Hyukjin was slightly surprised.
'$30 million from the get go?'
The rich truly lived in a different world. She could probably go much higher than that, too.
"That's quite a large sum, but you don't look all that surprised."
Honestly, he was surprised; he just hadn't shown it. After months of putting on a poker face for the Guardians, he had grown accustomed to wearing a mask without even realizing it.
Hyukjin grinned.
"I am surprised."
"But your expression tells me completely otherwise."
"But what to do? I don't really want to sell it."
At the same time, he felt Seohye breathe a sigh of relief.
–I'm glad.
She hadn't said anything, but apparently, she had been sitting on the edge of her metaphorical seat. Hyukjin relayed his thoughts to her.
Don't be silly. The Red Eyes and you are basically one and the same right now. How could I sell you?
He didn't intend on selling. He was just setting up the stage for another act right now. Seohye's bashful laugh rang in his mind.
–Hehe.
If Seohye had possessed a real body, how would Seohye have reacted to this situation? Seohye the Guardian Tower had a slightly different personality from the original Seohye. The real Seohye was unable to trust adults and was repulsed by men. She tried to keep her distance from adults while hiding her expressions and feelings as much as possible.
'Because she's connected to me… she'll have felt some degree of my sincerity.'
That was probably why she could be so relaxed now.
Michelle narrowed her eyes.
"You're bolder than you look."
"I suppose so."
"$31,000,000."
The bid went up by a million in an instant. With just two minutes of conversation, he had "earned" another million. That was $500k per minute. Hyukjin shook his head.
"$32,000,000."
Another million in just five seconds.
"I'm not selling."
"$33,000,000."
Another five seconds, another million. That made $2 million in just 10 seconds, or $200,000 per second. Michelle breathed a light sigh.
"I can't tell whether you're bold, you have no greed, or you're just foolish."
"It's probably not the latter."
The Herdsman of Las Vegas and the Merchant of Venice were focusing with flames in their eyes. What was important was who had the initiative over the conversation, and what plot twist he could spring to upend the Guardians' expectations and make the scene more enjoyable to watch.
"You're offering a tremendous amount of money, of course."
In Hyukjin's previous life, that was a sum he couldn't even imagine, much less ever see. Forget $30,000,000, he didn't even have $3,000. The number belonged to the realm of fantasy.
"But money isn't that valuable to me."
It was actually extremely valuable, but he concealed his true feelings.
"It seems you want something other than money."
"…"
Though he wouldn't sell anyway. He kept that to himself and said, "What I want isn't money, but shares of the new company you're making."
"…What?"
Michelle was honestly a little shocked. There weren't many people who knew about her new company. She was currently working hard to establish her global 'mercenary company', an enterprise that was drawing investments from major corporations around the world. Only the leaders of global corporations knew about it.
'Could it be… that CEO Song Kiyoung of Sungshin…?' Michelle inwardly shook her head. 'No.'
CEO Song wasn't the kind of person to go around blathering such confidential information.
'Then how?'
She stared at Hyukjin.
'Those aren't the eyes of a 20-year-old.'
From what she found out, he was twenty years old. An archer. A not famous Player.
'Every piece of info I have on him is wrong. No, he is twenty years old.'
As long as he was a registered citizen, he couldn't fake his age. But the man she was looking at right now was far from a 20-year-old youngster.
'He's also not an archer.'
That he wasn't famous did seem to be true, but seeing as Taeguk Shield's guildmaster lowered himself to request Kim Hyukjin's participation, she was sure there was something more to that unassuming front.
Michelle looked him directly in the eyes, smiling faintly.
'The reason why he said this…'
There was only one reason.
'…is to show his information superiority.'
She saw this trade as his way of trying to unbalance her.
After some silence, Michelle spoke again.
"Very well. I admit my loss in this round. I won't ask how you knew about the company I'm establishing. I'll find that out on my own."
"Sure." Kim Hyukjin added for good measure, "Whether you put a tail on me, or investigate everything I've ever done, do as you please. I won't take issue with it."
His attitude was perfectly blasé. It was only natural—no matter how much she sifted and searched, she would find no 'clues'. The reason why Hyukjin knew something like this wasn't because he had defeated her in a battle of intel, but solely because he was a regressor.
Michelle's lips quirked up.
"You're full of confidence, I see."
She had the impression she had met a powerful foe. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined a 20-year-old Asian man would make her feel this way. She thought the only outstanding individual in Korea was CEO Song.
"Okay. How much stock do you want?"
"About 20%."
Michelle laughed out of shock. "20%? Do you know what that would mean?"
"It would make me one of the major shareholders. Probably second after you."
The company hadn't even been established yet. It hadn't gone on the stock market. But their conversation already assumed the company would successfully get listed.
"You're making the proposal while knowing that?"
"You can simply refuse if you don't like the terms."
"…"
"Why aren't you refusing?"
Michelle didn't lose her cool, at least on the outside.
"I am weighing the reasons to accept and the reasons to not accept."
"You don't need to think so hard."
"What do you mean?"
"I won't sell the Red Eyes."
"…What?" Michelle's brows furrowed. "What did you mean by the conversation thus far, then? Can I take this as you looking down on me and playing a joke on me?"
Michelle's face darkened. Up until now, her expression had held admiration towards Kim Hyukjin, but now, it held traces of rage.
Hyukjin shook his head. "I didn't play a joke on you."
"Anyone could see that this situation is very much a joke."
"I said I wouldn't sell the Red Eyes, not that I wouldn't trade with you."
Hyukjin took out an item from his Inventory. It was the Iron Lion's Harmonica, which Michelle had bought in his past life for $27 million. That meant Michelle had deemed it worthy of such a sum.
"I would like to trade this."
"…"
He had used the Red Eyes as bait to preemptively bring the terms he wanted to the table. This was his endgame. If he had begun the trade with the Iron Lion's Harmonica, he wouldn't have been able to suggest the shares in her company. Because if he had to guess, Michelle would consider the Iron Lion's Harmonica as having a value of $27 million.
'But there's no way I'll sell the Red Eyes.'
From the very moment he decided that, he had the upper hand. The initiative had been his from the start.
"I acknowledge that its value is likely lower than the Red Eyes. That is why I also intend on conceding victory in this War to you."
Also, the Merchant of Venice and Herdsman of Las Vegas were watching. Whether she liked it or not, this negotiation had to end with a good trade or bet. Michelle probably felt that pressure more keenly than him.
Hyukjin tossed some bait with the Herdsman of Las Vegas in his crosshairs.
"You will win this War's bet. Because the bet itself was the War."
A fight between sovereigns. This War was something Michelle absolutely had to win. And this 'trade' was just one part of this War.
"I will also lower the shares from 20% to 10%."
The 10% shares were his objective to begin with. Michelle's Black Soldiers would reign as the strongest mercenary company in the world.
"There's no reason you would lower the percentage out of consideration for me. What else do you want?"
"In exchange for lowering the shares to 10%, I would like cash."
"How much?"
She was convinced. Michelle's pockets were ripe for the picking. Her sights were set firmly on the Iron Lion's Harmonica.
