A Grim Prediction
“In my estimation… out of ten battles, nine will end in defeat. No, I think even a hundred battles would result in ninety-nine defeats.”
“So does that mean you believe one out of every hundred will be a victory?”
“That is correct.”
“And what grounds do you have for that conclusion?”
Gu Jinmo’s expression grew grave.
Because Kang Taek’s reply had been notably pessimistic.
That Kang Taek, who always delivered cold, calculated judgments, had uttered such words meant the situation was far more dire than he had initially feared.
Kang Taek answered Gu Jinmo’s question. “The reason is straightforward. The power gap remains substantial.”
“Is it simply the difference in levels?”
“To put it bluntly, yes.”
Of course, it was not merely a matter of level disparity. While Ha Dojin’s exact level remained unknown, the fact that he possessed combat power far exceeding any reasonable expectation was undeniable.
Especially since individuals who defied level benchmarks in this manner were, after all, quite rare.
But the problem lay elsewhere.
“Kang Seungho Hunter also possesses combat instincts that cannot be measured by numbers alone.”
With that level of support, the synergy between the two would prove explosive.
“Granted, under equal conditions I would have no hesitation in betting on Ha Dojin’s victory. But… the basic stat gap is simply too vast at present.”
“Kang Seungho has over two hundred, correct?”
“Officially, he is listed as a two-hundred-twenty-level hunter. However… the analysis team’s findings differ slightly.”
“How so?”
“According to our projections… Kang Seungho Hunter’s level is…”
Kang Taek’s ensuing words elicited a soft sigh from Gu Jinmo.
* * *
“Submit to me, Ha Dojin.”
Kang Seungho’s words still echoed in his ears.
“I shall place every ounce of power in this world into your hands. With your ability, you deserve it.”
It was a phrase that might have surfaced from memory.
Dojin stared at Seungho.
Without the slightest hesitation, his unwavering eyes burned with certainty.
Had he been unaware, he might have trusted that gaze.
No…
‘In the past… it was like that.’
That expression, that gaze.
With this man, it had felt as though he could truly accomplish anything.
After all, that had been one of Seungho’s greatest weapons.
Dojin regarded him with a calm face and spoke. “I refuse.”
Seuluck.
In an instant, the muscle near Seungho’s jaw tightened.
Clenching his teeth, Seungho suppressed his fury and warned Dojin. “I am speaking in all seriousness: you may die.”
“Who, you? Do you possess the capability?”
Dojin’s lips curved into a long smile for the first time in a while.
The man who had never altered his expression until now was displaying an extreme shift.
Seungho’s gaze faltered slightly.
He had always been described as a machine that suppressed every emotion to the utmost and never changed his face.
According to the information team.
Yet here he was, capable of such a bizarre smile.
For a moment, the space itself felt eerie.
At that instant, Dojin continued. “Do not overvalue your own strength. That arrogance will one day tighten the leash around your neck.”
Start.
Dojin rose from his seat.
Gazing down at Seungho, he added, “Wait. As I said… I will soon place a dagger at your throat.”
“…”
“It will not take long. I myself cannot endure it for long.”
With those words, Dojin walked out of the restaurant.
Inside the restaurant, Seungho sat alone.
His fists trembled, yet on one hand.
A chill sweat trickled down his spine, and his face betrayed his alarm.
The aura he had just unleashed from that young man.
No…
‘Malice.’
He had never encountered a monster or hunter that instilled such fear.
If he had not awakened, he would have collapsed the moment that killing intent struck.
“Where in the world did that guy come from……”
The plan needed to be accelerated.
And swiftly.
* * *
“……Huu.”
Dojin entered the deserted alley and lowered his head, exhaling heavily.
‘I couldn’t hold back.’
It had always been his practice to observe the opponent while concealing his emotions.
Yet the words “you may die” had shattered that composure at the precise moment before death.
Driven by the surging emotions, Dojin took a deep breath to calm his rage.
Had he been certain he could slay the man, he might have done so regardless of association with the Association.
But he could not.
Right now, Kang Seungho was.
‘Much stronger than me.’
Of course, the gap was not insurmountable, yet under current conditions ten battles out of ten would result in loss.
Provided Seungho did not make any bizarre mistakes.
And the sole reason for that difference was simple.
“His level is too low.”
Currently, Dojin was at level 100.
A growth achieved in merely four months that still seemed impossible to believe.
Moreover, although his level stood at 100, his combat stats hovered near the upper hundred.
Combined with his battle prowess, he could easily fell a two-hundred-level hunter.
That was why he had believed he could confront Seungho.
But…
‘I forgot.’
That man was also a genius at combat.
Unless he narrowed the level gap, any fight would end in certain death.
Especially with Red Circle, a colossal organization behind it.
‘I must strengthen my power.’
Ha Dojin’s own power.
Dojin immediately retrieved his phone and contacted Kang Taek.
“Director, I have a request… could you do me a favor?”
Kang Taek’s reply reached him, and Dojin clenched his fist in silence.
* * *
Taesan’s day had changed.
Of course, he continued to train and manage the Shadows, but…
“Eat slowly.”
