The Goblin Market (3)
Blue Dog's guild master, Han Hyun-soo, greeted the two Myeongga hunters who looked at him with contemptuous eyes with a smiling face.
But on the inside—
'These bastards act all high and mighty just because they're from a big guild. Do they think no one can stab them in the gut?'
He was mentally stuffing the two hunters into a drum and pulling them out again, over and over.
Of course, he couldn't actually do that.
Because Myeongga stood behind them.
Myeongga was infamous even among the major guilds for being the most vicious.
In reality, they would do anything that made money, no matter what.
Sometimes they walked the razor-thin line between illegal and legal.
Thanks to that, Blue Dog often got to lick up the scraps that fell from their table.
This job was no different.
—If any merchant who hasn't visited the market in a long time or suddenly brings in far more contraband than usual appears, please contact us immediately.
—How are we supposed to monitor that many people……
—No, check whether anyone is dividing and selling goods across the entire market.
He had protested that there were countless such people in the market, so how could they possibly track them all?
—Are you refusing? In that case, I'll report that Blue Dog will no longer receive subcontracts from Myeongga starting next year. There are plenty of other guilds eager to take your place.
When someone with power threw their weight around, what could he do?
Moreover, when he heard that three or four other underworld guilds had already been mobilized for the investigation, his stomach had twisted with dread.
'They've already bought off the black market side and told them to look the other way. If everyone's in on it together, what the hell can we do?'
In the end, Blue Dog had deployed a large number of personnel over several days to map the flow of the black market and managed to identify several suspicious individuals.
Go Jin-woo, who had been a frequent trading partner with Blue Dog despite his recent drop in activity, was one of them.
In truth, Blue Dog had only listed Go Jin-woo's name; they never thought he was the person Myeongga was looking for.
The Go Jin-woo they knew was extremely timid.
He was the last person who would do anything to earn someone's hostility.
That was exactly why they hadn't included any information related to Cheongroe.
Yet……
'Go Jin-woo is the person Myeongga was searching for?'
Feeling that something was seriously off, he quickly pieced the clues together.
The result was shocking.
It seemed a relative of Myeongga's guild master had died.
'Shit! If I'd known, I would've handed him over right away! What do I do now? This could get really dangerous……'
Myeongga was one thing, but Blue Dog knew all too well how vicious Cheongroe could be.
They might wear military uniforms, but they never went easy on civilians.
Once they marked someone as an enemy, it was over.
After that, only a total annihilation campaign remained until one side was completely wiped out.
In fact, how many underworld guilds had vanished after carelessly provoking Cheongroe?
Of course, their leader Z had disappeared for unknown reasons and the unit had been disbanded, so their former glory had faded considerably.
But that didn't mean the old customs had completely vanished among the former members.
Myeongga and Cheongroe.
In a fight between two whales, shrimp like them were bound to get crushed……
'I have to choose the right side. One wrong move here and I'm finished. How do I get out of this?'
Han Hyun-soo watched the two hunters carefully and brought up the topic when they seemed to be in a good mood.
“How was the item you ordered?”
“Haha. You delivered exactly what the higher-ups wanted, right on schedule.”
One of the hunters laughed while gently stroking a long wooden box with his hand.
His nose was slightly red, probably from the whiskey.
Just like the search for Go Jin-woo, this was another item Myeongga had separately commissioned from them.
Today's meeting was partly to share information about Go Jin-woo, but the real purpose was to receive this item.
“Please don't forget that our Blue Dog had to scour black markets all over the world to find it. We worked extremely hard.”
Han Hyun-soo suddenly stood up and bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
The two hunters' lips twisted in satisfaction.
“Oh my, please don't do that. If you act like this, we'll feel too burdened to ask you for anything in the future.”
Go Jin-woo didn't miss the fact that they only said that while clearly taking it for granted.
'Now's the time.'
“Ah, and there's one more thing I need to tell you……”
“Yes. Please speak.”
