Chapter 246
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 246
Chapter Title: Second Love Call
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After hanging up the phone, Jeong Hoon thought of James Marcus.
The face of the bastard who had betrayed him before his regression.
He wanted to snap his neck right then and there, but he needed to figure out when the guy had started craving power.
If hed planned it from the start...
Hed crush him preemptively.
Whoa, whoa, Master. Ease up on that expression.
Yeah. If I go in like this, a few people are gonna die.
As Mokho and Anima said, Jeong Hoons face was terrifying.
In the past, hed been betrayed by the guys hed fought alongside for so long.
And now the ringleader whod gathered those traitors wanted to meet him. How could he feel anything good about that?
Anyway, this is the second love call.
The first was before his regression.
The second was right now.
Jeong Hoon geared up and hurried to Jang Dae-hwis house.
Ha-jin, whod gotten the call, was waiting out front with Bong-gu.
Hoon! Youre here?
Yeah. But why are you waiting outside instead of going in?
Oh, I called Dae-hwi hyung, and he said hes cleaning. So were just hanging out here for a bit.
I see.
After about ten minutes, Jang Dae-hwi opened the window.
All done. Come on in.
At his permission, Jeong Hoon entered Jang Dae-hwis house.
Hyung, I heard from Ha-jin. James Marcus reached out?
Yeah. He wants to meet the people from HoneyTube.
Really?
Yeah. Specifically Honey 1you.
Me?
Yeah. Probably got interested after seeing what youve shown in the videos.
This was expected.
James Marcuss goal was recruiting allies.
It wasnt mere curiosity about HoneyTube; he was interested in Jeong Hoon himself and extending the love call.
You havent replied yet, right?
Of course not. I was holding off until I heard your thoughts.
Good. Then reply that well meet.
You want to meet?
Yes.
HoneyTubes influence was beyond imagination.
Subscribers had surpassed 100 million, and in Korea, not knowing HoneyTube made you a spy.
Named guilds to the Korean government were all trying to connect with HoneyTube.
He must think we have detection skills since we keep finding honey spots.
Most people barely found one, if any, but theyd revealed them repeatedly.
But if HoneyTube met James Marcus?
The ripple effect would be indescribable if it got out.
Of course, the meeting would be top secret, so that wouldnt happen.
Got it. So you approve?
Yes. But we set the place and time.
Okay!
James, a reply came.
Really?
James Marcus brightened and checked the monitor.
As said, a response from HoneyTubes editor had arrived.
It was positive, saying theyd check their schedule and get back in touch.
You really plan to recruit these people as allies?
A woman in her early to mid-twenties.
It was Amelie Reina, whod recently started moving with James Marcus.
Her current level was 443.
A hidden class among priest jobs: Heresy Inquisitor.
But unlike her job, she bore the moniker of Saintessa high-level user.
And she didnt like this HoneyTube one bit.
Because of this channel, I still havent done my 5th job change.
The final stage of the 5th job change quest.
She had to root out and judge 1,000 cultists. How do you even fill that number?
Even after materialization, raising the count wasnt easy.
Touching real-world users didnt count.
She had to target NPCs to build the numbers.
If HoneyTube hadnt stirred things up, shed have finished her 5th job change long ago.
Yeah.
...I dont like it much.
Why?
Because of HoneyTube, I havent finished my 5th job change.
Oh...
James Marcus understood quickly.
Intrigued by HoneyTube, hed watched every video.
Naturally, including the ones about the Merhen Kingdom.
One quest gives 3 levels?!
The thumbnail on that video.
Because of it, Amelie hadnt completed her 5th job change.
She couldnt feel good about it.
Anyway, Im against it.
I get it. But that YouTubers detection ability is on another level.
But...
If he joins us, we can gain even greater power.
...
She couldnt deny it.
How many videos had been uploaded so far?
Too many to call coincidences.
It meant he had a unique ability to detect serendipitous encounters.
If he joined as an ally, they could seize undiscovered ones, a shortcut to getting stronger.
Alessandro, any word from Sophia?
Sophia Stephanie Agalet, ranked 1 in France for mage classes.
They were also trying to recruit her as an ally.
Alessandro shook his head.
You know her temper isnt ordinary.
Shed been a pro gamer too, so James Marcus and Alessandro Braiden knew her.
Thats why he knew she wasnt easy to recruit.
Still, we have to keep trying.
Those with power needed to band together.
Only then could they prepare thoroughly for what was coming.
After some deliberation, Jeong Hoon sent James Marcus the date and location.
The spot was a dungeon.
He chose it deliberately so he could crush the guy on the spot if he sensed anything fishy.
Isnt this dungeon a bit dangerous?
Hyung-nim, the monsters here are level 360.
Ha-jin and Bong-gu hesitated at the dungeon entrance.
