Chapter 385
Chapter 385
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 386
Chapter Title: The Sword Ghost
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“Together? What do you mean by that, Jin-woo...?”
Han Se-yeon’s face clouded with bewilderment, as if she’d misinterpreted my words.
She was so flustered that her pale cheeks flushed red like a beet, and she even started stumbling over her words.
I ignored her reaction and slowly scanned our surroundings.
According to Elin’s report, the villains had a high chance of targeting Han Se-yeon’s life today.
The good news was that I didn’t sense any murderous intent yet...
But I couldn’t let my guard down.
They could ambush us at any moment.
On top of that, since they’d failed to assassinate her several times already, they’d likely deployed S-Rank or higher villains to ensure success this time.
“...Jin-woo?”
As I pondered our next move, Han Se-yeon quietly called my name.
“Is something going on?”
As expected from the perceptive Han Se-yeon, she’d picked up on the shift in my demeanor.
“Well...”
I trailed off.
How should I explain this?
“Something bad might happen to you, Se-yeon.”
“Something bad? What do you—”
From her perspective, it probably sounded out of nowhere.
But she took my words seriously, furrowing her brow in deep thought.
She looked at me and spoke.
“Got it. I’ll just message the company that I can’t come in today.”
Han Se-yeon hurriedly pulled out her smartphone.
I watched her for a moment before saying,
“Just in case—act like something unexpected came up that you didn’t notice, so you have to bail.”
If Han Se-jin found out she’d caught on, he’d realize his intel had leaked.
And Elin would become suspect number one.
Han Se-yeon nodded slightly, grasping the implication.
“We can’t let the company know either...
It’s related to your brother, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. Hmm. Say you have to head out for something involving Chairman Han Dae-hyeon.”
Han Se-yeon nodded in understanding and entered a number on her phone.
Once connected, she said,
“Hello? Oh, Team Leader. Sorry, but something came up suddenly, so I’ll have to postpone the meeting.”
Han Se-yeon spoke in a calm voice.
“No. I have to rush somewhere because of my father. It’s nothing major, so don’t worry. Oh, yes.”
The call lasted about 30 seconds.
Once finished, Han Se-yeon hung up and turned to me.
“The company won’t suspect much. Now tell me—what’s going on?”
Her question was earnest.
She’d blown off something as important as company business, so she deserved a solid reason.
“To get straight to it—Han Se-jin, or possibly a demon, is likely to attack you today.”
“They’re targeting me?”
Bewilderment filled Han Se-yeon’s eyes.
“Yes. My information network confirms it.”
“...What kind of network lets you know even my brother’s and the demons’ plans?”
Instead of answering, I gave a small smile.
“Let’s get out of here first. The pursuit on you has probably already started.”
“...Where are we going?”
After receiving Elin’s text, I’d already decided on a place to take her.
The safest spot for her as a member of the Han family and daughter of Han Dae-hyeon.
A place even the powerful Han Se-jin couldn’t easily touch.
And above all, the one sure way to guarantee her safety, no matter what happened.
I’d thought about it before, but it was time to move it forward.
“Let’s head to Busan.”
Han Se-yeon’s eyes widened at my words.
---
Hidden somewhere in Gangwon Province was Han Se-jin’s villa.
Elin, who had secretly sent Kim Jin-woo a warning message to evade Han Se-jin’s gaze, returned.
Entering, she found Han Se-jin sitting tensely in a chair.
Elin stared at him quietly before speaking.
“You look really anxious.”
Han Se-jin didn’t respond.
Right now, success in his plan with the Ten Demon Society mattered more than replying to Elin.
The Han family and the Ten Demon Society.
The Association’s pursuit of these two groups was accelerating.
The only way to escape was to seize the Han family quickly and stand against the Association.
But one pest kept interfering.
His own blood sister, Han Se-yeon.
“...Han Se-yeon.”
He’d let his little sister’s whining slide until now, but he couldn’t anymore.
For his survival. For his plans. She had to disappear from this world.
He felt a twinge of regret at having to do this to his own sister, but it was all her fault.
She never should’ve coveted what he wanted.
“...The problem is that guy.”
The mysterious man suspected to be hiding behind Han Se-yeon—Kim Jin-woo.
Surprisingly, Kim Jin-woo was now top priority for elimination, not just for him but for the Ten Demon Society too.
The demons seemed convinced, like him, that Kim Jin-woo was the demon hunter.
“He’s not interfering this time, right?”
He muttered to himself that it wouldn’t happen, but deep anxiety lingered.
The guy had shown up by Han Se-yeon’s side every crucial moment, ruining plans.
He didn’t know why, but he strongly felt this plan would fail because of him too.
“...He’s way stronger than I thought.”
Han Se-jin recalled the battle footage he’d seen on the news.
He’d held his own against four mages from the Special Task Force—the world’s top combat unit.
If a guy that strong protected Han Se-yeon this time...
“...No way that’ll happen.”
He’d already grasped her schedule perfectly.
She had a night meeting at Hanseong Pharma today—she’d definitely return to the company.
Ambush her on the way home after, and failure was impossible.
Right then.
Ding.
An alarm rang from Han Se-jin’s communication magic tool on the table.
—Vice Chairman, emergency news.
A subordinate’s urgent voice.
Han Se-jin picked it up.
“Report.”
—Head Han Se-yeon suddenly changed her schedule and canceled the night meeting.
Han Se-jin’s eyes widened. Canceled suddenly?
Han Se-yeon, who always stuck to plans?
