Chapter 40

“What on earth is going on…”

I muttered to myself.

I woke up because of some noise, and saw Lee Woo-jae fighting intruders.

They looked overwhelmingly strong, even at a glance.

As soon as I saw one of them activate his trait and speak Chinese, I recognized him instantly.

China’s top S-rank Hunter, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Yu Changshin.

His weapon Ruyi Jingu Bang was only a replica, and compared to Woo-jae’s main body he was nothing, but among S-ranks, he was still at the top.

For a moment I considered helping Woo-jae, but quickly gave up and pretended to keep sleeping.

Not because I was scared, but because if I moved, it would just make it harder for Woo-jae to fight.

Again, I wasn’t scared.

“Good thing I pretended to sleep.”

Watching Woo-jae toy with him like beating a dog on Boknal made my heart pound with relief.

Even among S-ranks, their sense levels were worlds apart.

And Myangmyang contributed too.

“At my current A-rank high-tier level, I’d be useless anyway.”

My combat sense wasn’t great either.

“Wait… with someone like him around, do I even need to climb the Tower myself?”

For a moment, I wondered if Woo-jae was just pretending to be weaker than he was.

If he could handle five S-ranks like this, only the US could threaten me.

Though even they wouldn’t dispatch five S-ranks to kidnap me.

“Oh, but… they’re still alive?”

“They are.”

Even with all the buff stacking and Myangmyang’s attack, it wasn’t impossible for them to survive.

They were S-rank Hunters from China, after all.

But judging by their exhausted state, they’d had to go all out.

Yu Changshin even pulled out his Ruyi replica, yet was half-collapsed.

Woo-jae beckoned us over.

“Looks like it’s safe now.”

“Yeah, they’re all barely standing.”

Cautiously stepping out, Woo-jae scratched his head with an awkward smile.

“Sorry. I woke you up.”

Talking about sleep at a time like this?

Was he trying to fight quietly so as not to wake me up?

Too bad – I’d been awake since the battle began.

My senses had become too sharp since awakening.

“Myangmyang!”

“Yeah, yeah. Good job, Myangmyang. You were amazing.”

“Hmph~ myang!”

“Haha, yeah, daddy will get you more food next time.”

“Myang?”

“Huh? Mom? What do you mean by that?”

“Mya, myangmyang.”

“Yeah, daddy. Right.”

What was this kid saying?

After petting Myangmyang, I turned to Woo-jae.

“Forget sleep. What the hell happened?”

“Chinese Hunters tried to kidnap you.”

Just as I suspected.

The Vice President had warned me, but I didn’t expect them to move this quickly.

And to send five S-rank Hunters.

How did they plan this so fast?

The Association President said China was in chaos with countless deaths from gate breaks.

Did they have such a reliable informant to ignore that crisis?

“If you’re curious, just ask them.”

Woo-jae gestured to the beaten, chained Chinese Hunters.

They glared with veins bulging in their necks.

“You think I’d tell you anything?! Who do you take me for?!”

“Then just die.”

Shing—

His sword slid halfway out of its scabbard with a chilling sound.

I shouted quickly.

“Stop! Wait!”

“Hm? These guys tried to kidnap or kill you. If they don’t die, who does?”

“No, I mean… let’s question them first. How did they even know about me?”

“Killing them one by one will give us the answer.”

“Hey! Stop that!”

“Tsk, fine.”

Clack.

The sword returned to its sheath.

Their expressions changed slightly – still defiant, but fear lingered.

They had just met the man known as the psychopath mad dog, after all.

“Are you Midas?”

Yu Changshin spoke first.

I replied confidently. There was no need to reveal anything.

“Nope.”

“Then are you V?”

“Also no.”

“Impossible. Why would Lee Woo-jae guard you then?”

“Why? Problem?”

“Of course. He’s not the type to guard anyone. He’d rather kill them.”

“Wow, what kind of reputation do I have?”

“It’s… accurate.”

“Yeah, Woo-jae does have that side.”

“Wow… harsh.”

He made a hurt expression, but I ignored him.

Instead, I looked at the captives.

“You’re not in a position to ask questions. Answer well and I might spare you.”

“Really? You sure?”

“Shut up for a sec.”

“Haha, sorry.”

“Like I said, we have nothing to say.”

I ignored them and continued.

“You didn’t know exactly who I was, did you? That’s why you asked if I was V or Midas.”

“We have nothing to say.”

“Meaning you kidnapped others too.”

They fell silent, refusing to answer.

“If you don’t talk, you’ll die.”

“Kill us then. We’re not afraid.”

“Think about your families back home.”

