Revenge 1
“You're back already?”
I tilted my head quizzically at the guild members who'd returned after barely a few hours inside the dungeon.
“There was an incident.”
The moment I heard Bang Taegeuk's words, Lee Sehyuk popped into my head unbidden. I felt a nagging unease, but I hadn't expected him to move this quickly.
“Is everyone okay? No one got hurt?”
“Fortunately, no one was injured.”
All three looked fine, but I asked anyway out of worry. Only after hearing Bang Taegeuk's reply did I let out a sigh of relief.
“Phew, that's a relief. So, what happened?”
“While we were clearing an S-rank dungeon, someone lured monsters to ambush us.”
Bang Taegeuk explained the details. From the moment they'd finished hunting and were resting, to their desperate flight back to the entrance. He also made it clear this was no accident—someone had orchestrated it.
Monsters generally stuck to their territories and rarely ventured out. The rare exceptions, like the Twin Head Black Cat, might wander, but they only crossed boundaries to chase intruders. And that's exactly what had happened here.
“And thanks to this person, we escaped unharmed.”
Only then did I notice the figure who'd been standing behind the group. I'd assumed he was just another member who'd gone in with them, but learning he'd helped my guildmates prompted me to bow deeply in gratitude.
“Thank you so much for saving my guild members. I don't know how to repay this favor...”
But before I could finish, the man cut in, demanding payment—and his request shocked me.
“There's a way. Make me an SS-rank leather armor set too. I'll supply the hides. How many monsters do you need?”
I was too stunned to respond. He had to mean the SS-rank leather armor like the S-rank sets my guild was wearing.
I whipped around to look at my guildmates, about to ask for an explanation, when he continued.
“Too stingy for SS-rank? Fine, then. I saved their lives, so I can take them back.”
I hurriedly stepped in front of my guildmates and shouted.
“We're truly grateful you saved them. It's not about the leather being precious. I was just shocked because I know what it is. I can make as much armor as you want. But if you attack my guild members like that again, I won't let it slide.”
He was our benefactor, but I warned him just in case. Benefactor or not, I had no intention of forgiving an attack.
But contrary to my expectations, the man burst into laughter.
“You're the second one after Jeonghun to say you won't let me off in front of me. Puahaha!”
Jeonghun?
I couldn't make sense of why Kang Jeonghun's name came up here. And where had that sharp aura gone? Clutching his stomach and roaring with laughter left me baffled.
Then a voice came from behind me.
“Enough joking, Brain Emperor. Hyung Suho. This is the Lightning Archmage, Brain Emperor Choi Taesu, who saved us.”
“The... Lightning Archmage?”
I jumped in shock at the revelation. It was like, Why the hell is my brother here?
The man known as the Brain Emperor—Korea's strongest hunter and the most infamous Irregular. His sudden appearance to rescue my guild was unbelievable, and Kang Jeonghun kept explaining.
“Yeah, the real deal. He heard about your armor from you, came to hunt S-rank monsters, and saved us by chance. And... he got hooked on the armor. Sorry.”
Everything clicked into place.
“No need to apologize. As long as you're all safe.”
I turned back to Choi Taesu and bowed once more.
“Brain Emperor. Thank you again for saving my comrades. And as promised, I'll make the armor. But could you keep it a secret?”
Choi Taesu finally stopped laughing.
“Sure, that much I can do.”
“Thank you. It'll take hides from 30 monsters total.”
“Give me a few days. I'll bring 'em right over.”
As he turned to leave, Choi Taesu paused and glanced back with one last remark.
“I don't know why you're hiding your abilities, but looking weak to hunters is like sticking your neck out begging to be eaten. This mess? You brought it on yourself.”
With that, he vanished. I froze, mulling over his words.
Once the guild was assembled again, I told them Lee Sehyuk was likely behind this.
“It doesn't seem like the whole Cheonmang Guild is involved. But Lee Sehyuk and his underlings probably are. And I think this is just the beginning.”
Far from scared, my guildmates seethed with rage at Lee Sehyuk. Ha Geonmin led the charge.
“I knew that smug bastard reeked from the start. Looks like a slug someone puked up, talks like a sewer grate. My gut was right.”
As the others chimed in, Seo Taehee shifted the topic.
“Enough cursing. The real issue is what we do next. Even if it's just a faction, Cheonmang Guild is like facing another major guild.”
The guild's faces hardened. The pressure of one of Korea's Big Five guilds was no joke.
That's when I spoke up.
