Part 20
“To your positions!”
The attack began.
The tribe was larger than expected.
It was roughly the size of four soccer fields combined, so the horde of Ifrits could be cleared away quickly.
At first, Jonghyeon was filled with tension and a sense of responsibility, but after a few rounds, the work actually felt easy.
From the beginning, he possessed a cheat-like skill called Shadow Concealment.
He looked around—looked around—
Whenever his skill activated, the Ifrits would follow him only to scatter and lose their way.
And so, the Ifrit tribe was swiftly brought under control, and Nemerek Guild and Jonghyeon stood safely before the final chieftain without a single casualty or injury.
Shaman Ifrit.
And the royal guard led by him.
The final twelve Ifrits were far larger in stature than any of the previous ones.
Naturally, the flames they unleashed would be that much stronger.
“Kali. Prepare a massive ice magic spell.”
The mage called Kali immediately began chanting an incantation at the guild master’s words.
“Paul and Raker. Keep your distance as much as possible and buy us time.”
The two raised their large shields and began threatening the Ifrits.
While the remaining members finished their battle preparations, the clash erupted.
The final Ifrit legion was quite strong.
Because they were far larger than the others, the flames they unleashed were fierce, and the heat was intense as well.
Because of that, the supporters in the rear grew busy too.
“Blessing of Mana!”
Thanks to the magic of those specialized in protection and healing, Raker and Paul barely endured the heat.
Jonghyeon once again had no idea what to do.
‘Am I just an idiot by this point?’
He furtively glanced at the guild master’s expression, but the guild master seemed to have no regard for Jonghyeon whatsoever.
As mentioned before, they had not given any thought to assigning a role to Jonghyeon, who had joined through a referral.
‘I’ll just assassinate that shaman bastard.’
That was the key to cutting this battle short.
In fact, the guild did have an assassin position, but it was incomparable to Jonghyeon in performance.
Jonghyeon had already grown into the ultimate assassin through training and experience, whereas the guild’s assassin merely carried out obvious hits with the guild at his back.
Once Jonghyeon thought that far, he quietly vanished.
Everyone was so focused on fighting the Ifrits that no one saw Jonghyeon slipping away from the battlefield.
Swish—
Jonghyeon quickly disappeared into the shadows.
Riding his own shadow, Jonghyeon approached right to where Shaman Ifrit was.
The Shaman Ifrit, busy casting magic, was split in half without ever understanding what had happened, struck by a blade wrapped in sword qi.
The death of Shaman Ifrit.
At this, everyone—friend and foe alike—was thrown into confusion, and Jonghyeon, with all eyes on him, gave an awkward smile and swept through the remaining stragglers.
Among them, Jonghyeon clearly heard the voice coming from Raikofsky’s gaping mouth.
“Th-that… was that something that died so easily?”
‘Maybe I should have handled it in a more difficult way. I only killed it quickly to end things without casualties.’
This was exactly the reason Jonghyeon had thought he could have come alone from the very beginning.
Assassination.
Why should he discard the very talent he specialized in?
Jonghyeon had planned to come alone, quietly assassinate only Shaman Ifrit, and escape the dungeon.
But thanks to Chairman Lee’s less-than-considerate consideration, things had worked out even more easily than expected.
With Shaman Ifrit dead, the flames of the Ifrit royal guards drastically weakened, and they all met their end in the massive ice magic sphere that was ready just in time.
‘As expected, magic is incredible.’
He couldn’t hear what the mage shouted over the tremendous roar of the ice sphere, but its power was even more tremendous than the roar.
It was as though a massive tour bus had transformed into a chunk of ice and come crashing down.
Outside the dungeon.
Nemerek Guild, having safely completed the hunt, suggested a celebratory dinner to Jonghyeon.
“Are you the type to miss a toast, Mr. Ryu?”
“But I must return to Korea quickly. I have a report to make, and I must deliver this item as well.”
In the hand of Jonghyeon, who politely refused, was the Red Talisman.
The gem radiated a brilliant red light, seeming as though it would suit being crafted into an expensive necklace for a noble house.
“This item is likely of the highest grade even among Red Talismans. Ordinary Red Talismans vary in value depending on whether they are in talisman form or gem form. This gem is far larger than most.”
Jonghyeon had not realized at first that the gem was a Red Talisman either; apparently, what was known on the market was a fairly low-grade product.
True Red Talismans manifested as crystallized gems, and because their price was beyond imagination, none had ever been reported in the media.
Yet that genuine article was now in Jonghyeon’s hand.
“I’m sure Chairman Lee will be pleased as well. I truly wanted to have a drink with you, but it’s a shame. If the chairman is calling, it can’t be helped. I’ll take my leave now.”
With those final words, Jonghyeon and Raikofsky shook hands and parted, and Jonghyeon took a taxi to the airport.
★ ★ ★
Chairman Lee’s reception room.
“Hoo. So this is a Red Talisman? It’s very different from what I’ve seen before. Perhaps I should have it made into a necklace?”
Chairman Lee’s reaction upon seeing the gem was identical to Jonghyeon’s.
Well, anyone who saw such a large gem would think to make it into a necklace.
“You pass, for now.”
Chairman Lee broke into a hearty laugh and spoke to Jonghyeon.
“Thank you. This dungeon mission as well…”
Jonghyeon had more to say but swallowed his words.
“You are good at everything, but you’re too quick on the uptake, you see. That’s right. It all depends on whether you accept or refuse. Whether the gem was real or not wasn’t the point. If you want to work under me, you need to show me that you’ll find a way to resolve things even if they seem impossible—only then can I place more trust in you.”
