abcnovels
Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Lee Jun-cheol laid out everything as if he had prepared it in advance, his story not coming out without a plan. He listed the available material resources, personnel resources, and even the facilities that could be used in case of emergencies.
The fact that he managed to endure even during less profitable times clearly demonstrated that his foundation was strong.
Of course, he had been able to prepare all of this thanks to Kang Jin-hyuk’s collaboration. Through him, the monster corpses they acquired were superior goods difficult to find in the black market, leading many who wished to trade to line up.
The connections and capital gained from that process were enough to expand the organization’s influence.
“I think you’ve prepared quite a bit, but it’s not enough.”
Kang Jin-hyuk calmly examined the list prepared by Lee Jun-cheol before speaking firmly.
“You can’t win against the Titan with this.”
“Of course, that would be the case if we were to take them on directly.”
Lee Jun-cheol had no intention of facing the Titan with only the forces he had prepared. Anyone who didn’t realize that would not have survived this long in the industry.
Lee Jun-cheol took out the plan he had been considering in his mind.
“I propose an alliance with any guild capable of facing the Titan.”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Why would such guilds help us…?”
“Of course, it won’t be for free. Therefore, we need to make an enticing offer.”
“What exactly do you suggest?”
“We’ll transfer a portion of the territories held by the Titan.”
The one most shocked by Lee Jun-cheol’s words was, of course, Lee Hye-na.
She looked at him with eyes twice their usual size, incredulous.
“Are you suggesting we hand over a Titan-controlled territory?!”
“Why are you so surprised?”
“Are you really asking this without knowing? You must understand how important territories are within a guild?”
“Of course I know. That’s why I believe other guilds will be willing to assist us.”
“Are you serious?”
As Lee Hye-na viewed his suggestion with disbelief, Lee Jun-cheol met her gaze sharply.
“Do you think it’s actually possible to reclaim the Titan without any costs or consequences?”
On his point, Lee Hye-na fell silent once more.
Currently, the only power at their disposal was Kang Jin-hyuk.
It was impossible for him alone to contend against the Titan’s forces plus the S-rank hunter, Kang Jun-tae, who had been recruited by Han Young-seok.
With Lee Hye-na quieting down, Lee Jun-cheol continued his explanation, which had been momentarily interrupted.
“I believe there are internal divisions happening within the Titan, considering how the guild master is currently. Am I right?”
“In general, that sums it up.”
“Then my plan remains unchanged.”
Instead of suppressing the coup started by the Titan’s members, they would offer up some of the territories they controlled.
Lee Jun-cheol argued that by proposing this to other large guilds, they could borrow their forces.
“In other words, you’re suggesting we start a war.”
The conflict that Seo Sang-ho had tried to avoid to save his life was now being instigated.
It was an ironic situation, but Lee Jun-cheol’s suggestion was reasonable.
“Indeed, it seems like that’s the only way to face Titan and Kang Jun-tae.”
“Wait a moment. Who did you say?”
Hearing the name brought forth by Kang Jin-hyuk, all the assurance that had been visible on Lee Jun-cheol’s face vanished.
“Did you just say Kang Jun-tae?”
“Yes, why?”
“Why is his name mentioned here?”
“Because he’s a hunter affiliated with Titan.”
Lee Hye-na interjected, emphasizing Kang Jun-tae’s status as they discussed.
“Oh my God.”
Lee Jun-cheol felt a sense of vertigo as the tower of plans he had built came crashing down.
“Surely, the Titans didn’t treat Seo Sang-ho like that without reason…”
Realizing his miscalculations, Lee Jun-cheol sighed deeply as if all the air had been squeezed from his lungs.
He thought they would only have to face a Titan without Seo Sang-ho’s influence.
A large guild without an S-rank hunter would be just another numerous group; he had assumed he could push them back easily.
“We need to rethink our strategy.”
“Now? After all this?”
“There’s no other choice. At a time when we need to reserve our strength, who would want to engage in a fight with an S-rank hunter?”
Lee Jun-cheol intended to bait other guilds into joining them with the prospect of gaining a vast territory for minimal investment.
But with Kang Jun-tae in the picture, everything changed.
An S-rank hunter was not someone an A-rank hunter could easily handle, even with a throng of support.
Just underestimating them because of a one-rank difference could lead to complete annihilation.
While one could somehow reach A-rank through sheer effort, S-rank hunters resided in a realm defined entirely by talent.
“Kang Jin-hyuk recognizes that S-rank hunters can’t simply rise just by leveling up, right?”
“Of course.”
Reaching an adequate level was only one of the necessary prerequisites.
To be officially recognized as an S-rank hunter, one had to pass the tests administered by the International Association.
“Complete a task sanctioned as S-rank or win against an S-rank hunter in a formal duel.”
Lee Jun-cheol reiterated the requirements in hopes of underscoring the dangers associated with S-rank hunters.
“They only accept requests that could obliterate an entire city.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“No, you’re not aware, Kang Jin-hyuk. You don’t understand.”
Lee Jun-cheol swallowed hard, as if revealing a great secret.
“Kang Jun-tae has cleared an S-rank task three times in a row. It doesn’t stop there; he is also a madman who has taken additional tests.”
“Additional tests?”
“Tests against S-rank hunters.”
“What kind of insanity is that?”
“Apparently, he enjoys risking his life in every fight.”
