Chapter 567

“Has this old man finally gone senile…?”

How many times has it been now? Staring into those red eyes. By now, Seok Go-jun’s gaze was beyond unsettling—it was downright chilling, and Go Sewon unconsciously swallowed dryly.

But he was the head of security. He was the only brake that could, even briefly, stop a rampaging Seok Go-jun, and he had a duty to stop his superior from making a terrible move after such long deliberation.

“Vice Guild Leader.”

Seok Go-jun’s gaze turned toward him. Feeling a chill run down his spine, Go Sewon barely managed to squeeze out a voice.

“What you just said… did you really mean it?”

Seok Go-jun frowned.

“Of course not. Do I look that much like an idiot to you, Chief Go?”

“Ah.”

Go Sewon, who had been holding his breath out of worry, quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Thinking about it, that was an absurd order. Recently, Seok Go-jun’s personality had become sharply violent, but there’s no way he would really order the entire Song Cheon-woo family killed…

“Don’t kill them. Bring them in.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Didn’t you hear me?”

No way he hadn’t. Go Sewon was an A-rank Hunter who could hear a mosquito’s wings flap ten meters away. Even so, he asked again, simply because he’d heard something he wished he hadn’t.

“Could you repeat that?”

Bang! Crack!

The table, only replaced a few days ago, was smashed once again. Flames flared in both of Seok Go-jun’s eyes.

“I said, bring them in. Whether it’s that grandchild the old man dotes on every day, or the white-haired grandmother he met at the European silver town, anything that can put a leash on that old man’s life—bring them all!”

His voice thundered through the room, and then, lowering it, Seok Go-jun’s tone became cold.

“So, Chief Go. Get the team together and bring them in right now.”

“What, didn’t you hear me this time?”

There’s no third chance. Realizing there was no way out now, Go Sewon bowed his head slightly.

“No, I heard you clearly.”

“Then move out now. Oh, where did the old man’s family live again?”

“In the outskirts of London. The whole family lives together in a large mansion built by remodeling a castle.”

A life just like a European aristocrat.

Song Cheon-woo, who had lost the power struggle years ago, was only able to live like this thanks to Lee Jeong-ryong’s tacit approval and support.

Old friendship? Generosity? To Lee Jeong-ryong, those words were as useless as cabbage. It was simply the arrogance of one who could look down on his opponent by several moves, and that arrogance was the leisure of one with overwhelming strength.

‘He completely had his only rival in the palm of his hand and controlled him. But the successor now plans to kidnap the rival’s family.’

Innate disposition. In other words, a difference in caliber.

Go Sewon quickly shook off the thought that came to mind and continued.

“There are about thirteen in total, including children, in-laws, and grandchildren. Some of the grandchildren commute by helicopter or teleportation magic circles. Of course, I’m receiving real-time reports on their locations.”

“You already put measures in place? Since when?”

“Right after they entered the country. I reported it at the time, but you seemed busy, so I just took care of it on my end.”

“You’re doing well, Chief Go. I thought you’d lost your touch after getting married.”

“…Thank you.”

A remark laced with both praise and sarcasm. As Go Sewon bowed his head again, Seok Go-jun suddenly muttered in a chilling tone,

“And what an ungrateful old man. He should have been grateful just to keep his seat all this time. And this is how he stabs us in the back?”

Originally, Song Cheon-woo was supposed to retire before the new year.

But the monster wave in China and Lee Jeong-ryong’s death reignited the old lion’s ambition, and sensing the opportunity, the hyenas quietly lined up behind him.

The mid-level elders of the older generation, right before a massive generational shift—
They were the hyena pack.

“Damn these old codgers.”

Seok Go-jun, who had jumped up and was pacing, suddenly spoke.

“And that guy?”

That guy.

It was a reference to someone whose name hadn’t been mentioned, but Go Sewon understood instantly.

The real concern in the current situation wasn’t the old lion leading the hyena pack.

It was the young lion lurking outside the high walls of the Ares Guild, prowling the plains and waiting for his chance.

“Choi Minwoo has returned to the Peace Guild.”

“And you’re sure he met with that old man, Song Cheon-woo?”

Go Sewon answered immediately.

“The meeting was very discreet and disguised with high-level illusion magic, but yes, I’m certain.”

“What about Director Hong? Can he be trusted?”

Director Hong was another elder facing honorary retirement with Song Cheon-woo, and the one who had tipped them off about today’s meeting.

Go Sewon nodded.

“Yes. He has a quick grasp of the situation.”

“He was always sharp like that. Still, don’t let your guard down. He’s known Song Cheon-woo for over thirty years.”

“I’m monitoring his every move without him noticing.”

Betrayal upon betrayal. Everyone was scrambling for their own goals, and Director Hong had simply chosen comfort and survival for what little time he had left.

“And the security team?”

“All thirty members are on standby at all times.”

The security team was a handpicked elite unit even within the Ares Guild.
Each member was an A-rank Hunter—skill was a given, and their loyalty was just as solid.
Even if their master changed overnight, these men wouldn’t bat an eye at murder.

‘And I’m no different.’

Go Sewon thought to himself. He’d dirtied his hands in all kinds of things under Lee Jeong-ryong. Sometimes, he’d even felt disgust at himself, but so far, he’d managed to put up with it.

Thanks to that, he’d built up the kind of wealth most people could only dream of, and after forty, he’d met his beautiful, loving wife and settled down.

But…

‘Maybe I’ve worked too long.’

Whether it was the hypocrisy of someone who’s forgotten hunger, or just the disgust he’d been suppressing all this time, he didn’t know.

