Infernus (2)

-The Black Network is showing intense interest in Yuji. I mean, he’s not exactly what you’d call normal, right?

“Yeah.”

-So now a bunch of curious types are digging into Yuji’s background. Seems like he’s getting more attention than we expected.

“So he’s laying low?”

-Yep. Probably waiting for the attention to die down. Regardless of how he feels about you, he’s a wanted man, so he’s being careful.

“If that’s the case, he should’ve just stayed quiet in Japan. Coming here in a fit of rage only to hide out? What a joke.”

-He’ll likely make a move as soon as things cool down. So don’t let your guard down, okay?

“Today makes it a hundred times. Don’t worry—I’m not letting it down.”

-My goal is to make you say that again. At least it makes you keep it in mind, right?

“If this were a game, your relationship score would already be in the negatives.”

-Anyway, if I hear anything about Yuji, I’ll send it your way right away. So don’t worry about it.

“I’m not worried. Just hit me up if something important comes up. I’ll ignore your everyday texts, just so you know.”

-Hey, no need to announce that you’re ghosting me…

“Take care.”

-Yeah, you too, hyung!

The call ended.

Looking at Park Dong-jae, who was always brimming with positive energy, Kang-hoo couldn’t help but find it fascinating.

He often felt the same when he looked at Jung Yuri too. Always full of high tension and overflowing passion in everything she did.

‘What does it mean to live a “heated” life?’

What does it feel like to have your heart burst from joy? What’s it like to love someone so deeply?

It all felt vague—like imagining a world he’d never seen. He couldn’t feel the highs and tremors of emotions.

On the other hand, the cold, sinking urge to kill someone, to trample and crush them—that was familiar.

Spending time on personal training lately seemed to have amplified this tendency.

Of course, Celestial Assassin’s teachings encouraged it, but he’d already been heading in that direction before.

“Hoo…”

Kang-hoo let out a sigh and leaned fully into the soft seat.

To endure the trials related to Infernus, maintaining peak condition was crucial.

He wasn’t sleepy per se, but he planned to squeeze in some rest ahead of fatigue.

Thanks to Moon Hyeong-seo, Kang-hoo arrived easily in front of the Market Building in Busan, where Kang Bok-hwa was located.

Moon Hyeong-seo exchanged a brief greeting with Jung Yuri, who was already waiting, then promptly returned to Ground Zero.

Even with K’s permission, and even though another bodyguard named Hwang Bo-hye was by K’s side…

It seemed being away for too long made him uncomfortable, so he preferred to head back.

Now alone with Jung Yuri, Kang-hoo followed her lead and entered the building.

Just like before, they moved straight through the route leading to the VVIP lounge.

Thanks to Jung Yuri, he breezed through a few identity checks that normally applied to visitors.

“Oppa! Been doing okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Looks like you got a lot tanner though. Didn’t used to be this bronze, right?”

“Totally! Every dungeon I went into had clear skies without a single cloud. Go figure…”

“You look healthy—it suits you. Honestly, I’m a little jealous.”

“Well, it’s a shade you could never imagine on someone like you, Mr. Vampire, right? Hehe.”

Jung Yuri lightly tapped Kang-hoo’s pale wrist with her finger, the contrast more pronounced against her sun-kissed skin.

As Kang-hoo quietly looked at her, her constellation data naturally scanned into view.

‘You got another one, huh.’

Jung Yuri had acquired a new constellation.

Previously, one called “Avatar” had surprised Kang-hoo, and now it was a similar case.

“It’s a perfect match for her.”

Among her many abilities, her spatial manipulation was especially effective.

It’s similar to the abilities of Hosaka Kenji or Jang Si-hwan, whom he had faced before in Japan.

This tailored constellation indicated her power was bound to develop further.

She seemed to be experiencing a constant upward trend—and that was great to see.

As he continued walking with her, Kang-hoo shifted the topic.

“So, you’ve been in Busan?”

“Yup! I’ve been grinding dungeons non-stop. Plus, my grandma’s got a lot of connections in this area.”

“That must make it easier to operate. You don’t overlap with Haeyeong Guild’s territory, do you?”

Kang-hoo mentioned the Haeyeong Guild because it was connected to the Jeonghwa Guild.

Jung Yuri utterly despised the Jeonghwa Guild—no, she loathed it to the point of trembling.

So there was no way she’d look kindly on Haeyeong either, and their quality had dropped anyway.

“Yeah, just a bit outside the city and there’s plenty of places to work. You’d be shocked if you knew just how far my grandma’s influence reaches.”

“That’s good, then.”

“I’m gonna go full-on dungeon addict—growth addict—like you. You’re such a huge source of motivation.”

“I’d be honored to be that kind of role model. Just don’t overdo it. Watch for overexertion.”

“Oh right! Oppa, I heard you became Celestial Assassin’s disciple! Congrats! That picky old man must’ve really liked you, huh?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

“You met Haemi too, right?”

“Yeah.”

“She may not talk much, but she’s warmer than I am. Take good care of her. She’s been through a lot…”

“Got it. I will.”

But to Kang-hoo, it seemed like Jung Yuri had even more scars and pain than Ju Haemi.

