Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Save Some Face
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‘Red Rakshasa’s’ Cruise Ship.
The deck bustled with people.
As always, upbeat music blared alongside it.
Among them, Choi Jin-cheol, the information broker operating in this neutral zone, broke into a cold sweat upon identifying the intruder who had reached his turf.
“Heh heh, I believe there was a merchant who used to deal with Dark Knight…”
He recalled Lee Geum-cheol, the information broker who had dealt with ‘Dark Knight’ last time.
“I want information on him. Where does he usually stay when he gets off the ship?”
Choi Jin-cheol intuited Dark Knight’s purpose from his response.
‘He’s going to kill Lee Geum-cheol!’
He had always believed that Lee Geum-cheol, blinded by money, would one day pay the price.
Lee Geum-cheol, who like Choi Jin-cheol ran an information business on this ship.
He had strong connections in China, earning him the nickname “China expert,” and he was well-versed in intel from that region.
However, Lee Geum-cheol’s greed often led to friction with clients.
‘I knew he’d mess up eventually. To try it against Dark Knight, of all people.’
Choi Jin-cheol opened his laptop and searched his database for info on Lee Geum-cheol.
There was no loyalty among fellow brokers.
If anything, he welcomed a rival’s elimination.
Once he’d gathered the info, Choi Jin-cheol rubbed his hands together and shot a meaningful glance at the villain before him.
‘Dark Knight’ caught the signal and set down the bag stuffed with cash.
“Five thousand.”
Shin Noda had plenty of money.
Some villains were backed by crime syndicates, yielding hefty spoils.
He wasn’t one for extravagance, so the cash from slain villains remained intact.
“I’ll take ten grand. It’s not super detailed info, so I can’t charge too much.”
The broker said this as he pulled a few stacks of bills from the bag.
“Lee Geum-cheol rarely leaves the ship. When he does, he heads straight to China.”
“Lee Geum-cheol?”
‘Dark Knight’ asked, sounding puzzled.
He hadn’t even known the name of the broker he’d dealt with before.
“Oh, the information broker who traded with you is Lee Geum-cheol. He’s Joseonjok. That’s why he has deep ties to China.”
“Can you tell me specifically when he leaves the ship and how he gets to China?”
“Sorry, but that depends on his whims, so I don’t track that closely…”
“I see.”
‘Dark Knight’ replied with evident disappointment and left the office.
“W-Wait, are you planning to settle this on the ship? This is Red Rakshasa’s territory!”
Choi Jin-cheol cried out in alarm, trying to stop him.
‘Dark Knight’ paused for a moment.
“…….”
He didn’t answer.
He acted.
Shing.
The shortsword slipped from its sheath, coiling into ‘Dark Knight’s’ hand like an eel.
It was merely a draw, but its speed made it look like mystical swordplay to ordinary eyes like Choi Jin-cheol’s.
“Eek.”
Choi Jin-cheol cowered in fear.
Shin Noda resolved to go straight through the front.
The broker who’d stabbed him in the back planned to stay on the cruise indefinitely, only heading to China when it suited him.
He couldn’t wait indefinitely for the man to step off.
‘Dark Knight’s’ eyes gleamed sharply.
It didn’t take long to reach Lee Geum-cheol.
No matter how big the cruise ship, it was still a ship.
Moving purposefully, he’d arrive in under twenty minutes.
Lee Geum-cheol, the information broker who’d first dealt with ‘Dark Knight,’ was conducting business in his office as usual today.
Gasp.
Murmurs.
The hallway outside his office grew noisy.
“What’s going on?”
Lee Geum-cheol tilted his head.
Then he saw ‘Dark Knight’ kick the door open, and chills ran down his spine.
“Gasp. Dark Knight.”
Oblivious that his treachery had been exposed, Lee Geum-cheol forced a relaxed smile and called out his name.
“Lee Geum-cheol. You’ve done something bold.”
“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
He grabbed Lee Geum-cheol by the throat.
“Still don’t get it?”
At that moment, the door opened, and guards rushed in.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
They aimed their guns at ‘Dark Knight.’
‘Dark Knight’ glanced back at them coolly.
“This man betrayed me.”
To be fair, they hadn’t built enough trust for it to count as true betrayal, but as one human to another, the man had broken faith.
Moreover, this was no way to treat a known A-rank Awakener.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances.
Their hands trembled.
They didn’t believe they could stop ‘Dark Knight.’
They were just buying time.
“No matter who you are, you can’t settle grudges here.”
The lead guard stepped forward, steeling himself for death to issue the warning.
“Then it’s fine elsewhere.”
‘Dark Knight’ dragged Lee Geum-cheol by the collar up to the deck.
He planned to take him off the ship.
As he hauled the broker onto the deck, countless eyes turned their way.
‘Dark Knight’ strode to the edge without a care.
