“So... you're saying this individual has a possession ability, and their current appearance is altered through an item?”
“Not just altered—this appearance itself is the item.”
“...The appearance itself?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Mr. Kim Geon?”
“Yes.”
At Su-ho's nod, Kim Geon transford his appearance from his usual form to resemble Kenji from Ops.
The shifting and squirming process startled Kim I-gang, the Nexus administrator, but he quickly regained his composure, now brimming with admiration.
“Wow, this is...”
“You know Ops, right? The ga Overstrike that was all the rage back in the day? This is Kenji, the assassin character from that ga.”
“Of course, I know it! I used to love Ops. I heard the player base dwindled after the Great Cataclysm, but to think I’d see Kenji here in real life...”
“Well, that makes things easier. Mr. Kim Geon, while we’re on the topic, why don’t you show him a Kenji combo?”
“Sure, I’ll demonstrate the most iconic combo, Wind Cutter Slash.”
“Wind Cutter Slash!?”
Kim I-gang was visibly shocked at the ntion of the move.
It was no wonder—Wind Cutter Slash was synonymous with Kenji, his signature combo that defined his character. But more than that, what stunned I-gang was that Kim Geon was the creator of the legendary Wind Cutter Slash combo.
Monts later, in the expansive training ground, Kim Geon executed the Wind Cutter Slash.
Soaring forward as if slicing through the wind, he delivered four attacks seamlessly in one motion—a perfect reproduction of the move seen only in the ga.
Perhaps that was why.
Witnessing the move, Kim I-gang involuntarily dropped his jaw, trembling in awe.
“This... this is insane. A live-action Wind Cutter Slash...”
Kim I-gang, a devoted Kenji fan who mained the character in Ops, was over the moon. Seeing the Ops world champion bring Kenji to life in full scale and perform the signature move was almost overwhelming.
Su-ho didn’t stop there. He instructed Kim Geon to transform into other Ops characters like Leonhardt and Banjo, demonstrating their iconic combos. Each performance pushed I-gang further into a state of admiration.
Finally, without hesitation, Kim I-gang handed over a contract.
“This is more than enough. Let’s sign right away.”
“What’s the rank?”
“You’re assigning him to your personal team, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then he’ll start at B-rank. Once he hits Level 100, we’ll promote him to A-rank.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way, have you decided on a na for your personal team?”
A na for the team.
Su-ho hadn’t given it much thought, but now it seed necessary. He decided to use a na he already had in mind.
“Yes, we’ll call it Banshee.”
“Banshee... Got it. I’ll make a note of it. Oh, and could I make a personal request?”
“What kind of request?”
“I’m a huge fan of Kenji. Could I get a photo of him transford into Kenji?”
“That’s easy enough. Mr. Kim Geon?”
“Yes!”
At Su-ho’s request, Kim Geon transford into Kenji and posed for the photo.
Afterward, Su-ho turned to I-gang.
“Also, could you prepare an access card for Mr. Kim Geon as well? And one more thing...”
Su-ho shared additional requests, which I-gang nodded to as he listened.
“That won’t be an issue. Since you’re covering the cost with the funds from the Tangji Mine paynt, we can arrange it imdiately. Should we proceed?”
“Yes, please. Oh, by the way, do you know how Hunter Kang Dae-han is doing these days?”
“Hunter Kang Dae-han is steadily working with his assigned team. Why do you ask?”
“We worked together before, and I was curious about his progress. What level is he now?”
“If I rember correctly, he should be in the Level 80 or 90 range. If you’re interested, why not give him a call? He’s been waiting for your contact.”
“Why is that?”
“Nothing in particular. You’re Su-ho, after all. A call from a superstar like you is worth waiting for.”
“Hmm.”
Su-ho understood the sentint.
However, he knew it wasn’t the right ti yet.
For a tank like Kang Dae-han, on-field experience was invaluable.
“When Hunter Kang Dae-han reaches Level 100, let know. Before the offers from other places flood in, I’d like to et him first.”
“Understood. I’ll contact you once his guild card and other arrangents are ready.”
“Reach out to Kim Geon. He’ll handle it.”
“Got it. Let’s proceed with the registration process.”
Kim Geon officially began his Nexus guild registration. After confirming the additional clauses Su-ho had requested, only Kim Geon’s signature remained.
Once all the paperwork was complete, Su-ho spoke.
“With your signature here, you’ll officially beco a B-rank mber of the Nexus guild.”
“Thank you. I’ll work hard.”
“Don’t thank just yet. What I’m about to explain is the most important part.”
Su-ho pointed to the special clauses.
“I ntioned that I’m hiring you, right?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll be assigned to my personal team, making your direct supervisor. From now on, you’ll call ‘Team Leader.’”
“Yes, sir. I’ll rember that. And?”
“Regarding the partner item I provided, as noted here, it’s only available for use when you’re working with my personal team. Outside of that, it cannot be borrowed.”
It was a critical point—nothing in the world cos for free.
Kim Geon nodded without hesitation.
“And?”