"$10 million." Hyukjin smiled. "This is a trade we can both be satisfied with, don't you think?"
He was sure of it.
'She has no choice but to accept.'
The moment she refused, she would have to come up with another solution or alternative. But if she went with an alternative, she would obtain neither the Red Eyes nor the Iron Lion's Harmonica and leave with nothing. And yet, she had to complete some kind of trade. On top of that, she could take home the win. She couldn't get the Red Eyes, but as long as she gave up on that, she could secure quite a few benefits.
Michelle felt like she had been one-upped.
'He's not joking.'
He had played while planning several moves ahead of her and even keeping the Guardians in mind.
'It's my defeat.'
There were no two ways around it. This was her defeat.
"Very well. I accept the trade. I think it will be satisfactory to us both."
To be honest, she wasn't completely satisfied. But she had to pretend she was. Only then could she avoid looking like the loser in the Guardians' eyes. She felt a little bitter, but she had to think about the big picture.
"So that just leaves destroying your turret and killing you."
They both unsummoned their Guardian Towers.
"Well, that's one way, but…" Hyukjin rapidly waved the white flag. "I can also acknowledge my defeat and surrender."
[The opponent has declared defeat/surrender.]
[Player Kim Hyukjin has lost.]
Michelle blurted out, "W-Wait a moment."
She had wanted to kill him once, jeez! But Kim Hyukjin was faster. He completely acknowledged defeat.
Michelle heard more notices.
[You have won the War.]
She won, but it really didn't feel like it.
[Leaving the War Field.]
* * *
Translator – Lei
Proofreader – Ash
* * *
The field changed again, and the two of them found themselves where they originally were, the 1st floor of the auction hall. A ring of people was waiting. Everyone there heard the same notice.
[The victorious sovereign is 'Michelle'.]
Hyukjin looked over his surroundings with Eye of Perception. Locking down the area was a ring of people wearing black suits. He could guess who they were.
'Michelle's subordinates.'
He also saw Guildmaster Song and the spoiled brat Song Jinchul.
'If something unsavory were to happen…'
The air was laced with tension, as if these people in suits were ready to shoot. But Hyukjin didn't cower. He didn't know if they were really the future Michelle Division, but Michelle was a very respected sovereign who garnered quite the loyalty from her subordinates. Most of these people either admired or adored her.
Knowing that, he broke the terse silence with light applause.
"As expected, America's sovereign is world class. It's my total defeat."
"…"
[The 'Whispering Devil' is extremely delighted.]
The Whispering Devil was tickled pink for the first time in a while.
[The 'Whispering Devil' gifts you a 'Trickery'.]
On the other side, Michelle was bewildered. Caught off guard by Kim Hyukjin's unexpected words, she could only manage an awkward smile. The situation itself was a little baffling, but her subordinates began to applaud as well. Hyukjin held out his hand.
"It was a good experience. Thank you for teaching me so much."
Michelle took his hand in a daze. The atmosphere in the room made her feel like she had no choice but to accept his handshake.
"Yes. It was also a good experience for me." The train had already left the station, so Michelle turned the situation to her advantage. "You aren't that famous in Korea, but… I never thought you would have such skill. I was truly surprised. I learned a great deal as well. To be honest, I was amazed."
From what Michelle could see, Kim Hyukjin was staying in the shadows for some reason. She had no doubt that he was laying low in preparation for something big.
'And the reporters are here. Perfect.'
She wanted to plaster his face over the front pages. If he was dragged to the forefront, he would become a little easier to figure out, so she openly complimented him.
'But…'
Something was a little off. She was definitely looking at Kim Hyukjin, but she had the weird feeling she couldn't see him properly.
What Michelle was experiencing was Hyukjin's Cognitive Dissonance.
____
Michelle was a little doubtful.
'Weirdly enough, it didn't make the headlines.'
Everyone who had Warred with her had gotten pretty famous. That was the case for Chicago's Renton, as well as California's Haze. They couldn't quite jump to stardom in an instant, but they were still put on the public radar, at least in the US.
"You aren't that famous in Korea, but… I never thought you would have such skill. I was truly surprised. I learned a great deal as well. To be honest, I was amazed."
She had praised him that highly, but he hadn't made the front page. The reporters were there and heard her every word, yet the incident ended all too quietly. Something was off.
'What was it?'
There were articles on the topic, yes, but they were strangely unnoticeable. She combed through them again, and then, she realized.
'If you look at the articles, you can't see his face clearly.'
Michelle stiffened.
'It feels completely normal.'
This was truly strange. How was this happening? Michelle called her deputy, Thomas. He was an old friend—they had been friends since childhood, and now, he was Michelle's most trusted teammate.
Thomas came into her hotel room.
"Why'd you call me so late at night? Does being the guildmaster give you the right to call me in whenever you please?"
"Do you remember the man I had a War with yesterday?"
"I do, yeah. Why? How come you're thinking about a man, for once?"
"Look at the articles."
The two of them peered at the small screen of Michelle's phone.
"Don't you think something's weird?"
"What is?"
"How come you don't feel like he's amazing at all?"
Only then did it dawn on Thomas.
"Hold up, you're right." He also thought it was strange. "How come there's no interest in him when our Guildmaster acknowledged him as amazing?"
"It's weird, right?"
"Super weird. I didn't notice anything at all until you pointed it out."
"I wasn't the only one who felt that way, huh." Michelle plopped onto the sofa. "Could this have something to do with why he's not a famous Player in Korea?"
"You think this is that man's special ability?"
"That's the only explanation."
The Kim Hyukjin Michelle had seen with her own eyes and the Kim Hyukjin she saw through the media were all too different.
"Guildmaster Song Kiyeol was lowering himself to seek permission for Kim Hyukjin's participation."
"Right."
"Don't you think we can suss something out if we ask Guildmaster Song? I think he knows something."
"Good idea." Thomas nodded. It felt like something fun had cropped up. "I'll go to Guildmaster Song at the break of dawn and ask him then."
"Will you do that?"
"I'm your deputy, after all."
"Good, thank you."
Michelle felt a little better. Thomas would handle it. She didn't bother saying, 'Don't be too pushy. Nothing good will come of becoming enemies with Taeguk Shield. Just ask respectfully.'
Michelle watched as Thomas left the room. The back of her good friend and fantastic deputy looked as reliable as ever.
* * *
Translator – Lei
Proofreader – Ash
* * *
At the same time, Kim Hyukjin walked down the hallway.
'The city's pretty at night.'
LA's nightscape was no less beautiful than Seoul's. The city he saw from 60 stories high was like a starry world made of electricity.
'Room number 6001, was it?'
Floors 30 to 60 of the LA Auction House were all hotel rooms, and Kim Hyukjin and Song Kiyeol's rooms were both on the 60th floor. Hyukjin stopped in front of room 6001.
He entered Song Kiyeol's room. Inside was also Song Jincheol.
"Elder Brother is taking a shower."
Song Jincheol's expression was dripping with objection. It was clear the youngest grandchild of Sungshin did not acknowledge Kim Hyukjin in the least.
'The teenager energy is strong.'
