Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Duel Proposal to Taebaek's CEO
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I took the elevator and arrived at the 42nd floor.
"42, huh. The number of truth."
Ding. The silver-white doors slid open to either side.
"Oh-ho."
Looks like he had something to rely on. Gazing beyond the seven doors, I stepped forward with a faint smile.
Beyond the elevator stretched a wide corridor. At its end loomed a massive door.
A blackwood plaque above the door bore the elegant gold calligraphy: 'Taebaek CEO Sung Si-hoon'. I opened the door.
"Ha, the smell."
A thick wave of fragrance hit my nose. Musk, dragon's saliva incense, white sandalwood, and agarwood mingled in a deep, profound aroma.
"Yoo Chan-seok, Hunter. First time meeting face-to-face, right?"
A sharp-looking man in a deep purple shirt and black tie stood there. He eyed me while gently swirling the wine glass in his hand.
"Yeah. And it's also the first time meeting someone in a setup like this."
No sooner had I finished speaking than the door behind me slammed shut with a bang. Followed by the clack of locks engaging.
"No mana."
Sung Si-hoon smiled and nodded at my words.
"Right. There's no mana in the air here."
With that, Sung Si-hoon slowly walked toward me.
"You absorb ambient mana and use it right away, don't you? That's why yours never runs out."
"Eh, close enough."
Sung Si-hoon continued, his face like a cat eyeing fresh prey.
"But to have that advantage, you don't store mana in your body. Which means, in this space, you're my prey."
How should I put this? Seeing Sung Si-hoon brimming with victory's certainty almost made my chest ache for him.
Has there ever been a fight in that other world where the air lacked mana?
If that could've stopped me, would I have succeeded in preventing that world's end?
But Sung Si-hoon doesn't know any of that, so his confidence in his edge makes sense.
"Sung Si-hoon, CEO. Know what's fun about flames?"
He halted mid-step at my words. I ignited a small Paradox Flame on my fingertip and smiled.
"No matter how tiny the spark, give it the right fuel, and it grows in a flash."
The Paradox Flame at my fingertip swelled, feeding on the room's heavy fragrance as kindling.
"The black flame I wield has a tricky mana pattern, after all."
Normal fire burns fuel. Paradox Flame burns fuel too. The big difference? What it can burn.
And there's another key one.
Normal fire releases heat from fuel. Paradox Flame releases mana.
"No mana in the air? Then I'll make some."
Raging through the room's scents, the Paradox Flame belched mana into the atmosphere.
"..."
Sung Si-hoon's face stiffened as he watched my demonstration.
"So, who was whose prey again?"
I took a step toward Sung Si-hoon.
"Plenty here for me to burn. Color, thoughts, sound, temperature, shape..."
Then I just use the mana pouring out from the Paradox Flame devouring all those concepts.
No ambient mana changes nothing.
To really beat me this way, he'd need a perfect void—absolute nothingness. Impossible.
"I'm not here to fight. Came to talk."
I shrank the room-torching Paradox Flame back to my fingertip and flopped onto the sofa.
"So let's talk. Drop the pointless tricks that don't work."
I glanced around, spotted the wine glasses, stood, and poured myself one.
"Mind if I join you?"
Sung Si-hoon nodded silently. I filled the glass with red wine, rummaged in the fridge for jamón, sliced some onto a plate, and sat back down.
"Thought we had nothing to share."
Sung Si-hoon fiddled uncomfortably with his tie, then perched on the massive desk, eyeing me. Composed, yet uneasy.
"Why not? Remember Yoon Sung-hyun? Or that tournament to climb Hope's List."
I popped a slice of jamón into my mouth.
"Got a gripe to air?"
I shook my head.
"Nah. Big players like us? Clashes happen."
I'm not petty about it. I usually let it go, but they stew.
"Sorry, Yoo Chan-seok Hunter. Taebaek won't cooperate with you at all. Time to go."
