Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Banshee Encounter
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Even back when I was the Sword God, I thought I'd seen all the good places, but Kaiser Cheongdam was far better than I'd imagined.
"I've told you the password, so treat it like your own home and make yourself comfortable. Oh, and among the community facilities here, there are emergency healers too, so feel free to use them if you need. Privacy is strictly protected, of course."
"High-end places really are different. But I can handle my own healing. Didn't you see?"
"Oh... You really are a healer?"
At Jo Jin-hwi's surprised question, Su-ho demonstrated Healing Light, prompting Jo Jin-hwi to let out a hollow laugh.
"I knew from your profile, but I didn't really believe it."
"Why not?"
"What kind of healer solos the Tower of Challenge? They usually join a guild and steadily level up. Anyway, tap the community app on this pad, and you can handle meals, shopping—pretty much everything—from home. I still have work hours left, so I'll head to the office."
Su-ho responded with a smile instead of words, and only after Jo Jin-hwi left did he finally have the place to himself.
'Nice place.'
The view overlooked the Han River perfectly, and the interior felt like a luxury hotel suite.
The number of rooms was ridiculous... As expected from Kaiser Cheongdam.
Su-ho spread out his senses to check for any hidden surveillance cameras.
'Back in the day, I was a pro at spotting those things.'
But he didn't find a single one.
Of course not.
It was the home of a chaebol heir; there was no reason for cameras like that.
Still, better safe than sorry—even a stone bridge deserves a tap before crossing.
Once his search was complete, Su-ho finally stripped down and took a shower.
He pulled a shirt and pants from the guest closet, amazed at the full range of sizes available... even fresh underwear.
'Occupational habit?'
He probably stocked up for colleagues since he went out on assignments so often.
Thanks to that, Su-ho changed comfortably and soon sank into the sofa.
No wounds left.
He'd kept using Healing Light the whole way here, healing all but the most minor scratches.
Su-ho then opened his status window.
[ An Su-ho ]
- Lv: 40
- Class: Healer
- Strength (R): 2
- Vitality: 97
- Mana (R): 2
- Senses: 40
- Bonus Stats: 16
A level 40 status window.
But the values listed below were anything but level 40.
Su-ho smiled at them.
'At this point, it's full elite course... no, practically heir-level.'
There were many ways to raise stats in the world.
But that was as vague as saying there were many ways to make money—anyone could say it, but not everyone could do it.
Even so, some people managed it: the lucky ones, or those backed by massive capital receiving specialized care from major organizations.
Corporate heirs aiming to be hunters were typical examples.
That's why he called it heir-level.
Su-ho invested his 16 bonus stats into vitality first, pushing it to red grade.
[ Vitality stat has reached 100. ]
[ Vitality stat grows further. ]
[ Congratulations! Your vitality stat has leveled up to red grade! ]
He added one more to match the other red stats at 2, then dumped the rest into senses.
[ An Su-ho ]
- Lv: 40
- Class: Healer
- Strength (R): 2
- Vitality (R): 2
- Mana (R): 2
- Senses: 52
- Bonus Stats: 0
Su-ho closed the status window and grabbed his phone, which he'd charged before showering.
Even within the safe line, guild reps and reporters had somehow gotten his number, piling up messages.
Su-ho scrolled through, spotting a few interesting ones.
First were contacts from Nexus Academy Director Kim Su-ae and the top guilds vying for 1st and 2nd: Prime and Hexagon.
Other guilds too, of course.
He skimmed their lengthy pitches or attention-grabbing notes before ignoring them.
Su-ho already had his plans.
Second, surprisingly, were messages from his old college track teammates and seniors after he dropped out.
- Dude, is that An Su-ho from the news you?
- Saw on YouTube, looks like you!
- Why didn't you say anything lol!
- Su-ho, it's Kim Chun-ho. Sorry about hitting you last time...
Predictable.
How could close acquaintances not reach out when one blew up overnight?
So Su-ho ignored these too.