“…Grr!”

One of the youngest Hunters, barely in his twenties, exploded with anger.

“How dare you threaten our families, you heartless bastard!”

Huh?

Was that how he interpreted it?

Did he think I meant I’d harm them?

I quickly tried to clarify.

“No, I meant think of them and take care of yourself…”

“Wow… I never even threatened families. You’re a real demon. Learning a lot.”

“As expected of Namjoong-nim! Targeting their weakest points!”

“Hey! Stop it!”

“Sorry.”

“Er, yes, sorry.”

Hearing Woo-jae chuckle only fueled my anger.

Chris was innocent, but Woo-jae… I wanted to lock him in a dungeon.

Too bad he was maintaining their restraints.

Then Yu Changshin lowered his head.

His demeanor completely changed.

“Please… leave our families alone.”

“Changshin…”

“We’re only following orders. If we betray the Party, our families die and our souls are forfeit. Can’t you… just end us?”

“Changshin, I’m sorry. I insulted you to hide my inferiority.”

“It’s fine. I was like that once too. I forgive you.”

“Brother!”

What a disgusting display.

Should I just kill them all?

My patience was wearing thin when Woo-jae commented.

“Wow, such loyalty. Truly Chinese drama-tier.”

“Woo-jae, keep it up and I won’t get you any more elixirs.”

“Ah, sorry.”

“One more joke and you’re done.”

“You said I deserve it, right? Birds of a feather… wait, I shouldn’t say that.”

“No, you shouldn’t.”

“Understood.”

Sigh…

So stressful.

But without him, I’d be kidnapped right now, so I couldn’t scold him too much.

Still, he’d pay for this later.

“A gentleman’s revenge takes ten years. A petty man’s takes a lifetime.”

For now, back to the problem.

“So, you’re not going to talk?”

“We can’t. If we do, our families die and our souls are claimed.”

“Hmm…”

What to do with them?

Despite being crushed by Woo-jae, they were still elite S-rank Hunters.

Given China’s two S-rank gates, every Hunter was vital.

I didn’t care if China collapsed, but that would threaten neighboring countries, including Korea.

But letting them live… they tried to kill or kidnap me.

Woo-jae spoke up.

“Just kill them. They’re structurally incapable of betrayal. They’re just the Party’s slaves.”

“He’s right. Better to kill us. If we survive, we’ll come after you again.”

“Then how can we break the contract?”

“That’s…”

“If the Chairman dies.”

Woo-jae answered for them.

If the Chairman died, the contracts ended?

Would China use such a simple system for their most vital Hunters?

Sensing my confusion, Woo-jae elaborated.

“Technically, as long as the Chairman’s subordinates think they’re dead when he dies.”

“Why?”

“If the Chairman dies unexpectedly, ownership transfers to high-ranking officials. But if they’re recorded as dead, no one inherits it.”

“Ah, so with no heir, the contracts disappear.”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm…”

“Want me to go kill him now?”

“No, wait. What are you saying?!”

Yu Changshin screamed.

“What?”

“You’re talking about killing the Chairman in front of us?! That plan will never work!”

“Five S-rank Hunters getting beaten by one guy worked?”

“…”

He fell silent.

Killing the Chinese Chairman was far riskier than dealing with a Korean assemblyman.

Besides, if it happened right after they tried to kidnap me, it would look suspicious.

“No, it’s not feasible right now.”

“Possible, but bad timing. Maybe in a month.”

Woo-jae agreed.

“Then do we just kill them?”

“No, wasting talents like this is a shame. Woo-jae, does your tower have any labor areas?”

“Huh? Yeah… it does.”

“Let’s send them there.”

“Wait, seriously?”

“Yeah, why?”

“So when you said you’d spare them if they answered… you meant this?”

“Yeah, what’s with that look?”

Unlike earlier, his expression was one of genuine awe.

It was… unsettling.

He nodded in respect.

“Wow… you’re a true demon. I’m impressed.”

“What? It’s a fair deal. Better than killing them.”

“True. This is… what they call surpassing the master.”

“As expected of Namjoong-nim. You have a plan for everything.”

Why did their compliments feel insulting?

But this was the best option.

If Korea ever needed help with China’s S-rank gates, they could use them.

“Shall we send them off?”

“Got it.”

“W-wait! Where are you sending us?!”

“Where else? The place you went when you awakened. Just… a different difficulty.”

“No… don’t tell me…”

“You heard right. Back to the Tower.”

“Please… just kill us instead!”

“I would, but the boss says otherwise. Off you go.”

“It’s not so bad. I worked there too.”

And with that, they disappeared into the Tower.