Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Memories of the Past Life （1）

The special information included a map.

Kang San, momentarily flustered by the unexpected situation of the Blood Demon’s memories, quickly regained his composure and turned on the internet.

‘Does this mean there’s a dungeon where the map indicates?’

Dungeon.

It is a phenomenon derived from Links.

People call the connection between the Other World and reality a Link. A dungeon is a rare case that occurs when a Link connects underground instead of on the surface. Therefore, unlike Links, dungeons are not easily discovered. If you’re lucky, they’re discovered quickly, but when a dungeon that’s been connected to the Other World for more than a decade opens, it’s described as the abyss of hell opening, leading to devastating consequences.

Only three times worldwide.

The abyss of hell has opened, and as a result, governments worldwide periodically search for dungeons.

‘Let’s enter the address first.’

He needed information.

Fortunately, the method was simple.

He accessed the government-managed dungeon-related website and checked if there was a dungeon at the address shown on the map.

『No search results found.』

“…There’s nothing?”

No information appeared.

That meant it was an unregistered dungeon.

Kang San fell into deep thought.

‘The principle is to report unregistered dungeons to the government. If you raid a dungeon without notifying the government and it’s discovered, it’s difficult to deal with the aftermath. Raiding an unregistered dungeon is a crime.’

It wasn’t a law for the government’s monopoly.

If an individual raids a dungeon without authorization and succeeds, it’s fine, but the problem is when they fail. Monsters that have tasted blood will come out into the world through the path humans used. If the government knows in advance, they can take measures, but if not, innocent people will inevitably die.

However.

Kang San had no intention of choosing that method.

Reporting it to the government would mean taxes, and he wouldn’t be able to fully claim the dungeon’s rewards because of the government officials. Weren’t there many cases where exemplary Hunters suffered losses? Kang San also couldn’t trust the government’s response, so he didn’t want to share this matter, which involved the ‘Blood Demon’s memories,’ with them.

He shook off his worries for now.

He thought confirming the dungeon’s existence was more important than deciding what choice to make.

Kang San immediately left the house.

It didn’t take long to get from Seoul to Gangwon Province.

The location on the map was a mountain called Geumhaksan in Cheorwon, and it said the dungeon was located far off the hiking trails. Fortunately, he found the dungeon quickly. The map kindly provided the exact location, and he confirmed the dungeon’s presence underground through the ‘Dungeon Detector’s’ response.

If he digs the ground and secures the entrance, he can enter the dungeon right away.

But he didn’t make a hasty decision.

Since it was an unregistered dungeon raid, he needed to move more cautiously than ever.

‘I can’t use the Guardian’s Will right now because of the practical test. I’ll have to wait for the one-week cooldown and buy a fence to block the entrance in case I fail. I can’t put people at risk for my own greed. If Azmoon told me about a dungeon beyond my capabilities, it would be very difficult for me to escape alive from a blocked underground tunnel.’

Haste makes waste.

It was a survival rule Kang San learned the hard way while living as an F-rank human shield, the lowest of the low.

Skill?

It’s important.

However, things don’t always go as planned.

Even an A-rank Hunter, far stronger than Kang San, could die if they encounter a monster stronger than themselves. That’s how the world works. So Kang San was cautious in his decisions. Once he made up his mind, he would push through boldly, but at least in a situation like this, he had no intention of rushing and ruining things.

Memories of the past life.

Honestly, he wasn’t sure why he had to risk his life to secure them.

But it was something he had to do.

He didn’t know what consequences it would bring, but he was already inextricably linked to his past life.

As he was descending the mountain.

Kang San’s phone rang.

When he checked the phone screen, he saw a familiar name.

『Jeong Min-hyeok』

“Min-hyeok?”

A name that lingered in the depths of his memory.

Kang San made a surprised expression.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

The purpose of the call was nothing special.

It was just to meet up for tea after a long time.

The problem was the relationship between Kang San and Jeong Min-hyeok.

‘…Are we close enough to have tea together?’

He recalled old memories.

During school days.

They were relatively close back then.

It wasn’t that he was directly close with Jeong Min-hyeok, but rather that a friend of his was close with Jeong Min-hyeok, so they naturally ended up seeing each other often. But that was it. After they turned 20, Jeong Min-hyeok unilaterally cut off contact, and they drifted apart. Rumor had it that Jeong Min-hyeok immediately received an E-rank rating after his late Awakening and was managing his connections. He wasn’t sure if it was true, but since he didn’t miss Jeong Min-hyeok that much, there was no need for him to contact him.

And now.

Jeong Min-hyeok contacted him first.

Usually, calls from old friends follow a predictable pattern.

Scams, multi-level marketing.

Or, if it’s not that.

“Here’s my business card.”

“Castle Management?”

“Yeah, I got a good offer and I’m working as a Hunter manager now.”

His intentions were obvious.

E-rank promotion.

Contact from a management friend.

Then Jeong Min-hyeok’s intentions were clear.

As expected.

As soon as Kang San didn’t seem pleased, Jeong Min-hyeok immediately revealed his purpose.

“I heard you were promoted to E-rank recently. You really worked hard. I heard rumors that you were struggling as an F-rank human shield, but you managed to succeed. You’ve always been the type to achieve your goals, ever since we were young. Honestly, the reason I contacted you is that I thought it would be good for you to join our management if you don’t have an affiliation. Usually, E-rank Hunters rarely receive offers from managements, but what kind of relationship do we have? We should help each other out as friends, right?”

