Ch.249. The Main Headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Sect (1)

# Ancient Gear

The ruby that replaced my mana heart. Like that ruby, Ancient Gear is a special item.

In the otherworld continent of Ailetan, there was once an ancient empire that existed long ago. Ancient Gear refers to legendary weapons passed down from that era.

Of course, items significant enough to be featured in such legends are high-grade gear.

‘Like the ruby. Or Yuris’ Nivis gear.’

In the otherworld continent of Ailetan, all special items excavated from the ancient empire’s territory were collectively called Ancient Gear.

The characteristic of Ancient Gear is that it chooses its own master and evolves according to the master’s capabilities. Even low-grade weapons from the ancient empire era possessed this trait.

However, the setting of Aka Hunter is Earth, not Ailetan. So on Earth, Ancient Gear appears in special dungeons rather than in ancient empire territories.

The so-called ancient dungeons. They are fragments of the ancient empire’s territory that have manifested as dungeons on Earth.

That’s why possessing Ancient Gear is extremely important for hunters. I briefly recalled what happened at Flame’s headquarters.

“An actual Ancient Gear! I never thought I’d be able to use such a high-grade weapon. S-rank guilds really are different! Is the Guild Master a god?”

When we heard that even interns would be issued Ancient Gear as personal equipment, Uncle Donghyuk exclaimed with an extremely impressed voice.

As he said, the interns received instructions from Yuri to request any Ancient Gear they wanted.

Many hunters can’t even dream of using Ancient Gear. So Uncle Donghyuk’s reaction wasn’t surprising.

‘Any gear they want.’

Obviously, any hunter would want S-rank Ancient Gear, but the higher the grade, the more stringent the criteria for choosing its master.

Those criteria have absolutely nothing to do with whether the master’s awakening rank is high or low. Only the Ancient Gear’s will determines the qualification of its master.

So the “gear of your choice” provided by Flame likely means to choose the gear most compatible with yourself.

Of course, skilled tanker Uncle Donghyuk and healer Arin could probably choose decent gear, but the problem was me.

No Ancient Gear would be better than the ruby I originally owned.

The ruby was an S-rank Ancient Gear that chose me as its master when I was just an E-rank awakened after possession. That made it even more special.

‘Well, that aside, because of the ruby, I can’t contract with other Ancient Gear anyway.’

Ancient Gear also has a symbiotic relationship with its master. If it’s a very low-grade gear, one master can form multiple contracts.

But that’s far inferior to forming a single contract with a proper gear.

Nevertheless, I’ve heard that low-level hunters still recklessly make contracts believing that more is better.

‘That’s just a waste of money.’

Team Leader Seo, who was familiar with the situation, quietly told me:

“It seems the Guild Master has set aside a considerable budget for this equipment. If Min-su can’t choose an Ancient Gear, would you consider purchasing other equipment within that budget?”

Ancient Gear is primarily a main weapon. Even if not that specific item, there are many other necessary pieces of equipment. He was being considerate of me.

But I already had something in mind.

‘It’s an opportunity to release the first seal on the ruby.’

The method to release that seal that Professor Seong Charin told me about was related to a figure from the Cheonma Sect. I said to Team Leader Seo:

“You said I could request anything within the budget, right?”

“That’s correct. There are many first-class equipment manufacturing companies these days…”

“That’s not it, Team Leader Seo. I think I’ll need to use that budget for repair costs.”

I explained my thoughts to him. After listening carefully to what I had to say, Team Leader Seo Duho replied:

“That’s a good idea. But we can’t send you there alone. It would be proper to send you on an official business trip from Flame.”

“Then perhaps with Team Leader Yeon…”

After that, Team Leader Seo compiled the interns’ opinions and submitted a report to Yuri. That was a few days ago.

And now I was on a plane heading to Hong Kong with Soso.

***

The flight time from Incheon to Hong Kong is about three and a half hours.

Only Soso and I were traveling together on this equipment-related business trip. While it’s not a particularly long time, Soso and I are no longer as close as we were during our Ains Academy days.

‘So it might be a bit awkward.’

No, actually it seems very awkward. But fortunately, there’s the wall of superior and subordinate between us.

