Chapter 735
The middle-aged man in a thin silk robe gazed out the window.
Clouds, tinged with January’s chill, swept past as if within reach, and far below, the ground revealed buildings and plazas divided into districts.
A panorama of a great city steeped in history. And countless people moving like tiny dots within it.
The gloomy gray sky and fog-laden streets were hardly befitting of the name “La Ville Lumière,” but the middle-aged man didn’t care.
Because he loved everything about this city.
About Paris.
The world seen from a skyscraper high enough to rise above even the fog was always beautiful.
Especially on a day like today.
Ding. Ding-ding—
The bells echoing from the plaza announced seven in the morning, and the middle-aged man slowly turned away from the glass wall that covered one side of the room.
A vast study.
At the center of the round table stood a dozen figures, rendered in the green glow unique to holograms, waiting for him.
“It’s been a while since we all gathered like this. The last meeting was probably… three years ago?”
The corners of the mouths visible beneath their masks twitched at the middle-aged man’s joke as he sat at the head of the table.
– Three years ago?
They had already held a secret meeting two nights ago.
– If I remember correctly, it was ten years ago.
– Ten years. Already?
– Wasn’t it more like thirty years?
– Damn it, thirty years ago was the Great Cataclysm. I don’t even want to think about those miserable days, so drop it.
Gentle laughter mingled with the back-and-forth.
The middle-aged man smiled softly as he watched them.
“You all seem to be in high spirits. Yes, it’s good to have idle chatter sometimes.”
…!
……!
Silence fell at that quiet remark.
Watching them shut their mouths in unison as if on cue, the middle-aged man continued with a smile.
“I didn’t call this meeting to listen to pointless drivel or garbage-like chatter… What do you all think?”
With every breath he took, every subtle movement of his fingertips, their eyes wavered.
An overwhelming presence and aura, conveyed even through holograms.
Among those attending, there wasn’t a single person who wasn’t called a giant, yet none dared to draw close to the middle-aged man.
The reason was simple.
The man before them was the leader of the world’s top Odin Guild, and one of the absolute beings who could control this world.
– I-I’m sorry, Michael. I was just feeling good that things are proceeding without a hitch…
“I didn’t ask for excuses.”
Michael cut him off and continued.
“I was merely displeased by how relaxed you all seemed, as if everything were already over.”
…….
“The opponent is bolder than we thought. Otherwise, how could they have done something that insane?”
No one in the room didn’t know what he meant.
No, by now, the entire world knew.
The public release of the Smiling Mana Cultivation Method.
To a select few, it was madness that would disrupt the existing order.
Yet the opponent had made that madness real.
“I sent Huginn, but he didn’t understand. Reckless beyond belief, but… that means they’re confident.”
One person spoke carefully.
– What if. Just what if the ‘Sky’ intervenes?
“I already told you. You don’t have to worry about that.”
– …I understand.
An unsatisfying answer.
Until now, Michael’s words had been law to them all.
Since he stated it so firmly, even if questions remained, they had to dig a hole deep in their hearts and bury them there.
But this time, they couldn’t help but dwell on it.
Because the subject was Cheon Tae-min.
‘And he says not to worry about an issue this critical…’
‘If ‘Sky’ intervenes, what happens then?’
‘Where did he even get that information…?’
Thoughts churned endlessly.
Michael’s information was always accurate.
No one knew where he got it or what methods he used, but trusting what he brought and following his lead always produced profit.
Immense wealth and fame.
High social standing.
But no matter how solid and tall a wall was, it could collapse in an instant.
And Cheon Tae-min was not a name they could simply bury with faith.
The crisis they felt was plainly visible to one person.
Tap, tap.
Fingers slowly drummed on the round table.
At the same time, those who felt the heavy Mana wave snapped out of their thoughts.
“You seem uneasy.”
They answered in a rush at the gentle voice.
– Not at all.
– How could we be?
– Our alliance is strong. We can’t possibly lose to those brats.
The unspoken addendum—‘If only Cheon Tae-min wasn’t there’—was swallowed.
Now, they had no choice but to believe.
Given the power and ability Michael had displayed so far, those brats wouldn’t stand a chance, just as someone said.
Choi. That young man’s skills are impressive, but his limits are clear.
Jin Taekyung is the same. No matter how strong he is, he can’t overcome the wall we’ve built.
There had been a time when he could have.
A time so cruel and chaotic it could only be called the Great Cataclysm.
Humans killing monsters, monsters killing humans.
And humans slaughtering humans like livestock.
A turbulent era where nothing seemed impossible.
But the Great Cataclysm was over.
