Chapter 167
To be a National Treasure was a dream that every player had at least once. But National Treasures were the strongest of players—they were the peak of humanity and the face of a nation. Only with supreme talent, luck, and effort could one reach such heights. For most, it was no different than reaching for the moon; players could only concede their limits and let go of their dream.
“Well then, prepare to be punished.”
Jae-Hyeok was different. Reaching the level of a National Treasure was for him a matter of time.
Name: Kang Jae-Hyeok.
Level: 52
[Strength: 202], [Stamina: 202], [Agility: 158], [Magic: 202], [Insight: 158]
Skills: [Noble Chivalry], [King’s Roar], [Empty]
After dominating Yang Jun’s group and earning another Amazing achievement, Jae-Hyeok’s stats had jumped once more. He was level 52, eight levels away from becoming B-class class—yet his stats were on par with the lower threshold of S-class.
He had the power. And as the Yaksha’s only decent son, he couldn’t fail in his duties as an aristocrat.
Also, Hae-Rin was his friend.
What other reasons did he need? It didn’t matter that this was the headquarters of one of Korea's top guilds. Today, he would act without reservation.
Jae-Hyeok’s resolve crystallized, and he seemed to grow taller, his presence undergoing a subtle change. Jae-Hyeok didn’t know it, but he had taken a step closer to surpassing his father.
My odds of winning are good. Jae-Hyeok regarded Jeong Jae-Uk with a false smile. He’s only recently reached S-class.
S-class players boasted towering stats. But Jae-Hyeok’s stats weren’t low either, and combat involved more than stats.
While he was tailing Hae-Rin, Jae-Hyeok had questioned Yang Jun. And indeed, what he’d learned about Jeong Jae-Uk matched recent news articles: the sub-master of the Guardian Guild was of a much lower level compared to the other top guilds’ sub-masters.
This also followed what was described in Player Manager: “The other five major guilds have an S-class requirement to become sub-master, but not Guardian... ”
Like the guild master’s seat, the sub-master’s position was passed down. In other words, Jeong Jae-Uk’s current position was neither a testament to strength nor talent, but a consequence of the Guardian Guild’s internal culture; Hae-Rin’s grandfather had cultivated a familial atmosphere among the guild’s leadership, but his well-meaning had become like slow poison.
When Hae-Rin’s father inherited the guild master’s seat, he couldn’t ignore Jeong Jae-Uk, his old friend, and made him his right-hand man.
Jeong Jae-Uk was unqualified, however, and Hae-Rin’s father was forced to carry twice the burden. Harder and harder he’d pushed himself, only to end up in a hospital bed.
Guardian has reached this point... I guess even the most precious relationships turn rotten depending on the situation.
Jae-Hyeok suddenly understood why so many people had turned on his father.
Father always prioritized the greater good over personal desires.There must’ve been countless moments when he had to stay cold for the sake of his family and nation, even if that meant souring personal relationships.In the end, countless people must’ve harbored hidden resentment during my family’s peak.
Jae-Hyeok understood a little more about his father’s difficulties.
Ultimately, relying on relationships with other families and organizations is a weakness. I need to create a new path for the Kang family. I have to possess both the wisdom and the strength to be unchallenged no matter the circumstances.
The Yaksha, who was one of the strongest of the previous generation, and Hae-Rin’s father, who led Guardian to a new golden age... they were great men who deserved respect, but in the end, they’d tasted failure.
It was very sad, but Jae-Hyeok knew he shouldn’t follow their choices.
“Ah, now I’m in a bad mood.”
Jeong Jae-Uk silently watched as the situation went in an unexpected direction. He slowly rose from his chair.
“That look in your eyes... You really think I’m a joke.”
The weakest among the sub-masters of the five major guilds—that was the evaluation that had always been attached to Jeong Jae-Uk. He heard people whisper that he only held his position because of his relationship with the guild master.
