Betting (3)

“Let’s keep listening.”

-If you hear any more from here, then whether you want it or not, you’ll be in the same boat with me.

“I know. I asked to be connected after thinking that far. Even if I make a decision in a different direction, today’s conversation will never leak outside.”

The very fact that this conversation was taking place proved that Yu Cheonghwa had some kind of “plan.”

Kang-hoo, understanding her words, told her what he had been thinking.

In other words, if Chu Ye-seong later learned of this fact just because they had made contact, Kang-hoo could also become a target.

Since Kang-hoo’s calculations had never included siding with Chu Ye-seong from the start, he did not care.

-Then I’ll talk.

“Yes. As much as you are truthful with me, I’ll open up that much as well.”

Gulp. Gulp.

He heard Yu Cheonghwa repeatedly drinking something, as if her throat had gone dry. She seemed nervous.

Even The Thirteen Stars were ultimately individual humans. It was not as though they could not feel emotions.

-The goal of the strategy is simple. It’s to minimize the chaos in our Shinto Guild. In that process, I’m fully prepared to sacrifice myself.

“Continue.”

-It’s true that China has a vast territory, but surprisingly, there aren’t many skilled assassins. On top of that, among the assassins within Shinto Guild, I’ve already grasped to some extent which ones are likely to stand on my side.

“So that means the other side can sufficiently predict what repertoire you’ll use to make your move.”

-That’s right. On top of that, there’s also the question of whether the assassins who stand on my side are truly on my side.

“They could instead become Chu Ye-seong’s eyes. They could also become the ones who steal the most important strategy.”

-That’s why, paradoxically, I thought of you as the joker, Kang-hoo. You’re someone outside the guild, aren’t you?

“It seems your thoughts had expanded quite far without even hearing what the person involved had to say.”

-I suppose so. From some point on, I think I had become fixated on the idea of using you, Shin Kang-hoo.

“For now, there are few people publicly aware of the relationship between me and you, Yu Cheonghwa. You could say there are almost none.”

-Right. That’s why no one would be able to find a reason for you to stand on my side. We have no point of contact.

Kang-hoo crossed his arms and sank into thought for a moment.

At this negotiation table, Yu Cheonghwa was the one in the urgent position. Kang-hoo had no reason to get impatient and move.

However, unlike the negotiation tables so far, where he had always prioritized profit above all else, this time his thoughts were a little different.

He was looking further into the future.

‘What if Yu Cheonghwa becomes the master of Shinto Guild, and the person she owes the greatest debt to in that process is me? Shinto Guild would become my backing, just like the Cheong-an Mercenary Corps is now.’

What Kang-hoo was aiming for was precisely for the “master” of Shinto Guild to become his potential ally.

Yu Cheonghwa was an ambitious woman.

Rather than joining The Thirteen Stars because she liked Jang Si-hwan, she was someone who wanted the abundance and honor that their power could give her.

It was the same with Lars Abel of Germany, so all he had to do was fill their honor in a different way.

If she became the master of China’s number one guild, there would no longer be a reason for her to look elsewhere for honor.

Like Lee Ye-rin, Yu Cheonghwa was also clear about debts and grudges. She was the type to repay a debt of the heart once she owed it.

As Kang-hoo’s silence grew longer,

Yu Cheonghwa continued in a trembling voice. It was a nervous voice, unlike her usual self.

-If you don’t want to, you don’t have to do it. The moment you cooperate with me, that brand will follow you to the end. I understand your concerns completely.

“No. The moment we win, that brand becomes a great asset to me. We’re both betting on each other. I’m only thinking about how much stake would be best to put down.”

Even Takashi’s gaze, watching him from the driver’s seat, was trembling. This was a moment when an important conversation was taking place.

For Kang-hoo, it was actually a bet he had to make.

If he gained Yu Cheonghwa’s heart, he would gain Emilia’s and Takashi’s hearts along with it.

Just as today’s conversation had been made possible because Kang-hoo had diligently won Takashi’s heart until now.

If he cut Yu Cheonghwa away from Jang Si-hwan and laid the foundation for her to act independently, the sense of solidarity the three felt toward The Thirteen Stars would shrink even further. It would effectively become the procedure for their withdrawal.

After quite a long time of silence passed,

Kang-hoo, having made his decision, pointed out the key part.

“First, we need a detailed discussion of the strategy. In addition, we’ll need a preliminary survey of the place that will become the battlefield.”

-Then…… are you accepting?

“Didn’t you hear me? I said we need a strategy discussion and a survey.”

-Ah. Aah. Thank you, Kang-hoo. I had already finished planning the stage where the puzzle pieces would be fitted together.

Yu Cheonghwa was always full of confidence, but today, everything throughout the conversation felt cautious.

That meant she was that nervous. Since it was a strategy that put her life on the line, it would be stranger if she were detached.

At that moment, Emilia stepped in.

-As for the parts that require preliminary surveys or covert movement, I’ll help by sending a chartered plane.

-I can’t tell you the method, but if you go through Dubai, there’s a way to delete the entry and exit records for entering China.

“From the outside, only the record of entering Dubai remains, but in reality, I could also go to China and return?”

-That’s right. I can’t tell you the method or process, but there’s a way to turn you into a ghost in Dubai.

“That’s good.”

Kang-hoo nodded.

China’s Public Safety Bureau and the Shinto Guild members under Chu Ye-seong were not fools.

If Kang-hoo, who had no ties to China, suddenly came to China, there was a high chance they would definitely monitor his movements.

But if he could cut the connecting link in the middle like this, covert movement would become possible.

-Then…… may I think that you’re betting on me, Kang-hoo?

“I’d like you to make at least one gesture of trust. I’ll wait for that.”

