Chapter 115

Chapter 115
Chapter: 115

Chapter Title: Storming the Taebaek Stronghold

—

To start, it’s obvious we have to clear the roadblocks involved in recruiting hunters to join our mission.

“The distance itself isn’t particularly daunting.”

It makes sense that they would view this as a more immediate danger to the country than Jaun Valley was.

“It’s roughly 170 km from Paju to Pyeongseong.”

In contrast, the gap between Changchun City—the site of Jaun Valley—and Paju is nearly 670 km. This new threat is significantly closer to home.

The entities emerging from that location are occupied with boosting every monster within the Erosion Zones situated north of the DMZ.

“They say a praying priest at your side is more loathsome than a knight with a blade.”

That’s a common saying from the other world. The true intent is that the cowards watching from the safety of the rear are the real filth.

Regardless, those providing magical aid and enhancements from the backline are consistently several times more troublesome and lethal than the warriors swinging swords in your face.

“It looks like our path forward requires us to push up through Paju.”

“Chan-seok, Paju is under the jurisdiction of Taebaek.”

Curse it all. I couldn’t stop myself from scowling at that revelation. Our relationship with those people was far from friendly.

“Is there no path through Cheorwon?”

Zanabi might be able to navigate it. In response to my inquiry, Han Sang-ah tapped the map and traced a path with her finger.

“There are no usable roads. The area north of the DMZ was originally North Korean soil, and now that it’s consumed by Erosion Zones, the infrastructure is a total wreck.”

“I assume the Pyongyang-Gaeseong highway isn’t in one piece either.”

Han Sang-ah gave a dismissive shake of her head.

“Correct, it’s severely ruined. But at the very least, a road actually exists there.”

“What about a maritime route?”

Jeong Oh-hoon let out a skeptical snort at my suggestion.

“Nampo Port is the nearest option. And it’s a waste of time. Some associates of mine once attempted to use it as a base for smuggling.”

According to Jeong Oh-hoon, they were assaulted by massive spheres of green fire before they could even dock, resulting in the loss of several vessels and a narrow escape.

“Is there zero chance the corporations will cooperate?”

Han Sang-ah nodded in agreement with my question.

“It’s unlikely. The port in Incheon is perfectly operational. Nampo holds no tactical interest for them.”

Han Sang-ah reflected for a moment, then sighed as if the situation was terminal.

“Yeah, it won’t work. If we propose striking Sambuldong via Nampo, the firms will just argue, ‘Why not take the Gaeseong-Pyongyang highway instead?’ If they push that angle, we’d be forced to justify why we’re obsessed with Nampo…”

“Which would mean revealing our friction with Taebaek?”

Han Sang-ah confirmed my suspicion with a nod.

“Most people probably guess there’s tension, but hearing a formal admission from us changes the political landscape entirely.”

It would turn whispers into established facts.

Jeong Oh-hoon, who had been observing the conversation, wore a conflicted look.

“In 그 case, the corporations will be afraid to support us as well.”

“Because the adversary is Taebaek.”

We were out of choices. Even attempting to reach Pyeongseong via Cheorwon would lead to the same inquiries from the companies: why are you avoiding Paju?

“There is no alternative to moving through Paju.”

Sa Seung-hee made the statement while calmly sipping her tea.

“That means you’ll have to have a conversation with CEO Seong Si-hun.”

He was the last person I wanted to encounter. Sa Seung-hee noticed my grimace and offered a smile.

“Why the long face? You already had Hunter Choi Yeoreum backed into a corner before.”

Sa Seung-hee rose from her seat and returned shortly with a bottle of champagne and several glasses, pouring a round for the group.

“Securing Taebaek’s help is incredibly straightforward. I’m sure you realize it too, Hunter Yoo Chan-seok.”

I gave my response to Sa Seung-hee.

“Are you suggesting I simply go over there and break them? I don’t think it’s that simple.”

The foundational belief of Taebaek was the survival of the fittest. However, to be honest, I didn’t believe they actually lived by that code.

It was merely a convenient narrative Seong Si-hun used to keep Taebaek under his thumb. Why? Because he happened to be the most powerful person there.

By hiding behind the “might makes right” mantra, he could act with total impunity. Have you ever seen a tyrant actually follow their own rules after taking power?

“If that ‘strongest’ doctrine ever actually inconveniences CEO Seong Si-hun, he’ll abandon that philosophy in a heartbeat. He might even tuck tail and refuse to fight.”

Jeong Oh-hoon let out a sinister chuckle.

“That isn’t our concern, is it? We just need to create a situation where he has no choice but to comply. Listen to this.”

Jeong Oh-hoon detailed his strategy. After hearing the full plan, I let out a soft “Oh” and offered my approval.

“Our Jeong really used his head this time.”

The plan was robust enough to put into motion immediately. As expected, when it came to underhanded maneuvering, Jeong Oh-hoon lived up to his dark reputation.

“A rather foul tactic.”

“Is that how a corporate heiress sees it?”

Jeong Oh-hoon threw a playful jab at Han Sang-ah’s critique. She took a sip of tea and countered.

“Yes. And it’s effective.”

She likely didn’t even register the jab. Regardless, our path was decided.

If we followed through with Jeong Oh-hoon’s suggestion, Taebaek would be backed into a corner and forced to assist.

“It’s frustrating that a mission to take down an Erosion Core is being stalled by people instead of monsters.”

The world has truly gone off the rails in various ways.

“We should probably arrange a formal sit-down or something.”

I dismissed Han Sang-ah’s suggestion with a shake of my head. Why bother with a meeting?

“Just give me the coordinates for the Taebaek headquarters.”