Hunter management.

It’s a core organization that makes up the current society.

Hunters are also people, so they eventually need management, and just like other ordinary professions, managements were created to manage Hunters.

As Jeong Min-hyeok said, it’s rare for an E-rank Hunter to be recruited by a management.

But if they approached him, it meant only one thing.

It meant Castle Management was that small.

Castle Management’s capabilities probably weren’t good, considering they were trying to lure in sprouts that hadn’t even grown yet.

‘This is interesting.’

Honestly, he wasn’t that interested in meeting Jeong Min-hyeok.

But he came out thinking their relationship wasn’t so bad that they couldn’t even have tea together, and as expected, it didn’t disappoint.

There was no point in thinking about it.

Not only was Castle Management not attractive, but Kang San didn’t need a manager right now.

“Sorry, but I’m not interested.”

“Hey, you’re saying that because you don’t know the capabilities of a management. It’s really convenient to have a management. They’ll create a plan for your proper growth and even find raid parties for you. You were promoted to E-rank Hunter after six years. This kind of opportunity doesn’t come often.”

“But in return, they’ll take half of the income you earn as a Hunter. That’s why you’re contacting an E-rank Hunter.”

“Hey! Why are you talking like that!”

Jeong Min-hyeok’s face contorted.

His face flushed red.

But he didn’t correct Kang San’s words.

As Kang San said, they would offer a 5:5 contract.

If they signed a five-year contract, which is the usual contract period, Kang San would become their slave in exchange for their help.

Kang San said coldly.

“If you have a good offer, make it to someone else. Don’t bother someone who’s already said no and make things awkward. And don’t you feel embarrassed making this offer now, after not showing your face for so long? I’m not going to take your help, even if I’m an E-rank Hunter, so don’t contact me again.”

“Hey, hey…!”

Kang San stood up and left.

He could hear Jeong Min-hyeok calling out to him urgently from behind, but he didn’t want to get entangled with him any further.

Then Jeong Min-hyeok shouted.

“Wow, you ungrateful bastard. You’re acting arrogant just because you’re an E-rank. I was being generous and giving you an opportunity because you might be useful as a Tanker, and you’re rejecting it? Fine, go ahead and see how well you do. Let’s see if you can make a living after struggling as an F-rank for six years!”

Jeong Min-hyeok’s voice didn’t reach Kang San.

Kang San had already moved far away.

Perhaps he would never receive a call from him again.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Jeong Min-hyeok returned to the company.

He couldn’t calm his anger as the contract unexpectedly fell through.

“Who does he think he is?”

He was annoyed.

E-rank.

Honestly, it’s not that great of a rank.

He started as an E-rank Hunter, didn’t he?

Jeong Min-hyeok, who thought he had a bright future ahead of him at 20, realized that he was a chicken who wasn’t cut out for combat and gave up his dream of being a Hunter after three years. And he chose to become a Hunter manager. Still, his experience as a Hunter helped him a lot in his work as a manager.

Kang San.

He didn’t have a particular reason for wanting to recruit him.

Usually, managements regularly check the list of promoted Hunters released by the Promotion Test Center.

He happened to see a familiar name, and even though he was an E-rank, he thought he could be useful as a Tanker.

But what was this?

He was flatly rejected.

He naturally expected a smooth conversation, so he couldn’t help but feel furious.

“I really don’t understand. If he’s someone who was promoted to E-rank after six years, shouldn’t he be on his knees begging to sign a contract with a management, regardless of the percentage? Damn it, that bastard ruined everything for me.”

When he left the company.

Jeong Min-hyeok confidently declared that this contract would definitely be a success.

The other party was his friend.

He knew his situation, so he thought there was no way it could fail.

As a result.

“What about the contract?”

“…It failed.”

“You useless bastard!”

Whack!

As soon as he returned to the company, Jeong Min-hyeok lowered his head as the team leader threw a stack of papers at him.

“Do you know how terrible your performance has been for the past month? You haven’t made a single contract. I thought you might have at least managed one this time since you were so confident, but you failed that too? You bastard, what’s the reason!”

He couldn’t tell the truth.

Jeong Min-hyeok glanced at the team leader’s expression and said in a meek voice.

“Actually, I could have made the contract, but his skills were worse than I expected. He barely passed the E-rank test by luck, so I thought it would be a waste of manpower to bring someone like that into the company. I’m really sorry. I thought he might be useful as a Tanker even though he was promoted to E-rank after six years, but I think I was too excited. Next time, I’ll definitely bring in someone decent.”

There was no other way.

Jeong Min-hyeok avoided the crisis by belittling Kang San, and the team leader’s anger subsided when he heard that his skills were poor.

If what Jeong Min-hyeok said was true.

Kang San was a small fry not worth catching.

The team leader said.

“Then there’s nothing we can do. But you have to get at least one contract within a week. You know, right? Our company is preparing to be acquired by a large management. To secure your position there, you need matching results.”

“I understand.”

“Okay, then get back to work.”

Thus, the incident was settled for now.

A small incident that happened at Castle Management.

They quickly forgot about Kang San, and soon became part of the large management company, Cheonsang.

But would they know?

In the near future.

What kind of repercussions this incident would cause.