-I understand. I must have been very nervous. I missed the most important part.

“Tell me once your thoughts are completely sorted out. I think I’ll be with Takashi for a bit longer.”

-I’ll do that.

The team voice chat ended like that.

The broad agreement had been concluded.

Of course, what mattered was the detailed agreement.

If the strategy Yu Cheonghwa had prepared looked reckless in Kang-hoo’s eyes, he might not participate.

And if the “trust” gesture just mentioned was unsatisfactory, he could use that as a reason to break the board.

In any case, the person with the headache was Yu Cheonghwa. Kang-hoo intended to leisurely wait for her next proposal.

After the call ended.

A silence of about one minute flowed between them without either saying anything.

Kang-hoo was looking out the window, and Takashi seemed to have many thoughts about the conversation that had just taken place.

Before long, Takashi broke the silence.

“This kind of thing really gives me a headache. Trying to kill someone. You have to meticulously put together a ‘murder plan’ so that you can somehow kill the other person.”

“That’s right.”

“If this hadn’t been Cheonghwa’s or Emilia’s matter, I probably would have turned away completely. But they’re my friends…… so I’m dipping my foot into this.”

“You only made space for the conversation in the middle. What do you mean, dipping your foot? You just eavesdropped a little.”

“Cheonghwa and Emilia are friends I cherish. I truly hope both of them stay safe.”

“Everyone is doing this precisely so they can stay safe. If things remain like this, Yu Cheonghwa will be killed by Chu Ye-seong.”

“Then why did she have to participate in the succession war…….”

“Every person has different values they prioritize. For Yu Cheonghwa, the position of guild master is the greatest value in her life.”

“Ah…… I don’t know. Anyway, since it’s helping Cheonghwa, I’ll support you with all the information that might help. Our family will help too.”

“Thanks. That’s enough.”

Now that it had come to this,

Kang-hoo had essentially become involved in Shinto Guild’s succession war as well. The situation would not flow easily.

Even Chu Ye-seong alone was an expert over level 700. He was assumed to be around the same level range as Takashi.

To assassinate such a high-level enemy, the time spent fighting had to be extremely short.

In that sense, the assassination strategy that had targeted the Heuksaja brothers, Gwak Hyeong-su and Gwak Hyeong-seok, was still the best even when he thought about it again.

Targeting Chu Ye-seong would also require such a clever move. Meticulous preliminary work was essential.

‘It’s an all-in bet.’

Somehow, that was what it had become.

If this matter went wrong, it might not be Chu Ye-seong but Kang-hoo himself who died. That was absolutely not a joke.

However, it was also a high-risk, high-return bet with that much to gain if he won.

If he could completely cut three people away from The Thirteen Stars and gain the master of China’s number one guild as his backing,

then the scope of his activities in China would widen beyond imagination.

In addition, he would be able to access opportunities and items that could only be obtained in China without obstacles.

Right now, it was impossible because he had no ties to Shinto Guild, but if Yu Cheonghwa became the master, the story would change.

“Takashi. Is it all right if I close my eyes for a moment?”

“As much as you want. I’m the one driving, so don’t worry and get some sleep.”

“I think I need some image training.”

“That’s a good idea.”

After getting Takashi’s understanding, Kang-hoo immediately closed his eyes.

He would have to hear more about Yu Cheonghwa’s plan as well, but more important than that was the single strike that would target Chu Ye-seong.

He needed time to think about which combination of the constellation abilities and skills he currently possessed would fit best.

In the end, assassination was a game of rock-paper-scissors. If he could predict the opponent’s hand in advance, there was absolutely no reason to lose.

A difference in level did not guarantee safety. Everyone only had one life equally.

A few hours later.

While Kang-hoo, having arrived at the destination, was stretching, Takashi rented a private lodging and disappeared.

It was because, leaving behind the time they had spent together, Takashi had to set things up so he could smoothly control his clone.

It was something Kang-hoo could not get used to no matter how many times he saw it.

After all, the main body was looking at a screen and controlling a pad, while the clone directly carried out the battle.

Yet experience points, levels, skill acquisition applications, and such were applied to the main body. It was a peculiar structure.

Of course, Takashi’s main body and clone were one body. So if the clone died, the main body would die as well.

Since the two were perfectly connected, it might actually be meaningless to think of them separately.

Before long, the two finished their preparations and began moving.

The location of the underground dungeon indicated by Underground Adventurer was outside a hiking trail on a nearby low mountain.

When they arrived on site, Kang-hoo felt he could clearly understand why it had not been discovered all this time.

First of all, the flow of mana coming from the dungeon was barely noticeable.

And at a glance, the underground dungeon was inside a gap between ordinary rocks that looked as though they were sitting together amicably.

Even after entering through the gap, they had to crawl far inside and downward for quite a while before they could finally face the entrance portal of the underground dungeon.

It was a rock that stood out to people’s eyes, but paradoxically, that was why it was a place where it was hard to imagine a dungeon could exist.

Only after their entire bodies were covered in dirt did Kang-hoo and Takashi finally enter the dungeon.

When Kang-hoo turned his head at the sandstorm blowing from behind them, he saw a towering sand mountain.

“Wow. Is that a mountain made of sand? It’s incredibly high. If you slipped while climbing that mountain, it would be a big problem, wouldn’t it?”

Just as Takashi was marveling at the sand mountain that towered so high its peak could not be seen,

Kang-hoo, sensing something suspicious, narrowed his eyes at the sand mountain and shook his head violently.

Takashi’s judgment was wrong. That was not a mountain standing still.

“Takashi. It’s not a sand mountain. It’s a giant sandstorm pushing toward us.”

It was an ominous beginning.