Chapter 224: I’m Still Thirsty

Episode 224

“All our recent operations have been going smoothly,” Park Do-joon said, standing in a suite in a Red Zone hotel.

He projected images onto the white wall, addressing Kim Jinsung.

“The anti-government groups’ constant terrorist attacks are yielding results.”

He pointed at the screen, which displayed a map of the Center Zone.

“As you can see, at least one building in each Major Clan’s headquarters has been half-destroyed.

It means that the anti-government groups have successfully carried out at least one attack against every Major Clan.”

The map showed various locations where buildings had been destroyed, black smoke billowing into the sky.

“This is a significant achievement. And it can be interpreted in several ways.

First, the anti-government groups’ capabilities have reached a level where they can successfully attack Major Clans.

Second, the current atmosphere is shifting in favor of the anti-government groups, as evidenced by the fact that every Major Clan has been attacked at least once.

And third, the Major Clans are still struggling to counter the anti-government groups, despite their rampant activities.”

“The third point will be the most damaging to them.”

“I agree.”

Park Do-joon nodded in agreement with Kim Jinsung.

“There are two main factors that contributed to this situation. The first is…”

“The destruction of the Paladin headquarters and the death of Director Graham. And the second is the suspicion of a spy among the Rankers, which is preventing them from holding an Emergency Meeting.”

“…You’re sharp as always.”

Park Do-joon chuckled, impressed by Kim Jinsung’s ability to read his mind.

“That’s right. In short, they’ve lost their unifying force. Without Graham, Hemingston, the Master of the Alpha Clan, should be leading the meetings, but he can’t do that in the current situation.

My Assimilation skill played a major role in this. I deserve a pat on the back, don’t I?”

“…Pfft.”

Kim Jinsung chuckled at his smug expression.

It was true that his Assimilation skill on Yong Hangil had dealt a critical blow to the Center Zone Clan Alliance.

With the entire continent’s order in jeopardy, there was nothing more damaging than the suspicion of a ‘traitor’ among the Masters.

“Of course, you deserve more credit for completely dismantling the Paladins.”

He gave credit where credit was due.

Thanks to Kim Jinsung’s single-handed destruction of numerous Paladin branches in the capital, including their headquarters, the Paladins were practically powerless now.

The G-1 branch headquarters was one of the branches he had recently destroyed.

“Anyway, because of this, no one is paying attention to the outskirts of the capital.

That’s why the formation of the ‘Anti-Government Clan Alliance’, led by the Baekdu Clan, is proceeding smoothly.”

“I heard that Hong Hyeonjin is doing a better job than expected.”

“That’s what I was about to talk about.”

He changed the image on the screen.

Hong Hyeonjin was sitting in the main seat of a large conference room, surrounded by Masters, her posture confident and composed.

“She’s incredibly capable.

Well, her diplomatic skills are a given, considering she’s one of the four major Clan Masters in Korea, but her power level is also impressive.

Two days ago, she defeated ‘Armando’ in a one-on-one spar! Armando, the Master of the Texas Clan, the second strongest clan in America!”

“I heard they agreed that the winner of the spar would become the leader of the alliance.”

“Yes.”

Kim Jinsung already knew. He had been in contact with Hong Hyeonjin.

“I also heard that the formation of the Anti-Government Clan Alliance became much easier after she defeated Armando.”

“Of course. She defeated the strongest hunter among the new clans in a one-on-one fight. What better way to prove her strength?”

After the rumors of her victory spread, all the clans that had been hesitant to join the alliance pledged their allegiance to her.

She had become the undisputed leader of the new power bloc.

“How did you make her so strong so quickly? I heard she received a lot of help from you.”

“Honestly, I didn’t do much. I just gave her some advice. She broke out of her shell and soared on her own.”

He lied.

He didn’t want to reveal that her current power level wasn’t her true strength.

‘It’s better for her if they don’t know. If the rumors spread, the other Clan Masters might be disappointed.’

It was easier for her to control the alliance if the other Masters believed that her current power level was her true strength.

And it was easier for him to control the alliance if she was in control.

“So, is the Anti-Government Clan Alliance complete now?”

“Not completely. They need about a week to gather all their remaining forces from their continents.”

“A week… Can the existing Major Clans do anything to stop them in that time?”

“There’s one thing.”

He changed the image on the screen.

Yoo Jun-ho.