Finally, missed calls from Jeong Cheol-min.
Timed right when Su-ho was tackling the tower.
'He must've been sweating bullets.'
Hence bringing staff along.
Though upper pressure was the real driver.
'Just wait a bit longer, Cheol-min hyung. Once I'm in the National Hunter Association, I'll fix that.'
Done checking, Su-ho powered off the phone.
He wanted to keep it on, but with the number leaked, calls flooded in, draining the battery at warp speed.
'Time to get a new number.'
And another phone while at it.
Changing numbers wasn't ideal—they'd just track the new one.
Better to keep the exposed one as a decoy.
Su-ho requested a new phone and number via the resident services Jo Jin-hwi mentioned, receiving them at home in about an hour.
'Prep's good enough.'
Grade 5 public recruitment was still far off.
But no time to slack.
Su-ho had his full plan ready.
'Now to meet those guys.'
Su-ho geared up to move.
***
"Let's start."
"Yeah."
Late night, Seocho-gu Naegok-dong.
People quietly gathered in front of a building.
Four in total.
All wore tight black outfits covering body, head, and face with masks.
One stuck to a window, using a skill— the window vanished, replaced by a door-sized hole.
"Done. Let's go."
They slipped inside.
No worries about cameras—they'd disabled them.
No chance of passersby.
Thorough recon, date picked for emptiness.
Inside, they pulled items from inventory.
Bombs.
As they began planting them,
"Whoa there, no bombing buildings."
An unfamiliar voice echoed from the dark.
The four froze like they'd seen ghosts.
They'd picked a no-show night, but someone appeared right as they started.
No presence moments ago.
Then suddenly, here.
"Hi?"
The shadow revealed Su-ho.
One yelled at Su-ho's appearance.
"Run!"
With the shout, one activated a skill—a bright portal spawned.
Su-ho yanked a spear from the shadows and hurled it.
Crunch!
"Arghhh!!"
Sharp whoosh.
Followed by a scream.
Not the woman—the only female among them.
Her shadow.
Her groan panicked the other three.
"W-what! What's happening!"
"Get in! Drag her through!"
"I'll carry!"
Despite shock, they moved like trained pros.
But the man lifting her eyes bulged.
He was the strongest, yet she wouldn't budge.
Obviously.
Shadows stretched toward Su-ho at portal spawn; he'd nailed hers with Phantom Shadow Spear on purpose.
[ Shadow Bind activates. ]
The skill pinned foes by biting their shadows.
Stuck by its infused spear, escape was near impossible without top-tier strength.
Meanwhile, the two at the portal yelled.
"What're you doing! Hurry and grab her!"
"W-wait!"
"What!"
"Arghhh!!"
The man could uproot trees.
But she stayed glued.
Plus,
"Grghhh!!"
The more he strained, the more her pained groans intensified.
Partly his strength, mostly Shadow Bleed effect.
He gave up, drew his weapon.
"Weapons out! Can't lift her—something's up with that guy!"
"What?!"
"Damn it!"
Worst-case scenario.
Enemy contact was their absolute nightmare plan.
Then, the unthinkable.
"You're Banshee, right? Let's talk."
Banshee.
Eyes widened at the name.
Only they four knew it.
But Su-ho knew them inside out.
Banshee: notorious secret terror cell, four members behind countless bombings.
'Though they got caught eventually.'
By Su-ho himself.
He raised empty hands.
"Why so shocked? Anyway, let's chat. I'm alone."
True.
Not in National Hunter Association yet, no close friends.
Even after, he'd solo critical ops like this.
Banshees exchanged glances.
Panicked.
Su-ho's wish didn't pan out.
"Kill him!"
Three charged.
Not impulse.
Their emergency last plan.
Su-ho eyed them, thinking,
'As expected.'
Never banked on talk.
Escape or attack—predicted.
Hence the hostage.
As Banshees lunged, Su-ho triggered a skill.
[ Intimidation activates. ]