After all, we’re not on a vacation to Hong Kong; we’re on a business trip for company matters.

Of course, if Soso wanted to talk, I could play the role of a dutiful subordinate, but so far she hasn’t said much.

Right now, we were silently eating the in-flight meal that had been served for lunch.

‘Still, I’m glad Soso didn’t refuse to accompany me.’

I still felt guilty about Soso. So I was internally sorry about requesting her to accompany me on this trip, but I had no choice.

Recently, I heard from Team Leader Seo about Rex, whom Yuri and I had arrested.

‘I never expected him to be connected to the Red Lake.’

If that’s the case, I’ve caught a big fish. Although the villain named Rex was never mentioned in the original work…

Flame is taking over Siwoo’s role. That might have naturally created a connection with the Red Lake.

‘Whether I stopped Rex or not, Flame would have become entangled with him anyway.’

Of course, Rex isn’t a member of the Red Lake. However, among the various assassinations and terrorist acts he was commissioned for, some were apparently connected to the Red Lake.

– One of his clients might be a member of the Red Lake.

Team Leader Seo read Hunter Choi Shinwoo’s report and shared that information with me. So I steeled my resolve again.

‘If my actions can help Flame, I’ll do whatever it takes.’

Even if traveling with Soso might be uncomfortable for her, releasing the first seal would definitely benefit Flame. I needed to act quickly while the opportunity was available.

That doesn’t erase my guilt toward Soso, but I decided to remain silent about those feelings as well.

‘Anyway, I’m relieved. The trauma regarding Soso seems less severe.’

And even though I’m alone with Soso like this, I’m not experiencing severe panic. After all, the trauma isn’t directed at Soso but at the Blood Demon.

As long as the effects of the medication I took in advance continue, there shouldn’t be any major issues.

By now, we had finished our in-flight meals, and the boring flight continued.

Fortunately, our seats were in business class, so they weren’t uncomfortable. It’s one of the benefits that an association-certified guild, especially an S-rank guild, receives from the association.

“The in-flight meal wasn’t bad in business class.”

Soso said, elegantly wiping her lips with a napkin. I glanced at her.

“Indeed.”

“For a Cheonma, food that matches the formality is important.”

Of course, I’ve seen Soso eating snacks at random times at Flame more than once, but I let it slide.

While I’m not sure about food etiquette, Soso’s attire today seemed more formal than usual. The atmosphere was different from before.

‘Much neater than her aviation jumper and leggings outfit.’

Jeans and a white ribbed knit sweater, with a beige coat over it—a calm-looking ensemble.

Our destination is the Cheonma Sect’s headquarters in Hong Kong. For her, it’s like returning home.

‘Leggings wouldn’t be appropriate. After all, Soso is the young sect leader.’

But even this neat outfit looked somehow different on Soso.

She has a figure that suits tank tops and leggings well.

So the tight-fitting ribbed knit on her upper body also gave off a peculiar impression when she wore it.

And when she unconsciously uncrossed her legs and crossed them the other way, the tight jeans and the line of her legs caught my eye.

She was different from the Soso I remembered from Ains days. She had become beautiful enough to instinctively catch any man’s eye.

On the way to the airport, I noticed many people looking at her.

“Ahem. Why are you looking at me like that?”

Of course, I wouldn’t look at Soso in that way, but my gaze must have unconsciously turned toward her.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about something else…”

“Something else? I… I see.”

And silence fell between the two of us again. I was hoping Soso wouldn’t misunderstand when suddenly,

Soso firmly grasped my hand.

*

*

A little earlier, before the two had their in-flight meal.

After boarding the plane, Soso couldn’t calm her racing heart.

‘This feels like we’re traveling together.’

Hong Kong was already a famous city on Earth, but it became even more prosperous after the Mu Nation was established in southern China.

Above all, it’s where the Cheonma Sect’s headquarters is located.

The original headquarters of the Cheonma Sect was in a very harsh and barren outskirt of the Mu Nation, but that changed after the dimensional merger 30 years ago.

The Cheonma Sect made Hong Kong its base and flourished even more.

‘Still, I used to hate returning to Hong Kong.’