Hyukjin didn't even cast Jincheol a glance. He wasn't angered by the kid's disrespectful attitude, but that didn't mean he was going to entertain it.
"Like I said, he's taking a shower."
"…"
Hyukjin didn't respond. He simply sat on the sofa and waited with his arms crossed.
"Hey. Are you deaf? Can't hear what I'm saying?"
"Don't cross the line." Hyukjin wasn't mad, but he was annoyed. "I'm not tolerating you because I'm doting on you, but because I can't be bothered to deal with you."
"…"
"I'm not as weak as your brother. If you don't wanna get your ass kicked, shut up and watch TV."
Song Jincheol quivered from head to toe. He wanted to fight back, but he couldn't. If he said anything, he would surely be beaten up.
He was furious.
'This piece of shit…'
He was hopping mad. He, a 3rd generation chaebol, had never suffered such treatment. At home, he was the most doted on youngest child. He had never even imagined being treated this way.
Song Kiyeol finished showering and heard the conversation as he came out.
"I'm not as weak as your brother. If you don't wanna get your ass kicked, shut up and just watch TV."
Song Kiyeol pretended he hadn't heard. He was well aware that Kim Hyukjin was being very tolerant. It might look like Kim Hyukjin was verbally abusing his little brother, but Kiyeol was actually grateful to him.
He glanced at the cowed Jinchul.
'I need to punish him for real.'
Even their grandfather was courteous when talking to Kim Hyukjin. Of course Jinchul had to do the same.
"I apologize. I did try to hurry, but I still kept you waiting."
"No, it's my fault for springing a visit on you without advance notice."
That's right. It's your fault! Jinchul wanted to say, but he kept his mouth shut. Reason #1 was that he was scared of Kim Hyukjin, and reason #2 was that he didn't think his own brother would take his side. Biting his lip, Jinchul took his phone and flopped onto the bed with a huff.
Song Kiyeol said quietly, "I apologize. I will… be sure to educate my little brother."
"It's fine, just let him be."
"…What?"
Hyukjin hadn't forgotten.
–A factor in a major variable.
That was what he had felt when he looked at the spoiled brat. He didn't know what exactly it was, but it was probably best to let Song Jinchul stay as he was now rather than to try and change him.
"That's just how kids are at that age, I guess."
"…Thank you for your understanding."
Hyukjin went to the real matter at hand. "Michelle will send someone to you."
"Michelle will? Who…?"
"Most likely an aide of hers. Like Thomas, for example."
"…Ah."
Song Kiyeol thought, 'Does he know this because he's closely linked to Italy's information merchant, Pietro?'
Kim Hyukjin always knew the intel before he did. He was a master of using his advance knowledge to engage in 4D chess. That was how Kiyeol saw him.
"They'll probably ask about me."
"I see. How should I respond?"
"Just tell them I'm an ordinary sovereign in Korea. And that I'm part of your retinue."
"…What? Are you telling me to lie?"
Though technically, it wasn't a lie. Realizing that made Song Kiyeol himself feel confused. It was certainly true that Kim Hyukjin wasn't a Ranker.
"Whether that's true or not is an issue for Michelle to decide. Though she probably won't believe you. In any case, that's all the public needs to know."
"I take it that you don't want to give her any information. At least not for free."
"Yes."
Kiyeol picked up on Hyukjin's intent. "If she wants information, it's likely she'll come with a carrot, right?"
As expected of Kim Hyukjin. He wouldn't give the info for free. The man could sell sand like hotcakes in the desert.
"Yes. And if she offers a sweet enough carrot, you can give her slightly more detailed information about me."
"By more detailed information, what do you mean…?"
"Like the fact I have an ability called Cognitive Dissonance, and that I'm the guildmaster of a guild allied with Taeguk Shield."
Song Kiyeol asked cautiously, "What is… Cognitive Dissonance?"
Hyukjin gave a concise explanation of the skill. Song Kiyeol nodded. To think Kim Hyukjin had such a skill… He really was full of surprises.
"Claiming Giantgod is an allied guild of ours is one thing, but do you really intend on revealing that you have the Cognitive Dissonance ability?"
Even he, the guildmaster of Taeguk Shield, had never heard of it until today. That wasn't a strange thing. Rankers didn't go around exposing their weapons. Players concealed their skills. That was an established fact.
"She'll know even if I don't tell her. Don't tell her the name, just explain the ability a little. I will tell her the name myself when the time is right."
"Understood."
"In exchange for telling her about Cognitive Dissonance, ask for a list of the auction items."
"Will she really give us the list? She has been keeping it under lock and key."
That was the kind of woman Michelle was. She could gather the world's top Rankers without even disclosing what kind of items would be auctioned. Only a few objects had been revealed. No one knew exactly what would be offered, yet Players were still flocking over to participate, a reflection of Michelle's influence. This was an auction hosted by one of the 20 wealthiest people in America, the sovereign Michelle.
"If she wants information about me, then it's only right for her to give information of her own. She'll give you the list if she really wants the info. If not, then it can't be helped."
The next day, Song Kiyeol felt cold sweat run down his back. Like Hyukjin said, Michelle's deputy, a man named Thomas, came looking for him the very next day. The result of his negotiation with the deputy was:
"…The list must be kept confidential at all costs. This list has not been leaked even once."
"Of course."
"But are you alright, Mr. Song? You look pale. Is something bothering you?"
"No, it's just that my stomach hurts a little."
His conversation with Thomas went exactly as Kim Hyukjin said. Thomas left the room, leaving Kiyeol with the auction list in his hands.
'Once again… it turned out like Guildmaster Kim Hyukjin intended.'
Suddenly remembering something, Kiyeol took out two yellow slips of paper from his Inventory. They were precognitive notes given to him by the Precognitive Dreamer, Ham Sohyun.
–In the world of stars, the true prophet shall find you.
–Water with water, fire with fire, gold with gold.
He stared piercingly at the two notes.
'The true prophet.'
Somehow…
'I have a feeling it's Guildmaster Kim Hyukjin.'
Water with water, fire with fire, gold with gold.
'Information with information.'
It did seem to be referring to Kim Hyukjin. Just then, the letters on the notes began to fade, disappearing on their own. New letters appeared to replace them, and the notes suddenly multiplied. Dozens of yellow notes floated into the air.
–The true prophet shall be bound.
–In his bindings, shall he lose all strength.
–The ignorant masses shall be tricked by the devil's voice.
One of the notes landed in Kiyeol's palm.
–The Sovereign of Incantations will head skyward.
Fwoosh!
The notes burned up and disappeared.
* * *
Three hours before the start of the auction.
"Well done, Kim Darong."
The squirrel's name was originally 'Darongi', but as of late, 'Kim Darong' sprang more naturally to Hyukjin's mouth. It looked like Darongi also liked the new name, too.
Darongi seemed pleased by the praise.
[♪♪]
He took out the auction list from his Inventory and gave it to Hyukjin. This little squirrel was the safest and stealthiest means of transport around. Even Hyukjin couldn't see through Darongi's Stealth if the squirrel was being serious. Thanks to that, Hyukjin was able to get his hands on the auction list secretly and safely.