In this modern era, it was time to demonstrate to these pretenders with their embarrassing “survival of the fittest” mantra what true power looks like.

It was time for the illustrious CEO of Taebaek to discover exactly how humiliating it feels to be forced into silence and submission like a common weakling.

Once I had confirmed the location of Taebaek’s base, I climbed into my vehicle and drove directly to the front of the structure.

“Wow, quite the spectacle. I wonder how many stories this thing has.”

The entire 67-floor glass tower served as the Taebaek head office. I gave the building a quick appraisal and picked up a compact black container.

I had made a detour to see Choi Seung-gi on my way here to retrieve it: the spear.

It was a synthesis of my previous weapon, Seonghong’s spear, and the Banshee’s Tear, finally finished after a long period of smithing and returned to my grip.

“This will suffice.”

At the very least, I didn’t have to worry about the weapon feeling wrong in my hand. People say a poor craftsman blames his tools, but when a master picks one, they are incredibly discerning.

It didn’t quite reach the level of the spear I wielded in that other realm, but it was more than satisfactory.

“I apologize, but… are you Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?”

As I walked toward the entrance, two guards in dark suits attempted to intercept me, only to freeze when they saw my face.

“I’m here to see Seong Si-hun’s face. Move.”

Their expressions turned stern at my demand.

“Do you have a scheduled appointment?”

“I don’t. Do I look like the sort of person who waits for an invite?”

The man in the suit muttered something into his radio before replying.

“CEO Seong Si-hun is currently occupied with his daily tasks. We cannot permit entry without a prior arrangement.”

Yes, just as I thought. Too “busy” to grant me an audience.

“Then feel free to try and stop me.”

“Excuse me?”

Are you pretending to be deaf? I’m entering—try to block my path if you think you can.

As I marched forward, they attempted to barricade the door anyway, acting in their roles as Taebaek hunters.

“Get out of the way.”

There was no need for elaborate techniques. The ring on my finger emitted a blue light, and ice immediately bound the limbs of the advancing hunters. Paying no mind to the neutralized guards, I walked into the lobby.

“What is— Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?”

“Do you people practice the same lines for whenever I show up?”

Why is everyone giving me the exact same reaction? Do they all want my autograph?

“I’m here for Seong Si-hun. Lead the way or stay out of it.”

I wondered if the next set of responses would be identical. It turned out they were. They tried to obstruct me; I knocked them down.

“Hunter Yoo Chan-seok, CEO Seong Si-hun is in the middle of a meeting. Forcing your way in like this is highly inappropriate.”

As the chaos escalated, a man appeared accompanied by nearly 50 subordinates to confront me. Judging by his mana signature, he was likely a team leader.

“I just want a word with him, and you people are turning it into a major ordeal.”

“Please return at a later time and schedule an appointment. This is the Taebaek Headquarters. We have a vast number of hunters stationed here.”

I summoned the Paradox Flame at my feet, then kicked the container open and pulled out my spear.

“Then tell every single one of those lazy fools to come out here. Once I’ve beaten them all into the floor, Seong Si-hun won’t have any choice but to show up.”

The eyes of the men blocking my path darted between the spear in my grip and the soundless Paradox Flame flickering at my boots.

“We are all aware that Hunter Yoo Chan-seok’s abilities are world-class. However, this is Taebaek—one of the three greatest hunter firms in Korea. Do you really believe this behavior will go unpunished?”

I gave a slow nod.

“I do. And if I dismantle this place and walk out without a scratch, I can only imagine what the public will think of Taebaek’s reputation.”

These people who walk around bragging about the survival of the strongest and their supposed might—how will it look when they watch helplessly as I walk all over them?

I imagine they’d be thinking something along those lines.

“You cannot possibly hope to defeat every hunter in the Taebaek building alone.”

“Don’t make claims you aren’t capable of proving.”

It wasn’t a matter of “you won’t be able,” but “you can’t.” I moved slowly toward him. The Paradox Flame beneath me trailed behind my footsteps.

“Don’t whine about getting hurt for no reason. Take me to CEO Seong Si-hun, or find yourself a hospital bed.”

I couldn’t count how many times I’d mentioned that man’s name today. It’s not like chanting it three times brings good luck.

— Everyone, stand down immediately.

In the midst of the tense lobby, a powerful voice echoed. In an instant, everyone shifted from combat stances to a rigid, synchronized salute.

“What a ridiculous display.”

I looked at the absurdity of the scene with pure skepticism. That voice had to belong to the esteemed Taebaek CEO, Seong Si-hun.

This wasn’t a CEO; he was behaving like a monarch speaking to his subjects.

— Hunter Yoo Chan-seok, this is an unexpected visit, but I welcome you to the Taebaek headquarters.

“If you have something to say, show your face.”

Several hunters glared at me, flinching at my blunt tone. They clearly didn’t appreciate my lack of respect.

— My, you have a temper that matches your reputation. Very well. Come up to my office. I’ll have someone escort you.

The communication ended. I clicked my tongue, doused the Paradox Flame, retracted the spear to its shorter form and hooked it to my belt, then looked at the guards who were still bowing.

“What are you standing around for? Your glorious, all-knowing master ordered you to escort me. Move it, you subordinates.”

“If you disrespect our CEO one more time…”

I reached out toward the man who was still talking. His body lifted into the air and was pulled toward me. In the blink of an eye, I had him gripped by the collar.

The surrounding hunters looked on with expressions of pure terror. It was an exaggerated reaction to a simple trick.

“Disrespect him? And what are you going to do? Strike me?”

I tossed him aside and straightened my attire.

“Lead the way.”

I was already looking forward to seeing that arrogant man’s face.