As the young sect leader of the Cheonma Sect, the introverted Soso had always been an outsider at the headquarters.

Even in the current hunter world, she’s the only daughter of Yeon Sehwi, who is considered one of the strongest. But Soso lacked confidence in martial arts.

The pressure of being the Cheonma’s only daughter always weighed her down. But Soso’s life changed after the winter break of her second year at Ains.

‘It was all thanks to Min-su.’

With Min-su’s help, she awakened the Cheonma Divine Technique. Then after graduation, she entered the hunter world. In her debut, Soso, along with Yuri, made Flame an S-rank guild.

And now Soso is also a strong candidate to become the next S-rank hunter. So she heard that the headquarters highly values her activities in the martial world.

Unlike the past when she always returned home feeling dejected, now she could enter the headquarters as a dignified young sect leader.

Of course, even that wasn’t important to Soso. The fact that she was sitting here alone with Min-su was the reason her heart kept racing.

A business trip to provide equipment for interns. Min-su needed her for that trip. That fact made Soso’s heart race even more.

‘I can be of help to Min-su. And the fact that he specifically chose me… at least it means he doesn’t dislike me, right?’

And at that moment, the Blood Demon inside her spoke.

– Pathetic woman. You’ve finally got a good opportunity, and you’re just going to waste time?

Soso flinched. As the Blood Demon said, she wanted to have some conversation with Min-su, but half the flight time had already passed without her saying anything to him.

– As I’ve said many times, Lee Min-su cannot reject you. Because of what he did to you.

– Don’t talk like that. Thanks to that incident, I awakened the Cheonma Divine Technique…

– You know very well that what Lee Min-su did wasn’t for you. It was all to see Yuri Tarkovskaya.

– Shut up. So what?

She knew it, but she already understood Min-su’s heart. And Soso didn’t resent him for it. Min-su is a kind person.

Even if he trained hard with her during the break to be with Yuri, she knew it wasn’t just for that purpose.

‘If I hadn’t awakened the Cheonma Divine Technique, my life would have been even more distorted.’

She knew well that it was ultimately for both of them. But the Blood Demon wouldn’t stop talking.

– Tsk. You foolish woman. Isn’t that even better? The relationship between Yuri Tarkovskaya and Lee Min-su is over. It’s a past connection. But his guilt toward you still remains. Isn’t that a better position to seduce him?

– Stop talking nonsense. Such cowardly acts are for you…

– Again, if you keep hesitating, you might lose Min-su to another woman. There’s also a woman named Seong Arin by his side.

The Blood Demon was right.

While it was good just to see Min-su again like this, Soso knew all too well the terrible and intense pain of watching the man you love fall for another woman.

If not for that, the Blood Demon wouldn’t have awakened.

– But what am I supposed to do…

– Don’t worry. There’s a good method.

– A good method? If you’re going to suggest using my body again…

– Tsk. Of course, that’s the best method. Your body is very beautiful compared to your stupid head. Your face too.

– S-shut up.

In truth, she didn’t think the Blood Demon was wrong. Despite trying to change, Soso’s heart had always been directed only toward Min-su.

With no dating experience at all, she couldn’t think of any way to win Min-su’s heart… or even gain a little of his affection.

‘Is the Blood Demon right… should I use my body… No, that wouldn’t win Min-su’s heart…’

While she was lost in these thoughts, time continued to pass. The in-flight meal provided a brief respite, but as she realized they were getting closer to Hong Kong, she became anxious again.

At that moment, she suddenly felt Min-su’s gaze. Startled, she said:

“Ahem. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about something else…”

“Something else? I… I see.”

And at that moment, like a devil’s temptation, the Blood Demon whispered:

– Oh? Didn’t you feel that just now? It seems that Lee Min-su is feeling lust for your body.

– More nonsense…

– If you don’t believe me, why don’t you test it yourself?

It couldn’t possibly be true. But… if Min-su was somehow interested in her, as the Blood Demon suggested, Soso wanted to confirm it.

– Lightly holding his hand would be good. He won’t be able to refuse.

Even if it was just because of his guilt toward her, the anxious Soso finally gave in to the Blood Demon’s suggestion.

Soso firmly grasped Min-su’s hand.