Maybe it was because of his son, who’d just started to walk, and his wife, who was recently pregnant with their second child.

‘Song Cheon-woo. That man’s youngest grandchild is about the same age as my Sang-ho, isn’t he?’

The thought of having to pass down orders to kidnap a child who can’t even talk yet made him feel strange already.

‘No, it’d be lucky if it ended at just kidnapping.’

Over the past month or two, Seok Go-jun had changed. He’d become extremely violent, and nobody knew what he might do next. Even Lee Jeong-ryong, who would stop at nothing, never touched children.

“Chief Go.”

Lost in thought, Go Sewon straightened up as his superior called.

“Yes, Vice Guild Leader.”

“Get the security team ready. You understand what that means, right?”

His tone was suddenly softer than before, making Go Sewon’s hair stand on end. After a short silence, Go Sewon finally spoke.

“…Yes.”

“I’d like to see results as soon as possible. Is that asking too much?”

Go Sewon’s answer was already decided. In the end, he was just another piece of filth in the same cesspool. Once you step into the mud, it’s too late to go back.

“No, I’ll bring you good news by tomorrow at the latest.”

“Good. Go ahead.”

That was the end of the conversation.

With stiff legs, Go Sewon left the office and raised a hand to his earpiece.

Beep.

With a faint mechanical sound, the communicator he’d turned off earlier flickered back on.

“Report current personnel status.”

No sooner had he finished the brief command than cold, precise voices came through the earpiece.

Team 1, all on standby. No issues.
Team 2, all on standby. No issues.
Team 3, all on standby. No issues.

Thirty people in all—elite members handpicked from the Ares Guild.

Even for Go Sewon, with his overwhelming skills as head of security, if five or more of them gathered together, he couldn’t guarantee victory. No matter how thoroughly the other side was prepared, they wouldn’t be able to stop this.

“This is an order from the Vice Guild Leader. In one hour, be ready and move to the assembly point. Final destination is…”

Go Sewon paused for a moment and spoke in a subdued voice.

“London, England.”

No passport needed for this trip.

With advanced illusion magic and special disguises hiding their faces, names, and even fingerprints, they gathered in front of the long-distance teleportation magic circle exactly one hour later.

Then, they walked into the brilliant ring of light.

Fwaaaash!

—

The next morning, Seok Go-jun finally received the answer he’d been waiting for from his head of security.

“It’s a success. Out of thirty members, two were killed…”

“What about Song Cheon-woo’s family?”

“…All captured alive. Teams 1 and 2, disguised as the existing security, are occupying and monitoring the mansion.”

“Well done. That’s why you’re the best, Chief Go.”

“There were heavy sacrifices among the team. We used surprise as much as possible, but the mansion’s security was tighter than expected, so we lost two…”

“It’s fine. You cleaned up, right?”

After a short silence, Go Sewon’s tightly shut lips finally opened.

“Yes. We’ve taken over their communications network, and with confusion spells, we’ve figured out all their codes and reporting systems. Even if they try to contact anyone, there shouldn’t be much suspicion.”

“How long can you keep it up?”

“A maximum of four days.”

“That’s plenty of time to finish things. Contact Song Cheon-woo. Tell him it’s almost New Year, so let’s meet for the first time in a while.”

Imagining the expression of the old traitor he’d soon be facing, Seok Go-jun laughed out loud, then suddenly looked up.

“Oh, and Chief Go.”

Sensing a strange, unreadable look from his superior, Go Sewon quickly fixed his expression.

“Yes, Vice Guild Leader.”

“Sorry, I got carried away with such good news, I almost forgot.”

“Ah…”

“As you know, I’ve been all over the place lately. You understand, right?”

“Of course!”

His answer came out stronger than before.

Of course, no matter how much someone changed, it couldn’t be that bad.

Go Sewon, quietly muttering to himself, waited for the expected words, but the next thing out of Seok Go-jun’s mouth made him freeze.

“You’ve always worked hard. Keep this aside for yourself.”

Along with those words, a new white envelope was placed on the table.

Given the situation, it was obvious the check inside would be a large amount. Judging by past experience, at least ten billion won, minimum.

But what Go Sewon really wanted wasn’t a payout or an envelope.

However…

“Thank you, Vice Guild Leader.”

Accepting the envelope with both hands, Go Sewon bowed deeply.

The gaze he cast at the reflection of a certain man on the flawlessly polished marble was, by then, already deeply sunken.

* * *

Martial arts are made up of countless movements.

Stabbing, slashing. Striking or smashing.

When these movements are linked together, they finally become a martial art form.

Shwik, paang!

A single punch into empty air. Compressed air burst, and hair scattered.

I continued the sequence against an invisible, imaginary opponent.

Shwish, shwish, swish! Ssak!

All the realizations and insights I’d witnessed and gained until now soaked into my form, linking together naturally and flowing nonstop.

The linkage of forms—this is called a routine.

Puh-puh-puh-bung!

Hand blade. Elbow. Shoulder. Every part of my body rotated and twisted, striking in all directions.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through martial arts, it’s that the word “weapon” isn’t just for blades.

‘Anything that can hurt the enemy is a weapon.’
That’s why training is important. You can snap a neck with just one finger or split a boulder with a rusty carving knife.

Whoosh. Boom!

A heel came crashing down like lightning, smashing the ground. Even an A-rank monster with a hard shell would have had its skull broken instantly.

But right now, there was no enemy here to defeat.

The corpses of hundreds of enemies—or beasts—were nothing more than imaginary illusions I’d drawn up.

“Hoo…”

As I let out a small breath,

Clap, clap, clap—

The sound of strong applause rang out from behind me.