Anything could happen in a storm-lashed sea, but in a peaceful world like this, it could only cause ripples.
The Smiling Mana Cultivation Method that had been released recently was the same.
– By making the Smiling Mana Cultivation Method public, we suffered enormous losses… but we’ve doused the immediate fire, so there’s nothing to worry about.
– That’s right. The media can’t dare criticize us, and above all, it’s thanks to the Odin Guild Leader’s quick action.
Michael gave a silent nod.
– Even now, the news about our Mana Cultivation Method released under the Odin Guild’s name at sunrise was spreading to every corner of the world through countless outlets.
– The public opinion that had been attacking the existing giant guilds would gradually cool, and those rookies who had ignored his generous offer would soon regret it.
Because now he would show them with actions, not words.
‘How foolish.’
Michael scoffed inwardly.
In today’s world, a Mana Cultivation Method was a treasure beyond value.
In a world where a guild’s standing and even a nation’s influence shifted based on how many powerful Hunters they possessed, they had given it to the world.
‘They should have thought about it first. Why there has never been such a precedent.’
In the past, there had been fools who stepped forward with morality and justice.
They were powerful individuals recognized worldwide, and they tried to share their special ability with everyone.
They met their deaths.
‘And the result will be the same this time.’
History repeats itself.
Though the Smiling Mana Cultivation Method had been released because of the opponent’s unexpected move, they would pay the price for their stupidity.
That was the law of this world.
Yet one thing bothered him.
A young man who had recently caused the biggest change.
‘Jin Taekyung.’
Unlike Choi Minwoo, whom Michael still regarded as a rookie, that man was an undeniable powerhouse.
In less than a year, he had piled up countless achievements and fame, and recently, he had single-handedly destroyed the Ares Guild headquarters, where hundreds of Hunters—including Seok Go-jun—had been waiting.
Not only that.
Though the world did not yet know, Michael knew Jin Taekyung was the one who had recently wiped out terrorist organizations and rebel groups.
‘A force comparable to the highest S-class Hunters. And boldness. A realm none of these people chattering endlessly in front of me can reach.’
S-class Hunters leading global giant guilds, politicians controlling powerful nations, chaebols who owned hundreds of Gates and oil fields…
Each of them deserved to be called a giant, yet to Michael, they all looked like greedy fools.
Of course, thanks to them, he had raised the Odin Guild to the top of the world.
Michael clicked his tongue softly.
Tch.
At that sound, the endless voices vanished, and everyone’s eyes fixed on him.
As he looked over them one by one, he sensed a presence approaching from afar and spoke.
“It seems we have a guest.”
Ah, then…
“I’ll notify you of the next meeting separately later.”
Zzzing.
That was all.
At Michael’s single line, the holograms melted away as if they’d never existed.
With a small gesture, the tightly closed door of the study swung open.
“So, was the trip enjoyable?”
The man waiting in antique attire answered Michael’s question.
“I was merely following orders.”
“You’re always so stiff. Huginn, come inside.”
“Thank you.”
Thud.
Huginn removed his hat, brushed it off, and entered the study.
Michael smiled calmly as he looked at the grains of sand that had fallen near the doorway.
“You look like you’ve been running around.”
“It was a rather tight schedule.”
“You’ve worked hard traveling so far. Any particular problems?”
“There were, but I handled them well.”
Despite the blunt answer, embers of battle that hadn’t fully faded still lingered in Huginn’s eyes, burning hot.
Michael, however, simply nodded.
Huginn was talent he had personally chosen and trained.
As a troubleshooter, he was always the best, and he carried out every mission perfectly.
Just like this time.
“Did you bring your friends?”
“Yes. When they heard why I came, they volunteered to cooperate. Unlike the treatment I received in Korea, everyone was kind to me.”
“Faithful friends, coming from so far. Where are they now?”
“They should all be heading to their destinations by now.”
“The gifts?”
“I delivered them without fail.”
Huginn took out a pocket watch, checked it, and added,
“About an hour left until the first gift is delivered.”
“An hour. Good. Would you like a cup of coffee while we wait?”
“If possible, I would prefer tea.”
Michael smiled and poured a cup of coffee and a cup of tea.
And exactly one hour later, he saw with his own eyes that his instructions had been carried out.
KABOOM!
Beneath the hazy clouds, red flames roared skyward, and—
RRIIIP!
Watching the void twist and warp, Michael murmured lightly.
“Indeed. A beautiful city.”
A building swallowed by fire.
Beginning with the Ares Guild’s Paris branch, space started to tear apart.
(T/N: ooooohh, these idiots dont know what they are doing eh? Bloodbath incoming!)