Ch.9734. Inside the Café (1)

Busan was in a powder keg situation.

An unexpected ambush initiated by Dead Arms. Using that ambush as justification, Red Breakers officially declared hostilities against Dead Arms.

With the struggle between two massive factions beginning, the atmosphere among Busan’s hunters was like walking on thin ice.

‘Though actual combat hasn’t broken out yet.’

Currently, both sides were regrouping their forces. The larger the scale of battle, the more civilians could get caught in the crossfire.

So they had to be mindful of both the Association and local government. However, the Association was actually allowing the current conflict to continue.

‘Either way, the Association would prefer Busan to be unified under one faction.’

Sigurd behind Dead Arms. And Flame behind Red Breakers. Neither guild was likely to openly defy the Association.

In that case, rather than awkwardly taking sides, it was better for the Association to let the two guilds sort things out themselves. This approach was common in the hunter world.

‘Besides, they’re too busy focusing on the capital region right now.’

The frequency of gate appearances had increased abnormally. After Krosel’s emergence, the atmospheric MCI readings had doubled nationwide—no, worldwide.

The Korean Peninsula, where Krosel had directly appeared, was suffering increasing damage from magical beasts day by day.

‘And now the Red Lake has risen too.’

Taking advantage of the current chaos, villain terrorist activities had also doubled. Though Korea was extremely strict about villains, so there hadn’t been any major incidents yet.

Still, villains lurked in the shadows of society, and the Association currently lacked the administrative capacity to extend to the provinces.

‘It’s an opportunity for us.’

Regional foundations were important. It would make it much easier to elevate pro-Flame personnel into political circles later.

Of course, I couldn’t be certain I’d still be alive by that point. But to correct the distorted story of the Ark Hunter, building up Flame as much as possible was the right answer.

So for now, I needed to focus on expanding in Busan. In preparation for the imminent all-out war, I was strengthening our rear positions.

“Whew. Good thing it was just a minor dungeon.”

Soso and I stepped out of the gate. We had just cleared an A-rank dungeon with just the two of us.

Before the full-scale conflict began, Soso and I were clearing dungeons like this within Red Breakers’ territory.

‘Come to think of it, calling an A-rank dungeon “minor”…’

I reconsidered Soso’s words.

For Busan guilds, this would be a dungeon worth staking their survival on. Though admittedly, it wasn’t difficult for the current Soso and me.

My dungeon pre-analysis ability had improved significantly since joining Flame. Team Leader Seo Du-ho’s database of dungeons, collected through decades of experience and connections.

Through that data, my pre-analysis rate had increased dramatically just by analyzing gate waveforms.

‘But that’s only part of it.’

While dungeon pre-analysis was undoubtedly a major factor in successful raids, the most important thing was still the raid party’s skill.

And the current Soso was perfect as a close-range dealer. The realm of Cheonma she had reached, Cheonsal. Even A-rank dungeon bosses were easily cut in half before her Cheonsal.

While I was lost in thought, Soso grabbed my sleeve.

“You were amazing today too. Hehe. Because of your new flame spell, I barely had anything to do.”

But Soso was actually praising me.

Come to think of it, while Soso handled the boss, I had dealt with the monsters we encountered on the way to the boss area. So what she said wasn’t entirely wrong.

‘Resonance Compression. I feel more familiar with it now.’

Just as I was about to recall the spell I had used earlier, Soso urged me on.

“You’re thinking about the spell again, aren’t you? We just came out of the dungeon, so let’s do the review somewhere else!”

“Somewhere else? Where?”

“This is the middle of the street… let’s go somewhere… q-quiet…”

“Somewhere quiet?”

When I questioned her, Soso waved her hands in the air, flustered.

“D-don’t misunderstand! Not that kind of place… We’re near Gwangalli! There’s that café we often go to…”

I hadn’t thought anything of it, but Soso’s reaction was amusing.

“Misunderstand? What kind of quiet place did you think I was imagining?”

“Don’t ask things like that…”

“Well, the place I was thinking of can sometimes be extremely noisy. So not quiet at all.”

“P-pervert! Don’t say weird things!”

