Chapter 604
(Few days back…)
On the day of the joint state funeral for the victims, the press corps, preparing to wrap up their coverage, was caught off guard by a bombshell that dropped right over their heads.
No—aside from a handful of people who had received prior intel, everyone else was just as blindsided.
Cheon Taemin. The immortal hero whose entire life had been shrouded in secrecy for the past twenty years.
The only blood relative of that hero, who hadn’t shown himself even during the chaos that engulfed Ares Guild, stepped in front of the cameras.
Naturally, media outlets from across the country—and the world—exploded all at once.
[Team Leader Choi Minwoo of Peace Guild: “Cheon Taemin is my maternal grandfather.”]
[Shock at the press conference. Ten seconds of total silence.]
[Global media frenzy. The bloodline of a living legend. Who is Choi Minwoo?]
[Truth or fabrication? Heated debate over Choi Minwoo’s shocking revelation.]
[Peace Guild spokesperson confirms: “Choi Minwoo to be appointed as new Guild Master.”]
[Ares Guild representative: “Official board meeting convened to discuss Choi Minwoo’s appointment as Vice Guild Master.”]
[New captain of Peace Guild, now receiving calls from Ares Guild.]
[Random KakaoPage webnovel reader “Ddols’”: “Choi Minwoo is a Cheon Taemin cultist. Just gonna watch ‘Giant Rider’ now.” Writer response: “?”]
Coverage ranged from Korea’s four major morning papers to major international outlets. Even webnovel comment sections turned into a battlefield, illustrating the sheer impact of it all.
There was some debate over the truth for a short while, but that died down quickly.
Because Go Sewon, the man most familiar with Ares Guild’s internal affairs, and Magic Johnson, of all people, stepped forward.
[Former Head of Security Go Sewon: “Choi Minwoo’s claim is true. Orphaned at a young age, he spent over 20 years excluded within Ares Guild.”]
[Archmage Magic Johnson (USA): “He is undoubtedly Cheon Taemin’s grandson. He’s highly capable, charming, and led Peace Guild’s growth. By the way, where’s Kang Hee Lee? Showering?”]
[Former U.S. President Joseph Biden: “I think I remember something like that. Actually, I’m not sure.”] (T/N: I dont know if the author is making Biden a gag character here. lol. He always appears at times like these. hahaha)
[Prince Felix of the U.K. upon hearing the news: “What the fu’k…” Royal family immediately halts live interview.]
But the decisive turning point was the announcement and endorsement from the Blue House confirming Choi Minwoo’s identity, followed by the results of the Ares Guild’s board meeting the next day.
[Ares Guild unanimously appoints Choi Minwoo (current Peace Guild Master) as new Vice Guild Master.]
[Young power player in control of two major guilds—Choi Minwoo.]
[Contrary to expert predictions, Guild Association offers genuine congratulations.]
[Still, the immortal hero remains unseen.]
[International reactions: “Where is the Slayer?”]
“Mr. Jin Taekyung?”
A voice pierced through my ear, pulling my eyes away from my smartphone. The face that had appeared countless times in the articles was standing right in front of me.
The man who, amid cheers and applause, became the new captain of Ares Guild, asked calmly.
“What are you reading?”
“Articles about you, Team Leader. Or should I call you Guild Master now? Or Vice Guild Master? Hard to keep track when you’re straddling two guilds.”
“Call me whatever you prefer.”
“Alright. Minwoo, then?”
“…Please just stick with Team Leader Choi.”
“Yeah, that feels better. I’ll just keep calling you Team Leader.”
Technically, given the role and public perception, calling him Guild Master was more accurate. But “Team Leader” was a proposal he couldn’t refuse.
It was infinitely better than “Minwoo.”
“…Alright.”
With a reluctant look, Team Leader Choi scanned the area.
To ensure a proper investigation, the devastated area had been left unrestored. This was the secret A-Zone within Ares Guild HQ.
‘Well, formerly secret now.’
I muttered internally as we walked through the familiar corridor.