“What’s the reason?”
—She said she has to rush somewhere related to the late Chairman Han Dae-hyeon.
“...Father’s business?”
Han Se-jin muttered blankly. Related to Father?
What could it be?
“Where’s Se-yeon now?”
—She took a gate to Busan. Demons and assassins are tailing her for tracking.
“...Busan.”
Did Father have business in Busan?
After thinking hard, Han Se-jin’s expression hardened.
Wait—Busan? No way.
Han Se-jin hurriedly grabbed the communication tool again.
If Han Se-yeon really went to Busan for Father’s matters, he needed to recall the demons and assassins immediately.
Beep—
But no connection.
Right—they said they don’t carry comms during missions to avoid traces.
Anxiety flooded Han Se-jin’s face again.
Elin, watching from behind, smirked inwardly.
---
Late night, nearing midnight.
Han Se-yeon and I took a gate alone to Busan, Korea’s second capital.
Han Se-jin might’ve caught our location via the gate, but it wasn’t a big issue.
I’d brought her here to ask the Han family’s sword—the Sword Ghost, secluded in Busan—to guard her.
“How’d you know Uncle Sugi is resting in Busan?”
I shrugged at Han Se-yeon’s question.
“Who doesn’t know he’s from Busan?”
“Well, sure, but... people don’t usually tie someone’s current spot to their birthplace.”
Han Se-yeon glanced at the ground and added,
“...Then again, you might.”
“Huh?”
Her words came out of nowhere.
I looked at her questioningly, but she shook her head like it was nothing.
“By the way, Se-yeon, can you reach the Sword Ghost?”
“No. Uncle Sugi didn’t leave contact info.”
A shame, but we could just go to him directly—no big deal.
“But what’ll we do once we find Uncle Sugi?”
“Tell him to return to his duties.”
“He’ll say he has no interest until the Han family head is decided.”
The Sword Ghost was called the Han family’s sword, but truly, he guarded the family head.
With no head decided yet, it was natural he refused to act.
But.
“No—he cares more about the Han family than anyone. He’ll help.”
If the family was in danger, he’d step up.
That’s the kind of man he was.
With that, I started walking.
Han Se-yeon stared at me for a moment, then followed.
From memory, the Sword Ghost was secluded in a mountain not far from the gate.
He’d likely set up complex illusion barriers to keep people away, but I had the “Outsider’s Benefit.”
—Roooar...
Maybe because it was nighttime when monsters grew fiercer, a eerie howl echoed from somewhere.
Han Se-yeon’s face stiffened instantly.
I gave her a reassuring smile.
“If a monster shows up, don’t panic—just hide behind me.”
“Got it.”
Her obedience made me smile again.
“Let’s go.”
We kept moving without stopping.
Using Outsider’s Benefit to scan around, I saw no hidden barriers or devices.
There had to be one somewhere on this mountain.
“Not seeing it?”
“Yeah, didn’t expect it hidden this well.”
As I muttered and looked around, Han Se-yeon, following behind, drew closer to my side.
“But like you said, will Uncle Sugi really come back? He was adamant about not acting till the family head is set...”
“I’ll convince him.”
He was the only one I could trust to safely protect her from S-Rank demons or Han Se-jin’s assassins.
Not even a demon “king” could easily touch him.
Then, a chilling wind blew from somewhere.
Feeling cold, Han Se-yeon hugged her arms lightly.
I turned toward the wind’s direction.
Outsider’s Benefit activated, sensing distorted mana flows ahead.
“Found it.”
I slowly walked toward the flows.
Up close, fallen leaves hid intricate patterns beneath.
Sweeping the ground with my hand revealed a complex spell array.
Barrier, illusion, security... packed with various info.
I slowly infused mana into it.
Whumm.
The hidden spell lit up.
The barrier crumbled.
Han Se-yeon watched the changing scenery in surprise.
I followed her gaze.
At the end of our sightline.
About 200m up the mountain, a small villa appeared.
That was the Sword Ghost’s retreat.
“We need to head up there.”
As I moved to walk again.
Chills ran down my spine—a strong killing intent from behind.
No ordinary presence.
I whirled around, stepping in front of Han Se-yeon.
“Jin-woo?”
She called my name at my sudden move.
I raised my mana, bracing for ambush.
Then, two foes emerged from the darkness.
“...We hid our presence perfectly. How’d you notice?”
Two men.
One middle-aged with black hair, the other masked.
Both S-Rank by their auras.
Without Moon’s Blessing, I couldn’t handle them alone.
But to identify them, I activated Outsider’s Benefit.
One: Jeong Hwan.
S-Rank demon, one of the few remaining Ten Demon Society executives.
The other: Al Asad.
S-Rank mage known from the assassin guild.
In the original, he served as Han Se-jin’s sword and attempted to assassinate Lee Seo-jun.
Even one was tough—two? Tricky.
As I pondered, the masked man, Al Asad, muttered staring at me.
“...Kim Jin-woo?”
Jeong Hwan beside him turned to me.
“...Kim Jin-woo?”
Then continued.
“...The one who took on the Special Task Force’s four alone?”
I stared blankly at them.
They seemed convinced I was the demon hunter too.
But facing their gazes, something felt off.
Deep fear laced their eyes.
Jeong Hwan was even stepping back.
“Tch. What now? No word he’d be here...
A message popped up.
[The S-Rank mage cowers before you.]
[You’ve achieved ‘Intimidation of the Weak.’]
[Reward: 4,000 points acquired.]
What’s this now.
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