Korean Hospital (2)
Jongno-gu's Korean Hospital. This place was uniquely divided into the main ward for general patients and a separate annex exclusively for VIPs.
The annex boasted highly skilled doctors, but they never treated or operated on general patients, no matter how much more money was offered or how urgent the case. Because of this, it once faced a storm of public backlash for being an "aristocrat's hospital." Yet Korean Hospital remained steadfastly silent, adhering to their own policies without response.
In the end, the public outrage fizzled out after a brief flare-up, and as if it had never happened, attention shifted to other targets. They were never scrutinized again. Looking back now, it seemed likely that influential figures had pulled strings behind the scenes.
I never thought I'd end up coming here like this...
Yun-seok headed toward the VIP ward. Not because he expected lavish treatment for his parents, but because, given the kidnapping crime, they would have placed them in this heavily secured facility.
"What brings you here?"
It was like an independent fortress. Even within the hospital grounds, the VIP ward was shielded by high walls that blocked any view inside. The main building's windows facing it were all sealed off too.
As he approached the entrance, a guard politely stepped forward.
"My parents are hospitalized here."
"Ah, visiting? It might be a bit of a hassle, but please fill out this form and submit it with your ID."
Perhaps mistaking him for a young heir from a wealthy family, the guard's demeanor softened noticeably. Yun-seok glanced over the form he handed over. It was straightforward: room number, patient's name, and relationship.
"Sorry, I rushed over and didn't get the room number. What should I do?"
"Could you just give me the patient's name?"
When Yun-seok provided his parents' names, the guard began flipping through another document.
"Let me see... Huh? Room 1109...?"
The guard muttered the room number, then his expression changed abruptly. He asked cautiously,
"You said parents earlier?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"One moment, please—just a moment."
With that, the guard pretended to stay calm but slowly backed away. It was obvious this wasn't how he'd treat a regular patient's family.
"No need to wait."
At Yun-seok's words, sweat beaded on the guard's forehead. He looked utterly flustered. As Yun-seok took a step forward, the guard paled, spun around, and bolted into the guard post, slamming the door shut.
Clang.
It was pointless. Yun-seok grabbed the handle and yanked. The door ripped off its hinges with a screech.
Krunch! Crash!
Seeing this, the guard dropped the phone he'd been holding to some unknown number.
"I-I have nothing to do with this! I'm just hospital security...!"
Ignoring the guard's excuses, Yun-seok picked up the phone. It hadn't finished dialing; an error tone played for an invalid number.
"Who were you calling?"
"I-I don't know!"
He'd dialed it himself but claimed ignorance. A lie even a three-year-old wouldn't buy, but Yun-seok just nodded.
"Doesn't matter anyway. I'll meet them soon enough."
"W-what do you...?"
No intention of answering the guard's confusion. Yun-seok chopped the side of his neck, knocking him out.
Then he entered the hospital grounds. The VIP annex was luxurious in every way. The lawns were impeccably manicured, and a fountain in a picturesque pond sprayed colorful LED lights. Even late at night, patients strolled in wheelchairs pushed by attendants.
Yun-seok scanned them casually as he entered the building. Having passed the guard post, no one obstructed his path.
He'd already learned the room from the guard, and with this reaction, no need for stealth.
Ding.
Yun-seok boarded the elevator and pressed 11. No light came on. He pressed again—same result.
Such a high-end hospital wouldn't leave a broken button without notice...
As he pondered, a doctor entering behind him eyed him curiously.
"Did you lose your keycard by any chance?"
"It needs one of those to work, huh."
"They should've explained at the entrance and given you the key for your floor."
This seemed standard for the VIP ward. Suspicion flickered in the doctor's eyes. Yun-seok smirked.
So even educated folks aren't all sharp. If it were him, he'd have bolted the moment suspicion arose. But the doctor didn't.
Thud.
As the doctor gave him a meaningful look, the doors closed. Only then did Yun-seok reply.
"Must've been your mistake. Mind pressing 11 for me?"
"No way we'd make that error... Wait, 11th floor? That's a restricted security zone—no one's allowed there. Why on earth...?"
"......"
