Chapter 340. I'm Going to Retire (3)
Even if it's a useless totem, it's probably better to leave it be for now. At least from a Korean's point of view, that is. Besides, if nothing else, that was an apology. He got down on his knees and expressed what could be considered his best attempt at remorse.
'At least that's what he said.'
So what good would it do if I kept picking a fight here?
'Even if I brainwashed him into begging, it wouldn't be fun. There's absolutely nothing to gain from it.'
It's the kind of statent that would leave a bad taste in the mouth of Gisimche, but honestly, Kang Changho's opinion is correct. A person's heart isn't sothing easily won over with money or violence. Even if you did manage to force such intangible things into existence through simple ans, what you'd get at best would be shallow, fleeting sentints.
Therefore,
'Yeah. That's true. A human's true feelings aren't sothing others can just take as they please.'
At this point, there's no other choice. Ti to change the plan.
'But what if it's just the surface of a human I'm trying to obtain?!'
I finally realized. At least for now, it's impossible to make Kang Changho truly repent.
'I haven't cracked his head open to check, but I'm sure there's sothing wrong with Kang Changho's frontal lobe. I an, how else could he keep up that damn stubbornness?'
The other guy looked like the type who'd just shrug it off, even if he were tortured or robbed on the spot. I beca certain of it, watching him spout nonsense without so much as a flicker in his gaze. So I imdiately devised another wicked plan.
'I was a bit uneasy about this body of mine that cracks all over even when I use just a little advanced magic, but this is perfect timing!'
Co to think of it, I haven't tested transferring into an S-rank hunter's body yet.
The plan swirling in my mind right now is like this. Even though Kang Changho appears that way, his emotional system isn't completely at a psychopath level. He definitely gets genuinely angry sotis. And the most representative example of this is the incident in front of the Incheon sea.
To be precise, it's the act of betraying expectations.
'When a plan that was established ten years in advance goes awry, the other side must have been angry too.'
I racked my brain, recalling the incident that Kang Changho had reacted to most strongly. For now, I'd pretend to have forgotten the past and forgiven him. Then, in the distant future—what would happen if I stabbed that mammal in the back?
'Soone that rich has probably already mapped out exactly how they want to spend their retirent, don't you think?'
Just when most people are wrapping up their lives in peace, imagine an alien suddenly showing up and saying, "You committed sins in the past and repented far too lightly. So now, it's ti for your punishnt," and then takes their life a little earlier than expected.
After finishing that thought, I beca certain. No matter who Kang Changho is, going through sothing like that would deal a serious blow to him.
'If I hold a grudge for about 50 years and then take revenge, Earthlings won't be able to predict it, right?'
Besides, it's not like I haven't pulled so tricks myself using the [Knight's Oath]. So being the only one getting angry and putting on pressure was starting to weigh on . But if it's just a minor act like this, then it's actually a perfect stress relief thod for an archmage. Killing an old mammal at the end of his life isn't exactly so grand evil, is it!
'Hmm.'
...is it not that it's not?
'Still, I do need a backup body—just in case.'
But from my perspective as an alien being, necessity ultimately had to co before conscience. In a way, this was my own version of forgiveness as an Alphaut. Originally, I had thought about hanging that selfish b*stard out in the public square, but if just one knee on the ground lowers the level of revenge this much, then by any asure, it's an act of rcy.
"You can get up now."
"Yeah."
Now it's ti.
'It's almost ti to leave the hospital.'
First, I gestured for Kang Changho to stand up.
"You primitive creature, the Archmage has just decided to use your body as insurance, so you'd better take good care of it from now on."
I wonder if, when I go to claim the corpse, there truly will won't be any genuine remorse.
'If he quits smoking, follows a diterranean diet, exercises diligently three tis a week... then, the mont he confidently pays the deposit for a senior living facility, that's when I'll get my revenge. I'll go right there, kill him, and use him as a spare golem.'
Heh heh heh.
After I unleashed every bit of lingering resentnt I had, I wrapped things up by delivering the final schedule that needed to be set—then left the scene.
I gave Kang Changho detailed instructions on what he needed to assist with moving forward. I also double-checked the bank account number where the now-finalized compensation for the building would be deposited.