Yet despite that, Jung Yuri still cared more about others—because it was just in her nature.

Caring about others, paying attention to their feelings—

She was particularly adept at suppressing her own emotions and sacrificing herself for others.

To put it bluntly, she was the perfect target to be taken advantage of and the least likely to act in self-interest.

Kang-hoo tried to avoid becoming that type of person, but at the same time, he found it enviable. Because having that kind of heart wasn’t easy.

“Celestial Assassin Grandpa is really warm-hearted too. He’s just not like that with you, right? He only pretends to be cold on purpose.”

“He does seem like someone whose exterior and interior don’t match.”

“Pfft! Exactly. It fits him perfectly.”

Apparently, they had the same thoughts about the same person.

As Kang-hoo and Jung Yuri shared this little secret understanding—

They soon arrived at a secret room within the VVIP lounge.

Just like before, two individuals stood guard in front and greeted Jung Yuri with polite bows.

But even though they already knew Kang-hoo, their eyes still carried the same suspicion as last time.

‘Still the same.’

The man on the left was the same Hunter who had carefully scanned Kang-hoo’s constellation info before.

A Hunter contracted with a constellation that could rewind time. Truly fascinating.

But also the kind Kang-hoo least wanted to fight. There was really no counter to time reversal.

As they stepped inside, Kang Bok-hwa greeted Kang-hoo with a bright smile.

Her handshake was far rougher and more calloused than he’d expected.

So much so, he wondered if she used to do a lot of manual labor—her hands were lined with calluses.

“Have you been well?”

“Thanks to you.”

“Hoho, I didn’t do anything. I’m just glad you’re safe. The world’s been so chaotic lately—I’ve been quite worried.”

Just like before, Kang Bok-hwa addressed Kang-hoo with formal speech.

She’d once said it was her iron rule—to treat every guest with the utmost respect, regardless of age or gender.

“I’ve just been focusing on keeping my ears open and taking care of myself. So far, I’ve managed to avoid getting dragged into trouble.”

“That’s good. By the way, how’s K doing?”

The unexpected question made Kang-hoo chuckle.

Sure, he was a guest from where K was, but asking a guest about her husband’s well-being?

Maybe sensing his thoughts, Kang Bok-hwa chuckled and added her reasoning.

“If I keep reaching out first, that man gets all smug. And I really hate seeing him like that.”

“He’s doing fine. Seems like there’s a lot of goods to be delivered to the Jeonghwa Guild lately.”

“Probably because of the battle happening in Dongducheon, right? The demand for mana stones has really spiked.”

Interest in the Dongducheon battle continued to rise by the day.

What everyone thought would be a quick skirmish was turning into a long-drawn war—and merchants, as always, were the first to act.

Kang Bok-hwa was one of them.

Kang-hoo had already seen the massive shipment of mana stones on the way in—at least ten trucks’ worth.

“Anyway, it’s good that there haven’t been any problems.”

“By the way, the bereaved families should be arriving soon. You came at just the right time. Perfect timing.”

Just then, a knock came, and a man entered with Kang Bok-hwa’s permission.

He appeared to be here with news related to the bereaved families, and for some reason, looked familiar.

The man also seemed startled upon seeing Kang-hoo. Not just because they’d met before, but because he didn’t expect to see him here.

Still, knowing how important the occasion was, he turned away and addressed Kang Bok-hwa directly.

“The bereaved families have just arrived. They’re using the B8 underground route to avoid outside exposure and are en route now.”

“Thank you, Seon-tae.”

“They should arrive within three minutes. I’ll take my leave.”

The man departed immediately.

He could’ve greeted Kang-hoo casually, but he restrained himself, perhaps recognizing the formality of the situation.

‘Baek Seon-tae. That’s right—I remember now.’

Back when Kang-hoo visited the Yeosu warlord group, Jagang, Baek Seon-tae had followed and monitored him inside the dungeon.

Apparently, he now worked under Kang Bok-hwa.

Kang-hoo hadn’t kept track and had no way of knowing—he’d simply forgotten. But fate had them cross paths again.

The rest proceeded quickly.

Kang Bok-hwa personally explained to the bereaved families what kind of Hunter Kang-hoo was.

They then shared stories of other Hunters who had previously come in contact with the talisman Infernus.

Every single one of them had gone mad. It made sense—since the talisman hadn’t found its proper “master.”

They once again explained what kind of artifact this talisman was.

Once a Hunter passed its trial, the talisman would recognize them as its master.

And until that master died, the binding could not be undone.

Even the talisman’s previous owner, despite wanting to unbind it, had been unable to do so until death.

With Kang Bok-hwa present, Kang-hoo transferred the payment to the bereaved families and began the binding process.

Not wanting to be swayed by concerns or expectations, he reached for the talisman as soon as everything was ready.

Waiting wouldn’t change anything, and all preparations were already complete.

Then, in the moment he felt himself being engulfed—body and mind—by Infernus’s energy—

An uninvited guest has arrived.

In the pitch-black void, Kang-hoo could see a crimson-glowing being.

It was a massive, living eye—something you’d expect to find in the flames of hell.

It was a foul entity clearly searching for a new master… or perhaps just a suitable sacrifice.