He intended to leap into the sea with the man in tow.
Then a familiar voice rang out from somewhere.
It was a tough woman’s tone.
“Little bro. You can’t just show up and pull this crap.”
‘Red Rakshasa’ appeared, clad in full armor.
A ring on her finger, a crescent blade in hand, a circlet on her head.
All spoils from her hunter days—top-grade items.
“Red Rakshasa…”
Shin Noda inwardly cursed himself for tarrying too long.
He should’ve ignored the guards and kept going.
Meanwhile, ‘Red Rakshasa’ was just as baffled.
She’d heard the gist from the guards.
‘The broker betrayed him…’
From the looks of it, Lee Geum-cheol had sold Dark Knight’s info elsewhere and gotten caught.
‘Red Rakshasa’ wondered if it warranted clashing with her over it, but recalling her own past of killing those who irked her, she could somewhat understand.
“I told you no fighting on my ship. Even you should know that, Dark Knight.”
‘Red Rakshasa’ spoke with a demonic glare.
Most guests recoiled at the sight, fleeing to cabins or hiding.
Only a bold few watched.
Lee Geum-cheol’s face lit up.
‘No matter how strong you are, Dark Knight, you can’t stand against S-rank Red Rakshasa!’
He assumed she’d come to rescue him and inwardly cheered.
“That’s why I was taking him away.”
Shin Noda replied calmly.
It seemed like a step back.
He showed no intent to directly challenge her rules.
She felt a quiet relief that ‘Dark Knight,’ presumed an S-rank like herself, was saying this.
She had no desire to clash with him.
“Jeez, little bro. If something pissed you off, why not come to your big sis first and talk it out?”
‘Red Rakshasa’ scolded him loudly for all to hear.
“…….”
Shin Noda stayed silent.
Crushing her face here would leave only an uncertain fight.
The commotion alone was already a huge embarrassment for ‘Red Rakshasa.’
It was as good as saying he feared no retaliation.
“What’s the problem? Who messed with our S-rank Awakener?”
‘Red Rakshasa’ approached chummily, trying to soothe him.
She wanted to preserve the hard-won reputation of her neutral haven.
The moment ‘Dark Knight’ killed the broker, that reputation would vanish like mist.
“Lee Geum-cheol. He sold me info, then tried to sell my details to others based on it. No honor.”
‘Dark Knight’ declared boldly in his signature rusty-metal rasp.
As if punishment was inevitable, as if it were absolute truth.
He showed no retreat before S-rank ‘Red Rakshasa’ and her armed guards.
The onlookers—and even ‘Red Rakshasa’—were cowed by his aura.
Some inwardly scoffed at seeking honor in this den of criminals, but none voiced it.
Here, ‘Dark Knight’ was the absolute powerhouse.
Even the mad dog ‘Red Rakshasa’ hesitated to act rashly.
Anyone with eyes could see she was scrambling to save face.
Shin Noda had no intent to utterly humiliate ‘Red Rakshasa’ here, but he wasn’t about to play little brother in her charade either.
‘Damn it, because I came on strong at first, is she doing this to embarrass me on purpose? Should I just fight?’
The flesh under ‘Red Rakshasa’s’ eyes twitched.
For her temperament, this humility was immense stress.
But she had to see the act through.
“That guy you’re holding—Lee Geum-cheol?”
“Yes.”
Lee Geum-cheol’s body shook.
As a longtime survivor of the underworld, he’d seen this before and sensed his fate.
‘Red Rakshasa’ yanked Lee Geum-cheol roughly and slashed his throat with her crescent blade.
Lightning-fast.
No one but Shin Noda even registered the swing.
The broker’s head rolled across the deck.
His headless body collapsed, gushing blood from the stump.
“Huh.”
“Hmm.”
The spectators let out soft groans.
These were hardened folks; corpses didn’t faze them much.
They were just shocked by ‘Red Rakshasa’s’ meek display.
“For harming my close ally and fellow S-rank Awakener ‘Dark Knight’ in my territory, death is only natural.”
‘Red Rakshasa’ slammed her blade down, declaring it as if this had been her plan all along.
For her, this was the best outcome short of fighting ‘Dark Knight.’
“You owe me one.”
‘Red Rakshasa’ sidled up to ‘Dark Knight’ and grumbled softly.
“…….”
‘Dark Knight’ shot her a glance and left the ship without a word.
He hadn’t intended to kill Lee Geum-cheol.
He’d planned to teach a lesson, maybe sever an arm.
But ‘Red Rakshasa’ had done it for him.
‘No helping it.’
After that day, rumors spread that ‘Dark Knight’ had reached S-rank.
Some even said ‘Red Rakshasa’ had acknowledged his power and befriended him.
Those who knew her temper felt viscerally that ‘Dark Knight’s’ reputation was no fluke.