"Mm."
There were many items on the list.
"This… has a [?] for the description, but it's actually trash."
The items with [?] would most likely go for huge prices. In addition to the Players, there were also tycoons literally rotting in money participating in this auction.
[?] was meaningful on its own, at least to those wealthy people. Such items had value as collectibles.
"Same with this one."
The Black Puma Helm. Later, it too would be reduced to a trash item. It wasn't worth buying for big bucks here.
"This one shows up in the intermediate period Item Shop."
He thumbed through the list.
'Is it because this is the beginner period?'
There weren't as many good items as he had hoped. There would probably be a lot of Rankers and wealthy people who would gamble on the [?] items, but they would come to regret that decision.
"This one's a good buy."
It would reach a price of $3 million later and would probably go for $1 million or so here.
"I'll also buy this."
He picked out a few items. He wouldn't be paying anyway. He had a loaded business partner by his side. His business partner would handle the trading, and he would get a commission in return.
Although, that commission would be hundreds of thousands of dollars.
As Hyukjin cheerfully went through the list, he discovered something.
"Ah."
A [?] mark appeared over Darongi's head. He was perched on Hyukjin's shoulder, looking at the list together. It was an item with a note under it, and it came in the form of a fountain pen.
The note was very meaningful.
–Only the destroyer of the Gray Ring can activate the item description.
Three hours later, the auction began.
____
One hour before the auction, Song Jinchul was completely baffled by his brother.
"Just why in the world are you sticking up for Kim Hyukjin so much?"
When talking to his brother, Jinchul sometimes used informal speech, sometimes formal speech. He flip-flopped between the two depending on his mood. Today, he was speaking casually, which meant he wasn't in a good mood. He had been in a prickly one ever since he was struck on the head by Vela and was unable to vent his rage.
Kiyeol stared at his baby brother. A little brother wasn't strictly required to speak formally to his older brother and it wasn't even weird for brothers to speak casually to one another, but Kiyeol was a little angered by it today.
"You're still not shaping up even after getting punished so much?"
"Because I can't accept the reason why I was punished!"
Jinchul didn't think he could accept it in the future, either. Just how amazing could a Player possibly be? Who was Kim Hyukjin, to make someone of the mighty Sungshin bloodline tiptoe around him?
"Grandpa said we're the ruling class. But why're you acting like you're part of the ruled class, Hyung?"
"I don't think the rulers Grandpa was talking about are the rulers you think they are."
Jinchul was twisting the 'ruler' concept their grandfather had spoken of.
"Doesn't matter!" Jinchul bit his lip. "You even got a list of the things we have to buy in this auction. Like you're his frickin' butler."
Why did the oldest son of Sungshin need to do as Kim Hyukjin said? Why did he have to follow Kim Hyukjin's orders instead of making his own decisions? That was what Jinchul had a problem with.
"This is a collaboration."
"You think I'm stupid? Kim Hyukjin's using Sungshin's money to get rich without putting in any investment of his own!"
"And?"
"And what?"
"Is that a bad thing?"
"…"
Jinchul's mouth snapped shut. Kiyeol quietly persuaded his childish little brother.
"Kim Hyukjin will use my money to secure a commission. That's a definite fact. And I will use his information to earn money. He will provide information, and I will provide the funds. What's wrong with that?"
"We'd do perfectly fine even without his stinky information!"
"Of course. We'd probably be fine, yes."
Kiyeol didn't think he had a bad eye. He was sure he would be able to buy items he needed, items that would be profitable, important items he could later use to trade with the world's Rankers and wealthy gathered here. He was confident of that.
"But Guildmaster Kim Hyukjin is better than me." Kiyeol was a good judge of his own ability. "What's wrong with securing a profit by entrusting an expert to do what he does well?"
"But it's not costing him a single penny. He's just scooping up the returns without any risk. How does that make any sense to you, Hyung?"
Kiyeol breathed a long sigh and continued explaining.
"The only thing I have to consider is whether it's more profitable for me to participate in the auction alone, or more profitable for me to participate in the auction with Guildmaster Kim's information. The process? The reason? How are those things important? The results will speak for themselves."
"I think what you're saying is cowardly reasoning, Hyung. I'll prove to you that you're wrong on my own."
"You will? How?"
"I have some allowance saved up."
Kiyeol had a good idea of how much that was. It couldn't be more than $500,000.
"I have $1 million at my disposal."
"…"
"You're surprised, right? I took what I got from Grandpa and grew it to a million."
Jinchul was 14 years old. For an eighth grader to take $500,000 and turn it into $1 million was an impressive feat. Of course, Jinchul couldn't have done it on his own—he was probably helped by a financial manager assigned to him by their grandfather. Kiyeol pretended not to know that.
"You did well there."
"I'm capable of doing this well on my own. Even without listening to that rude prick." Jinchul continued, brimming with confidence. "Let's make a bet. To see who can get the higher return rate."
"You want to bet on who gets the higher net gain compared to the invested amount?"
"Yeah. I'm confident."
Kiyeol laughed.
'It's not a bad thing for him to experience it for himself.'
Experience just how outstanding Kim Hyukjin was, at least when it came to Playing. Jinchul had to get a little taste to at least somewhat acknowledge Kim Hyukjin.
"Very well."
"You can only invest in the things Kim Hyukjin listed. I'll invest in other things."
Kiyeol nodded.
"What will the winner get?"
"If I win, end your partnership with Kim Hyukjin. I can't crush him because of you."
Kiyeol was so dumbfounded he had to laugh.
'You can't crush him because of me?'
Can't crush Kim Hyukjin, a talent even their grandfather valued? A monster of a human who, though unnoticed in the public eye, went around trampling top Rankers worldwide?
'When will you see clearly, little brother?'
He had to make Jinchul see straight, even if Kiyeol needed to beat the sense into him. But now that the kid was a teenager in his rebellious phase, Kiyeol found himself unable to use such an extreme method.
'And Guildmaster Kim Hyukjin told me to let him be.'
There was definitely a reason for that. Kiyeol decided to let his little brother be, for now.
"Fine. In exchange, if I win, you'll speak to Guildmaster Kim Hyukjin with utmost respect."
"…"
"Don't like the terms?"
"I'm part of the ruling class."
"And?"
"How can the ruling class show utmost respect to the ruled class?"
"Don't think you can win?"
Jinchul flinched.
"No, I'm sure I can win. Okay, fine. Heh. If you win, I'll treat Kim Hyukjin with respect!"
Jinchul didn't tell his brother that he had an innate ability called 'Discernment'. He was sure he could choose more outstanding items than Kim Hyukjin while spending less if he used the ability.
'Just you wait and see.'
Song Jinchul jumped into a war with his 8th grader pride on the line.
* * *
Translator – Lei
Proofreader – Ash
* * *
Kim Hyukjin, Song Kiyeol, and Song Jinchul sat down next to each other.
The LA Auction House Michelle was hosting looked like a musical theater. Quite a lot of people were seated in the hall, and below them, preparations for the auction were well underway.
The auctioneer was someone who would later become famous in the auction scene, Hans.
"We will now begin the auction."
