Episode 27
#27
The King of Yangsan?
Who is that?
Even I didn’t know every single king who had taken over a region in Korea.
They hadn’t appeared in any novels or games either, so it was only natural that I didn’t know.
But more than that, the fact that he was telling me this meant…….
"Shall I help?"
"No. Honestly, our guild has more than enough strength to assist."
"Hmm…… then please explain the situation first."
At those words, Kang In-han nodded and explained the situation.
A person from Yangsan had come to request cooperation from the kings of nearby cities at the request of the King of Yangsan; literally, they had requested cooperation to raid a Gate.
"Uh…… so you’re saying they came looking for me?"
"Yes, to be precise…… the person from Yangsan who came with the cooperation request mistook me for the king and made the request to me."
"Really? Did you tell them about me?"
"I did not. Honestly, they said they came seeking cooperation, but…… they might have come with other intentions. I hid the Chief’s information for now."
Somehow, Kang In-han’s attitude seemed cautious even to me.
He looked like something was bothering him.
I asked Kang In-han, who seemed like that.
"There seems to be something you’re suspicious of."
"No. There wasn’t anything suspicious, but in this kind of world, I can’t help but be suspicious."
I nodded at Kang In-han’s words.
Certainly, Ulsan’s situation had improved, but other regions were different, so it wouldn’t hurt to be careful.
"Where is the person who came with the cooperation request?"
"In the reception room."
"There’s a reception room here?"
"There are many rooms in the building."
Kang In-han smiled pleasantly as he said that.
I nodded and spoke to Kang In-han.
"So you’re thinking of accepting the cooperation request for now?"
"Yes, I intend to accept it for now. It’s an opportunity to expand the guild to Yangsan. I’m thinking of monopolizing one of Yangsan’s Gates through this opportunity."
"Then do as you wish, Kang In-han. I will fully support you."
At those words, Kang In-han shook his head.
"Chief. I will handle this matter myself."
"You, In-han?"
"Yes. I created the guild to become a strength to the Chief. I can’t rely on the Chief forever. And honestly…… unless I know Yangsan’s exact intentions, I don’t want to carelessly reveal the Chief’s information."
Does one’s position make the person?
In just one month, I wondered if he was truly the person I had known.
Had this person always been so reliable?
"Hmm…… yes, I understand. Then are you going to Yangsan immediately?"
"I’m planning to take the guild’s elite."
"Then don’t go right now; prepare and go."
As I said that, I took out a scroll from my inventory and handed it to Kang In-han.
"Chief, this is……."
"It’s a Chain Contract. A contract that takes your life if you violate the terms. Tell the King of Yangsan to come here personally right now. Get his signature with the condition of guaranteeing your safety. Otherwise, I won’t allow it."
It didn’t hurt to be careful.
I didn’t know who the King of Yangsan was, but if he was truly desperate, he would sign this contract.
Well, as Kang In-han said, it was also an opportunity to expand the guild to Yangsan.
Soon, Kang In-han, who understood my words, nodded and spoke.
"Yes, I understand, Chief."
* * *
It didn’t take long.
He who had come from Yangsan possessed a movement-related skill, so he quickly went to Yangsan and brought the king back.
I returned to the Sky Island and watched their conversation through the exploration function.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jang San-cheol."
"Yes, I’m Kang In-han. Pardon me for asking so suddenly, but could you show me proof that you are a king?"
"Ah! Yes."
As he said that, Jang San-cheol took out the Gem of Kingship from his inventory and showed it.
Having confirmed that, Kang In-han nodded and opened his mouth.
"Yes, I understand for now. More importantly, I heard you needed help."
"Before I bring that up, I’m sorry, but are you indeed the King of Ulsan?"
"Yes, I am indeed the King of Ulsan."
At those words, Kang In-han nodded.
Since we had already coordinated our story, those words came out naturally.
However, even at that answer, Jang San-cheol seemed somewhat uneasy as he opened his mouth toward Kang In-han.
"I’m sorry, but could you show me your Gem of Kingship as well, Kang In-han?"
At those words, Kang In-han narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth.
"It is in my inventory right now, but I don’t think I have a reason to show it. Was this meeting to confirm whether I am a king?"
"Ah, I apologize if I offended you. Yes, considering you are the owner of this building, you couldn’t possibly not be the king. We are in a situation where Kang In-han’s help is desperately needed."
"Since you say you need help, I will help you. But please sign the contract."
"Excuse me? A contract?"
As he said that, Kang In-han took out a scroll from his inventory and handed it to Jang San-cheol.
After reading the contract terms for a moment, Jang San-cheol asked Kang In-han.
"This…… this is……."
"You can view it as a simple contract. In a way, it’s a symbol of trust. If you sign the contract, we will depart for Yangsan immediately. Well, you can consider it something done merely as a formality."
