Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 117

Chapter 117: Recruitment War （5）

Beyond the phone receiver,

The loud voice of a young man could be heard.

『No way, it’s because of Kang San again…….』

“I’m hanging up now.”

Click.

He unilaterally hung up the phone.

Seeing Jeong Min-jun’s resolute expression, a nearby guild member asked,

“Is it okay to answer the phone like that? It sounded like Im Chan-yeong wanted to join Flare. Isn’t Im Chan-yeong considered a promising talent among Korean Mages?”

“That’s true. The problem is that the reason Im Chan-yeong was kicked out of Daeyang was because of rumors of a conflict with Kang San.”

Kang San.

He had just signed a contract with him a while ago.

As they were preparing for an important project, the S-rank Raid, it wasn’t good to unnecessarily provoke the person they needed help from. And it was confirmed that Yoo Jeong-yeong completely followed Kang San’s words. Considering that he, who hadn’t responded to Flare’s offer, immediately agreed with Kang San’s permission, it was evident.

It wasn’t just that.

Jeong Min-jun said,

“Yoo Jeong-yeong, the master craftsman, isn’t the only one we could lose because of Kang San. If we’re not careful, we could completely lose Yeon Woo-bin as well.”

“If that’s the case…….”

The guild member nodded.

It couldn’t be helped.

Although they had expressed interest in Yeon Woo-bin through Kang San, Flare actually had a far greater interest than they had expressed. The B-rank test that was conducted this time. Yeon Woo-bin showed explosive firepower then. Since his firepower alone was enough to be among the top even in B-rank, Flare officials who saw the test video at the time clicked their tongues and immediately raised their voices to recruit him. Even in Flare, where Korea’s best mages were gathered, the talent Yeon Woo-bin showed was in a league of its own.

Im Chan-yeong’s talent might have been higher at the starting point.

However, in the same B-rank test, the current Yeon Woo-bin showed a form that overwhelmed Im Chan-yeong.

Besides, if both of them were in their late teens, there was no reason to accept Im Chan-yeong while making an enemy of Kang San.

Yoo Jeong-yeong and Yeon Woo-bin.

Kang San was the key to gaining both of them.

Jeong Min-jun, looking at his constantly ringing phone, said,

“It’s a simple matter. It’s just that Yeon Woo-bin is more important to us than Im Chan-yeong.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

A few days later.

Kang San accidentally came across an absurd article.

『Drake Guild embraces Project A Team and Im Chan-yeong, considered big fish in the FA market!』

Cheonsang’s Project A Team.

Daeyang’s Im Chan-yeong.

It was an article saying that they, who had left their affiliated organizations because of Kang San, had transferred to Drake, which, of all places, had a bad history with Kang San. It was a move that completely went against the trend. As giants like Cheonsang, Daeyang, and Flare clung to Kang San, Drake Guild, in a situation where they had no chance of winning anyway, made the bold decision to embrace Project A Team and Im Chan-yeong. In a way, it could be seen as a wise choice.

And at the end of the article,

When asked about their future determination, Project A Team and Im Chan-yeong expressed hostility.

『We will prove it to those who lost us for ridiculous reasons that they will regret it.』

It was a bad relationship.

Although he gained a lot, he also left behind bad relationships, but Kang San didn’t take their words seriously.

He didn’t have time to care about such things right now.

The S-rank Outbreak was approaching.

To increase the survival rate even by 0.1%, he had to become stronger, and over the past few days, he talked with his younger brothers and discussed their future schedule. In fact, at first, he was thinking of touring raid points or dungeons in Korea. That was the safest way, but Jeong Chan-woo suggested a new direction, considering that they had to achieve the best results in the next six months.

“……How about going to Kitakyushu?”

Kitakyushu, Japan.

That place, once known as a Japanese city, had turned into a living hell about three years ago.

To be precise, a large-scale Link phenomenon broke out in the southern region, starting from Kitakyushu, and the southern region was devastated by Links occurring dozens of times a day. The cause of the Links was not revealed. What was certain was that the land had become uninhabitable. Japan installed a barrier in Kitakyushu to block monsters and stationed Hunters there. At first, it had a strong meaning as a defense base to block monsters, but after three years, people called Kitakyushu by a different name.

Monster Field.

As a holy land where Hunters who wanted to grow quickly gathered, people from all over the world started heading to Kitakyushu.

It was something Japan welcomed as well.

Hunters from other countries gained growth, and Japan gained subjugation through foreign power.

It was a win-win for both sides.

In that sense, Jeong Chan-woo mentioned Kitakyushu.

If Kang San wanted to grow quickly, choosing an overseas option rather than a domestic one wouldn’t be bad.

The result was unanimous agreement.

The destination was decided.

After about a week of preparation, Kang San and his party were scheduled to leave for Kitakyushu, Japan.

‘I need to finish all the preparations before then.’

One week.

There was a lot to do.

But before implementing the plans, Kang San had someone he needed to meet first.

That person was

Reporter Kim Min-yeong.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

This meeting was at Kim Min-yeong’s request.

She conveyed her intention through Kim Chun-sik, and Kang San didn’t refuse the meeting because he had seen a favorable article.

At a nearby cafe.

Kim Min-yeong, sitting across from Kang San, had a brighter expression than usual.

“I really wanted to meet you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You wouldn’t know. From the time you first intervened in the Wangsimni Link incident, I was interested in the nameless hero who didn’t reveal his identity. Look at this. It’s CCTV footage I secured, but with this alone, I couldn’t identify who you were. I spent a few months like that with no results, and then I heard about the Rangers’ isolation incident…… At that time, I can’t describe how I felt. I finally found traces of you in that incident.”