“You must maintain confidentiality about your Nexus affiliation, my personal team, and the partner item I’ve provided.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes, that’s everything.”
“That’s simple enough. I’ll uphold it without fail.”
Kim Geon didn’t hesitate to agree.
For him, Su-ho was a savior; there was no reason to refuse.
Su-ho smiled.
“I like your enthusiasm. Lastly, I have a personal proposal for you.”
“A personal proposal?”
“Yes. If there’s no pressing reason otherwise, how about living here?”
“Here, as in the Nexus Academy?”
“Yes. The training facilities are here, after all. Naturally, accommodations for you and your brother will be provided, along with a caretaker for him while you’re on duty. Think of it as part of our team’s benefits.”
The offer made perfect sense.
“Absolutely. I have no reason to refuse. Thank you so much.”
“Great. Let’s sign, then.”
With a final signature, the contract was complete. Kim Geon officially joined the Banshee team.
Su-ho shook his hand.
“Congratulations on joining. Let’s work well together.”
“It’s my honor, Team Leader. Thank you again for this opportunity.”
“Let’s move. I have people to introduce you to.”
“Understood. And feel free to speak casually with . You’re my superior, after all.”
“Shall I?”
Age-wise, Kim Geon was older, but such things mattered little in their line of work.
Handing the completed contract to I-gang, Su-ho guided Kim Geon to Banshee’s dedicated training center.
Inside, team mbers were undergoing intense training through Infinity.
Su-ho pointed at the external screen showing their activities.
“See that?”
“Yes.”
“Our routine is simple: half the day is spent in revival duels, and the other half in dungeon runs.”
It was exactly as described.
With no orders from Su-ho, Banshee mbers trained against his avatar or hunted virus monsters in the virtual dungeons created by Seo Gi-won.
Watching the intense battles, Kim Geon was amazed.
“But isn’t that... you?”
“Yeah, that’s my avatar. They practice swordsmanship against daily.”
“And they always fight in outnumbered scenarios?”
“They have to. Fighting my avatar one-on-one would an instant death. The avatar’s combat data is based on my actual abilities.”
“Wow...”
“Don’t be too surprised. You’ll be joining them soon.”
“... too?”
“Of course. This isn’t Ops. It’s the cold, harsh reality. Besides, if you want to resu your work as a Hunter, you’ll need the skills to match, right?”
“Well, that’s true, but...”
“It’s been a while since you hit a wall while working as Railgun, hasn’t it? Get ready to feel that wall again.”
Su-ho manipulated Infinity, programming an avatar that accurately reflected Kim Geon’s unique traits.
Then, he attempted to log Kim Geon into Infinity.
But—
“Huh?”
Kim Geon failed to connect to Infinity.
It turned out that the issue lay in the fact that the Kim Geon entering the device wasn’t his real body but the "suit mode" version of himself.
“Ah, of course. Infinity connects based on biological data, but you’re in item form right now. That won’t work.”
“Then what should we do?”
“What else? We’ll move your actual body here and try again. Looks like moving is our first priority.”
After thinking for a mont, Su-ho continued.
“Geon, is there anything at your place you want to throw away? We don’t need to bring over every single pot and pan, do we?”
“That’s true. Honestly, I don’t even have much clothing or belongings...”
“Then, if it’s okay with you, I’ll hire movers to handle everything. A full-service move ans they’ll pack and transport everything to the new place. We’ll also arrange care for your brother, so there’s really no need for you to go yourself. You can just inform the landlord over the phone.”
“If you’re willing to do that, I’d be grateful. Should I just wait here in the anti?”
“Do you want to? Or, maybe grab a bite to eat... Ah, right, in your current form, you don’t get hungry, do you?”
It was true.
The body Kim Geon currently occupied wasn’t his real body but an item.
“This is why possession abilities with suits are considered overpowered.”
Not only hunger—he likely wouldn’t feel fatigue or the need to sleep either.
Kim Geon nodded in agreent.
“That’s definitely true. If you don’t mind, Team Leader, could I stay here and watch the others spar while I wait?”
“You won’t get bored?”
“Bored? This is all part of my study. Analysis is crucial, you know.”
Ah.
Co to think of it, he had a point.
Why else would the phrase “post-match review” exist?
Su-ho nodded just as his phone vibrated.
A ssage notification.
It was from Son Baek-geum.
- I’m leaving the country now. I’ll contact you before I return.
Well, that was fast.
After reading the ssage, Su-ho smirked and imdiately called Jo Jin-hwi.
- “Yes, Mr. An?”
“The article we prepared—release it imdiately.”
- “Understood.”
As soon as Son Baek-geum left the country, Su-ho published the article regarding the unfair personnel decision.
He had deliberately held onto the information. Timing it this way allowed Su-ho to adjust the schedule to his liking.
At that mont, Su-ho received another call—this ti from Seo Gi-won.
“Hey, Gi-won.”
- “Hyung-nim, I’ve completed the search for the individuals you ntioned.”
“Really?”
Perfect timing.
A sly grin spread across Su-ho’s face.
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