Yun-seok said nothing, just smiled faintly. Sensing something off, the doctor subtly reached toward the open button.
Of course, Yun-seok snatched his wrist first.
"L-let go! What are you—what are you doing?!"
Yun-seok tightened his grip slightly—not too hard, or the arm would've been crushed bones and all. But did it trigger an attack judgment anyway?
Torturer
The doctor screamed bloody murder. It was deafening. Yun-seok clamped his free hand over the man's mouth and whispered in his ear.
"We're going to 11. Got it?"
"N-no! Absolutely not! That'll ruin my career!"
The doctor resisted fiercely but lacked the resolve to face death. A slight squeeze, and he pulled out his keycard, tapping the floor.
Whirr.
The elevator shot upward. Neither spoke during the ride.
Ding.
—11th floor. Arrived.
With the announcement, Yun-seok knocked out the doctor. No longer needed now that he'd reached his destination.
He activated Stealth the moment—
Stealth
—Doors opening.
Shh. The doors slid open.
Because it was the secured zone the doctor mentioned? Two men guarded the exit, wearing not tasers but long jian swords at their waists. Mana emanated from them too. Not regular security—Tower challengers.
"Who goes there?!"
They drew swords the instant the doors opened. With the slumped doctor and a stranger inside, it was natural.
With Blood Demon Divine Art's effect, Yun-seok's mana was at B-. Theirs was at least D-.
Blood Demon Divine Art
They even had anti-stealth counters.
"Light of Detection!"
One chanted, and a yellow glow floated up. A superior counter to stealth skills. It touched Yun-seok, revealing him.
"Reveal yourself!"
Stealth broken, Yun-seok stayed calm. He grabbed the doctor's coat, dragging him out casually under their wary gazes.
And...
BOOM!
He demolished the elevator. No one escaping or interfering on their terms.
"Th-this is operated by the Korean Challenger Management Bureau. Do this here and...!"
Ignoring their authoritative warning, Yun-seok collapsed the emergency exit door from the ceiling down too. Their words cut off.
Realizing he wasn't ordinary? They drew swords but hesitated to charge—despite him being unarmed.
"Take a nap. Haven't decided what to do yet."
He punched their guts in sync. Then took their swords—two blades for two men.
Not comparable to Sun Sword or Moonlight Sword, but holding them eased the emptiness gnawing at him.
"What the—?!"
"Who the hell is that guy?!"
Hearing the commotion? A horde rushed from inside—some challengers, some not. Non-challengers watched from afar; challengers charged fearlessly.
About twenty, armed with weapons. But...
Like harmless rabbits hopping over, Yun-seok felt no threat.
This all they got?
With experience, he could gauge them at a glance. Far below the 6th Floor Plaza alliance rabble.
Step. Step.
All wary and silent? His footsteps echoed loudly down the hall.
"One of America's guys?"
"Don't care who—grab him!"
No clear leader, but they swarmed on their own judgment. Yun-seok just walked.
"Block him!"
"He's no ordinary guy! Fight to kill!"
Swords slashed, axes swung, even a gun fired live rounds. None penetrated the rippling red haze around him—all halted midway.
Nothing stopped Yun-seok's advance.
Then someone shouted in realization.
"Choi—Choi Yun-seok! That's him!"
"Call the team leader!"
"Don't let him into that room!"
The most senior, with a radio, bolted into a room. Yun-seok followed swiftly.
Sure enough—Room 1109. Nameplate: Choi Cheol-hwan, Park Ji-hee. His parents.
Slide.
Door open, his parents lay peacefully asleep. The man who'd entered first stood by the bed, knife to his mother's throat.
"......"
Yun-seok was genuinely curious. Did this idiot know what he was doing? Probably not. If he did, no amount of money would make him try.
"Stay back! Drop the weapon! Or...!"
No Sun Sword now, so no Judgment Mark visible. Thus, he'd only knocked out folks en route—no kills.
But... Judgment Mark wasn't essential. He could distinguish life and death without it.
High-Speed Short-Range Spatial Movement.
High-Speed Short-Range Spatial Movement
Using Elle's authority, Yun-seok teleported right in front of the man.
And...
Squelch!
Grabbed his head with one hand and crushed it.