Kang Jin-hyuk tilted his head with a questioning look.
“Back then, he seemed to be seething with rage after being struck by lightning. If he really enjoys a life-or-death battle, wouldn’t he thrive on being injured?”
When Kang Jun-tae deemed Kang Jin-hyuk an easy target, he had smiled, but the moment he was shocked by lightning, he had shown clear rage.
That demeanor hardly suggested he relished fighting.
“What did you just say? He got struck by lightning?”
“Yes, twice, back to back.”
Lee Jun-cheol’s expression turned blank, as if he had received an unexpected blow.
Only when a moment had passed did he finally process Kang Jin-hyuk’s implications, jaw dropping slightly in awe.
“You faced off against an S-rank hunter?!”
“Yes. I fled to survive after realizing I would die if it continued.”
“Of course…”
Lee Jun-cheol exhibited disappointment, realizing how formidable an opponent Kang Jun-tae genuinely was.
Still, he quickly brightened up, shaking his head vigorously.
“No, it’s remarkable that you managed to escape unharmed. Kang Jin-hyuk, you are truly impressive.”
“Please, there’s no need to force compliments.”
“It’s not forced; it’s genuinely impressive!”
Most hunters would find it impossible to even flee from an S-rank hunter.
Ordinary humans couldn’t grow an arm like that of a lizard if they tried; leaving a fight with all limbs intact was virtually impossible.
Even if Kang Jin-hyuk managed to slip away, the odds of returning unscathed were nearly zero.
Yet, Kang Jin-hyuk retained full use of his limbs, not even a scratch in sight.
This was akin to newfound hope for Lee Jun-cheol.
“Maybe we could borrow some forces on the condition that you can hold off Kang Jun-tae.”
“…Are you suggesting I should become bait?”
Lee Jun-cheol’s words implied the dangerous deal he wanted to propose.
Kang Jin-hyuk was irritated by Lee Jun-cheol’s casual manner in bringing such a suggestion before him.
“You do realize it’s my life at stake, right?”
“Oh, no! It’s not like that at all!”
“I simply can’t just sit back and let myself die fighting an S-rank hunter.”
Lee Jun-cheol rummaged through his wallet and took out his hunter license.
He stuffed it before Lee Jun-cheol’s eyes, as if presenting an official document.
“Look at my designation. I’m a C-rank…”
“That’s true…”
With Lee Jun-cheol’s argument weakening, Kang Jin-hyuk felt there was no reason to consider such a ludicrous proposal.
“A C-rank hunter against an S-rank hunter? What guild would be stupid enough to agree?”
“…”
That reply rang true, leaving Lee Jun-cheol speechless.
Indeed, asking a C-rank hunter to withstand an S-rank hunter’s might was tantamount to suggesting suicide.
Also, offering that ?? condition to another guild for their support was absurd.
“I may have underestimated people’s beliefs.”
As Lee Jun-cheol hung his head in defeat, Jo Hyung-il’s forehead erupted with sweat beside him.
He had only followed diligently, trusting that his superior had a well-thought-out plan.
However, things had turned out entirely differently.
‘Have we just experienced a catastrophe?’
The atmosphere weighed down heavily, and Jo Hyung-il sought to relieve the oppressive air surrounding them.
“I…”
“You got an idea?”
Jo Hyung-il glanced toward Lee Hye-na, who had a light bulb moment amidst Lee Jun-cheol’s desperation.
“There’s no need for us to relinquish Titan territories, nor does Kang Jin-hyuk need to fight Kang Jun-tae.”
“Do you have a solution?”
“What if we use a Tyrant?”
“Pardon?”
Lee Jun-cheol questioned, curious about Lee Hye-na’s unusual suggestion.
“What do you mean?”
Determined, Lee Hye-na smiled brightly, garnering everyone’s attention.
“To use the Tyrant.”
“Excuse me?”
Lee Jun-cheol couldn’t grasp the implications of her statement.
It sounded far-fetched to him; how could a nearly extinct guild help any of them?
“There’s no way a dying guild could spare us any resources.”
Finding their own territory already precarious, they wouldn’t help others.
This was based on Lee Jun-cheol’s general perspective between the two guilds.
However, Kang Jin-hyuk, being familiar with the issues of Titan and the Tyrants, shone with understanding.
“I see your point now.”
“Exactly!”
Kang Jin-hyuk and Lee Hye-na exchanged smiles.
Oblivious to their intentions, Lee Jun-cheol grew increasingly frustrated.
“How about you two stop whispering together and explain!”
“Explain?”
“Yeah! It seems like you both have some brilliant plot in mind, so spill it already!”
Hearing Lee Jun-cheol’s plea, Kang Jin-hyuk hesitated momentarily.
“Ah, that’s something I really can’t just share willy-nilly…”
“With all due respect, can’t you drop the teasing and share it with us?”
“It’s no joke; it’s really a classified matter.”
The collaboration between Titan and Tyrants was highly confidential.
Kang Jin-hyuk hesitated to disclose anything to Lee Jun-cheol.
“Well, it seems I can talk about it.”
Following Lee Hye-na’s affirmation, Kang Jin-hyuk felt no reason to keep holding back.
He recounted the previous incident that had occurred overnight, revealing how things had unraveled.
And he also shared the circumstances leading to the Tyrant’s fall from power.