Sung Si-hoon replied coldly, setting down his glass. I grinned back.
"Fine. I'll step out, hit the press. Say I wanna throw down with you."
Sung Si-hoon's motion froze.
"What?"
"You heard me. Why play dumb?"
I thumb-jabbed my chest, then index-pointed him.
"Reporters, media, streamers—I'll blast it everywhere. If you're game, let's fight."
I chugged the wine, set the glass down, and flicked it. It toppled, spinning across the table.
"Think you can say no?"
A firm believer in might-makes-right, intolerant of challenges. Taebaek's image. Built with effort, fueling their power now.
"If Taebaek CEO Sung Si-hoon ducks my challenge, what happens to that image?"
The spinning glass tumbled off the table, shattering on the floor.
"You really think you can take me?"
"Why not? My bout with Choi Yeoreum was basically my win."
He won't deny it outright. Words don't erase facts—no need for hearings then.
Sung Si-hoon clamped his mouth. I smirked inwardly.
Might-makes-right doesn't fit humans. Not our nature. Only suited those lizardfolk in that world's vast swamps.
Taebaek's all about survival of the fittest? Laughable. Nah—Sung Si-hoon just wants the throne forever, dressed up fancy.
He's one of Earth's top hunters.
When someone stronger shows? Think he'll yield with "Per the law..."? No. Hesitation now says it all.
"Two paths, CEO Sung Si-hoon. First: Double down on no cooperation, fight me publicly."
"Second?"
Asking right away? Almost cute.
"Private duel, just us. I win, Taebaek backs my Samhyeoldong raid."
"You lose?"
I raised both hands, miming a choke.
"Collar me. I'll join Taebaek as your loyal dog."
Sung Si-hoon shot back.
"Why believe you'd keep that?"
"Beat me, collar without asking."
Your way: crush, subjugate. So worried why?
Honestly, doubt I'll lose. Embarrassing to drop to a wine-sipping exec.
"First path's a no-go anyway. Second offers wins."
Though he'll flop.
I stood by the exit, knuckle-tapped the door.
"Open up. Home, feet wash, bed."
Locks clacked free; door swung open.
"Waiting till tomorrow. Hit me up soon~"
I cooed at Sung Si-hoon, body-twisting nauseatingly.
Not his vibe, but mine. Out the building, crowds at the door—couldn't help chuckling.
"Yoo Chan-seok Hunter, why the sudden Taebaek HQ drop-in?"
Reporters loving it. Eyes gleaming, itching to spin yarns.
After that ruckus? Media magnet unavoidable.
"Negative buzz lately on Taebaek-Yoo Chan-seok ties. How to read this visit?"
They'll twist it their way regardless. Still, I smiled.
"Can't say yet. But I personally hope it mends things with Taebaek."
"Specific results from the visit?"
"Just confirming stances. Fair assessment for now."
No good/bad. Hinges on tomorrow's call from CEO Sung Si-hoon.
"Meeting with Sung Si-hoon?"
"Yes."
"Tied to your prior Grade 1 Erosion Core claim?"
"Not one to answer now."
Answered what I could, dodged the rest. Pushed through to the car.
En route to Association HQ, I called the President.
— Yoo Chan-seok Hunter.
"Assume my item's ready."
He replied fast.
— Yep, prepped. But not bank cash. Ceremony standard, no?
"When's the ceremony?"
Stall, and regret. Held Choi Yeoreum's rank for this. Tricks? No mercy.
— Nearly set. Two days, 3 PM work?
Spot-on. Sung Si-hoon gets tomorrow. No word? Bomb at ceremony.
"Yes. Looking forward."
Call done, checked misses, scratched head.
"Never tire?"
Piles of interview/show begs. Non-essential? Pass.
Later, Samhyeoldong plan firms: hit these to rally hunters max.
No early fatigue. Back at Association, waited quietly for Sung Si-hoon's call till next day.