Kang In-han smiled pleasantly and explained about the contract.
I couldn’t help but admire his meticulous appearance, explaining without mentioning that this was a Chain Contract.
He had become quite a scary person.
"Uh, um……."
For a moment, Jang San-cheol looked into the air as if lost in thought.
No, that was just how it looked.
I could clearly see that he was conversing with the Constellation he had contracted with.
[The Constellation 'Four Wings of the Dark Abyss' says to sign the contract.]
'Huh?'
But the Constellation he contracted with was…… quite strange.
I hadn’t expected him to have contracted with an evil spirit.
And it was quite a low-quality Constellation at that.
"Ah, I see. Yes, I understand. I’ll sign right away."
Without much suspicion at the Constellation’s words, Jang San-cheol signed the contract.
Jang San-cheol slowly rose to his feet and opened his mouth with a pleasant smile.
"Yes, then Kang In-han. I will guide you to Yangsan immediately. If we use this friend’s skill, we’ll arrive in Yangsan quickly."
"There will be about thirty people; is that alright?"
"Yes, it’s fine. This friend possesses a skill that can move up to fifty people."
Since he had signed the contract, the dispatch ceremony for the Kang Guild eventually took place that day.
* * *
Before Kang In-han departed for Yangsan, I spoke with him separately in the guild master’s office.
"So I think it would be best to be careful."
"Ah, I see. He has contracted with an evil spirit, right?"
"Yes. The Gate rank might be higher than you expect, Kang In-han. And there’s no use telling him about that matter. Once you’ve made a contract, the contractor cannot terminate it themselves. It’s better not to say anything."
Since he had contracted with an evil spirit, there was no way to help him.
The only thing I could tell Jang San-cheol was not to trust his contracted Constellation too much.
"Be careful for now. It’s a Constellation that plays with its contractor and kills them without a care. In that process, you might get caught up in it as well, Kang In-han."
"I see. I will keep that in mind."
Kang In-han nodded seriously at those words.
Honestly, I was a bit worried.
The Constellation contracted to Jang San-cheol kept weighing on my mind.
Kang In-han, who noticed my expression, opened his mouth with a confident face.
"Don’t worry too much, Chief. I won’t let the kind of incident you’re thinking of happen. Honestly, even if the Gate rank is higher than expected, I’m confident we can raid it."
Well, that was true?
If I checked Kang In-han’s current status window, he should have been able to raid it without difficulty even if it was higher than the expected range.
Above all, the Constellation 'The Compassionate Fairy of the Gentle Breeze' would help him.
As long as the Fairy of the Gentle Breeze was there, that evil spirit wouldn’t be able to treat Kang In-han carelessly.
"Yes, then I’ll trust you. Lastly, how long do you think the Gate raid will take?"
"Based on the information about the demonic beast I heard from Jang San-cheol, I believe it’s a similar rank to the Gate our guild is currently managing. I’ll return within five days at the latest."
"If you don’t return in over five days, I’ll come looking for you."
"Haha! I will absolutely not cause you any trouble, Chief. Then I’ll be on my way."
With those words, he bowed deeply and left the guild master’s office.
I watched the dispatch ceremony beyond the guild master’s office window.
Guild-related people had gathered, sending cheers and applause to Kang In-han and the elite guild members departing on the dispatch.
Just from this situation, I could tell how much the guild’s scale had grown.
Trusting Kang In-han, I returned to the Sky Island.
* * *
Time passed, and three days went by quickly.
During that time, whenever points accumulated, I raised my stats and increased the number of robots, and occasionally entered Gates to hunt demonic beasts and raise my level.
Checking my grown status window, the corners of my mouth rose without me realizing it.
Name: Kim Han-cheol
Level: 71
Unique Skill: EX-Grade Sky Island
Strength: 543 Agility: 532 Constitution: 577 Defense: 556
Mana: 547 Mental Strength: 525 Divine Power: 0
Stats over five hundred.
Honestly, at this level, I could raise my Divine Power and become a Constellation without issue.
Nevertheless, the reason I hadn’t become a Constellation yet was simply due to my curiosity.
'What would happen if I became a Constellation while being a Transcendent……'
Transcendent was the highest realm a human could reach with their physical body.
Once all stats reached one thousand, that power was said to rival that of a Constellation.
So, I wondered what would happen if I became a Constellation while being a Transcendent.
If things went well, might I not achieve a feat that no one had ever reached?
"Mr. Han-cheol, what are you looking at?"
While I was staring at my status window lost in thought, Lee Shin-a approached me and sat down softly, opening her mouth. Lee Shin-a and Lee Ha-yun had also entered the Gate together to raise their stats.
I spoke to Lee Shin-a.
"Just, well, looking at my status window. Have your stats risen, Shin-a?"
"Yes, thanks to you, I think they’ve risen a lot. My body feels incredibly light too."
