Chapter 24
A hovercraft the size of two buses sliced cleanly across Seongsu Bridge. Abandoned cars littered the road, but they meant nothing to a Techno Master's air-cushioned craft.
"Damn, this wind feels good."
A dozen or so players lounged on the open-top second deck, soaking in the scenery. The ride was as smooth as a maglev train. A man with a leather potion pouch tied to his waist spoke up, a faint blue glow emanating from his hand.
"So, is the intel solid? Silver Tree's Choi Ah-rin is heading to Cheongsung Guild."
"Straight from our operative—can't get more reliable than that. Shit, that bitch has been begging for a beatdown."
Kim Daegon chewed his gum noisily, staring down the endless Han River line.
"Operative... you mean that Operator class guy, right?"
"Who else? All the others got rooted out."
Choi Ah-rin, the Korean government coalition's biggest pain in the ass. Annoying little fly. What did she gain from stirring shit? Constantly meddling in foreign governments, spilling Korea's dirty laundry everywhere. It was drawing international scrutiny, however slight, right when they needed it least.
She was top priority for elimination before the big plan kicked off—minimal backlash that way. The problem? She'd split from the coalition early in the materialization crisis. No easy way to touch her.
But look at her, walking right into it.
Kim Daegon spat his gum over the railing and let the wind hit his face. The cool Han River breeze felt damn refreshing.
"Hey, boss. You think we'll be okay?"
"Huh?"
"That creepy incident lately."
The blue glow in the man's hand faded as a small orb dropped into his palm— an alchemist's skill for crafting items on the fly. Kim Daegon pocketed the dark blue sphere the man handed him.
"Oh, the evaporation thing?"
"What if we get caught up in it?"
"Hah."
Kim Daegon snorted dismissively.
"Quit worrying, jackass. Hell, if we snag the kidnapper, we'll rake in rewards."
"Still, thirty-seven missing..."
The man kept glancing around nervously, like someone was hiding, watching them.
Kim Daegon pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with a skill-fueled spark. Tsss. He took a deep drag, exhaling gray smoke.
"You still haven't figured it out, dumbass?"
"Figured what out?"
"Hah, can't you tell? Only the hit squads sent to assassinate the anti-government bastards are vanishing!"
"...Ah!"
The man's eyes lit up as it clicked.
"That's why they're mixing squads half-and-half now. How the hell are you on our side and still clueless?"
"Aw, c'mon, boss. You know I'm just a middle school dropout."
The man grinned stupidly, scratching his head. Kim Daegon clicked his tongue.
"Tch. And you're proud of it? Fill that empty skull with something useful."
He slapped the man's back hard. The alchemist bit his lip—too stinging from a Fighter-class hand. No malice, but tears welled up.
Kim Daegon stopped and leaned an arm on the railing, turning away.
"The world's a much better place now."
He gazed contentedly at half-ruined Seoul, murmuring to himself. He blew out a puff of smoke.
Branded a school bully in high school, he'd spent two years in juvie. Out on parole, society's stares burned. To them, he was a criminal—right or wrong didn't matter.
That nerd pissed me off first—why's kicking him my fault?
Cut ties with his heartless parents. Hung with gangsters, holed up in capsules. Endless grind.
And then? Sweet payoff. Light came suddenly.
Kim Daegon smirked.
The old shitty system was dead. People finally saw his worth.
S-rank player in Hyeonwol Guild. Hero shielding citizens from monster hordes. Cheers everywhere. Adoration rained down.
Savoring the breeze, Kim Daegon bared his teeth in a grin.
Yeah, this is who I am. A king everyone worships, born superior to those savages!
Half-lidded eyes scanned Seoul. It all felt like his.
He traced the Han River slowly. Halfway across Seongsu Bridge...
"Hm?"
Kim Daegon's brow twitched.
"Boss, something up?"
"Hold on."
He silenced the man with a hand, narrowing his eyes at a glass luxury apartment. Curtains blocked most views.
"...!"
He saw it clear. A shadowy figure moving behind a slightly open curtain gap.
"Hah, what the hell are they?"
Kim Daegon's lips curled wickedly. He stood and yelled down to Ha Hyun-joo in the first