Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Binding Poison
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As Yeon Sung-hun had anticipated, Song Myeong-heon had no intention of letting the matter slide.
Forget the various corrupt dealings Yeon Sung-hun had on him—his pride alone wouldn't allow him to overlook it.
In truth, Song Myeong-heon wasn't particularly prideful.
He was the classic bully who preyed on the weak while cowering before the strong, perfectly willing to toss his ego aside when necessary.
He simply couldn't tolerate someone far beneath him, like Yeon Sung-hun, constantly defying him.
True to form, the shrewd Song Myeong-heon didn't act recklessly.
He'd even commissioned an investigation through an underworld informant agency he'd used before, but they turned up nothing new.
Though his instincts nagged that something felt off, he dismissed it.
If even professional snoopers found nothing, there was no need to worry, he figured.
He pushed aside lingering unease from Choi Yeon-ah's presence back then—and, though he hated to admit it, Yeon Sung-hun's unnatural aura.
After all, Choi Yeon-ah was merely A-Rank at present, and Yeon Sung-hun was just B-Rank.
Had he known Yeon Sung-hun was the rumored alchemist F, or that he was sworn siblings with Seong A-reum, the sister of Han So-yul, Song Myeong-heon wouldn't have dared make a move.
Unfortunately, he was clueless about all that.
Han So-yul had never mentioned her connection to Seong A-reum, and someone of Song Myeong-heon's stature couldn't even grasp rumors about potions, let alone Yeon Sung-hun's true identity.
In his ignorance, Song Myeong-heon prepared his revenge.
He wasn't planning all-out war yet, but he was ready to crush them guild-to-guild, power-to-power, if things escalated.
Yeon Sung-hun was aware of most of this.
Na Seong-sil at the Association had reported Song Myeong-heon meeting high-ranking officials lately, and Jeong Hyun-su mentioned his frequent underworld appearances.
Mulling over the easily obtained intel, Yeon Sung-hun pondered quietly.
From his perspective, outright battle was far preferable to politics or backroom schemes.
That had always been Mephisto's domain in his past life.
In open combat, a few tossed potions would've ended it without fuss.
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue softly at Song Myeong-heon's needlessly complicating things.
He had no intention of using the corruption files he held.
Leaking them to the press would devastate Song Myeong-heon and Hwarang Guild, but Han So-yul wouldn't escape unscathed.
As a Hwarang member and frequent TV face, she was practically a public figure.
If scandal hit Hwarang, she'd inevitably get dragged into the gossip.
Plus, cornered, Song Myeong-heon wouldn't go quietly—he'd drag Han So-yul's parents' scandals into it like a drowning man clutching at straws.
She hadn't been deeply involved, but it was her parents' mess, so she'd still take heat.
Han So-yul herself might not care, but Yeon Sung-hun didn't want to burden the already troubled girl further.
'Better to strike before it turns into a mudslinging mess.'
Politics and intrigue weren't his forte.
He could manage, but he saw no point in courting variables with unfamiliar tactics.
'The cleanest way is to eliminate it entirely.'
There was an old saying for times like these:
The dead tell no tales.
It was the simplest, quickest way to tie up loose ends.
But reality posed issues.
Hunters might operate above the law in many ways, but there were still lines.
Murder was a big problem.
'If I don't get caught...'
He couldn't lure Song Myeong-heon to a rift alone without traces.
More than that, his family and guildmates' reactions to news of him killing someone would make it impossible.
He'd handle it discreetly if it came to that, but what ifs loomed.
Yeon Sung-hun didn't care about public opinion, but he hated worrying those around him.
'In the end, only one option.'
Rising slowly after his quiet deliberation, Yeon Sung-hun murmured.
"No need to beat around the bush."
With plenty already on his plate, he refused to waste time on the likes of Song Myeong-heon.
He grabbed a fresh potion he'd brewed recently.
Made from 'White Ploura' harvested in Titan Urus's cave.
It didn't boost physical abilities or anything flashy—it was a type of poison.
Not instantly lethal, but a mild(?) toxin requiring periodic antidotes once ingested.
As with all his custom potions, only Yeon Sung-hun could brew the antidote.
"I had other plans for this."
White Ploura could make bone regeneration potions if purified of its toxicity—now wasted on Song Myeong-heon.
Gazing at the flower-like, pure white potion, Yeon Sung-hun smiled faintly.
Once ingested, they'd have no choice but to grovel for antidotes—but the challenge was administering it.
Song Myeong-heon wasn't an idiot who'd gulp down anything Yeon Sung-hun offered.
Using an intermediary might be easier than doing it himself, but Yeon Sung-hun opted for directness.
If he wouldn't take it willingly, force it down.
It might get messy and noisy, but he didn't mind.
Alchemists were seen as scholars, but Faust had been a battle alchemist, not some frail academic.
He mulled carefully at times, but acted boldly when needed.
In his past life, Faust often acted first and dealt with consequences later—calculated risks, of course.
The same held now.
Yeon Sung-hun was confident he could handle the fallout.
Once the potion was in, Song Myeong-heon wouldn't dare defy him.