Kim Hyukjin looked around. There were people wearing masks to hide their identities, as well as people who were openly showing their faces.
He also saw some big shot Rankers.
The Milky Way.
The Ink Sword.
The Stealthy Slayer.
The Corpse Sorcerer.
The Mist at Dawn.
Hyukjin felt a rush of emotion as he looked at the future Rankers with all sorts of nicknames gathered in one place.
'I only ever saw them on TV.'
The top Rankers Hyukjin knew from the future were already top Rankers now. That did make him feel a little bitter. These people were the ones graced with talent, the ones who were born with the blessed ability to adapt all too well to this new age.
'Well, there's no such thing as equality in this world.'
Everyone was born with different appearances, even. The world was not equal. It was the uncomfortable, but honest truth. Before his regression, Hyukjin was also not graced by talent and lived an aimless, meaningless life.
He suddenly noticed Song Jinchul sitting two seats away.
'Just like how that spoiled brat is living the high life because he was born to the right grandfather.'
He was struck with the same sense of dizziness again.
'A factor in a major variable.'
Why did he get this strange feeling whenever he looked at Song Jinchul? Hyukjin had no idea.
The auction began in earnest. The first item came in the shape of a flute.
Song Kiyeol said, "We will pass on this one."
"Yes." Some fairly useless items were being auctioned as well. Hyukjin pointed with his eyes and said, "Over there. Do you see that man wearing the black clothes with the tiger pattern?"
"Yes, I see him. That's Xu Xin from China."
"Don't go for the items he bids on."
"How come?"
"That man is a manic collector."
It would be odd if China's Xu Xin were to be absent here. He wasn't a Player. He was invited here on account of his wealth. With his real estate and logistics conglomerates, he was one of the ten most wealthy people on Earth.
Hyukjin felt his mood sour. There was no real reason why. It was the first time he got this impression from someone since Seo Joohwan.
TN: Seo Joohwan is the pedophile Hyukjin killed way back.
'Come to think of it, the world really is unfair.'
Xu Xin of China had the nickname 'Manic Hoarder'.
Manic hoarder: A person with a pathological drive to find and collect not just valuable things, but also useless things.
Even though he wasn't a Player, he had a nickname like that, a telltale indication of just how crazy a hoarder he was.
'He also bought a ton of items.'
Any item that went into his hands would be locked forevermore in the 'Xu Xin Exhibition Hall', never to see the light of day again.
'If he had lent the [Mermaid's Bottle] to the public during the Beijing Megadrought scenario, at least 300,000 wouldn't have died.'
Not just that.
'100,000 people would have survived if the Players had the [Shining with Moonlight] when hunting the One-Eyed Giant.'
It wasn't a bad thing for someone to not lend others their items. That was their right as the owner of the item. It was great if they lent them for the public good, and if they didn't, it couldn't be helped. Hyukjin knew that, too. It was the natural way of things and something he shouldn't criticize, but for some reason, Hyukjin felt displeasure surge through him.
'Why?'
Why did he feel displeasure? Hyukjin tried figuring out the reason, unconsciously becoming engrossed in his musing.
'It was widely rumored… that he killed a poor girl and stole the Mermaid's Bottle from her.'
Whether that was true or not could not be confirmed. There were suspicions, but no proof to back it up.
'I even heard he slaughtered a village to steal the Shining with Moonlight.'
Many cursed him as a bastard worthy of divine retribution, but Xu Xin lived high on the hog with zero repercussions. But was he feeling so repulsed because of such rumors? Hyukjin didn't know.
From somewhat far away, Hyukjin observed Xu Xin a little more.
'Interesting. He was actually a Player?'
He was like CEO Song. Despite his advanced age, he awakened as a Player. Right here in this hall, Xu Xin was sitting as a Player, a fact he had never revealed.
Summary:
Manic Hoarder Blinded by Greed
That wasn't all—he had also awakened an innate ability, one that was very rare to the public but often encountered by Rankers.
Innate ability: Thief Tracking
Hyukjin kept staring at Xu Xin.
'Hrm?'
Their eyes met. Despite the considerable distance between them, Xu Xin looked this way. He had the feeling their eyes definitely met.
'I'm not just imagining it.'
That meant he had sensed Hyukjin's gaze on him. Hyukjin felt something like an itch. When their eyes met, his heart felt itchy, a feeling he had experienced several times.
'Focus.'
There was no need to cower because Xu Xin had noticed him. Hyukjin did not fear him at all. Things were so very different from the past. He ramped Observer's Eye to the max, knowing from experience that he would see something at times like this. Something more.
[Observer's Eye recognizes countless 'stigmata'.]
His eyes ached a little, but it was bearable.
[Observer's Eye begins to recognize/interpret the stigmata.]
[You have fulfilled a new condition.]
[The proficiency of Observer's Eye has increased.]
Observer's Eye went up to proficiency 3, and with it, he began to see the previously unseen.
He saw it—the stigma engraved on Xu Xin's body. He began to faintly see what the Demon King and Bufafa had talked about. But it wasn't an ordinary stigma.
[Observer's Eye is analyzing the 'corrupted stigma'.]
'What… is this?'
New things began to unfold before Hyukjin's eyes.
____An extremely unpleasant feeling surged into Hyukjin like the rising tide.
'What is… this?'
Several scenes played in his head. A quick look was enough to tell him that they were all disgusting scenes. To put it in keywords, 'domestic rape and family homicide', 'imprisonment and slavery', 'forced castration', 'genocide of a minority group', and so on. One horrific scene after another flooded in.
He remembered the notice from before.
[Observer's Eye is analyzing the 'corrupted stigma'.]
Then there was only one answer. These scenes playing in his head were connected to Xu Xin's 'stigma'.
'Stigmata are achievements engraved in one's body.'
Did anyone here truly lack achievements? Hyukjin looked around. Everyone he saw was a Ranker or a megamillionaire. There wasn't a single person who had no achievements to their name. It was just that he couldn't read their achievements, at least not yet.
'It must mean Xu Xin has accumulated so much achievement… that even a proficiency 3 Observer's Eye can interpret it.'
Although it was questionable if these gruesome actions could really be called achievements.
'If he can be analyzed to this extent by me…'
Then just how despicably had this man lived his life? It made Hyukjin think that all the unsubstantiated stories that had gone around on the Internet in the past were true.
Hyukjin looked away. Xu Xin also turned away. Both of them looked towards the stage, where the auction was starting.
'Even if his stigma is dirty…'
There was no reason for him to care about that. Hyukjin was no apostle of justice, nor did he have the right to bring down judgment on Xu Xin.
However—
'I have a feeling we'll butt heads.'
If he messed with Hyukjin, that would change things. Hyukjin was enraged. Not as a Player, but as a person. What he was feeling was a normal emotion anyone with the heart and soul of a human would feel and sympathize with.
Hyukjin's Eye of Perception could feel that Xu Xin's gaze had been less than friendly. His eyes had been bristling with the thought, 'You dare to look straight at me?'
And before long, Hyukjin's hunch was proven. Xu Xin began to bid on every item Song Kiyeol went for.
"Xu Xin keeps interfering."