The Vice Master of the Korean Clan was walking hurriedly somewhere with other Vice Masters.

“It’s the alliance of Vice Masters that Yoo Jun-ho is planning.”

He circled Yoo Jun-ho’s face with a laser pointer and explained,

“According to his recent conversations with Yong Hangil, he’s gathering Vice Masters who are unlikely to be spies or affected by surveillance skills.

It’s clear that he suspects Yong Hangil of being a spy or being under surveillance.”

“…Is there anyone in the Vice Masters’ meeting who’s affected by your Assimilation skill?”

“No, unfortunately.”

He looked genuinely disappointed.

“The problem is that Yoo Jun-ho and Team Leader Hong Yeon-seok, who aren’t affected by my Assimilation skill, have been meeting and discussing things separately.

And they report everything to Yong Hangil in encrypted messages, so it’s difficult for me to find out what they’re up to.”

“You haven’t been able to decipher the encryption yet?”

“Not completely… Honestly, if I could focus solely on deciphering the encryption, I could do it in a few days.

But I’m so busy these days that I can barely sleep…”

He rubbed his tired eyes. His eyelids were swollen.

“…But I can still read some of the encryption. I found out that they’re holding a second meeting tomorrow.”

“You don’t know the location?”

“No. I’m working on it, but the Korean Clan’s encryption is quite complex. It’s taking a while to decipher.”

“You need to find out the location. We can’t let the Vice Masters unite.”

“I know.”

If the Vice Masters united under Yoo Jun-ho, it would be like reactivating the communication network between the Major Clans in the Center Zone, which they had worked so hard to sever.

They couldn’t let that happen. If the Major Clans united again, they would be at a disadvantage in every aspect, even with the combined forces of the ‘anti-government groups’ and the ‘Anti-Government Clan Alliance’.

“I’ll try my best to find out the location by tomorrow. But even if I do, do you have a plan?

It’s not just any other meeting. It’s a gathering of almost all the Vice Masters of the Major Clans in the Center Zone. You know what that means, right?”

Kim Jinsung nodded, understanding his concern.

“If we handle it wrong, it could backfire on us.”

The combined power of the Vice Masters gathered tomorrow might even surpass the combined power of the Masters who attended the Emergency Meeting a few weeks ago.

There were many clans where the difference in power between the Master and the Vice Master was negligible, and the number of attendees tomorrow would be enormous.

“Gather all the key leaders of the anti-government groups you know by midnight tonight.”

“You’re going to meet them in person?”

“Yes. We need to meet in person and formulate a plan. And can you show me the encrypted message you’re working on?”

“The encrypted message? …Wait a minute.”

He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket, which was hanging on a coat rack, and pulled out a folded document.

He unfolded it on the desk, and Kim Jinsung saw strange symbols he had never seen before.

“I’ve only deciphered about one-sixth of it. It mentions that the Vice Masters’ meeting is happening tomorrow.”

“…As expected.”

“Hmm?”

He looked at Kim Jinsung, who was suddenly reacting strangely.

Kim Jinsung was staring at the encrypted message with a triumphant smile.

“I suspected that there were hidden letters behind these symbols, and I was right.”

▷ Picture Appraisal: Allows the user to appraise pictures or texts within their field of vision and discover hidden pictures or texts.

He had acquired the ‘Picture Appraisal’ trait after defeating the Triunfo Clan members who had ambushed him in the cave during his entrance examination.

Thanks to this trait, he could see new letters hidden behind the symbols in the encrypted message.

“Get me a pen and paper. And write down exactly what I say.”

* * *

A few hours later,

[…This is unexpected.]

Dantalian’s voice, filled with amusement, echoed in Kim Jinsung’s mind as he stood in a demon world dungeon.

[You’re asking to become stronger… Are you not satisfied with your current power level?]

“No.”

[Do you even realize how strong you are right now?]

“Yes.”

He answered without hesitation,

“I know I’m strong enough to challenge the strongest on Earth. If I’m lucky, I might even be able to defeat Hemingston in a one-on-one fight.”

[And yet you want to become even stronger?]

“Don’t make me answer that three times.”

[What?! You insolent…!]

He ignored Dantalian’s outburst and said,

“As I said, my current strength isn’t enough to face all those Vice Masters alone.

So I need your help.”

[What are you talking about?!]

“Take me to the bottom floor of the demon world dungeon.”

Dantalian fell silent.

—