It might seem harsh, poisoning him like this, but it beat death, didn't it?
Not true mercy—practicality—but far better for Song Myeong-heon all the same.
Better to roll in shit than die, as the saying went.
A Yeon Sung-hun-centric view, sure, but he owed the man no deeper consideration.
Thus, he arranged a private meeting through Gye Cheong-san.
He'd expected resistance, but Song Myeong-heon agreed readily.
Perhaps to probe or size up Yeon Sung-hun—fatally mistaken, as it turned out.
Being afternoon, they met at a quiet cafe with private rooms—none other than Choi Yeon-ah's.
Song Myeong-heon wasn't stupid; he brought an A-Rank hunter bodyguard, his younger brother by the similar looks, who ran the guild with him.
Unlike Yeon Sung-hun's solo arrival, Song Myeong-heon smirked arrogantly, arms crossed, chin raised haughtily—a stark contrast to his last defeated look.
Yeon Sung-hun stifled a chuckle, prompting Song Myeong-heon to frown.
His lingering composure grated.
"Long time no see, Guild Master Song."
"Hmph. Calling this meeting means you're finally worried? Too bad—I'm not letting it go."
Yeon Sung-hun smiled quietly at Song Myeong-heon's sneer.
Perplexed by the mismatch with his expectations, Song Myeong-heon pressed on, discomfort evident.
"Delete all your intel and swear on the system never to speak of it. Do that, and I'll cut you some slack—decent terms for you and your guild."
He glanced at his brother, Song Myeong-sin, who both subtly unleashed their auras, laced with mana, to pressure Yeon Sung-hun.
Two A-Rank hunters' intimidation.
Good thing he'd pre-dosed on potions; otherwise, even he'd have struggled.
Less hunters, more thugs.
Not quite as low as underworld scum, but close.
Watching their antics briefly, Yeon Sung-hun sighed softly.
"Worse than I thought."
"...What?"
"Yeon-ah."
With his calm call, Choi Yeon-ah emerged from the counter.
As if he'd really come alone.
This was her cafe, after all.
Song Myeong-heon and his brother visibly panicked at her sudden appearance—never imagining she'd pop up here.
As they hesitated, Yeon Sung-hun tossed the potion quietly.
Crash— It shattered cleanly, releasing a thick pale pink mist throughout the room.
Reacting late to the ominous sight, they recoiled, pinching noses—but too late; they'd inhaled plenty.
Bodies going limp, vision blurring.
The last thing Song Myeong-heon saw: Yeon Sung-hun approaching with a white potion.
"You bastard...!"
"Everything will be over when you wake. Just close your eyes."
Yeon Sung-hun tsked lowly at the sprawled brothers, then clicked his tongue again.
Parting the thick mist leisurely, Choi Yeon-ah approached.
"Didn't even need me."
"You drew their attention. Alone, it wouldn't have been this easy. And you provided the venue."
"Glad I helped."
Smiling brightly amid the lingering pink haze, she asked.
"What about this? Need to ventilate? Don't want the fumes leaking out..."
This potion was a potent sleep aid.
They were fine, pre-antidoted, but leaks could cause issues.
"It'll dissipate on its own soon. No worries."
Dismissing her concern, Yeon Sung-hun approached the deeply unconscious Song Myeong-heon and fed him the potion.
He didn't forget Song Myeong-sin either.
Choi Yeon-ah watched impassively.
She knew the potion's purpose; by her standards, it wasn't excessive for scum like Song Myeong-heon.
Anyone decent? Maybe. But not him.
Better than death, right?
She cherished Han So-yul as dearly as her sworn brother did.
Truth be told, as a veteran hunter who'd seen it all in her prime, she preferred clean kills over this hassle.
But same reasons held her back.
She was building a clean image post her dark history.
With the prepared potions safely ingested, Yeon Sung-hun dusted his hands and stood.
"One matter resolved."
Choi Yeon-ah chuckled at his refreshed expression.
"How bad is the effect?"
"Excruciating. Probably worse than death."
"They won't die?"
"Shock might kill in severe cases, but hunters' vitality should hold. They'll seek antidote first anyway."
Recalling something, he added.
"Oh. Added hair loss per Team Leader Gye's suggestion."
"Gye's scarier than he looks."
"Yeah. Knows how to torment foes."
"How often for antidote?"
"Tuned short initially, so they grasp severity quickly. Then adjustable by concentration."
"Tight leash."
Choi Yeon-ah smiled satisfied, a glint of her prime's ruthlessness flickering—Yeon Sung-hun politely ignored it.
Coughing lightly, he said.
"Wait till they wake. Gotta explain and dose antidote."
"Coffee?"
"Haven't had yours in ages. Looking forward."
"Best brew ever."
She vanished toward the counter with a bright grin and quick steps.
Watching her go, Yeon Sung-hun chuckled softly.
Neither spared a glance at the slumped brothers.
"Plans after?"
"Gotta check on Ur. Left with sis and So-yul, but he's sulking from my neglect."
"Mind if I tag along? Been wanting to see him."
"Sure."
And so, Yeon Sung-hun and Choi Yeon-ah chatted peacefully until the brothers stirred.