Chapter 38

“Heaven has not abandoned China! This is all thanks to the benevolence of the Chairman.”

Chinese Chairman Shi Yenfeng was in high spirits all day today.

It was literally a life-or-death situation.

“> You flatter me. Rather, it is China that has saved us.”

“> Hahaha! Even if it’s just flattery, I appreciate it.”

After the gate incident erupted, China plunged into chaos.

Countless citizens died, and Hunters were scattered in confusion.

They had the population, but with such vast territory, people died everywhere while Hunters couldn’t be dispatched efficiently.

But that wasn’t a big issue by their standards. Other countries would have been horrified, but not China.

After all, tens of millions died during the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution.

The real problem was the Hunters.

Without the soul collateral contracts binding them, mass rebellions or emigration could have occurred.

Two S-rank gates in their territory, two more in neighboring India, and additional ones in Mongolia and Russia.

It was enough reason for Hunters to flee to Korea or America.

“It makes no sense for Hunters from a great nation to immigrate to small countries.”

“> Of course. Chinese loyalty is unmatched in the world.”

Both knew that “loyalty” came not from patriotism but the soul collateral contracts.

But Shi Yenfeng chuckled at the obvious flattery.

After all, the man before him had delivered a major catch to the Communist Party.

“You did what even the Party couldn’t do. Impressive.”

“> Not at all. Precisely because I am not in the Party, I could do it.”

“> Huh? Are you belittling the Party?”

“> No, no. Chinese fear Koreans, but us Joseonjok (ethnic Koreans in China) can act as Koreans when needed, yet remain Chinese at heart.”

“> Haha, that’s true! Foolish Chinese think Joseonjok are runaways to Korea, but you are economic warriors bringing back foreign currency!”

But the man before him was no economic warrior.

He was the boss of Heukryonghoe, the largest Korean-Chinese crime syndicate.

They were Hunters who secretly shared weapons and cleared towers without Chinese public security noticing.

This was his chance to rise within China.

It was obvious without words. Many like him existed.

The difference was their intel was reliable.

He revealed his cards from the start, presenting photos matching those from China’s secret spies.

Meaning this was no scam.

Shi Yenfeng laughed loudly.

“To think you brought us suspected V and Midas targets. If even one of those eleven is V or Midas, China won’t need Korean help.”

“> I only did what needed to be done.”

“> Yes. You brought great information, so you deserve a reward. Tell me what you want. If this succeeds, I’ll grant it.”

“> I just want you to keep making China great.”

“> Hmph! Don’t belittle us. If you take but don’t give, you’re no better than a beggar. Fine, I’ll make you a Party official. How’s that?”

“> If you’d grant it, I’d be grateful.”

“> Good, good. If it’s V, we’ll throw him into an S-rank gate. If it’s Midas, he can mass-produce S-ranks! Wonderful!”

Shi Yenfeng chuckled gleefully.

The Heukryonghoe boss smiled back.

‘It won’t go your way. When you’re all exhausted, I’ll kill you myself.’

Behind the mask of Willor, who had skinned the Heukryonghoe boss to make his face mask, a grin spread.

Shi Yenfeng, blinded by joy, didn’t notice the subtle wrinkles behind the smile.

He only rejoiced as if victory was certain.

“Lucky indeed. For you to come right after we secured Beijing. The spies paved the way perfectly.”

“> Heaven helps those who help themselves.”

“> Indeed. Who else but me could have sent so many spies into South Korea?”

“> You’re absolutely right.”

Of course, it wasn’t luck but intent.

In China’s peak chaos, Willor harvested as many souls as possible.

By sending S-rank Hunters to Korea, countless Chinese citizens’ souls filled his pockets.

In Chinese eyes, people were disposable pests. But to Willor and his cult, they were all precious souls.

He was recovering losses suffered in Korea.

‘One of the eleven is definitely V or Midas. Maybe both.’

This intel was extracted by brainwashing Association-connected personnel.

They were so well-hidden that only candidate lists could be compiled.

Willor didn’t know if both were among them, but at least one was guaranteed.

‘I’ll know when I see them.’

V or Midas had been obstructing his plans.

Midas was the bigger threat, but killing either was meaningful.

Of course, China would end up ruined and gain nothing, but Willor didn’t care.

If China fell, it just meant more souls to harvest.

“It will succeed. You sent five of the six S-rank Hunters guarding Beijing.”

“> Exactly. This must not fail.”

“> Truly impressive.”

This old fool couldn’t even detect his disguise, but China’s resources were indeed overwhelming.

Even if V was strong, and Midas cleared S+ gates alone, five S-rank Hunters armed with near-mythic gear would prevail.

Especially since their combat power exceeded most S-ranks.

Not to mention, Midas was still at the tutorial stage.

‘Time for revenge, heretics.’

