. Yeon Woo-bin matters more to us than Im Chan-young."
A few days later.
Kang San stumbled upon an absurd article.
[Drake Guild Snags Project A Team—FA Market's Big Fish—and Im Chan-young!]
Heavenly Firmament's Project A Team.
Daeyang's Im Chan-young.
Both had left their groups because of him, and now they'd joined Drake—the one with bad blood toward Kang San. It flew in the face of all logic. With giants like Heavenly Firmament, Daeyang, and Flare courting Kang San, Drake had made a bold move, scooping up Project A Team and Im Chan-young in a no-win situation. In a way, it was a smart play.
And at the article's end.
When asked about their resolve going forward, Project A Team and Im Chan-young showed their hostility.
[We'll make those who let us go for petty reasons regret it.]
It was bad blood.
They'd gained much but left poor relations behind, yet Kang San dismissed their words.
He had no time for that now.
An S-Rank Outbreak loomed.
To boost survival odds even by 0.1%, he needed to grow stronger. Over the past few days, he'd discussed plans with his siblings. Initially, he'd planned to tour domestic raid points and dungeons for stability. But with only half a year to maximize growth, Jeong Chan-woo suggested a new direction.
"...How about Kitakyushu?"
Kitakyushu, Japan.
Once just another Japanese city, it had become hell on earth about three years ago.
A massive Link phenomenon had erupted around Kitakyushu, devastating southern Japan with dozens of Links daily. The cause remained unknown, but the area was now uninhabitable. Japan had erected barriers and stationed hunters there. At first, it was purely defensive, but three years on, people called Kitakyushu something else too.
Monster Field.
A holy site for hunters seeking rapid growth, drawing crowds from every nation.
Japan welcomed it.
Foreign hunters gained levels; Japan got extra manpower for clears.
Win-win.
That was why Jeong Chan-woo suggested it.
If Kang San wanted fast growth, overseas options beat staying domestic.
All agreed.
Destination set.
After a week of prep, Kang San's group would head to Kitakyushu.
'Full prep before then.'
A week.
Much to do.
But before plans kicked off, one person first.
Kim Min-young, the reporter.
This meeting was at her request.
Via Kim Chun-sik, and with her friendly articles, Kang San saw no reason to refuse.
At a nearby café.
Kim Min-young, across from him, beamed—unlike her usual demeanor.
"I've wanted to meet you so badly."
"Me?"
"Yes. You probably don't know this, but from your first involvement in the Wangsimni Link incident, I'd been tracking this nameless hero who never revealed himself. Look at this CCTV footage I got—couldn't ID you from it. Spent months chasing nothing, then heard about the Rangers' isolation incident... I can't even describe how I felt. Finally found your trace there."
Not what he'd expected.
Kim Min-young chattered excitedly about herself.
The talk continued.
Then she mentioned Jo Dong-jae's article.
"So ridiculous. What do those people even know about you to spread such nonsense? That's why they call them trash reporters. I wanted to hit back hard, but didn't want to drag you into the mud. Stuck to facts instead—people will see how amazing you are from that."
"...Why go that far?"
"Pardon? Why?"
"We're practically strangers. Feels like too much favoritism."
Kim Min-young smiled.
Her sharp features softened into a fresh glow.
"Just handled a infuriating story. Lifelong friends on a raid, one shoves the other for the loot after great rewards. As a reporter, I hear this crap constantly—people treating each other like garbage. Kills my drive. Why live? What stories to tell? World's bleak enough. On our tiny pages, I want to share hope. That's my selfish wish. So when I meet pure goodwill like yours, I want to give everything."
Kang San.
A true hero.
The more she learned, the more overwhelming her emotions.
"What can a reporter do? Best I can is spread your feats. Don't worry ahead—anyone jealous or tearing you down, I won't sit idle."
Why was that?
Kang San felt reassured.
Emotions crushed by his past as the Blood Demon cleared in her pure kindness.
"Thank you."
"No need. It's obvious."
Sincere.
The mood was warm.
Chatting away, she asked about plans.
Hearing Kitakyushu, her bright face clouded with worry.
"Monster Field? That's too dangerous!"
Reporters heard everything.
Not just domestic—Kim Min-young knew overseas tales too, and spoke worriedly.
"Word is, Monster Field's in bad shape. They say defenses center on Kitakyushu, but Japan's really just given up on the south. Desperate measure. Pulling in foreign hunters to hold the line, but lately, the vibe there sucks."
"Heard something specific?"
"Yes. Three years ago, massive Links hit. Problem is, they're not over. Like aftershocks, they keep popping nearby. Manageable risks, sure—but if it's a prelude to worse? Could wipe everything in a blink."
As Kim Min-young said.
Dangerous.
But to Kang San, not very threatening.
Prepping for S-Rank Outbreak, nothing compared.
And high risk, high return.
To grow fast, greater risks meant greater rewards.
"I'll be careful."
"Still going?"
"Yes."
"Ha-."
She clutched her head.
Expected, but Kang San had convictions.
"Got it. You have your plans. Just be careful. Need help? Call anytime."
"Thank you."
That day ended amicably.
But from then, Kim Min-young contacted Japanese reporters.
Prepping for worst-case, just in case.
That afternoon.
Kang San gathered the group.
Final prep before Japan.
"Dangerous zone—who knows what'll happen. Gear up items to top condition first."
"Gasp, no way."
Jeong Chan-woo's face paled.
The path Kang San led to.
An unmarked workshop.
They'd been shocked hearing about Yoo Jung-young.
Thought Kang San had no backing, yet the item revolution master called him her patron. Obvious now—heading to Yoo for 'item enhancement'.
Siblings exchanged glances.
Excitement barely contained.
Rumors said Yoo's services cost tens of millions, with bookings impossible even with cash stacks. What was she like? Korea's master blacksmith—light steps followed Kang San.
Arrival.
Empty.
Jeong Chan-woo scanned for Yoo Jung-young—none.
Kang San extended his hand.
"Chan-woo. Your shield."
"...My shield? Why?"
"Why?"
Kang San grinned.
His siblings before him.
They'd follow to Japan without hesitation.
Trusting him that much, he offered them a privilege denied to others.
"I'll reinforce your items myself."
"...Pardon?"
For a moment.
Blank stares all around.
His words didn't compute.