Chapter 200: Rematch

Episode 200

As soon as Kim Jinsung stepped into the alley after leaving Finder, he activated the ‘Complete Invisibility’ skill.

He turned and walked in the opposite direction, lost in thought.

‘He transferred over 200 billion to a complete stranger without hesitation?’

200 billion was a huge sum of money, even outside the New Continent.

Of course, it might be a small amount compared to the funds Finder usually handled.

But it was still absurd for a ‘businessman’ to give 200 billion to someone he had just met.

It would be like throwing money away if Kim Jinsung wasn’t actually Ukobachi.

‘He must be convinced that I’m Ukobachi.’

He remembered Park Do-joon’s meaningful smile as he made the transfer.

It wouldn’t make sense to give away 200 billion unless he was absolutely certain.

‘He even said it was Ukobachi funds.’

Considering all the circumstances, it was 100% certain. Park Do-joon believed he was Ukobachi.

‘…He’s a lucky man.’

Park Do-joon had been completely fooled. Kim Jinsung wasn’t a member of Ukobachi.

But he was planning to act like one to achieve Ukobachi’s original goal.

In fact, he was heading towards the ‘Celcecheong’.

* * *

Meanwhile, Park Do-joon, left alone in the shop, was also lost in thought.

‘I’ll be 100% sure after tonight, but judging by our conversation, he has to be Ukobachi.’

Very few people on Earth knew about Operation ‘Red Moon’.

It was probably only Ukobachi members and a handful of their allies, like Park Do-joon.

‘Even his intention to attack the Celcecheong again aligns with Ukobachi’s spirit.’

Ukobachi always burned their targets. That was their reason for existence.

They were relentless, never giving up until they achieved their goals, even if they failed multiple times.

That was why Major Clans and Paladins hated them the most. Their immediate reaction to the mere mention of ‘Ukobachi’ showed how deeply traumatized they were.

‘My gut feeling tells me he’s definitely Ukobachi.’

He hadn’t transferred 200 billion without reason.

To be honest, the amount wasn’t even an issue for him.

‘200 billion won’t be nearly enough to bomb the Celcecheong… He must have other funds prepared.’

The fact that he was planning to carry out the operation tonight meant that he was fully prepared.

‘I’m curious. Is he even stronger than Ukobachi was at its peak a few months ago?’

They had failed to attack the Celcecheong even during their prime. If they succeeded this time, it would mean they had regained enough strength to carry out Operation ‘Red Moon’.

But it wouldn’t be easy.

‘We failed last time because Finlay, the Celcecheong Director, held his ground until the end.’

The problem was that Finlay was still the Celcecheong Director.

* * *

The headquarters of most Major Clans were located in the C Zone, the heart of Sselepoh City.

There were so many headquarters buildings that the C Zone wasn’t large enough to accommodate them all. As a result, administrative buildings had to be built in the Green Zone, also known as the G Zone, just outside the C Zone.

The Sselepoh City National Tax Service, or Celcecheong, was also located in the G Zone.

Administrative agencies in Sselepoh City functioned similarly to those in other countries.

The Celcecheong was no different from any other national tax service on Earth. It was an organization dedicated to collecting various taxes, such as income tax, corporate tax, inheritance tax, and gift tax.

However, there was one key difference: the ‘process’ of tax collection.

This was the Sselepoh Continent. 99.99% of the population were Awakened, possessing combat abilities that surpassed human limits.

When dealing with such dangerous individuals, tax collection often involved more than just words.

To subdue them, force was necessary. Overwhelming force that could crush even the strongest hunters.

Therefore, most employees working in administrative agencies in Sselepoh City were highly skilled individuals, comparable to Major Clan hunters.

Naturally, their leaders, the ‘Directors’, were Rankers who could hold their own against Major Clan executives.

The position of ‘Celcecheong Director’ was no exception.

It was a crucial administrative position, responsible for a significant portion of the New Continent’s revenue. Therefore, Major Clan executives believed that the Celcecheong Director had to be at least as strong as a Vice Master of a Major Clan.

And Finlay, the current Celcecheong Director, was considered the most qualified person for the position in history.

* * *

Deep in the basement of the Celcecheong, the usual ‘administrative procedure’ was taking place.

“Mmmph! Mmmph! Uuuugh!”

A man, sitting on a metal chair, was writhing in pain.

Strangely, there were no restraints on him. His hands and feet were simply transformed into metal, fused to the chair.