“I’m eating slowly.”
“No, not our daughter. The one next to you is a carnivore.”
“What?! Carnivore? I know that word!”
Fatima, who had only recently arrived in Korea, was beginning to speak Korean, albeit clumsily.
Apparently, she possessed talent for language, but her insatiable appetite remained unchanged.
Taesan looked at Soo-ah and Fatima opposite him.
He had spoken those words, yet he had no idea how relieved he had been that Fatima’s presence allowed Soo-ah to survive that hellish place.
That was why he had taken responsibility as her protector.
In this strange foreign land, a girl without a guardian could not survive.
Hearing Fatima speak, Taesan chuckled softly.
“They chew and eat. Both are young ladies, yet they eat voraciously.”
Taesan spoke in English to make them comfortable.
Soo-ah replied, “Dad, aren’t you eating?”
“I’m fine. Watching you eat is enough to satisfy me.”
The words still felt slightly awkward.
He wanted to express himself more tenderly, but he knew Soo-ah was aware of his efforts.
With every word, she sensed the care he poured out.
Yet at that moment…
“……Eh?”
Through the window, Ha Dojin’s figure passed by.
Following Soo-ah’s gaze, both Fatima and Taesan turned their heads.
“Dojin!”
“……Master.”
Ha Dojin entering SW Technology.
There had been no prior notice of his visit today.
And at that instant…
Ding.
Taesan immediately checked his phone upon hearing the ring.
It was Dojin’s message asking if he could briefly check something.
The man who had always contacted in advance and moved accordingly.
Yet here he was, making a sudden call.
“Come back soon, Dad.”
“Hmm?”
“Uncle contacted you. Come back.”
Even by Taesan’s expression alone, it was clear.
Taesan only changed his face when Dojin was involved.
At those words, Taesan shook his head. “It’s fine. I can go after the meal.”
“I’m not okay with that. You’re the one who allowed me to meet Dad again. Moreover, Uncle rarely calls without reason.”
Soo-ah already knew Dojin’s patterns.
Taesan looked momentarily uncertain, prompting Fatima beside her to say, “Uncle, come back. Mmm.”
Chewing on the pasta in her mouth, she pointed behind her with her thumb.
“Even if it’s not Uncle, we have many bodyguards. And Korea has such good security… hehe.”
She rolled the pasta on her fork and took another bite.
It was truly delicious.
“Come back soon, Dad.”
At Soo-ah’s urging, Taesan finally nodded. “I’ll be back quickly. If you need to move, return home immediately.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t go anywhere else; I’ll head straight home.”
Smiling, Soo-ah reached out and gently stroked Taesan’s head.
“See you later.”
Taesan rose from his seat and headed straight for SW Technology headquarters.
And…
“……Hmm?”
Upon entering the building to meet Dojin, Taesan saw him accompanied by a girl he had never met before.
* * *
“It will probably be difficult. The Red Gate Dungeon falls under the jurisdiction of the hunter association in that country.”
Dojin had made a new request.
Yet unlike before, this time it was a rather challenging one.
A dungeon was required.
And one with extremely high mana readings—the Red Gate.
However, no matter how powerful SW Technology was, they could not simply take a Red Gate.
Because the Red Gate itself was classified as a national disaster.
No single corporation could arbitrarily intervene in a matter involving national governments.
But…
“Are there any Red Gates that meet the conditions?”
“Upon checking, the closest one is in Thailand. Its mana reading is 110,000, lower than Drake’s Nest that recently occurred domestically, but still too high for the Thai government to resolve alone.”
Kang Taek replied to Gu Jinmo’s question.
Yet he immediately shook his head. “This one is far too dangerous. Even if it is Ha Dojin Hunter, he cannot survive inside a Red Gate.”
“Didn’t he return alive from there? A dungeon with stronger mana reactions.”
“That was because the best hunters in the country formed a team to tackle it. Moreover, it was essentially nothing but luck.”
The awakened boss Drake had spawned inside.
At that moment, everyone had believed they would all perish.
Gu Jinmo fell silent at Kang Taek’s words.
He spoke so firmly because of Ha Dojin.
It would have been a pity to send the man who was soaring to new heights into such a perilous place.
But…
“Secretary.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Do you know why Ha Dojin Hunter requested the Red Gate Dungeon?”
“I suspect… it was to raise his insufficient level in relation to Kang Seungho.”
Gu Jinmo also thought that way.
That was why…
“You said it yourself. If Kang Seungho and Ha Dojin Hunter fight, Ha Dojin Hunter will lose. And the reason was purely a level difference.”
“That is correct.”
“Then, does that not mean we must assume Ha Dojin Hunter has accurately recognized his own shortcomings at present?”
“…That is so.”
At Kang Taek’s reply, Gu Jinmo stood up from his seat.
“Then we must help him achieve that.”
Even if the path was fraught with danger.
“Contact the Thai prime minister. I will speak to him directly.”
Gu Jinmo made his decision.
Kang Taek responded, “……Understood.”
He would simply comply.
He had a feeling his schedule would grow even busier from now on.