“I'll handle Lee Sehyuk. But until it's resolved, stay inside—no going out.”
All eyes turned to me. Bang Taegeuk asked,
“Guild Master, is this because of what the Brain Emperor said? He's famous for speaking bluntly. Don't take it to heart.”
His worried tone matched the others' concerned looks at my declaration.
“No, not just that. I had a good idea. No need to worry. It's just something only I can do.”
After the meeting, I called Lee Musin right away.
“Sorry, but I haven't received any updates worth reporting. Anything else you need?”
After Lee Sehyuk left, I'd asked Lee Musin to monitor him. My unease had foreshadowed trouble.
It was just a hunch, so I'd stopped at a request. If I'd been certain, I wouldn't have let him walk away.
“Lee Sehyuk already made his move.”
Lee Musin spat angrily, then his voice filled with concern.
“What? That bastard dared—who? Are you okay?”
“I'm fine. The targets were my guild members.”
He sighed in relief.
“Phew, got it. Aiming for your guild was probably just to scare you.”
“Yeah, I think so too.”
I agreed. Lee Sehyuk's parting words—
'Think hard if this path is right for you and your ragtag crew.'
—were a veiled threat: join Cheonmang Guild or your guild suffers.
Even if Choi Taesu hadn't intervened, as Bang Taegeuk said, no one would have died—but the danger was real. The thought of any guildmate getting hurt fueled my rage.
I had no intention of forgiving Lee Sehyuk.
“That's why I need a favor, Director.”
“Of course, go ahead.”
I explained exactly what I needed. He sounded puzzled.
“Will that really be enough? We can handle the cleanup too.”
“No. Stop right there. Don't give Lee Sehyuk an easy death. We need to show everyone what happens when you mess with me.”
He was still worried but relented to my resolve.
“Understood. We'll prepare everything and contact you. No more than two days.”
“Thanks.”
After hanging up, I called Hespera.
“Oh! Kim Suho, calling me first—what's up?”
“Hi, Hespera. How have you been?”
Our first call since the tournament, so I started with pleasantries. Light chit-chat warmed things up.
I needed her name, so a smooth vibe was key. Once the mood was right, I got to the point.
“Actually, I need a favor from you.”
“You, asking me? I'm dying to know. As long as it's not naturalizing in Korea, anything goes. Shoot.”
She laughed, and I explained what I needed.
“I want to borrow your name. I've got beef with one of Korea's Big Five guilds.”
I gave a quick rundown: Cheonmang Guild coveting me and my guild, and how her endorsement would help my revenge.
“So, mind if I 'sell' your name for this?”
She agreed readily.
“For that? Use it freely. Oh, name alone might not cut it—I'll send a little gift. Wait two days, then proceed.”
I had no idea why two days, but free gift with the name? No reason to refuse. Lee Musin needed two days anyway.
“If you're sending a gift, of course I'll wait two days. Thank you.”
I thanked her profusely. Before hanging up, she added,
“One bit of advice, Kim Suho—don't take it as meddling. In the hunter world, the weak aren't protected; they're prey. To avoid this again, never look weak. Hiding power is one thing, but downplaying yourself? The fallout's all on you.”
Her words echoed Choi Taesu's. I pondered them, phone in hand, as two days passed.
Lee Musin confirmed preparations were ready. Hespera said her gift would arrive that morning.
I wondered what it could be. Then she called: Turn on the TV.
TV? Out of nowhere—what's this about?
I tilted my head and flipped it on. Her 'gift' left my jaw on the floor.
Crowds of reporters swarmed the airport for interviews.
“The world's top raid team, Paragon Raid Team—led personally by Captain Creport—has suddenly arrived in Korea. What's the reason?”
Creport answered.
“At Hespera's request. Korea's top leatherworker—the one she recognizes as world-class—is being threatened and endangered by a major guild. She asked for help to safely escort him to Sweden. That's why we're here.”
His words hit Korea like a bomb. Before the shockwaves faded, I launched the next phase.
“Director, start Phase 1.”
After calling Lee Musin, I thanked Hespera.
“Hespera, 'small gift'? Paragon Raid Team? I was floored.”
“Hahaha! No biggie. They had a Japan gig anyway. I said detour to Korea for vacation—everyone was thrilled.”
Learning the real story eased my mind. Overgifting burdens the receiver.
I thanked her again. She ended with, call anytime you need help.
“Lee Sehyuk, get ready for some real fun.”
My plan to drag him to ruin had begun.
To be continued in the next chapter...