“Uuuugh! Slrz! Zbl! Smk Zglgrt!”

He shouted incoherently, his voice muffled because his mouth and nose were completely covered.

A thin metal mask covered his face, blocking all openings.

“Uuuugh! Mmmph…!”

His struggles intensified. His entire body turned red, and he started trembling.

Suddenly, the metal mask covering his face vanished.

“Gasp! Huff, huff, huff…”

He gasped for air, his body shaking. He had been close to suffocating.

“Hey, Watson.”

A massive middle-aged man, sitting in front of him, spoke.

“Get a grip. You’re not the FCC Clan branch manager anymore.”

“Cough, cough…!”

Watson, still dazed, didn’t seem to hear him.

Just a few days ago, he had been living a life of luxury as the FCC Clan branch manager of Elnacon City. Now, he was trapped in this basement, undergoing a brutal interrogation.

“You could ignore me before. Just last month, the FCC Clan was considered a top-tier Major Clan.

But now that you’ve lost your backing, you have to obey me.”

“Cough, sob…”

“Because you’re just an ordinary citizen of the New Continent now, and I’m the Celcecheong Director, on equal footing with other Major Clan Masters.”

Finlay, the Celcecheong Director.

He was the middle-aged man interrogating Watson.

“So, Watson. Why did you try to run away without paying your taxes this month?”

“W-well…”

“I was willing to overlook the money you embezzled from your company and the illegal sale of your shop’s property deed. But if you made that much money, you should have at least paid your taxes before running away.”

“B-but the taxes are too high…”

“Huh?”

“…Sir.”

Finlay stared at him and said,

“Taxes are high in the New Continent. Didn’t you know? You probably didn’t realize it because you never paid a single penny in taxes as a member of a Major Clan.”

“B-but over 50 billion in taxes per month is a bit…”

“Then work harder in dungeons. With your skills, you can earn 50 billion in a week, right?”

“But I don’t get to keep all that money! I have to buy equipment, distribute it to my team members, and…”

“You’re talking back to me again. 3 minutes added.”

The metal mask reappeared on his face, and he had to endure another three minutes of suffocating torture.

“Gasp! Cough, cough…”

“I won’t say it twice. Just pay up and let’s get this over with. It’s already past 10 pm! Ugh, I’m going to be late for my drinks.”

Finlay checked his watch, annoyed, and waved a tax bill in front of Watson.

“It’s exactly 51,180,331,219 Blanc. Pay every last Blanc. Got it?”

“Y-yes, sir!!”

He glared at Watson and continued,

“And then there’s the comprehensive income tax.”

“…Sir?”

“What do you mean ‘sir’? Didn’t you know May is the month for comprehensive income tax? My staff calculated it, and it’s 489.8 billion.”

“……!!”

He looked at Watson, whose face had turned pale, and said calmly,

“I’ll be generous and round it down to 400 billion. I’m taking into consideration that you weren’t prepared for this sudden tax payment. You can pay that much, right?”

“4-400 billion…?”

“What are you hesitating for? You’ve been evading taxes for years as a member of a Major Clan.”

Watson hesitated, avoiding his gaze. 400 billion was a huge sum, no matter how he looked at it.

Finlay, seeing his hesitation, glared at him.

“You still haven’t learned your lesson. You want to experience death by suffocation again?”

“W-wait! Wait!”

He stopped at Watson’s desperate plea.

“Hear me out. If I pay 400 billion, I’ll be completely broke! So how about a 12-month installment plan…!”

**Thud!**

A blunt sound came from behind him, and Watson lost consciousness.

A metal pipe, appearing out of thin air, had struck him on the back of the head.

The pipe disintegrated as Watson collapsed, and silence fell over the basement.

“…Who’s there?”

Finlay’s low voice broke the silence.

A man materialized from the wall on his right, like a ghost.

He instinctively jumped to his feet and activated his Mana, his entire body on high alert.

His instincts were screaming at him.

‘This guy is dangerous.’

He prepared for battle and said,

“I asked who you are.”

“Have you ever seen an intruder reveal their identity?”

The man replied, taking out a dagger from his pocket.

He drew the dagger and stabbed it into the basement floor.

Finlay’s gaze fell on the trembling blade.

“……!”

His eyes widened as he saw the burning demon skull mark engraved on the blade.

“Ukobachi…!”

He gritted his teeth and groaned.

—