***
It's a surprisingly moderate ending.
"..."
No, but... can this really be considered a good ending? From soone's perspective, the awakened being they had severely oppressed has suddenly returned in a state that easily surpasses the average S-rank.
'Oh my. So the increase in the awakening level that I had only speculated about was actually possible.'
A question arises in one person's mind.
'And soone who was already strong broke through their growth limits—so they even returned after defeating three Beasts in a 13 fight?'
Of course, the negative train of thought ended there.
'Well, I guess... things like this and that happen in life...'
What good would it do to dwell on past violence?
Korea's third S-rank Hunter, Kang Changho simply decided to be grateful that his forr contractor had been generous. He had rely fattered for a mont due to illness. The other party had already been worthy of an S-rank evaluation—and now, it seed their power had grown beyond even that.
And yet, despite all that, no revenge had been taken. Considering the matter was settled with nothing more than kneeling down, it was clear that Kim Giryeo had nothing to do with the creation of the Gate after all.
Kang Changho gathered his thoughts as he stood in the familiar room.
A completely empty living room with a single piece of furniture. A large painting hanging alone on a white wall. This was Kang Changho's residence, a place Kim Giryeo had visited before. Beyond the wide glass windows, a swimming pool could be seen, and there wasn't a speck of dust on the wooden furniture—proof that he had stayed here frequently.
Tak, tak, tak.
Kang Changho changed into indoor slippers and moved to the second living room of the house.
"...?"
Then, soone suddenly appeared, bowing, in the passageway of the next room.
"...I?"
Its identity was a middle-aged man with gray hair.
"..."
The man, dressed in a suit that made him look like either a chauffeur or an office worker, gestured shortly after. He was holding a phone in one hand, and at that mont, he was also holding the screen up to Kang Changho, showing him the text displayed on it.
Welco!
What was visible on the screen were roughly ssages indicating that he had been waiting after receiving word that Kang Changho would be arriving.
"Yeah."
Despite the warm welco, the response was dry. The hoowner ignored the person waiting inside and kept walking. The S-rank hunter's destination was the kitchen attached to the second living room.
Zzzzzzzzt.Ommmmmm.
As soon as Kang Changho arrived in the familiar kitchen, he activated the coffee machine. And while the beans inside the machine were being ground, a brief thought crossed his mind.
'Kim Giryeo is the one who broke the limit.'
Even amidst the loud noise, the man's thoughts remained clear.
'Moreover, putting aside the fact that he said his protective skill is always active by default, is he really strong enough to drown all the monsters to death with just that simple water attribute ability?'
Since [Improvent] inherits the exact quality of the stolen skill, if it turns out that the human skill stone he had previously marked through a contract was exceptionally powerful... then logically, it's only natural for the [Improvent] holder to react this way.
"Ah... If I'd known it would turn out like this, I should've just killed him back when I had the chance."
Ddeudeu.
In front of the roaring machine, the man waiting for his coffee to brew began to speak.
"I just didn't expect that guy to be this competent."
"...?"
"But not only did he turn down every opportunity that ca his way, now he's even gone so far as to declare he's breaking the contract himself."
With his eyes slightly widened and mouth parted, the man wore an expression that seed to finally reflect the regret so green aliens had long hoped to see.
"Oh my god."
Of course, his attitude wasn't all that sincere. Kang Changho pretended to sigh briefly, then imdiately shifted focus to his real objective. He held up a cup and waited for about a minute, only after the coffee had fully brewed did he finally turn around—to et eyes with the visitor who had followed him into the kitchen.
"...?"
"...?"
However, unlike the basics of conversation, the two n remained silent for a while.
Heh heh.
The heavy silence was dispelled by none other than an S-class hunter. Kang Changho let out a dry, incredulous chuckle—and only once that sound had faded did he finally begin to make small talk.
"By the way, there's sothing I wanted to ask you."
The aroma of the espresso he held slowly spread through the air.
"It seems like Kim Giryeo isn't all that interested in staying alive. A reporter close to him told that the mont he cleared the dungeon, he collapsed, coughing up blood."
"...?"
"No, seriously. He's got a body that breaks down if he overexerts himself, but he was still planning to use his power again."
"...?"