Chairman Lee lifted his teacup, took a sip, and finished the rest of his words.
“I’ve already taken care of the orphanage, so there’s no need to worry. The payment for the job has been deposited in your account. Since the work is done, wait at home until I call for you. I need to think about what I should assign you.”
“Yes. I understand. Thank you.”
Every word from Chairman Lee was steeped in trust for Jonghyeon.
For the first time since the orphanage director, someone he wanted to trust had appeared.
Chairman Lee clearly would not cast him aside as long as Jonghyeon did not betray him first.
Jonghyeon, who did not trust people easily, felt strangely trusting of Chairman Lee.
“Yes, hurry on home now.”
Jonghyeon opened the door and left.
And Yu Jinseong approached Chairman Lee’s side.
“Chairman. You seem to have completely captivated Jonghyeon.”
Yu Jinseong was uncharacteristically attached to Jonghyeon.
Chairman Lee was surprised, as it was the first time he had ever seen such a thing.
But seeing the boy’s conduct so far and the way he treated others, Chairman Lee could somewhat understand why.
“Aren’t you pleased as well? Haha. That child doesn’t even realize what a sought-after talent he is. A national agent came by the day before yesterday, no? He is that amazing. If only he knew his own worth. He is worth raising. Just imagine that child protecting our V Group in the future. I feel as though I’m raising another child in my twilight years.”
Yu Jinseong nodded as if in agreement with Chairman Lee’s words and said,
“So, have you found a suitable position for Jonghyeon?”
“I have something in mind, but I haven’t decided yet. That’s why I sent him back for now. For the time being, have a place prepared in our mansion for him to stay.”
At Chairman Lee’s command, Yu Jinseong went outside.
Even after Yu Jinseong left, Chairman Lee fiddled with the Red Talisman Jonghyeon had brought back and finished his tea.
For now, it was a success.
Even by Jonghyeon’s estimation, entering under Chairman Lee carried enormous weight.
He was the unrivaled number one chaebol in the country.
Entering as his direct subordinate was more difficult than getting into most ordinary guilds.
Jonghyeon, who lay his tired body down as soon as he got home, thought:
‘The Nemerek Guild members were certainly strong. But if I went all out, there was no opponent I couldn’t defeat.’
That was Jonghyeon’s assessment.
He had deliberately watched their fight closely even during battle.
Excluding the mages and supporters, there had not been a single combatant stronger than himself.
And yet such a Nemerek Guild was only B-rank.
But he could not guarantee clearing the Ifrit Dungeon alone.
Its size played a part, but fundamentally, it was different from the monsters they had faced before.
Attributes and magic.
Those two factors would clearly be difficult to oppose even if Jonghyeon trained extensively in secret manuals.
‘But learning magic now would be too late. Or is it? Come to think of it, could my shadow skill also be considered magic?’
Dozens of thoughts swirled in Jonghyeon’s head.
Moreover, he had absolutely no desire to undergo a world assessment now.
In that assessment, which looked more at whether one was helpful to the team rather than individual ability, it was impossible for Jonghyeon to fall to B-rank.
‘Still, I think I felt a bit happy today. To be acknowledged like that.’
Jonghyeon thought of Raikofsky, who had acknowledged him.
A person who had not held back praise despite having just met him.
And yet the praise had not sounded fake.
Rather, it was as if it were only natural.
But Jonghyeon was still awkward with people and did not show it.
With such thoughts, Jonghyeon was able to fall into a deep sleep for the first time in a while.
The next morning.
*Ring-a-ling!*
Jonghyeon’s phone alarm rang loudly. At that, he rubbed his eyes and picked up the phone.
It was Chairman Lee.
“Hello?”
“Are you awake?”
The thought that he would call first thing in the morning suddenly struck Jonghyeon, but he did not show it.
He was his superior now.
“Yes. Did you sleep well?”
“Haha. Stop with such embarrassing greetings. Did I ever imagine hearing such words from you?”
Jonghyeon, who always handled only his own business before hanging up.
He suddenly felt slightly ashamed of those days.
“You will hear them often.”
Seeming satisfied with Jonghyeon’s answer, Chairman Lee chuckled lightly and moved to the main topic.
“Come to the house. There is work for you. Including a salary adjustment, among other things. Oh, and prepare to move.”
At the word “move,” Jonghyeon’s eyes sparkled.
“What? Move, sir?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t it be convenient to stay at my house? It is work-related, but we will provide your meals properly as well. You would not be at a loss, would you?”
Live in that enormous mansion?
He had never imagined such a thing.
He had thought he would commute like an ordinary office worker. Having him stay at his house—he felt it was too much.
“I think it is too good for someone like me.”
At those words, Chairman Lee burst into laughter again.
“Why are you acting unlike yourself? Just a while ago you were showing me your abilities and arguing. Don’t feel burdened and just come. You have most necessities already.”
Jonghyeon suddenly wondered if it was truly okay for him, but he agreed to Chairman Lee’s words for now.
After hanging up, he quickly packed his things and stood once again before Chairman Lee’s mansion.
He had thought it was far too spacious for Chairman Lee, his daughter, and the security detail to live in.
But now it looked somehow even larger than before.
Jonghyeon realized that living in this house held meaning beyond simple residence.
Chairman Lee would surely raise him to be the best.
Jonghyeon made a sudden resolution.
‘I must survive in this mansion. And by the time I emerge as the best, I will definitely destroy Red Rose Guild.’
---------= Author's Afterword ---------=
Even though Chairman Lee may look like a goofy old man from the neighborhood, he is actually quite an amazing person.
More will be explained as the story goes on...