Soso hung her head low. Her face had turned red, so I stopped teasing her and started walking. Soso quickly caught up and firmly grabbed my sleeve again.

***

The two entered a café.

I’d heard that cafés in this area once thrived, but with Busan’s decline, the vitality around Gwangalli seemed to have diminished as well.

But I didn’t mind either way. No, it was actually better now—quieter and more relaxing.

Considering the Red Lake’s purpose and the predicted end of this world foretold in the original work, a city’s decline seemed rather insignificant.

“Welcome! Please come in, both of you!”

But for the café owner, this was his livelihood. And the Gwangalli area was Red Breakers’ territory.

The place they visited was a café recommended by Red Breakers people. Since hunters affiliated with that faction frequented it, the owner was very hospitable to them.

“I’ll guide you to a quiet spot with a view of the bridge, like last time.”

And like a VIP room, he guided them to a spot with the best view, secluded from other patrons.

Since the two had visited several times already, the owner might think they were a couple.

‘Well, looking at this, it can’t be helped.’

Soso had been holding my sleeve, but at some point, she’d moved her hand and was now firmly holding mine.

“I like this café because it’s pretty but also quiet.”

Soso lowered her head again, seemingly embarrassed. It probably wasn’t originally quiet. Other hunters had been chatting, but they recognized us and greeted us before quieting down.

Red Breakers had conquered the entire eastern region, and we were two people whom even Pyo Sung-hoon, their leader, treated with respect. They seemed to be mindful of us.

When we went up to the second floor, there were other customers, but they recognized us and all went downstairs.

‘Well, I prefer the quiet too.’

By the time our drinks arrived, the second floor had become so quiet it was as if we had rented the entire space.

“That bridge… it’s beautiful every time I see it. It’s my favorite Korean scenery.”

Sitting next to me and looking at Gwangan Bridge, Soso smiled happily. But then she let go of my hand and said:

“Oh right. You need time to review. I shouldn’t disturb you.”

As Soso said, I’d been focusing intensely on the Resonance Compression spell lately.

So whenever I used that spell in actual combat, I would always take time afterward to mentally review the experience.

Appreciating Soso’s consideration, I closed my eyes. Then the spell I had used in the A-rank dungeon before coming to the café began to resurface in my mind.

A red-haired priestess and a green-haired spirit. Between their outstretched hands, blue flames were forming.

‘Blue Flame, Modified’

If I were still Ains, I might have given it a more elaborate name, but I gave this new spell a simple name.

However, its power was anything but simple. A few days ago, during a skirmish with Dead Arms hunters, this improved Blue Flame had neutralized three hunters.

Hong-ok with its second-level seal released. And Wind Cutter in its second form. As a result, the output of these two Ancient Gears was equivalent.

Fire and wind—two different elements. But the hierarchical output that created magic was the same for both. So resonating the two elements wasn’t difficult.

‘Originally, Hong-ok would be a higher-tier gear, making resonance difficult, but…’

Instead, the current Hong-ok isn’t a pure gear. It’s substituting for my mana heart.

On the other hand, Wind Cutter is technically A+ rank, below Hong-ok’s grade. But it’s choosier about its owner, so its performance varies significantly depending on the owner’s potential.

And fire and wind—an ideal combination that could create synergy with each other. So I was able to draw out the maximum potential limits of both gears.

Of course, the detailed spell formula, circuit design, and post-resonance compression were all my responsibility. But by working through the night with Choi Seung-hoon’s thesis, I was able to complete a practical spell.

‘So even a tiny Blue Flame showed firepower close to Hellfire back then.’

Hunters who had consumed magic ore and suspicious drugs to exert power beyond A-rank. And they were heavily armed too. Ordinary firepower couldn’t have neutralized three hunters simultaneously.

But Secretary-General Choi Seung-hoon’s Resonance Compression theory. According to that theory, the resonance of two elements created not just double the power, but a multiplicative output.

Additionally, I could minimize Hong-ok’s mana, which strained my body, while using Wind Cutter’s wind mana to dramatically increase the flame’s output. It was like gaining a powerful weapon.

In the A-rank dungeon clear just now, a Blue Flame the size of a small ping-pong ball incinerated dozens of monsters. Multiple times.