"He said sothing about needing to et the people who brought the Beasts to Korea, or whatever."
"...?"
"Well, judging by everything he's done so far, his intentions are pretty obvious. He's probably trying to defuse the bomb himself—so that no one else in the industry gets hurt again because of this."
Kang Changho took a sip of his coffee, the white cream still floating on top, and added,
"That's admirable."
His expression was smiling, but true to his nature, it wasn't simply a positive one.
"But if an Awakener of that caliber pushes themselves too hard for others and ends up dying unexpectedly, that would be quite troubling."
Since [Improvent] only activates when the user defeats a powerful opponent with their own hands, soone who could easily interpret an industry professional's sacrifice in a negative light—especially based on that kind of information.
"It's such a sha."
Then, a plan ca out of his mouth.
"...Should I just take this chance to sneak in a little surveillance with [Dragon's Eye] again?"
After all, they'd said nothing about just a verbal promise, without any binding force. And soon, the conversation began to drift in the complete opposite direction from what had been discussed back in the hospital room. Kang Changho knew that if he simply cast aside his contact with the other's ankle, it wasn't the sound of human skin being touched—ant that there was no way to detect soone being watched by [Dragon's Eye]. Which ant even if he tracked soone without permission, it would be nearly impossible for the target to notice.
"An awakener who won't live long anyway. In that case, might as well let soone who needs him make use of him..."
Then should he continue the surveillance in secret from now on? Even worse, if it cos to a situation like during the [Six-Legged Corridor], where soone is on the brink of death—would he have to rush in like a hyena, scrambling for scraps—?
"Well, as expected, I guess I shouldn't do that after all."
That was the extent of the fantasy.
Had he everything said up until now just been a joke? The owner of the mansion changed his attitude in an instant.
And yet, the listener in this conversation was clearly at least twenty years his senior—an elder by all appearances. Strangely enough, however, Kang Changho had continued to use only informal speech up to this very mont.
"Oh, right."
Before he could even begin to question it, the next words flowed out. There were still too many unresolved matters for him to dwell on. It like leftover junk files that remain after uninstalling a program, the contracts of the past continued to linger. But there was hope—once he completed this last request, he could finally cut ties with those troubleso connections.
"Anyway, as you've probably gathered from the conversation, that Kim Giryeo guy has sothing to take care of next regarding the Beast incident. So, make plans for illegal immigration in advance."
"...?"
"The final destination is the United States. We'll need a vehicle to get there."
Kang Changho finished the rest of his coffee. After giving all his instructions, he turned [Dragon's Eye] toward the window.
Just like any wealthy household, the garden was covered in greenery. Although he was only noticing it now, the trees planted there had already shifted to dark red leaves. Kang Changho personally didn't like September very much. But most Koreans welcod the arrival of autumn—after all, compared to the stifling heat and sweat-drenched days of sumr, this season's weather was far more pleasant.
"Get everything I just ntioned ready as soon as possible."
"...?"
"By the way, it's already autumn. Co to think of it, the weather's gotten a lot cooler, so it should be easier for you to work for a while too."
Tuk.
Kang Changho placed the empty coffee cup in the sink. Then, as he approached the hallway, he lightly tapped the person who had been standing there. The one who had, until now, been silently listening to the entire conversation.
"You can just cover sothing like this now with thick, long pants, right?"
Moreover, the spot Kang Changho touched was near the other person's ankle. Strangely, a faint tick-tick sound ca from the point where his toe made contact with the other's ankle. It wasn't the sound of human skin being touched—more like the noise you'd hear when kicking sothing made of plastic.
"Would you get angry if I did this?"
Right after that, Kang Changho spoke like this to soone who looked at least twenty years older than himself. But the one who heard the question just shook their head cautiously. Seeing this, the S-rank hunter smiled and said—
"That's a relief. If you'd said yes, I was just about to rip your tongue out."
Those were the man's last words.
"Anyway, you're always quick on the uptake. You really know how to get by in society..."
Kang Changho, after leaving behind a sentence sowhat resembling a complint, clasped his hands behind his back and disappeared down the hallway. Thus, he couldn't see the pitiful sight of the servant swallowing back tears.
User Comments
0 comments from readers