"Yes. It seems intentional."
"Why is he doing this?"
"I think it's because we met eyes."
It was an utterly trivial reason, but there was no doubt about it.
"Don't fight Xu Xin with money."
"Understood."
Even if the current Song Kiyeol fought Xu Xin with money, there was no chance he would win, a fact Kiyeol knew as well.
"If Xu Xin places a bid, I will give up on the item."
"Yes."
Song Kiyeol was a little dubious. 'Even Guildmaster Kim is afraid of China's capital?'
No, it didn't seem like that. Kim Hyukjin looked perfectly at ease.
'I think he's got some kind of plot in mind.'
Song Kiyeol felt it, too. The way Hyukjin looked at Xu Xin was far from kind. A shiver ran down Kiyeol's body. He had seen Hyukjin's expressionless face many times. That was when he was most terrifying, because this man was someone whose thoughts were utterly inscrutable.
'He's scheming something.'
What that was, Kiyeol didn't know. But he felt slight anticipation rise within him.
'A mega-conglomerate of China…'
How would Kim Hyukjin cook up the leader of a Chinese conglomerate? Xu Xin had interfered with Sungshin's entry into China. Kiyeol didn't like the man, either.
The auction continued.
"The next auction item is the [Infinite Pouch]."
It was one of the items on the purchase list Hyukjin had given him. Kiyeol put in a bid, which Xu Xin once again countered. The moment Xu Xin stepped in, everyone else also gave up on bidding. Apparently, they were also aware of Xu Xin's fanatical hoarding.
"Once again, the item goes to Customer #33!"
Kiyeol felt a small spike of urgency.
"Is it really going to be okay? Grandfather boasted that we would get a big profit out of this auction."
They had purchased just three items and used a total of $4.5 million, less than anticipated.
"You will earn at least $7 million even with what you've already purchased."
A $2.5 million profit with an investment of $4.5 million. It was a tremendous return rate. But seen from the viewpoint of a giant corporation like Sungshin, it wasn't all that impressive. The return rate might be high, but the earned amount itself was low.
"The next item is the [Fountain Pen of Freedom]!"
"That's the item you said you absolutely wanted…"
"Let's just see if Xu Xin bids on it."
The item was called the 'Fountain Pen of Freedom'.
[Fountain Pen of Freedom]
Only the destroyer of the Gray Ring can activate the item description.
Several Rankers put in bids. Its current price was $600k.
"I will bid as well."
Song Kiyeol offered $700k. But Xu Xin came in once again.
"$900k."
"There it is! Customer #33 has bid once again!"
The auctioneer's voice echoed loudly through the hall. Kiyeol whispered, "This is totally intentional. Shall we give up this time as well?"
"Yes."
Song Kiyeol gave up on the item, like all the others. However, Kim Hyukjin spoke under his breath, so quietly no one could hear.
"Darong. Go steal them all."
A [?] popped up over Darongi's head. The little squirrel seemed surprised. From his experience, his master wasn't the type of person to rob other people's items without good reason. But he just gave a command to steal them all? Darongi followed his master's gaze.
He saw a certain man, a man attired in a tiger pattern suit.
[!!!]
The question mark turned into exclamation points. Darongi had also watched the auction from start to finish. That was the jerk who kept interfering with his master.
[♩♬]
Darongi went into Stealth mode.
The genius of theft went on the prowl. He moved far faster and more stealthily than usual, his eyes gleaming with greed.
* * *
Translator – Lei
Proofreader – Ash
* * *
The Chinese billionaire, Xu Xin, felt his mood lift.
That youngster had looked him straight in the eye, scouring him with an impolite gaze. What's more, the scum appeared to be the Taeguk Shield Song Kiyeol's subordinate. Xu Xin would feel displeasure from getting stared at by Song Kiyeol, but that man's subordinate dared to meet his eyes? It was utterly unpleasant. So he taught him a lesson. He showed that brat there was money above money, power above power.
"The auction is nearly over."
"Indeed. Those Taeguk Shield bastards were immediately tucking their tails when I bid, right?"
"Yes, they certainly were. I think they realized the difference in power."
Xu Xin nodded. "But it's quite cute that they recognized that and didn't bite back like rabid dogs." His lips curled into a grin. "If they had failed to realize their place, I would have put them six feet under without a soul knowing."
This wasn't Korea. It might be hard to lay a hand on them in Korea, but this was the US. Burying them alive in the US wasn't at all difficult, and the evidence could be fabricated.
"It's good that they knew their place. The great tolerance and kindness you showed them is immeasurable."
"Of course, of course."
Xu Xin truly thought that was true. Those bastards were living right now because Xu Xin had permitted it.
But just then—
"Huh?"
Something was off. The items were transferred to him, there was no mistake about it. And yet…
"What?"
Every single item he had received was gone. His Inventory had been completely emptied.
'And what is that?'
In one of his Inventory slots was… a piece of half-eaten fried chicken. All of his items were gone, leaving just that one chunk of leftover chicken.
"THIS GODDAMN FUCKING—!" Xu Xin surged to his feet and screamed, "WHO THE HELL WAS IT?!"
Every head in the hall swiveled towards him.
"COME OUT RIGHT THIS INSTANT!"
Xu Xin saw red. He had no idea which piece of shit had stolen his precious collectibles, his lovable items. In his rage, his innate ability was deployed.
[Using the innate ability Hunt Down the Thief.]
The entirety of the auction house instantly turned gray. Kim Hyukjin observed Xu Xin in amusement.
'Hunt Down the Thief, is it.'
Xu Xin was an excellent offering for Observer's Eye.
[Observer's Eye is at proficiency 3.]
[A newfound innate ability has manifested.]
[An unknown innate ability has been discovered.]
Observer's Eye went up in proficiency, and a 'new innate ability' just happened to manifest right afterwards.
[You have fulfilled a hidden condition.]
[An innate ability of Observer's Eye has been unlocked.]
A condition was fulfilled, unlocking yet another ability of Observer's Eye for the first time in a while.
4) Innate abilities:
Unique Ability Fusion
Authority Analysis
Authority Analysis joined the ranks of Unique Ability Fusion. Hyukjin tested it immediately, because in front of him was an excellent guinea pig, Xu Xin. Not only had the man given him an opportunity to advance, but he was even acting as a lab rat.
[Using the innate ability Authority Analysis.]
Very detailed information about the Thief Tracking Xu Xin was using started taking shape in his head, almost like the ability description window was activated and absorbed into his mind.
[Hunt Down the Thief]
An authority that is activated when the Player suspects something of theirs or an item in their Inventory has been stolen. The range of Hunt Down the Thief changes depending on the type, grade, and number of stolen items. When the Player does not just suspect theft and is instead certain of theft, Hunt Down the Thief will be even more powerful.
Right now, the ability user was certain that his items had been stolen.
"Darongi. You hold onto them."
Hyukjin trusted that Darongi was skilled enough to not get caught by Hunt Down the Thief. It was an amusing innate ability. Just like how there were classes that were strong in front of gates, there were classes that were strong when their items were stolen.