Han Hyun-soo didn't miss the atmosphere flowing in the direction he wanted and carefully brought up the story about Go Jin-woo.
It seemed there were some details about Go Jin-woo's background that had been accidentally omitted.
However……
“Haha! We were wondering what you were going to say. It looks like the rumor that Blue Dog is the most vicious in the black market was all just bluster.”
Only the two hunters' sneers came back. Their faces were already flushed from the alcohol.
Han Hyun-soo felt a surge of anger, but the two hunters spoke as if they didn't care.
“Cheongroe? That was a long time ago. Do you really think any of those connections are still around? Besides, the real core members of Cheongroe all died during the Gangneung incident, didn't they?”
Han Hyun-soo pressed his lips together tightly.
“Actually, it would be nice if they came. At least it wouldn't be boring……”
“It might actually be easier if Cheongroe shows up, senior. The higher-ups are convinced that the guy named Go Jin-woo has someone backing him.”
“Ah, was that the case? Then should we tie him to Cheongroe and report it?”
“Haha! That's a great idea!”
It was at that moment, while the two hunters were stroking their chins and wondering how to drag things out before leaving, that—
Kukukung!
“Huh?”
“What was that?”
The ceiling suddenly trembled and dust fell in clumps.
The two hunters' gazes naturally turned upward.
“F-Fire!”
“Lightning is pouring down……!”
“What the hell are the security forces doing? Why isn't anyone coming even though this mess is happening?”
In an instant, the outside became noisy.
On top of that, there was a thick scent of mana.
Han Hyun-soo's expression also hardened.
“It seems something has happened, Guild Master?”
“Who would have the guts to cause trouble right in the middle of the black market?”
The two hunters looked at him with even more mocking eyes.
As if to say, Is this the kind of mess you make because you can't even handle something like this?
While Han Hyun-soo was suppressing his boiling insides, the door burst open and a subordinate came running in urgently.
“B-Boss! It's serious! Right now outside, some crazy bastard is……!”
“What the hell are you doing that this kind of commotion is happening? Just grab some items or whatever and deal with it completely! What kind of disgrace is this in front of guests?”
The subordinate barely dodged the ashtray flying at him and spoke in a trembling voice.
“We even used the Witch Hunt's Flame, but it was completely useless……!”
“What? That can't be possible!”
Witch Hunt's Flame
During the medieval era, inquisitors branded countless innocent women as witches and burned them at the stake. Their grudges remain in the flames and will never be extinguished.
— Origin: Legend 'Witch Hunt'
Blue Dog's secret weapon prepared for emergencies was something even rankers would fear?
For a moment, Cheongroe flashed through Han Hyun-soo's mind.
“Cheongroe Unit! Could it be that the Cheongroe bastards came to rescue their comrade?”
“They weren't soldiers. It was one guy wearing a strange mask and a white coat……”
“One…… guy?”
While Han Hyun-soo's face twisted in confusion,
“Puhahaha!”
“Just one person. It looks like even a ranker has come charging in, Guild Master. What should we do? Should we help you?”
The two hunters' laughter returned.
'Damn it, I'm screwed.'
Han Hyun-soo clenched his fists.
Of all times, this mess had to happen while they were here.
Obviously, this incident would be reported to the higher-ups.
After that, Blue Dog would never get another chance to lick up Myeongga's scraps again.
No, the rumor might spread throughout the underworld and get them expelled.
In this world, the moment you start being looked down on is the moment your life ends.
'Just what is this attacker relying on to come charging in?'
If it were several former Cheongroe members, he could understand, but an offensive from just one person.
Han Hyun-soo couldn't even begin to guess who the intruder was.
He had made plenty of enemies, but there was no one bold enough to offend the Drug King.
“Didn't that guy say anything? Any other information that could help us guess his identity……!”
“That…… Ah, he said something incomprehensible about coming on Chairman Peng's introduction……”
“What? You should've said that first, you crazy bastard!”