Having fought a brutal battle against the mutated Seok Go-jun here, the entire area was still filled with debris and ruins.
‘Damn, this place is huge.’
It wasn’t an orchard, yet it easily spanned well over a thousand pyeong just by rough estimate.
The real problem was that the two of us had to comb through all of it.
Well—technically, not just us two. We had one more “member,” though not human.
“Get out here.”
‘Woosh.’
Something not quite human but suspiciously human-looking emerged from my inventory and muttered,
“Is this a hallucination? I swear you promised me a nightclub. Hot girls. Drinking games?”
I answered confidently as I stared down at Skeleton King’s sulking expression.
“We’re playing a treasure hunt game instead.”
“If you win, I’ll really take you clubbing. Swear on Hyuk Mujin’s balls.”
“…You vile human. I’ll trust you one last time. But seriously, who is this Mujin guy that keeps losing his balls?”
Ignoring his complaint, I gestured to Team Leader Choi.
“You take that side. I’ll take this one. Boneboy over there gets the far end.”
“I feel like I’ve been assigned too wide an area.”
“Aw, come on, Team Leader. If you don’t like it, quit. Is this your grandpa’s place? No—it’s yours.”
“Well, when you put it that way… Alright.”
Once roles were assigned, we quickly got to work.
Three hours later, we gathered again, equally frustrated.
“Damn it… This is hell.”
“My mana detector isn’t working for some reason. I bought this at Sotheby’s.”
“Human. This treasure hunt game is garbage.”
Given Lee Jeong-ryong’s obsessively meticulous nature, I knew it wouldn’t be easy to find the secret area, but this was beyond expectations.
No wonder the government team came up empty.
‘Even the office doesn’t show anything. Could the intel have been wrong?’
But Go Sewon was the closest person to the truth about Ares Guild now. With Lee Jeong-ryong, Song Chunwoo, and Seok Go-jun all dead, he was our only lead…
“Huh?”
A thought flashed through my mind, and my eyes widened involuntarily.
Seeing my reaction, Team Leader Choi and Skeleton King, who had been pounding on the mana detector, looked over.
“What is it?”
“You think of a good club?”
“No, wait. I think I’ve got an idea.”
I quickly traced my memories of A-Zone—the battle with Seok Go-jun, our initial victory… and then—
‘When I returned… he was running.’
That grotesque fusion of man and monster, Seok Go-jun, had definitely been trying to flee.
But more important than that—was ‘where’ he was trying to flee.
‘That’s it. There’s something I missed.’
‘Crack!’ ‘Whoosh!’
Without thinking, I bolted. Team Leader Choi and Skeleton King scrambled after me.
We’d checked this area many times already, but this time felt different.
‘Step.’
A dead-end hallway and multiple rooms. Slowing my pace, I pressed myself against the wall and raised my [Perception].
‘Ding.’
With a system notification, a blue circle rippled out from me.
But even after sweeping the halls and rooms, no notification of discovery popped up.
‘Shhh.’
The range of [Perception] was limited by the system—and so was what I could detect.
But was that truly all there was?
‘Farther. Broader.’
I breathed slowly. Sounds around me faded, and power surged from my Dantian to fuel my senses.
Then, when my middle Dantian finally responded—
‘Whooooosh!’
The halted blue circle surged outward, reaching beyond visible space toward something hidden.
And at its edge, a long-awaited alert.
‘Ding.’
– You have attained enlightenment in the [Middle Dantian]!
– [Middle Dantian] partially activated!
– Activation Level: 10%
– All martial arts and internal energy efficiency slightly increased. In some cases, you may exceed your current limits!
– You have achieved the rare feat: [Baby Middle Dantian Awakens]!
– Received large XP bonus as achievement reward.
– Level Up!
‘Activation?’
I didn’t expect this.
I’d opened my middle Dantian more than a month ago, but I never imagined it would have this effect.
Then came another alert.
‘Ding.’
– [Perception] range has expanded!
– Unable to precisely identify target!