In the past, I would have fainted immediately from such mana consumption. But now, the constraints on using magic spells had decreased to the point where I could come to a café with Soso without collapsing.

‘Plus, with Parma’s holy fire, I’m well-equipped to deal with demon-type monsters or villains.’

The preparations to conquer Busan were now complete. And today, in a few hours, Yuri was scheduled to come to Busan in person.

‘Yuri must have been surprised. Things are progressing much faster than I initially reported.’

Tasks I had estimated would take half a year were being wrapped up in just three months. Perhaps Yuri was coming in person to finalize Busan matters more decisively.

‘I’ve already arranged a meeting with Red Breakers executives.’

With that, I finished my review. I must have been lost in thought for too long, as the ice in my iced Americano had half-melted.

After taking a sip of the Americano, I looked at the bridge through the window.

And to the east of that bridge, further beyond, lies Yeongdo, Dead Arms’ stronghold. The recent atmospheric MCI fluctuations in Busan were concerning.

‘Especially around Yeongdo District.’

And Sigurd behind Dead Arms—or more precisely, the Udillunt Group. I couldn’t help but recall that massive corporation that had colluded with the Red Lake in the original work.

‘What if something is happening inside Yeongdo?’

My thoughts were starting to wander again, but I was interrupted by a sensation at my side.

“Um… Min-su? Can you hear me?”

Soso was poking my side with her finger. Seeing me lost in thought without saying anything, she must have gotten bored.

“What? What did you say?”

“See? You weren’t listening! I said I’ll perform Chugung-gwahyeol for you. Turn your back to me!”

“Chugung-gwahyeol? Here?”

“What does it matter? You used flame spells in the dungeon today, so it’s better to clear your mana roads as soon as possible.”

But even as she said this, Soso couldn’t meet my eyes.

Soso’s Chugung-gwahyeol had indeed been very helpful while I was adapting to Resonance Compression. But I knew that what Soso was really looking forward to was what came after the Chugung-gwahyeol.

“It would be awkward to take off my top here. Someone might come up.”

“Ah, you don’t have to undress for Chugung-gwahyeol. Just turn around.”

I finally complied with her request. As the Chugung-gwahyeol began, I could feel my mana roads, contaminated from today’s spell usage, calming down again.

And after the Chugung-gwahyeol was complete, the two of us naturally shared a kiss, as we usually did.

***

The first floor of the café was bustling.

Normally, customers would be spread out between the first and second floors. But now, the second floor had been exclusively reserved for just two people.

Most people gathered on the first floor were hunters. All of them were Busan hunters with strong personalities. Some had even been chased down from the second floor.

But none of them complained about giving up the entire second floor to the young couple.

Not just the café owner but all the hunters who came as customers knew that those two were currently the most talked-about hunters in Busan.

‘Busan has many disciples of the Cheonma Religion.’

So they all knew that the young woman was the daughter of Yeon Se-hwi, one of the Five Great Cheonseong, and a future Cheonma herself.

Yeon So-so, the young hunter. She was beautiful enough that men would ask for her number non-stop if she sat in a café like this.

But no hunter in Busan was bold enough to casually approach the daughter of a Cheonma. Moreover, Yeon So-so was also an S-rank hunter.

However, the café owner found himself thinking more about the male hunter who accompanied her.

And in fact, over the past month, in eastern Busan, Red Breakers’ territory, the hunter mentioned far more often than Yeon So-so was actually that young man.

Flame Master Lee Min-su. The Busan hunter world was being greatly shaken by the activities of this one young hunter.

Even Pyo Sung-hoon, the guild leader of Red Breakers, held him in very high regard, as the café owner well knew.

This café was a place where information about Busan’s hunter world circulated quickly. The owner himself was also an information source for Busan’s hunter community.

‘Well, setting all that aside, they’re just a well-matched young couple.’

Knowing the background, everyone—both hunters and the owner—felt more comfortable giving the entire second floor to the two of them.

While polishing a glass, a young woman approached the café counter.

“Excuse me, I’d like to ask something. Did a young man and woman go upstairs just now?”

The owner made eye contact with the woman.

She was a beautiful woman with silver hair and blue eyes, wearing an extremely cold expression.