“Th-That's because you told me not to let anyone in before I could report it, Boss……!”
Han Hyun-soo's mind went completely white.
If the intruder was close to the real power of China's Central Hero Committee, then this chaos made sense.
'What do I do……?'
A chill ran down his spine.
Now, the fear of falling out of favor with Chairman Peng felt far more terrifying than being branded by Myeongga or being expelled from the underworld.
“B-Boss! Over twenty people have already been taken down! I think you should evacuate first!”
Whether he knew it or not, the subordinate urged Han Hyun-soo even more urgently.
“Well, since it doesn't seem like our Guild Master intends to ask us for help at all, we'll be on our way. Good luck.”
The two hunters stood up with light greetings.
At that moment, Han Hyun-soo felt something snap in his mind.
Tap!
“Beom-san.”
『Yes. Boss.』
A voice suddenly came from above.
“Lower all the shutters. Don't let anyone out.”
『Yes. I'll do that.』
Drururuk!
Kung! Kung!
The sound of iron doors descending echoed from all directions.
All exits leading outside have been closed.
“Guild Master?”
“What are you doing?”
The two hunters also sensed that something was wrong and frowned.
Han Hyun-soo smiled coldly.
“There's a chance the intruder might see you two hunters and try to escape. This is a precaution. You two can just wait here comfortably. The commotion will die down soon.”
The two hunters felt a chilling sensation from Han Hyun-soo's eyes.
Just moments ago, he had been groveling as if he would hand over his liver and gallbladder, but now he looked like a mafia member reeking of blood.
Just as they were about to ask what he was thinking, the ceiling suddenly collapsed with a violent tremor and lightning struck.
Kwarururung!
A pure white flash like a snowy field filled the room.
At the same time, through the rising cloud of dust, a man appeared, his coat fluttering.
“A goblin…… mask?”
“I was wondering who you were meeting while ignoring even Peng Jinghao's orders. So you were dealing with these brats.”
A mocking voice passed through the black goblin mask.
It was a modulated voice that gave goosebumps just from hearing it.
It was impossible to guess the age, gender, or even the tone of speech, like a ghost's wailing.
“The old man's reputation has really fallen. Well, at his age, it's not strange if he were already nailed into a coffin. It's more surprising that his influence still reaches this small eastern country.”
The two Myeongga hunters frowned and activated their mana circuits.
Even if they couldn't understand the content, they could tell he was looking down on them.
“What kind of…… costume-wearing bastard dares to……!”
“Blue Dog's Han Hyun-soo. I greet you, sir!”
Before one of them could draw his dagger, Han Hyun-soo suddenly shouted and prostrated himself flat on the floor.
For a moment, the golden eyes beyond the goblin mask rippled like flames.
“You know me?”
“I think I've seen you before…… No, I have seen you! Of course I have! How could I forget! Six years ago, at the Central Banquet in Wuhan! I greeted you there, sir!”
Lee Hyun remained silent for a while.
“The words you spoke back then! That a hunter must live with pride! Those words remain deeply in my heart and I still remember them vividly!!”
“……”
More silence followed.
To Han Hyun-soo, that time felt like hell.
Pft.
Then came a light chuckle.
“I was planning to blow up your shoulder if it turned out to be useless, but fortunately, it's still worth using.”
“Th-Thank you for the compliment, sir!!”
Han Hyun-soo slammed his head against the floor even harder.
Tears of relief threatened to burst from his eyes.
* * *
「What the hell is 'sir' and what's the Central Banquet? And what was that speech about?」
'I don't know either.'
「You don't know either…… What?」
「Kakakat! Our apostle sure knows how to bluff properly!」
Sun Wukong looked at Lee Hyun with an incredulous expression, while Sa Oh-jeong wore a face full of laughter.
'In the underworld, Chairman Peng's name works on most people with any real influence. He was the one who actually introduced this place to me.'