– A strange and unidentified energy has been detected!
I failed to pinpoint the target, but this wasn’t failure—this was success.
With certainty that something lay beyond this wall, I didn’t hesitate to strike.
‘BOOM!’
The solid wall exploded, revealing… empty space.
A-Zone at the top level of Ares Guild HQ had been protected by layers of barriers, concealment magic, and gravity spells.
The government investigators surely knew that.
But they missed the most important piece.
‘Or rather, they couldn’t have found it.’
I reached through the broken wall, brushing the void. I felt nothing. Just empty space.
Even the mana detector in Team Leader Choi’s hand stayed silent.
But I was sure. I knew something was there.
Three portions of [Scorching Yang Energy] ignited into flame in my palms.
Bathed in blue-white flame, I closed my eyes and extended my hand.
‘What you see isn’t everything.’
It was a matter of perception. Not with the eyes—but with instincts, senses, and heart.
With full concentration and an open flow of internal energy, my middle Dantian responded.
The flames stilled and enveloped my hands completely.
Compression. Refinement.
And then—
‘Rip!’
I grasped the flow of qi and tore it apart.
‘SSSSHHHH!’
Blue-white flames split the void open.
Every hidden enchantment dissolved beneath my force, revealing a new passage.
Skeleton King and Team Leader Choi gaped.
“…He tore it open.”
“How did you even…?”
“When your body’s trash, your brain has to work harder. Let’s go.”
“Isn’t it usually the other way around?”
“Yeah. Usually.”
But I’m not “usual.”
As I casually answered, Team Leader Choi threw his useless mana detector behind him.
Yep. Good physique trumps all.
Thankfully, we’d cleared the top floor in advance. Otherwise, we might’ve accidentally live-broadcasted a trip into some unknown pocket dimension.
‘Step.’
Entering the vertically split crack, we found an entirely different world.
‘What is this?’
It was vast and tall—refined and dazzling, unfamiliar to me.
Even Team Leader Choi and Skeleton King, who followed behind, were speechless as they looked around.
“…That.”
Walking across the soft carpet, Team Leader Choi’s eyes trembled as he stared at the painting.
“Salvator Mundi.”
I frowned.
“You calling me Mundi?”
“No, it’s the title of that painting. ‘Salvator Mundi.’ A masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. You’ve never heard of it?”
“My mom’s mentioned it. She’s from Gyeongsang Province. …That face. You mocking Gyeongsang? Team Leader, are you regionalist?”
“What? Regionalist?”
It wasn’t him who said that. Skeleton King, looking quite offended, suddenly butted in.
“Regionalism must be eradicated. As a demon realm native, I fully support this anti-human stance.”
“Skeleton freak raising his bone hand again. Back off.”
“You rotten bastard. Why do I get cursed for helping?”
“In the demon realm, it’s more like dimensionalism, not regionalism, you idiot. You think the demon realm’s next to Jirisan or something?”
“I operated out of a gate in Bucheon. But I’m from Atlanta, Georgia.”
“…He’s really lost it.”
As Skeleton King and I bickered, Team Leader Choi, having long given up on the conversation, quietly opened doors one by one along the hallway. Then he called out to us.
“You two. Over here.”
Skeleton King straightened like a scholar.
“This undead lord shall not obey a human reeking of regionalism—”
“Wanna get smacked?”
I grabbed him by the collar and dragged him along.
The moment I looked into the room Team Leader Choi pointed to, I understood why he called us.
“…This…”
Even without lights, the room glowed like daytime.
Because neatly arranged on the display shelves were mana crystals.
Each one was at least grade A.
By rough count alone, over 500.
‘How much would this be worth?’
Astronomical. Beyond estimate.
And the five glowing S-grade mana crystals on the top row? Those were priceless.
“So this is all…”
I trailed off. Team Leader Choi nodded.
“This was clearly hoarded by Lee Jeong-ryong. All the rooms we’ve checked so far are the same.”
“Insane…”
“There are mana crystals, gold bars, diamonds, bonds, and even lost artworks from after the Great Cataclysm.”
