F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 48

For anyone else, it might have been an intimidating situation, but Seo Gangrim's expression remained unshaken. Hong Daehoon glared at him and then said, "Ha, whatever. I heard someone opened a restaurant, so I called you over. We've been living in here and eating nothing but fruits."

【Seo Gangrim is here for a business meal?】

【A top-class chef!】

【Today it's me~ Demon Stew Chef!】

【But how did he know that Seo Gangrim started a restaurant? Did he investigate?】

As the gods said, the people from Zone One had been snooping around Seo Gangrim's camp. Seo Gangrim had sensed their presence at that time, but he hadn't confronted them. He had wanted to meet the leader of Zone One.

Seo Gangrim looked at Hong Daehoon and said, squinting his eyes.

"So you'd like some food?"

"That sounds good."

"Do you have money?"

"Yeah, I do. Was it 200 spirit pearls?"

Hong Daehoon reached into his pocket and poured out 200 spirit pearls like a stream. It could have been exchanged using the trade window, but he had chosen to scatter them on the ground, afs if he wanted Seo Gangrim to pick them up.

Seo Gangrim glanced down slightly.

"It's not enough."

"200, right. Count it if you picked them up."

"It's not enough. 200 spirit-grade spirit pearls for a meal."

Two hundred spirit-grade spirit pearls was an absurdly large amount. Hong Daehoon's brows furrowed involuntarily.

"Hey, don't joke around."

"If you can't pay, I'll leave. Is there anything else?"

Seo Gangrim spoke firmly, and Hong Daehoon's stance wavered. With a somewhat flushed face, he opened his mouth.

"Very well, then. It seems like you have many useful abilities. How about cooperating with us?"

"..."

"Then we'll let you know how to conquer this stage at the highest difficulty."

He said this in a somewhat irritable tone, but Seo Gangrim remained calm. When Seo Gangrim next spoke, his voice was somewhat disappointed. "Just that?"

"Huh?"

"Did you really try to negotiate with something like that? Besides, it seems like you couldn't find the conditions to clear the highest difficulty in the first place."

If they had found the conditions to clear the highest difficulty, they would have left this place already. It seemed they had only managed to find the intermediate level conditions.

Seo Gangrim turned away, saying, "Then, I'll be going."

"Hey, I think you're mistaken about something."

Hong Daehoon growled as he stood up. He picked up the large spear standing beside him.

"Since you've come this far, you don't have a choice. Cooperate with us or die here."

With his heightened 'Senses', Seo Gangrim could perceive the situation beyond the tent. Several people were waiting outside with weapons. Despite this, Seo Gangrim remained composed and took something out of his pocket.

"Look at this."

What Seo Gangrim retrieved was a slender piece of metal. Hong Daehoon looked bewilderedly at it, but his expression froze when a warning window appeared before his eyes.

"Mark of Revenge...?"

[Item] Mark of Revenge

[Class] Human First-class

[Description] If the holder of this item is killed by a human, the murderer will be marked with the stigma of revenge. The murderer becomes a target for the 'Fate Protection Bureau, Gong Joo.'

The gift sent by Gong Joo was an item called the 'Mark of Revenge.' This item was usually issued as a protective measure when requesting an escort or registering with a faction. While it couldn't prevent the holder from being killed by a demon, it was effective against humans.

"If you kill me, things are going to get troublesome in many ways for you."

It seemed that Hong Daehoon had also thought along those lines, as hesitation could be seen in the hand that held the weapon. Though he didn't know who Gong Joo was, the name 'Fate Protection Bureau' itself held influence. If they killed Seo Gangrim, they would become the target of the bureau. Hong Daehoon stared at Seo Gangrim with an annoyed expression.

"You... You seem to be a more important than I expected."

Hong Daehoon hesitated but still didn't lower his weapon. He approached Seo Gangrim, and a cruel smile crept onto his lips.

"The condition is that you're killed, right? It seems we don't need to kill you, we'll capture and restrain you, and cut off your arms and legs one by one."

One of the drawbacks of the "Mark of Revenge" was that it didn't guarantee protection against harm other than "killing." Hong Daehoon's eyes glinted as he aimed the weapon.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you."

This time, the atmosphere was even more hostile than when dealing with those from Zone Four that included Ju Hyereong. While their relationship had turned hostile due to the murderer, this situation was different. People outside were also preparing to attack.

Seo Gangrim surveyed the situation and asked, "Why are you going to such lengths? Please tell me the reason."

"What?"

"Why fight so fiercely? I haven't even found the conditions for the highest difficulty yet."

"Just trying to eliminate a risk."

Hong Daehoon smirked.

"I've received orders to produce the first conqueror on our side no matter what."

Seo Gangrim sighed, annoyed. In his previous life, friction between Zones One and Zone Two had escalated, but he didn't know the reason. He had come here to find out the reason, and it turned out it was just for the reward for being the first conqueror.

'Does it have something to do with the 'Mark of Revenge' Gong Joo sent?'

