Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: ACT.7 Eliminating Variables (3)
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Several pairs of eyes followed Kim Ji-hyeon’s fingertip.
Suddenly the target of everyone’s attention, Cheon Nam-gi narrowed his brow in momentary confusion.
“...Pfft.”
Jo Min-ah burst out laughing.
Following her lead, Jo Min-woo couldn’t hold back his laughter either, turning his head away.
“What, what is it? Why are you laughing? Is there something on my head?”
“I couldn’t believe it, but you really didn’t know... It’s this.”
With a dumbfounded expression, Kim Ji-hyeon plucked the ‘strange thing’ from Cheon Nam-gi’s head.
It looked like a dandelion seed, but it was something much larger.
“Why is this on my head...?”
“Pffft, ahahaha!”
“D-don’t laugh, you damned brat!”
“It’s hilarious! A scary-looking old man with a flower on his head! Ahaha!”
“Grr...”
His face flushing red, Cheon Nam-gi spun around and stomped away angrily.
“Hurry up! Before it gets any later!”
“He’s got a surprisingly dense side to him.”
Kim Ji-hyeon let out a rare chuckle.
The dandelion seed he’d tossed from his hand fell to the ground.
I watched the seed as it descended very slowly.
At the tip of the seed, a tiny root had begun to sprout.
“Hyung, what are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”
“I’ll be right there.”
*Shhh.*
I drew up the darkness and enveloped the seed, which instantly turned to dust.
After confirming no trace was left, I followed the rest of the group.
Walking at the very back, I watched their retreating figures and fell deep into thought.
Seeing that its influence had already reached this far, it seemed I needed to finish my preparations more quickly.
‘It’ was getting ready to bloom.
***
The Dongdaemun base was situated in an area with many high-rise buildings.
Naturally, these tall buildings were the territory of Yang Gyu-hyeok and his family.
The shelter Cheon Nam-gi provided for us was in a building right nearby.
His reasoning was that it’s darkest under the lamp; being this close would deflect suspicion and make it easier for us to operate.
“What’s the plan now?”
After a long silence around the circular table, Kim Ji-hyeon finally broke the ice.
Cheon Nam-gi wasn’t with us.
I had given him a role similar to the one he played under Im Gyeong-jun, but within Yang Gyu-hyeok’s faction.
That bastard, Yang Gyu-hyeok. I wonder if he knows his second-in-command is preparing to stab him in the back.
“We’re going to rescue Jeon Do-jin.”
“Jeon Do-jin?”
Kim Ji-hyeon’s eyes narrowed, as if this was unexpected.
The others, who didn’t know who Jeon Do-jin was, remained silent, focusing on the conversation between me and Kim Ji-hyeon.
“What’s the reason?”
Kim Ji-hyeon asked, crossing his legs.
“You don’t have any connection to Jeon Do-jin. After all the trouble of getting inside, there’s no reason to attempt something so dangerous. What are you thinking?”
On the surface, it seemed like Kim Ji-hyeon was against the idea.
But his true feelings were likely different.
Kim Ji-hyeon doesn’t let personal feelings interfere at crucial moments.
Though he personally disliked Jeon Do-jin, he would cooperate in rescuing him for the greater good.
He could probably take care of this gang on his own, but he must have held back out of concern for Jeon Do-jin’s life.
“This isn’t for Jeon Do-jin’s sake.”
I fiddled with the handle of my cup.
The water inside rippled, briefly reflecting my face.
“It’s just as you told me before. I’m just trying to stop a guy with power from getting any funny ideas.”
Kim Ji-hyeon fell silent, then quietly lifted his cup.
“True, having a guy like Yang Gyu-hyeok as a ruler would be a pain in many ways.”
He downed the water in one go and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
It seemed Kim Ji-hyeon was also weighing his options heavily.
But it looked like he was in favor of rescuing Jeon Do-jin.
“But it’s dangerous without a solid plan. Do you have one in mind?”
“I do.”
“You sound confident. What is it?”
“First, I’ll make contact with his disciple.”