A dungeon 30 levels above them.
Theyd even failed their 4th job changes.
The quests were too hard, requiring massive time investments.
Then go do your job change quests.
Even his mom was skipping home for her job change quest.
He wished she wouldnt push too hard, but stopping midway meant starting over, so he couldnt interfere.
Ehehe, but we gotta see James Marcus first!
Right! When else will we get to see someone like him?
But for Ha-jin and Bong-gu, James Marcus trumped the job quests.
New Worlds superstar.
Just seeing him up close was an honor.
...Listen to me from now on.
Whats up?
Say the word!
Jeong Hoon paused.
He didnt want to bring these two, but they clung so stubbornly he relented.
No matter what I discuss with James Marcus, understand it.
Understand...?
What kind of talk are you planning...
Who knows. What will it be?
Jeong Hoon flashed a meaningful smile and entered the dungeon.
Entering the dungeon, Jeong Hoon cleared the surroundings first.
Slash.
Krraaak!
Kieeeek!
Level 360 monsters, but they fell helplessly to Jeong Hoons Heavenly Demon Annihilation Sword.
Wow...
Hyung-nim, youve gotten even stronger.
They couldnt even track his movements.
But seeing level 360 monsters drop like nothing proved hed grown to another dimension.
Alright, time to prepare the welcome.
Time to see James Marcuss ugly mug.
Jeong Hoon set up the table and chairs bought with points.
Soon, the entrance portal rippled, and three figures appeared.
Wow...
J-James Marcus...!
Ha-jin and Bong-gu recognized him instantly.
Jeong Hoon did too.
The face he hadnt seen in ages was pristine, unlike before regression.
Wrinkle-free skin, taut and smoothno long scar from left eye to jaw, just flawless white.
His sharp features drew admiration from all.
His looks played no small part in his superstardom.
It was why Saintess Amelie Reina, standing beside him, had been his third ally.
Youre the owner of HoneyTube?
James Marcus asked Jeong Hoon.
Jeong Hoon nodded.
Yeah. Youre James Marcus?
Right. Mind if I ask why the dungeon as the meeting spot?
No, I just want to keep it brief.
A stance that screamed no chit-chat.
Alessandro Braiden and Amelie Reina frowned.
No manners at all from him.
Yet James Marcus laughed heartily and sat in the chair opposite Jeong Hoon.
Fine. Straight to the pointI have a proposal. Join us as an ally.
An ally?
Jeong Hoon pretended ignorance, tilting his head.
Yeah. I want to beat this game.
Beat the game?
Jeong Hoon chuckled inwardly.
He wanted to rip that mouth off, but forced calm.
Yeah. The game becoming reality means theres surely an ending.
Not beat the gameseize power, right.
...
Why cherry-pick useful guys? Forming a cartel, isnt it?
Jeong Hoon smirked, watching his reaction.
James Marcus startled, waving his hands.
Absolutely not! Thats not my intention at all!
Then prove it.
Jeong Hoon pulled out an artifact.
A truth-detecting orb bought with points.
Place your hand on it and speakthe orb tells truth from lie.
...Fine.
James Marcus placed his hand on the orb.
Question again. Do you truly intend to beat the game?
Jeong Hoon asked once more.
Of course.
The orbs color shifted.
Green for truth, red for lie.
Red, and hed end him here.
But it turned green, not red.
Jeong Hoon narrowed his eyes.
Truth?
The orb indicated James Marcus spoke truth.
Seeing the color, James Marcus smiled faintly.
Now you can trust me, right?
Hah, for now.
Sure. Hearts change easily.
Early on, he mightve purely wanted to clear the game.
High chance tasting power blurred that goal.
For now?
James Marcus tilted his head.
Then Ill answer. I refuse.
No pretext to strike yet, so hed hold off.
Jeong Hoons ultimate revenge was seeing this games end.
Stripping them of their power completely.
Unless they veered off like Lee Hwarang or Sa Jae-hyeok.
Hang on! Can you at least tell me why?
Simple. I dont trust you.
Dont trust me...
James Marcus glanced at the glowing green orb.
Ill buy that youre not forming a cartel for power. But that doesnt mean I trust you, James Marcus.
...I see.
No matter what show you put on, I wont agree. Conversation ends here.
Jeong Hoon stood without lingering.
Then a Fire Spear flew at him; he dodged by twisting his head.
It embedded in the tree behind, bursting into flames.
Roar
Alessandro! What the hell?!
James Marcus shouted urgently.
James, shut it. Youre gonna put up with that attitude?
Alessandro ground his teeth.
Even if they were proposing, that cocky attitude was intolerable.
He planned to teach this punkwho didnt know his place despite some lucka lesson.
Hey, you attacked first?
Saying so, Jeong Hoon drew Leviathan, a thick smile on his lips.