It was different from the image he had imagined.

Perhaps excited about meeting Kang San, Kim Min-yeong chattered on about herself.

The story continued.

Then, she mentioned the article about Jo Dong-jae.

“It’s really absurd. How much do those people know about you to spread such nonsense and rumors? This is why the term ‘giregi’ exists. I really wanted to criticize them maliciously, but I ended up just presenting the facts because I thought it might tarnish your reputation if it turned into a mudslinging fight. Even with that alone, people would be able to see how amazing you are.”

“……Why are you going so far?”

“Excuse me? What do you mean why?”

“To be honest, you and I are meeting for the first time. It feels like you’re showing me excessive favor.”

Kim Min-yeong smiled.

The face that looked cold when she was digging into incidents exuded a refreshing atmosphere with her upturned lips.

“I just dealt with a really annoying article a while ago. It’s a trashy story about two friends of 20 years who went on a raid together, and when they got a really good reward, one pushed the other’s back and took the reward for himself. I always hear stories like this because my job is a reporter. Stories where humans don’t live as humans, where humans don’t treat others as fellow humans. At times like that, my motivation plummets. I wonder why I should live, and as a reporter, what kind of stories I should convey to people. It’s already a desperate world, isn’t it? It’s my personal desire to tell people hopeful stories, even if it’s just in a limited space. That’s why. That’s why, when I come across stories of people with pure goodwill, I want to give my all to that person.”

Kang San.

He was a true hero.

The more she learned about him, the more Kim Min-yeong felt her heart swell with emotion.

“What can I, a reporter, do? My best is to let people know, even through articles, how amazing things you’ve done. So don’t worry from now on. If someone envies you, is jealous of you, and tries to put you down, I won’t stand still.”

Why was it?

Kang San also felt a sense of reassurance.

The emotions that had fallen miserably while experiencing the Blood Demon’s past life felt cleansed as he faced pure goodwill.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s only natural.”

She was sincere.

The atmosphere was amicable.

As they talked about this and that, Kim Min-yeong asked about his future plans.

When Kang San said he was leaving for Kitakyushu for the time being, Kim Min-yeong’s expression, which had been bright until a moment ago, was tinged with worry.

“Monster Field? That’s too dangerous!”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Reporters heard a lot of stories.

Kim Min-yeong, who had heard stories not only from Korea but also from abroad, spoke with concern.

“I heard that the situation at Monster Field isn’t good right now. Although they say they’ve formed a defense base centered around Kitakyushu, in reality, it feels like Japan has decided that they can’t realistically solve the situation in the south and are turning a blind eye to the problem. It’s practically a last resort. They’re maintaining the status quo by attracting even Hunters from overseas, but I heard that the atmosphere there hasn’t been good recently.”

“Did you hear anything specific?”

“Yes. As you know, a large-scale Link phenomenon broke out there three years ago. The problem is that it still hasn’t ended. Just like aftershocks remain, Link phenomena continue to occur around that area from time to time. They can somehow deal with the dangers within the range they can prepare for, but if it’s a precursor to an even bigger disaster, they might be swept away in an instant.”

Just as Kim Min-yeong said,

It was dangerous.

But it didn’t sound that threatening to Kang San.

As he was preparing for the S-rank Outbreak, no danger could compare to it.

And it was high risk, high return.

He knew that if he wanted to become stronger even a little faster, the rewards he would receive would be as great as the risks he took.

“I’ll be careful.”

“You’re still going?”

“Yes.”

“Ha━.”

Kim Min-yeong grabbed her head.

She had expected it, but Kang San was a man of conviction.

“I understand. You must have your own plans. However, please be careful. And if there’s anything I can help you with, please contact me anytime.”

“Thank you.”

The meeting that day.

That’s how it ended.

But from that day on, Kim Min-yeong started contacting Japanese reporters.

To prepare for the worst-case scenario, she made her own preparations in case something happened.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

That afternoon.

Kang San gathered his party.

It was for the final preparations before leaving for Japan.

“Since we’re going to a dangerous area, we don’t know what might happen there. So, let’s at least equip ourselves with the best possible items.”

“Huh, no way.”

Jeong Chan-woo’s face turned pale.

The path Kang San was leading them on.

It was an unknown workshop.

In fact, they were also surprised to hear the news about Master Yoo Jeong-yeong, weren’t they?

They thought Kang San didn’t have any special background, but Master Yoo Jeong-yeong, who had revolutionized items, suddenly mentioned Kang San as his sponsor. Then the current situation was clear. If they combined the keyword ‘item’ and ‘workshop’, it seemed like he was trying to take them to Master Yoo Jeong-yeong for ‘item enhancement’.

The younger brothers exchanged glances.

They couldn’t hide their anticipation.

They had heard that it cost at least tens of millions of won to entrust an item to Master Yoo Jeong-yeong, and even then, it was difficult to make a reservation, so even if you went with a bundle of cash, it was impossible. What kind of person was Yoo Jeong-yeong? At the thought of meeting Korea’s Master Blacksmith, they followed behind Kang San with light steps.

The place they finally arrived at.

There was no one there.

Jeong Chan-woo looked around for Yoo Jeong-yeong, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Kang San held out his hand.

“Chan-woo, give me your shield.”

“……My shield? Why?”

“Why, you ask.”

Kang San smiled.

His younger brothers in front of him.

They had volunteered to follow him to Japan without hesitation.

Kang San wanted to share a privilege not granted to others with his younger brothers who trusted him so much.

“I’m going to enhance your items myself.”

“……Excuse me?”

For a moment,

They all looked dumbfounded.

His words, saying he would enhance their items, didn’t make sense to them.