Guns materialized all over the gray field. They took the shape of guns, but Hyukjin could feel powerful mana flow from them. They were guns made of mana that shot mana bullets.
Michelle stepped forward.
"Mr. Xu Xin, this is my place of business."
"If this is your place of business, then you should manage it as such!"
Xu Xin's face had turned red with rage. He was extremely worked up and saw nothing but red.
"What do you mean?"
"There's a rat hiding in this crowd, a rat I must catch."
"Do you mean to say you were hit with item theft?"
"That's right! Outta my way!"
Xu Xin shoved Michelle in irritation. Michelle could have dodged, but she chose not to in order to secure a self-defense justification.
"If you turn yourself in right this instant, I will spare your life."
That was, of course, a lie. He would let them live here and kill them outside. He would throw them into a vat of acid and relish their screams. They had committed the ultimate crime of messing with his items.
"If you don't show yourself right now…"
The guns floating in the air moved, fixing themselves on a single target.
"Know that someone's head will be blasted off."
Xu Xin looked like he had lost all reason, but that wasn't entirely the case. He didn't point his guns at any of the top Rankers. He took aim at the nameless ones, the people with the least weight out of all the people here, or the non-combat class Players.
And representing those unlucky nobodies was Kim Hyukjin, the attendant and subordinate of Taeguk Shield's guildmaster.
"Starting with him."
Numerous crosshairs appeared over Hyukjin's heart and forehead.
"I'll give you ten seconds."
The numbers appeared in the field itself. Everyone could see the countdown.
[10]
[9]
The numbers ticked down.
"If you don't come out, I'll start by shredding that bastard's head."
Hyukjin wasn't at all ruffled. He knew exactly where they were. This was Michelle's place of business. In other words, it was essentially the domain of the Herdsman of Las Vegas.
With a smirk, he raised his voice so everyone could hear.
"Mr. Xu Xin. Would you like to have a bet with me?"
A plan to turn the countless items he had stolen unlawfully from Xu Xin into items he had stolen lawfully took form in his mind.
A plan using the prominent Guardian called the Herdsman of Las Vegas.
____
Mr. Xu Xin. Would you like to have a bet with me?"
Kim Hyukjin wasn't truly proposing a bet to Xu Xin. This was just to provoke him. Xu Xin was set on making a lesson out of Hyukjin anyway. Hyukjin's goal was to put another drop of oil onto an already blazing fire.
'Now that I've brought up a bet, Michelle can't take action. At least for a while.'
This one word would give Michelle pause. Normally, she should have acted quickly, summoning her Guardian Tower or mobilizing the Michelle Division to subdue Xu Xin. But that plan of action was shut down by a single sentence from Hyukjin.
'Because this is content the Herdsman of Las Vegas enjoys.'
She could not prevent such content from playing out. Michelle, the host, could only watch. She would definitely step in at some point, but Hyukjin had won himself some time.
"Bet? Did you just say bet?"
Xu Xin's voice went up a few octaves. His thread of rationality had long since snapped. He, a manic hoarder, was stripped of all his precious collectibles. There was no stopping him now.
Hyukjin grinned. He threw out another provocation.
"A bet to see which of the two is faster: those cheap-ass guns you've summoned, or my Item Shop arrow."
Hyukjin took out the 'Sturdy Wooden Bow' he had purchased from the Item Shop. It was obviously fresh from the Item Shop. Most of the Rankers here recognized that it was from the Item Shop, and the person who saw that most clearly was none other than the American Player, Mark.
'It really is from the Item Shop?'
Mark had been scouted into the Michelle Division. If Korea had Hyun Junghwa, the US had Mark. Both were Players contracted to the Night of Shooting Stars. He was a Player with a talent and potential in archery that was second to none.
'That bow is heavy, so it's not often used.'
Being an Item Shop product didn't mean it was necessarily bad. But that Sturdy Wooden Bow was seldom used due to its weight. An archer was far better off using the lighter 'Wooden Bow' even at the cost of slightly less damage.
'His form's a mess.'
The man appeared to be a Korean Player. Mark also spotted the guildmaster of Taeguk Shield next to him. Which meant the person with the Sturdy Wooden Bow was a guild member of Taeguk Shield, most likely an attendant of Song Kiyeol.
'Seeing as Song Kiyeol isn't stopping him…'
The man had probably been instructed by Song Kiyeol to do this.
'But why?'
Mark was a member of the Michelle Division. He had a duty to stop anything undesirable from happening. The Michelle Division members stationed here were already preparing their skills, just as Mark was doing. He was just curious as to what Song Kiyeol was intending.
'Song Kiyeol should know exactly who Xu Xin is.'
Sacrificing one attendant shouldn't be that great a loss—he could get a huge compensation from Xu Xin once the billionaire was thinking straight again, or use the incident to work negotiations to his favor.
'Song Kiyeol is a tank.'
Because he was a tank, he should be capable of blocking most attacks. Why wasn't he stopping his attendant?
'I'll just have to keep watching.'
From the looks of it, Michelle was staying her hand as well. She had her right hand in the air, ready to give the command to subdue the conflict, but she didn't bring it down. It meant she would keep watch, courtesy of Hyukjin's one mention of a 'bet'.
Xu Xin's eyes turned bloodshot with rage. He glared at Kim Hyukjin, seething.
"I'm very glad you proposed this."
"…"
Kim Hyukjin was taking aim at Xu Xin.
"DIE THEN!"
"…"
Hyukjin just waited.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The floating guns fired mana bullets.
Hyukjin didn't dodge. He just let them hit him.
"Two on the shoulder, one on the heart."
Ah, it hurt a little more than he expected. It felt like someone had struck him hard with their fists, but he wasn't dealt any critical damage.
"You hit me first, yeah?"
Hyukjin nocked his arrow. After using bows like the Blackfire Bow and Sylphid's Wing, the Sturdy Wooden Bow felt clunky in his hand. It was heavy, low damage, and just all-around bad.
[The special ability Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth has been forcibly activated.]
The ability that hadn't had a chance to activate lately because no one openly attacked him first like this, Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth, kicked in.
Hyukjin thought back to Hyun Junghwa's movements. There was a good lab rat in front of him.
'Like this?'
Junghwa fired several arrows in one shot with her innate ability Consecutive Rapidfire. Those arrows were imbued with mana and were stronger than regular arrows.
'Mm.'
It wasn't quite at the level of Consecutive Rapidfire, but he managed a similar effect. He fired three arrows, but they were far faster than normal.
The next moment, Xu Xin screamed.
"GAHHH!"
One arrow was lodged in each shoulder, as well as one in his abdomen. The man fell over, screaming.
Total silence descended on the hall. Michelle finally gave the command.
"Subdue them. You can kill if they resist."
"Both of them?"
"Both of them."
The command was a matter of fact for Michelle. If she continued to stay passive, it would harm the prestige of Michelle and the Michelle Division. It wouldn't just harm, it would inflict a massive crack.
Hyukjin smiled.
'She's doing well.'
Yes, she was making the right call. But if Hyukjin was in her position, he would have made Xu Xin kneel before things could progress this far. A few seconds. In just a few seconds, Hyukjin brought up a 'bet' and involved the Herdsman of Las Vegas, which allowed the situation to balloon to such a state.