Chairman Peng had once stayed in Korea for a full six months to try and win Lee Hyun over.
In the end, he had to return to his home country due to his superior's checks, Lee Hyun's stubbornness, and internal party politics.
Still, at the time, Lee Hyun had maintained quite deep exchanges with Chairman Peng and had been introduced to various connections.
Blue Dog was one of them.
Since they were dogs, as the name suggested, they were useful as errand runners when needed.
'He was one of the pawns Chairman Peng had planted in the country.'
Lee Hyun's eyes deepened.
'I was worried about our information leaking later, so I only used them for handling contraband.'
His enemy Seo Chang-woo had naturalized in China, and former Executive Director Jeong Gyu-han held the Chinese connections. The shadow they were casting over the country was exactly the same as it had been four years ago.
And behind it all was Chairman Peng.
Lee Hyun intended to thoroughly exploit this point.
He had already used it on Cheong Xia, so it would be perfect for creating confusion in the information.
'Myeongga, Chairman Peng, and the cartel. If I tangle everything up, it'll be harder to figure out who I am.'
Regardless of who Han Hyun-soo had mistaken him for, since the first button had been fastened well, it seemed he could now rob Myeongga without worry.
'But before that,'
Lee Hyun looked down with cold eyes at the back of Han Hyun-soo's head as he lay prostrate.
“Still, how do you plan to atone for the humiliation of making me stand outside in the cold wind?”
“……Th-That is……”
Gulp!
Han Hyun-soo, who had slightly raised his head, swallowed dryly.
Fear flashed in his eyes as he looked at Lee Hyun.
The curse inscription 'Fear Infection' is greatly breaking down the target's mental barrier.
Fear has been engraved into their psyche. From now on, they will be unable to disobey your commands.
The fear toward China's big shot, Peng Jinghao, combined with the mental curse Lee Hyun had continuously fed him.
'If he's already terrified and then hit with a curse inscription on top of that, it'll be hard for him to come to his senses. Sa Oh-jeong's curses aren't that easy to deal with.'
Han Hyun-soo was already in a state where normal thinking and judgment were impossible.
He had completely fallen into Lee Hyun's puppet, no different from being brainwashed.
Then, as if he had made some kind of resolution, the man made an expression—
Swish!
Whoosh—
He pulled out a dagger and boldly cut off his own left arm.
“Kugh……! P-Please, with this…… show mercy……!”
“It's still infinitely insufficient compared to the humiliation you inflicted on me.”
Lee Hyun casually withdrew his gaze from Han Hyun-soo, whose eyes were shaking violently.
“Still, since you genuinely seem to repent, I'll forgive you just this once. However, all your remaining guild members must also offer one arm each.”
“……O-Of course! If anyone refuses, I'll personally slit their throat! Thank you for your mercy, sir!!”
Han Hyun-soo, who once again slammed his head into the floor, was truly shedding tears of joy.
「……This isn't some cultist. What the hell.」
While Sun Wukong clicked his tongue in disbelief,
“That's enough for this guy.”
Zap zap zap zap!
Lee Hyun's lightning now turned toward the remaining two.
Keraunos is displaying its maximum firepower!
The curse inscriptions 'Prestige Reversal' and 'Mental Corruption' have been added, causing the targets to perceive the lightning's power as several stages higher than it actually is.
“How dare you still glare at me without knowing your place. I really don't like that.”
Lee Hyun turned his gaze toward the two Myeongga hunters, who were already overwhelmed by the tremendous presence of Diovis.
They were already thoroughly terrified by Han Hyun-soo's abnormal reaction.
They were truly starting to think that their opponent might be someone they couldn't handle.
Moreover, the room they were in was covered with curse inscriptions, creating an invisible pressure.
“First,”
As the lightning's presence intensified, the entire floor and walls were filled with waves of pure white light.
“Kneel.”
“……!”
“……!!”
The white waves that had been flowing across the floor became a violent tsunami and crashed over the two hunters.