“Jeon Do-jin’s disciple...?”
His eyes widened slightly before a faint smile touched his lips.
“Right. If only Jeon Do-jin was captured, his disciple, who follows him like a father, would be desperate to save him. She must still be here.”
“Um... based on what we’ve heard so far, isn’t it more likely that she’s not here? Those people would have no reason to keep a potential problem around.”
Jo Min-ah cautiously offered her opinion.
It was a logical point, but both Kim Ji-hyeon and I shook our heads.
Since it wasn’t my place to do so, Kim Ji-hyeon explained instead.
“That’s possible. But it’s the opposite. Jeon Do-jin’s disciple is, unfortunately, not that strong. She can’t break through everything on her own to save him, and if they hold his life hostage, she’ll surrender. They’re more likely waiting for her to attack. If they capture her too, it becomes easier to use Jeon Do-jin by threatening his disciple’s life.”
They were cunning bastards who knew how to use their heads.
In this world, simply thinking one step ahead isn’t enough for brains to overcome brawn.
Jo Min-ah seemed to understand immediately, nodding with a complicated expression.
If Jeon Do-jin’s disciple just watched from the sidelines, that wouldn’t cause any problems for them either, so it was fine.
They were enjoying the current situation.
Watching her fret, unaware that she was already under surveillance.
“But how did you know Jeon Do-jin had a disciple?”
“I heard it from Cheon Nam-gi. I made him spill information related to Jeon Do-jin.”
“I see. Thorough.”
Kim Ji-hyeon nodded.
I wish I could stop getting questions like that.
I have to use the information I know, but using it carelessly could arouse suspicion, which is a headache.
I glanced over at the twins.
They were listening intently to my conversation with Kim Ji-hyeon, but there was no hint of suspicion in their expressions.
That was the ideal state.
An attitude where they accept whatever I do without question.
Having only people with that level of trust around me would make it easier for me to act.
Jeong Ha-yeon... didn’t seem to be at that point yet.
I’d have to watch her a little longer.
And decide whether to include her in the party or not.
I clasped my hands together and let out a faint sigh.
“Then finding this disciple must be our top priority.”
“I have a rough idea of where she is. I’ll go get her.”
“Huh? Really?”
Jeong Ha-yeon let out a gasp of pure admiration.
The twins nodded with an ‘of course!’ expression.
How nice. A reaction that says, ‘Of course, he’s our hyung/oppa!’
“I’ll handle the outside activities. We can’t afford any more hostages, so Kim Ji-hyeon-nim, please take on the Garder role.”
“Will you be alright alone?”
“I’ll be more at ease knowing our strongest person is protecting the group.”
If we fought now, I could hold my own against Kim Ji-hyeon without being easily pushed back.
I didn’t bother mentioning that part and stood up from my seat.
Perhaps Kim Ji-hyeon had already faintly realized it.
‘Truth be told, it wouldn’t be hard for me to go in alone, take everyone down, and get Jeon Do-jin out...’
Gripping the doorknob, I let a slight smirk form on my lips.
But I can’t do that.
Thanks to these guys, I can now proceed with two tasks much more easily.
The two who couldn’t bring themselves to trust me and left the party will be kicking themselves in regret.
***
I knew quite a bit about Jeon Do-jin’s disciple.
She was a character you were almost guaranteed to meet while playing the game, to the point that I had memorized even her background story.
Cha Eun-ha. A promising high school kendo athlete who awakened as a player. Unable to compete in kendo anymore, she became Jeon Do-jin’s disciple.
Once you got close to Jeon Do-jin, you inevitably got to know her and worked with her a lot.
Through that process, I had already figured out her personality and habits, so I had a clear picture of what she would be doing right now.
‘That spitfire wouldn’t just sit still.’
She would definitely be looking for a way to rescue Jeon Do-jin by poking at Yang Gyu-hyeok’s faction.
But that’s as far as she could go.
If she were at least at Lee Seon-yul’s level, it might be a different story, but with her strength, she couldn’t handle Yang Gyu-hyeok’s group alone.