Behind his stolen face, Willor’s wrinkles deepened in a smile.

Yu Changshin, leader of this special mission and China’s strongest Hunter, raced through the streets alone.

Their main goal was to capture V and Midas, but with eleven candidates, they split up.

If either target was found, all would converge.

–“Candidate 10 in Nowon secured.”

–“Candidate 7 in Hwagok-do secured.”

Reports flowed in through his comms.

Most candidates were civilians or sub-A-rank Hunters, so capturing them was easy.

The only annoyance was Seoul’s bright night lights.

“How’s everyone else doing?”

–“Mind your own business. Stop acting like the boss.”

“> Sorry.”

–“As long as you know.”

Click –

The line cut off. Yu Changshin held back his irritation.

He was assigned as team leader by the Chairman, but others resented it.

They were all powerful guild leaders from Beijing.

He was simply the strongest.

The rude responder was a newly minted S-rank, insecure about his smaller guild’s size.

“Still reckless as ever.”

He muttered and kept running.

No point getting worked up. Speed was everything tonight.

Soon, his destination came into view.

“Here.”

A skyscraper scraping the heavens.

The candidate lived in the penthouse – an unknown civilian.

All candidates had wealth or Hunter connections, deduced from tracking Association contacts.

This kidnapping would shake Korea to its core.

Not that it mattered – China would leave no evidence.

‘The only problem is not using my full powers.’

If they detected Chinese Hunter traits on scene, it would be undeniable.

Other countries wouldn’t aid Korea immediately, but if Korea launched missiles in retaliation, they had to prepare.

Luckily, Yu Changshin’s Beastification trait was common enough that fur evidence wouldn’t prove anything.

‘It’s unfortunate I can’t use Ruyi Jingu Bang, but I can handle an S-rank Hunter alone.’

Traits’ power varied by user.

Initially, his was simple beastification, but climbing towers granted hidden pieces – now he wielded power akin to Sun Wukong.

Of course, not mythical Sun Wukong himself, and his weapon was just a replica.

But that strength still made him one of China’s top elites.

He considered V’s reputation exaggerated.

Even if V was stronger than normal S-ranks, he wouldn’t surpass Yu Changshin.

If it was V, he’d subdue him with the S-rank staff he brought.

If not, he’d handle it solo anyway.

Tatak.

He landed on the penthouse terrace.

His anti-mana detection device prevented alarms.

But unlocking windows was still a hassle.

“Sleeping, huh.”

He peered inside but saw only darkness.

Reflections from outside lights mirrored his own image.

If the target was asleep, they’d be in the bedroom.

He knew the blueprint thoroughly.

Approaching the bedroom window, he spotted a sleeping figure.

“That’s the one.”

This person was flagged due to the recent gate break incident.

When four breaks erupted in Seoul, a helicopter had landed and departed from this building.

While other penthouses had helicopters too, this was a secret Hunter Association property.

Enough reason for candidacy.

‘Quick and clean.’

Entering would trigger alarms.

He had to act before guards or Hunters arrived.

Other teams were abducting their targets now, so chaos would erupt citywide.

He couldn’t leave any trace.

Capture swiftly, then join Cho Hanwi, their only spatial transporter, to escape to China.

Yu Changshin infused mana into his staff to break the window.

In the reflection, he saw himself aiming the staff.

But then… another figure appeared beside him holding a staff.

“Huh? What is that?”

No one else lived here.

A personal guard?

He reflexively swung his staff sideways.

But it struck only air.

“Kuh!”

Suddenly, his hand was seized by a wrist, and a grip closed around his neck.

“Who the hell are you? A thief?”

He hadn’t even seen the hand move.

He’d never lost grip of his weapon before – this was the first time.

He couldn’t process the situation.

A personal guard stronger than an S-rank? Impossible.

The candidate still slept peacefully inside.

Who was this being, so fast and powerful he couldn’t react?

Even without Beastification, his reflexes were already top-tier.

‘No time to think.’

His vision rose as he was lifted by the neck.

Barely breathing, he triggered Beastification.

Golden fur sprouted as he transformed into a monkey-like form.

Strength surged as he forced the mysterious man’s hand away.

Even transformed, he had to exert massive force to break free.

He quickly pressed his comms to call for support.

The mysterious man simply watched.

As if to say, “Try me.”

Seeing his beast form, the man smirked.

“What, a fucking monkey?”

Until now, he’d avoided speaking Chinese to prevent detection.

But hiding was pointless now.

“Are you V? Midas?”

“Neither, you bastard.”

Hearing the magically translated Korean, Yu Changshin smiled.

He didn’t match the candidate photos and denied being either target.

Meaning… no need for capture.

“Good. Since you’ve seen me, you’ll die.”

“Try it, if you can.”

With Lee Woo-jae’s provocation, Yu Changshin charged.