He had promised an additional reward if he succeeded in conquering this stage at the highest level.

'It seems like a power struggle between the team leaders.'

It seemed that Zone One was also promised quite a good reward. Seo Gangrim wasn't pleased with that.

'This group is getting pushed by the Fate Protection Bureau.'

Just as he was thinking this, Hong Daehoon's spear came slashing at his side. Seo Gangrim quickly moved to the left.

"I don't know what nonsense you're thinking, but surrender quietly. Everyone, capture Seo Gangrim!"

As that command fell, the curtains were drawn aside, and several people rushed in. Just as they were about to attack Seo Gangrim with weapons in hand, their faces turned to confusion.

"Huh? He's gone?"

"He was here just now!"

Before they knew it, Seo Gangrim had hidden his presence and disappeared. Hong Daehoon was also looking around bewilderedly.

"He was here just now?"

"Did he run up?"

By now, Seo Gangrim had activated 'Invisibility', the ability he had gained by defeating Nam Yoojun last time.

'I wondered if I might have the urge to kill, but…'

'Murderous Impulse' was tempting, but killing someone wasn't as easy as it seemed. Plus, committing murder would accumulate karma.

''Hidden' is more versatile in many ways.'

Just when Seo Gangrim disappeared, everyone around looked dazed. With his ability, Seo Gangrim was observing them while holding his breath.

'If I had my way, I'd like to take down one or two of them.'

Using the 'Invisibility' ability in a confined space like this would likely result in a collision with many people. So, Seo Gangrim decided to withdraw for now but he had no intention of leaving quietly.

【Ability 'Radiant Flame' has been activated!】

Seo Gangrim threw the 'Radiant Flame' toward the curtain, and flames instantly began to ignite. People from Zone One looked surprised at the sudden fire.

"What the! Why did the fire start all of a sudden?"

"Quick, get someone with water ability!"

Amidst this chaos, Seo Gangrim threw a demon peach into the blazing area. He had saved a few from last time.

"Huh? Where's that pleasant scent coming from...?"

"Wha- What's that over there?"

As the scent of the demon peach spread in all directions, nearby demons began to gather. Amidst the clamor of people, Seo Gangrim calmly left the scene.

"Put out the fire!"

"Ah, there are demons over here!"

Due to the fire and the demons, the campsite remained chaotic for a long time until late at night when it was finally cleaned up. Their losses were substantial. Most of the campsite had been consumed by fire, and many people were injured.

"That bastard...!"

Hong Daehoon grumbled, his body covered in blood and sweat from battling the demons. His face was even worse, stained with black soot.

"Hong Daehoon, what do we do now?"

Another person with a similar build to Hong Daehoon asked. Hong Daehoon responded irritably, "What can we do? We have to catch Seo Gangrim and teach him a lesson."

"Rather than that, wouldn't it be better to clear the highest difficulty during that time? We have an agreement with Team Leader Seomun."

Just like Gong Ju had contacted Seo Gangrim, Seomun Yongnyeo had also sent messages to several people in Zone One. Hong Daehoon was one of the recipients.

"It's 100 million won, 100 million. If we're the first to clear the highest difficulty here, it's 100 million."

Seomun Yongnyeo's offer was 100 million won. At the mention of it, Hong Daehoon's eyes light up. To him, the sum of 100 million won was more tempting than any weapon or item.

"Yeah, so we have to take down Seo Gangrim even more. It seems like he might be the first to clear this stage."

"So, what should we do? Should we ambush him?"

Hong Daehoon pondered at that suggestion. But then, he suddenly looked up at the other person.

"Hey, how much spirit pearls do you have?"

"What? About 500 spirit pearls..."

"Give it all. And tell everyone else to bring theirs too."

"Why?"

When the other person asked with an anxious expression, Hong Daehoon smiled and took something out of his pocket.

"I have a gift from Lady Seomun."

He took out a paper. The other person didn't know what it was, so Hong Daehoon waved it around and said, "It's a one-time access pass to the item shop. With this, you can use the shop even here."

"Really?"

"Yeah, so gather all the spirit pearls you can."

Hong Daehoon tossed the weapon he was holding onto the ground, as if it were garbage. As if it were worthless.

"I'll buy the best weapon I can with the spirit pearls. We'll use it to take down Seo Gangrim."

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"I'm hungry... When's the food ready, Master?" Yoon Bom asked as she sat down near the pot.

Seo Gangrim glanced at Yoon Bom while processing leaves and roots of herbs and said, "It'll take a little more time. If you can't wait, eat some wild vegetables."

"No, I'll wait!" Yoon Bom replied with a giggle.

Seo Gangrim sighed and continued processing the herbs more quickly. When he looked around, he noticed that he wasn't the only one busy. Everyone was going about their tasks, but they kept glancing in his direction. Their expressions were like baby birds waiting to be fed. When their eyes met, one person raised a bag.

"Gangrim, I've prepared some spirit pearls!"

"Me too!"

"I have 600 spirit pearls ready!"

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