The most she could do was beat up some underlings and try to dig for information.
Just as she often did when we did quests together, Cha Eun-ha would try to gather bits of useful information by catching the small fry.
Usually through secluded places.
‘Just as I thought.’
Seeing a familiar figure in a baseball jacket that hid her build and a cap pulled down low, I carefully started following her.
She always wore that outfit as a disguise.
That hadn't changed here either.
I naturally shifted my focus beyond her.
The alley was shrouded in darkness with no streetlights, but to my Extreme Eye, the person in front of her was clearly visible.
Probably one of Yang Gyu-hyeok’s men.
His steps were light. Yet, he kept glancing back, checking for his pursuer.
That wasn't the wariness of someone being followed.
It was more like he wanted to be followed.
“You, stop right there.”
Just when I thought it was about time, Cha Eun-ha called out to the man ahead in a low voice.
“What? Who are you... Ugh!”
What a terrible actor.
Just as I was thinking that, he was hit by Cha Eun-ha’s flying kick and collapsed.
My mistake. Such realistic acting.
I watched with genuine admiration and growing interest.
Cha Eun-ha immediately mounted the fallen man and grabbed him by the collar.
“Just answer my questions. You’re with Yang Gyu-hyeok’s crew, right?”
“...”
“Not answering?”
“Heh.”
The silent man suddenly let out a sneer.
Sensing something was wrong, Cha Eun-ha tried to quickly back away, but the man was much faster.
“You idiot. I was the one who lured you here, kid!”
“What, wait...!”
Before Cha Eun-ha could do anything, he lunged and wrapped her in a tight hug.
Panicked, Cha Eun-ha struggled to break free, but it wasn’t easy.
And for good reason.
[Character Information]
Name: Cha Eun-ha
Gender: Female (18)
Strength: 16, Stamina: 30, Agility: 30(+3), Mana: 30
Unique Ability: Lightning (B)
Traits: Lightning Speed Movement (C), Internal Insulation (C), Agility (C)
Skill: Current Discharge (D)
Cha Eun-ha had focused on agility, so her strength was relatively low.
On the other hand, Yang Gyu-hyeok’s men, needing to intimidate others, often prioritized raising their strength above all else.
On top of that, with her arms and body pinned so tightly she couldn't move properly, it was naturally difficult to break free.
And that wasn’t all.
*Zzzzzap!*
Cha Eun-ha discharged a current with all her might, but the man just grinned, seemingly unharmed.
“H-how!?”
“Did you think that would work, you fool?”
It seemed they had set a deliberate trap; the man holding Cha Eun-ha possessed the ‘Insulation’ trait.
“Did you finally catch that slippery one?”
“Ha, damn it. I took so much crap because of that brat. Time for payback.”
As if on cue, the man’s companions appeared.
All of them were injured in some way.
The looks they gave Cha Eun-ha were anything but kind.
Assuming Jeon Do-jin had been captured since the gates first opened, she must have taken down at least ten of Yang Gyu-hyeok’s men.
Naturally, they were furious.
“Hey. You had fun, didn’t you? Enjoyed yourself?”
“Get lost.”
When a man in a cap grabbed her by the hair and taunted her, Cha Eun-ha spat right in his face.
The man’s expression twisted in an instant.
“You fucking bitch...!”
*Smack!* The sound of a slap echoed through the alley.
Though her cheek was red and swollen, the defiance in Cha Eun-ha’s eyes remained.
Hmm. This seems like the perfect time to make my entrance.
“What are scum like you going to do?”
“This little...”
“Heh. These are the fun ones to break. Hey, step aside. That’s not how you intimidate someone.”
“...”
“You might not know this, but since the world changed, things from the shadows have been crawling into the light. What kind of things? You know?”
“I can tell you’re one of them.”
“Well, you could say that... Wh-who are you!?”
*Thwack!*
With a sound like hitting a punching bag, the two men around Cha Eun-ha were sent flying.
Only the man holding her was still trying to process the situation, stammering, so I walked up to him and pointed my sword at him.
“Let her go now, unless you want to lose an arm.”