'Next time, move a little faster, Michelle.'
Hyukjin immediately dropped his weapon and put his hands behind his head. Mark came up to him.
"I will briefly detain you."
"Yes, go ahead."
Hyukjin put out his hands. Song Kiyeol tried stepping in, but Hyukjin told him it was alright. Hyukjin was already clear on what kind of person Michelle was, and this was the result he himself had crafted.
It wasn't hard to subdue Xu Xin. He was crumpled on the ground, crying like a man unfamiliar with pain. Apparently, even his rage had withered away at the pain.
"Take them away. Continue the auction."
* * *
Translator – Lei
Proofreader – Ash
* * *
The auction went on, and Michelle took the two people behind the uproar away. Hyukjin followed Michelle behind the stage, completely relaxed.
Behind the stage, Michelle stared at Kim Hyukjin. Behind her were Mark and around ten members of the Michelle Division.
"Don't you think you were too heavy-handed?"
"Is that what you really think?"
"…"
Michelle didn't respond. Hyukjin continued, "Two bullets to the shoulder, one to the heart. I was attacked. With a gun."
"…"
"So I gave him two arrows to the shoulder, and one to the abdomen."
"But you took zero damage, and Xu Xin is bleeding and unconscious."
"You mean you made him unconscious."
Hyukjin saw Liam, a Player capable of mental attacks. He was a future Ranker with the nickname 'Wanderer of the Night'. Liam had probably knocked Xu Xin unconscious, while the healer Adam administered emergency treatment.
"You used excessive force. And in my place of business. I'm sure you know that."
"You should have prevented this from happening in the first place. Your response was too slow."
"I do apologize about that." Michelle acknowledged her faults. "But I have no choice but to take action against you. Since you attacked someone in a place I am hosting."
"Hm."
Hyukjin was calm. Michelle was merely saying what she had to say and doing what she had to do.
"You purposefully involved the Herdsman of Las Vegas to escalate things."
"I would have been very disappointed if you hadn't realized that."
Michelle lowered her voice. "Why did you act so openly?"
"What do you mean?"
"You have always hidden your skills as much as possible. It was the same in our recent War. You have a special ability to hide yourself. So why? Why did you come forward so openly this time?"
"Let me ask you, then. Michelle, would you do nothing if someone fired a gun at you?"
"I would have prevented them from firing in the first place. And I wouldn't have provoked them."
"This wouldn't have happened if you had kept a strict lock on the situation to keep it from happening in the first place. You hesitated a little because the opposite party was Xu Xin, and hesitated again because I alluded to the Herdsman of Las Vegas." Hyukjin shrugged. "Between the merit of satisfying the Herdsman of Las Vegas' expectations or the penalty of allowing the unthinkable to happen in your place of business, you should have chosen one or the other and quickly taken action. You lost both rabbits in your greed to catch both, and now you're demanding that I take responsibility?"
That instantly shut Michelle up. She really, truly could not find the words to retort.
"You're quite eloquent."
"I only stated facts."
"I think you're forgetting what situation you're in right now."
"Ah."
Hyukjin raised his hands, which Mark responded to by raising his bow. He aimed at Hyukjin's forehead.
"The situation I'm in, you say…" Hyukjin shrugged. "I am a Player who is required by the System to attack back at all costs if someone attacks me first."
"What do you mean?"
"I have a special ability called Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth."
"And?"
"And my brain will be scrambled if I don't attack back while I have this ability. In other words, what I did was simply a justified Play. And what you're doing is wrongfully oppressing me for making a justified Play." Hyukjin glanced behind him. "Right, Senia?"
Senia showed herself. Several members of the Michelle Division couldn't help but cough. Senia was certainly beautiful, so beautiful she could draw every gaze and induce admiration with her appearance alone. An Intermediate Administrator whose refined beauty shined radiantly simply by existing descended among them.
"In the eyes of the System, it was a justified Play."
Hyukjin nodded.
"To turn it around, what Xu Xin did was actually a justified Play as well."
His class did not allow him to be robbed of his items. That was why he had an innate ability like Hunt Down the Thief. A thief had appeared, so the thief had to be found. The only problem was, his way of going about it was too crude.
"Xu Xin and I were merely Playing."
Michelle had no choice but to glance uneasily at Senia.
'Even an Intermediate Administrator stepped forward.'
If an Intermediate Administrator came forward and claimed this was a justified Play, there wasn't actually much a Player could do. All they could do was hope for the Intermediate Administrator's magnanimity and tolerance. Seeing as Michelle's own Intermediate Administrator was remaining in transparent mode, it was clear that Hyukjin's side was justified.
"Surely you didn't just think killing monsters and clearing dungeons was all there was to Playing?"
Michelle realized exactly what those words meant. Kim Hyukjin wasn't just talking to her right now. He was saying those words for the benefit of the Guardians who were watching, since many of them surely had a focus on non-combat content.
"Oh, right! I've already revealed my ability to you, haven't I?"
"Yes. It is truly a mystical power."
"The name of that ability is Cognitive Dissonance."
The right time had come. Hyukjin had intended on revealing it himself, and that "right time" was now.
"I used that ability earlier as well. When I fired my bow at that guy."
"Which means the others won't remember you."
Michelle strained to figure out what Kim Hyukjin was intending. Just what did this man want?
'He definitely provoked Xu Xin.'
He, a man who disliked drawing attention, had done that on purpose. There was no mistake that all of this was engineered by Kim Hyukjin. For what?
"Were you the one who took Xu Xin's items?"
"Are you accusing a random person of being a thief?"
"It's because I'm not convinced as to why you did this."
Why did he provoke Xu Xin like that?
"You don't need to be convinced. I have my own scenario to Play, and I need to puzzle it out my way. Just like how you went to the trouble of calling in the world's Rankers to put on a bothersome auction."
"…"
"I'm not buying your reasoning for it, either. I don't think you did this for money." Hyukjin continued. "In any case, as a participant of the auction and a subordinate of Taeguk Shield's guildmaster, I think I have no choice but to give you face, Ms. Michelle."
"Give me face?"
"Let's say you stripped me of all my power and chased me out of the country back to Korea. You can also say you beat me up, why not. I was stripped of all my power as a Player and will never be able to step foot in the world of Playing again."
Hyukjin took out the item he was gifted by the Whispering Devil.
"With this, you will be able to convince the Rankers without a hitch."
Michelle took the item. It was called 'Trickery'. After receiving it, she unlocked the handcuffs on Hyukjin's wrists. Xu Xin was still unconscious.
"I'm sure you're not giving me this for free," she said.
"Of course not. You need to compensate me for giving you face at the cost of losing my power as a Player and getting chased back to Korea."
That was the story they would announce to the public.
"What do you want in return?"
The finish line was in sight. Hyukjin obtained all the "priceless" items in Xu Xin's possession, including the Fountain Pen of Freedom. He also became acquainted with Michelle. He had achieved every goal he originally had for this place.
There was just one thing left.
"What I want…"
He pointed to Mark.
"…is him."
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