He was right. Every time we opened a new door along the massive hallway, untold riches appeared.
My mental calculator shattered a while ago.
‘We all expected he was rich, but this… this is theft on a national scale.’
In a world where mana crystals replaced oil money, and large guilds rivaled major corporations in wealth and power…
Everyone suspected Lee Jeong-ryong’s fortune was vast. But not even I imagined how much he’d hidden.
‘Vault.’
The word flashed in my mind.
Yes. This was the personal vault Lee Jeong-ryong built and passed to Seok Go-jun.
But we must not forget—this vault was also a prison.
‘A prison to hide someone from the world.’
But its only two wardens were now dead.
And the new master of this space was walking toward the final door.
‘Step. Step.’
As Team Leader Choi walked down the long corridor, his steps betrayed a subtle tremble.
“Hoo…”
Trying to calm his nerves, he exhaled. I stepped forward without hesitation.
Sensing the massive mana behind the door, I drew my hand and slashed.
‘Shhh!’ ‘BOOM!’
The spellbound alloy door split open.
And from beyond, a wave of cold and darkness poured out.
‘Whooosh.’
A chill gripped my entire body.
Even I, who had long surpassed temperature extremes, and even the cold-based undead Skeleton King, shuddered.
Only one person didn’t flinch.
‘Step.’
Loud footsteps echoed through the darkness.
Team Leader Choi walked on in silence, his back no longer trembling.
Twenty years.
The child became a boy, and the boy became a young man.
Orphaned at a young age, he was separated from his grandfather with no explanation.
Now, at last, he had returned—to confirm the truth. To face his only blood relative.
“…I missed you. I’ve always missed you.”
‘Step.’
Eventually, his steps stopped.
Before him stood a massive capsule covered in cables—like something out of a sci-fi movie. A cryogenic pod. A sarcophagus for the living.
‘Hoo.’
In the cold air, Team Leader Choi exhaled onto the dust-covered glass.
With trembling fingers, he wiped it clean.
“…I wanted to see you.”
As the dust cleared, the face of a man appeared.
Old. Tired. Nothing like the pictures online.
But there was no mistaking it. They looked exactly alike.
Staring at the man who confirmed their shared blood, Team Leader Choi whispered.
“Grandfather.”
—
Team Leader Choi kept everything strictly confidential.
For now, no one knew the secret except me and Skeleton King—and I fully supported his decision.
Although there was a bit of friction.
“Keeping secrets isn’t hard. But I have two conditions.”
Skeleton King, face full of determination, laid out his terms like a freedom fighter.
“One. Take me to a nightclub. Two. Give me one of those S-grade mana crystals.” (T/N: HAhaha. Setting priorities right. That’s King for you lol.)
Team Leader Choi readily agreed to the first.
But the second? Not so much.
As he hesitated, I offered a better solution.
“I’ve got an idea.”
“What is it?”
“How many S-grades are left?”
“Still five.”
“Then let’s beat him up and make it six. Keep the secret, and we gain a bonus.”
The freedom fighter-turned-collaborator agreed to the plan—and a trip to the club sealed the deal.
But for the most important part—Cheon Taemin’s relocation—we needed help.
“We can’t keep him here. We have to move him somewhere safe.”
“And no one can see us doing it…”
Not even a pocket space or my inventory could help here.
Cheon Taemin, the immortal hero, was still alive.
In the end, there was only one answer.
“We need teleportation magic.”
What mattered most was the person.
Someone we could trust.
Someone who wouldn’t speak even if they knew the truth.
Someone who’d help us—and him.
“There’s only one person who comes to mind.”
“I think we’re thinking of the same person, Mr. Jin.”
With that, I made a call.
“Can you come to Korea for a bit?”
— “Hey, Jin. I’m busy. There’s a mutant gate and—”
“Team Leader Choi says he misses you. He’ll give you a kiss.” (T/N: Team Leader Choi’s ass is trembling again hahahaha.)