Ch.107Episode 22. Comfort (5)

The area near the Song-eok Ranch, the designated meeting place, was nothing but grass and trees. A road lay between the ranch and an old building, but without streetlights, it was pure darkness.

In this quiet space where any crime could occur without raising suspicion, the only sound was that of clothes brushing against the grass.

While cautiously moving through the grass, I was about to release my electric power when I sensed someone nearby.

“Wait…! We’re heroes working with Yujin on this mission…!”

People emerged from their hiding places in the grass. They raised both arms to show they had no intention of attacking.

I pressed the microphone button on my earpiece and spoke quietly.

“I’ve encountered heroes near the destination.”

[Understood. Please wait with those heroes.]

I nodded and looked around. Those who had emerged from the grass guided me to a position where the building was visible.

Under the moonlight, I could see a few human silhouettes near two or three buildings standing tall. Are they heroes too?

As I wondered, someone beside me explained that heroes were also hiding near the building.

They said they would move according to my signal, then returned to their original positions.

“Hmm.”

The operation was set to begin at 2 AM.

I checked the time on my phone, dimming the light as much as possible. It was currently 1:51 AM.

While waiting, I organized my thoughts.

Through this mission, if I obtain Anrak, I’ll be able to understand the current situation.

And if I can understand the situation, I might also be able to deduce the progress of the eX potion, which was developed alongside Anrak.

It must have been around 1:55 AM.

Under the moonlight, I could see several people entering the building. Were they villains from the Black Market?

How much time had passed in the suffocating silence? A voice came through my earpiece.

[The operation will now begin. We’ll leave that side to you, Yujin. Let’s meet after success.]

The signal was given.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Don’t worry.”

After responding to the hero beside me, I released my electric power.

Seeing the sparks that began to fly in earnest, I tensed my legs. I kicked off the ground and approached the building at a fierce speed, almost as if flying.

Landing in front of the figure at the entrance, I drove my fist into their abdomen before they could react.

With the sensation of my fist sinking into their stomach, they flew back and crashed into the inner wall of the building.

A booming sound echoed as dust rose inside. If anyone tried to escape outside, the heroes would catch them, so there was no problem.

As I entered, two figures hiding inside lunged at me with cold blades.

I reacted immediately.

I got behind the one on the left and pressed my foot against their spine, slamming their face violently into the ground. The impact created a small crater in the floor.

“Kuhek!”

Ignoring the groaning beneath my foot, I grabbed the arm of the other one who was thrusting a sword at me, then struck their elbow, shattering it.

“Aaaagh—!”

Before they could scream in pain, I struck their throat. Hit in the larynx, they couldn’t even cry out before I knocked them unconscious with a blow to the chin.

“What kind of preparation is this?”

I said while dusting off my hands. I could feel the silhouettes inside focusing their attention on me as I entered calmly.

“So you came.”

“It’s Akcheon again, isn’t it? Why do you guys have so many secrets?”

“Are you Yujin?”

“…?”

Their tone suggested they had been expecting me.

I stopped walking, maintaining a certain distance. I had noticed something strange.

The atmosphere was different from what I had expected.

By now, the deal should have been in full swing, but the way they were huddled together didn’t give the impression of a transaction taking place.

“Well, well. You’re skilled. But I didn’t really expect you to come here. They say assumptions can kill, and I guess that was true.”

As the man who had been hidden in the shadows stepped forward, his appearance became clearer.

Long black hair and wearing a mask. Judging by his silhouette, his body wasn’t particularly bulky. Rather, he was on the thin side. And given his deep voice, he was likely male.

Based on visual and auditory information, I concluded that the one speaking was Nokjon.

“You knew I would come here?”

I asked calmly.

“Of course we knew. With all that news coverage, how could we not know you took a flight to Jeju?”

“!”

…Huh, shit. Why didn’t I think of that?

If I appeared in the news, of course Akcheon would also learn about it. Why didn’t I consider that?

I let out a hollow laugh.

Right, my mistake. I shouldn’t have drawn attention to myself.

Meanwhile, thanks for making me realize how badly my situation has deteriorated. Really appreciate it, villain.

“…So you canceled the deal that was scheduled for today and welcomed me instead?”

“That’s right. With an intruder like you around, we couldn’t have a clean transaction, could we? So we made urgent calls today. It caused some trouble—we had to add more money for the other side. Those client bastards get so anxious but have absolutely no flexibility. We could have all been screwed if we’d messed up.”

If what Nokjon said was true, they had known my location all along and might have witnessed Yang Myeongho visiting my lodging.

This meant that Jeong Iyeon could also be in danger.

The situation was becoming complicated by the second.

My composure vanished, and I let out a frustrated sigh. I felt anxious to deal with these guys quickly and return to the lodging.