"That’s good. But where is Ha-yun?"
"She’s hunting demonic beasts. She…… said it’s fun."
Lee Shin-a made a worried face as she said that.
I smiled at Lee Shin-a and spoke.
"No need to worry. The robots went with her too. More than that, it seems Ha-yun will grow faster than you, Shin-a?"
"Right…… But Mr. Han-cheol, you said earlier you had something to talk about……."
At those words, I nodded and opened my mouth.
"I’m thinking of expanding the scale of the facilities I operate. It’s about time we visited other regions too."
"Aha…… Then do you have a place in mind?"
"I’m thinking of Busan for now."
The King of Busan was someone I knew well.
A person who would become a companion of the protagonist appearing in the Myeolsokhoe.
Considering the disposition of the King of Busan, we should have been able to do business peacefully without necessarily resorting to force.
"So I have a favor to ask of you, Shin-a."
"Huh? Me?"
"Yes. I’d like you to meet the King of Busan."
At those words, Lee Shin-a’s eyes went wide, and after a moment of fluster, she opened her mouth.
"Me?"
"Honestly, I’d like to go myself, but I’ll be planning to visit another region at that time. You just need to deliver my words. Ask if I may operate my facilities in Busan. I don’t think he’ll refuse, but it’s still important to get permission from the king of another region."
The King of Busan was cautious.
If I proceeded with business arbitrarily without his permission, he might order his citizens not to rashly use something of unknown origin.
Of course, such a situation would never happen, but we should still have a conversation before starting business.
Honestly, I could use force, but I said this because the King of Busan wasn’t someone unreasonable.
"Uh…… you’re entrusting me with a big task. Can I do it?"
"No need to be so intimidated. Although I said permission, it’s practically no different from making a proposal. They won’t be able to refuse rashly either."
"Hmm…… I’ll try."
Lee Shin-a nodded, seeming to grasp something from my words.
It was then.
[Master, Survivor Shin Yu-a is looking for Master.]
"Ms. Yu-a?"
What was it?
Had another cooperation request come from another region?
I rose from my seat and spoke to Lee Shin-a.
"Something has come up, so I need to go."
"Ah, really? Then I’ll keep hunting and head over. I’m worried about Ha-yun too."
"Yes. I’ll go ahead."
With those words, I returned to the Sky Island and immediately moved to the guild master’s office where Shin Yu-a was.
"Mr. Han-cheol!"
However, upon arrival, the situation was unfolding strangely.
Shin Yu-a’s face was rigidly serious, and urgency could be felt in her voice.
Just from her expression, I could tell something ominous had occurred.
I asked Shin Yu-a.
"What happened?"
[The Constellation 'The Compassionate Fairy of the Gentle Breeze' cries out for help.]
[The Constellation 'The Compassionate Fairy of the Gentle Breeze' says her contractor is in danger.]
The moment I heard those words, my pupils dilated unprecedentedly.
* * *
"Please explain the situation."
"Yes. I think In-han has been attacked."
I was able to hear all the explanations from Shin Yu-a and the Fairy of the Gentle Breeze.
According to the Fairy of the Gentle Breeze, Kang In-han had finished raiding the Gate faster than expected, precisely today. However, the King of Yangsan’s goal wasn’t the Gate raid at all.
They were targeting Kang In-han, who was exhausted beyond measure from the raid.
"I just heard from the Fairy too. Those bastards attacked In-han from behind the moment the Gate raid ended."
"Don’t tell me their goal was the Gem of Kingship?"
"Yes. They think In-han is the king, after all."
[The Constellation 'The Compassionate Fairy of the Gentle Breeze' shouts that it’s urgent.]
[The Constellation 'The Compassionate Fairy of the Gentle Breeze' says her contractor is being tortured.]
At those words, Han-cheol furrowed his brow and shut his eyes tight.
Soon, slowly opening his eyes, Han-cheol rose from his seat, and from his mouth flowed a cold voice that even Han-cheol himself didn’t realize.
"How amusing."
It was an unexpected remark ill-suited to the situation, but Shin Yu-a couldn’t respond.
Because the moment she saw Han-cheol’s expression, she realized he was angry beyond imagination.
After those words, Han-cheol left the guild master’s office without another word.
Soon, Shin Yu-a, who had followed him out, urgently called Han-cheol.
"Mr. Han-cheol!"
"Stay here, Ms. Yu-a. I’ll go alone."
"Will you be alright?"
To that question, Han-cheol merely nodded without a word.
Shin Yu-a could no longer follow and speak to Han-cheol, who was like that.
Han-cheol’s expression was darker and more subdued than she had ever seen before.
"Robots."
After Han-cheol came out of the building like that.
"Gather before me, all of you."
Those words were the beginning.
Kukukukung!
With a tremendous roar, an earthquake briefly struck Ulsan.