“Sighing, are you? Yeah, I get it. Things aren’t going your way, right? I understand. But let me ask you one thing. How did you know we were going to make a deal here?”

How did I know? Though asked jokingly, it was a crucial question.

From his question, I realized one thing: these guys had no idea that Yang Myeongho had eavesdropped on them.

“Would anything change if I told you?”

“No, it wouldn’t. But we need to know where you got your information.”

“I don’t share information with stupid morons.”

“What did you say, you bastard?!”

The others flared up, raising their voices. Killing intent rose from the silhouettes, but I found it merely amusing.

“I mean, if you knew I was coming, you should have run away. Are you waiting here to die? Are you brain-dead idiots?”

At my arrogant statement, they went into a frenzy. Nokjon let out a casual laugh and restrained them.

“No, it’s just that there are too many people who overestimate you. I don’t believe what I haven’t experienced myself. Besides, I’m the fastest man in this world. I can run away from you—”

“I don’t care about your premature ejaculation.”

“…You fucking bastard. You’re really good at pushing buttons.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“What can villains like you do when you get angry? You just need to get beaten up and go to prison.”

“Since you’re talking so big, I’m curious. Let’s see the skills of the noble hero who’s rated S-class. Though you won’t achieve your goal.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. Your hideout is probably being destroyed as we speak.”

“…What?”

It’s a bit off track, but that’s fine.

The fact that they urgently changed the deal date means that the Anrak sample is still in Jeju, at least.

Whether I capture these guys or search their hideout, I just need to find it somehow.

So the mission is still valid.

The problem would be Jeong Iyeon’s side. But I can be somewhat relieved. Although my prediction was wrong, I left Kang Sujin at the lodging.

Not many would be able to match Kang Sujin unless they were high-ranking members.

“I wonder if your side is okay?”

“Hahaha! If you’re trying to provoke me, you’ve succeeded.”

He pulled out a dagger from his chest.

“I’ll kill you.”

Without giving me time to blink, Nokjon approached and swung his knife at my neck.

I leaned back to avoid the knife, but the green liquid on the edge of the blade splashed onto my skin, causing intense pain.

“Kuk!”

I stepped back and touched the area where I felt the pain. Poison? Or acid?

“What cowardly substance did you put on the blade?”

I’m not sure what it is, but if I didn’t have “Rapid Healing,” it could have been dangerous.

Anyway, the Yujin in the novel would have killed them all mercilessly before they could use such things, so how would I know?

While I was questioning, the other silhouettes began to move. I could hear the sound of weapons being drawn.

“Do you think I’d tell you that?”

Shwik—!

I dodge the knife that cuts through the air. When I try to grab his arm, he pulls away. He’s definitely fast.

“Not bad! You’re keeping up with my speed!”

Acting all high and mighty just because he has a speed-type ability.

“…You’re asking to die.”

I charged toward Nokjon as he rushed at me, timing his attack with the other villains.

I dodged the knife nimbly and threw a punch. But true to his “Swift” ability, he avoided my fist.

In terms of speed alone, he was above Yeonhwaryong. His reaction speed and dynamic vision were no joke either. The rumors about him being S-class level weren’t unfounded.

Just as our attacks were about to be nullified, I kicked off the ground once more.

Bbeok!

I crushed the hand of one of the guys approaching me with a sword, then stole the weapon.

“Aaaak!”

“Shut up.”

I lifted his chin with an uppercut and lightly kicked him into a corner. I dodged the weapons and skills of the others who attacked belatedly by pulling my body back.

Then I activated “Electric Discharge.”

Pajijik!

Massive sparks erupted from the blade.

At the thunderous sound of electricity that shook the building, everyone flinched and became wary.

There are twenty-three of them. Quite a lot.

Most of them are probably from Jipyeong.

“Hey, Nokjon. Must be nice working under Akcheon, huh?”

“What…? You bastard, do you know me?”

“Well, I don’t bother remembering just anyone.”

“You son of a…!”

I swung the sword in front of Nokjon as he tried to rush at me, spreading sparks. The sparks bounced lightly. The guys backed off slightly.

“Come to think of it, you said earlier that you could run away from me, right?”

“What?”

“Alright. Then try running away. But if you can’t escape, I’ll take one of your legs, deal?”

I originally didn’t plan to use a weapon, but plans change.

If I waste time messing around, it’ll take longer to get back to the lodging.

“Are you joking with me—!”

“Then shall we begin? Ready. Set—”

I tensed my legs. He flinched at my aggressive stance and tried to back away.

But.

“—Go!”

Before the sound of the shockwave from kicking off the ground and the sparks could reach my ears, the sword had already pierced his right thigh.