He knew better than anyone how the world viewed him.
It was an old wound, one that still ached despite his efforts to overcome it.
“Even if I am as lacking as the rumors, I’m not so ridiculous that you can look down on me.”
S-class was the realm of talent. It was true that he was the weakest among the sub-masters, but he was among the top 0.1% of players in South Korea. Before a kid like Kang Jae-Hyeok, he was like heaven itself.
What is with this kid’s arrogant attitude? Is he crazy?Indeed, he can’t be sane given the way he’s acted.
Jae-Hyeok had assaulted his son and Guardian’s players several times. Even now, he had used Yang Jun to easily sneak into this place.
Jae-Hyeok’s behavior went far beyond boldness.
“Yang Jun.”
“Y-yes!”
“I told you to capture him, but you ended up getting captured instead... ”
Jeong Jae-Uk glanced at the dagger pointing at Yang Jun’s waist. What had happened at the Kang family’s estate for Yang Jun to end up like this?
“Who did it?” he questioned. “I heard that all that was left in the Kang family is an old butler, but were there actually shadow warriors in hiding?”
“T-that... ”
“Report the truth. I need to know where our information went wrong for this kid to dare threaten me without breaking a sweat.”
Yang Jun’s expression became more embarrassed. Jeong Jae-Uk hadn’t even considered the possibility that Jae-Hyeok had beaten his special forces team single-handedly. Yang Jun was afraid. Once he told the truth, Jeong Jae-Uk might immediately fly into a rage and punish him severely.
“Are you afraid of that blade?”
Jeong Jae-Uk misunderstood Yang Jun’s hesitation and used a Skill.
Rift Blade.
A blade made of mana appeared without warning and struck Alus’ dagger.
A long-range instant cast Skill that specifies a target...
Jae-Hyeok was impressed. Skills that instantly crossed space to attack a target at range were extremely rare.
Although Skills of its kind have low attack power, it’s still a top-tier Skill.
The Skill was inappropriate for monster hunting, as no matter how fast and accurate it was, it would do little to a monster’s health bar given the Skill’s lesser attack power. But the Skill’s use would shine in PVP.
Players had no health bar. So even S-class superhumans could die instantly if they were struck in a critical area.
He grows slowly, but his skills are potent.
Jae-Hyeok had to admit that he had looked down on his opponent.
However, it wasn’t a big variable.
From the moment Jeong Jae-Uk had carelessly exposed his Skill, Jae-Hyeok had taken the advantageous position.
He ignored Alus’ dagger, which was still ringing in his left hand, and dropped his right hand to the hilt at his waist.
“Ah!”
Yang Jun screamed, a web of tears checkered his uniform at each of his major joints. His uniform rapidly dyed red.
Hae-Rin and even Jeong Ru-Han—who’d been cradling his broken jaw and rocking in pain—froze. From their perspective, Jeong Jae-Uk’s Skill and Jae-Hyeok’s response had seemed simultaneous.
“The sword-drawing technique of the Kang family indeed has unparalleled speed. Could it be that you single-handedly overpowered an A-class player? I see where you got the confidence to challenge me. But I assure you, it’s misplaced,” Jeong Jae-Uk said. He lightly tapped a red button on his desk. “You might think you have a slight chance against me, but even if you did, what if I don’t feel like playing along?”
Jeong Jae-Uk had long held the reins on Guardian’s affairs. Whether gaslighting Hae-Rin without the guild master’s knowledge or slowly raising a faction to solidify his power—in all things, Jeong Jae-Uk’s temperament was that of a tactician.
Why should he fight?
Rather than engage on Jae-Hyeok’s terms, Jeong Jae-Uk found greater pleasure in nullifying his plan at the root.
“See this button? With one press, nearly a hundred guild members will come rushing over. I’d like to see what you’ll do then.”
Jeong Jae-Uk was smiling slyly when his expression stiffened, alarms started blaring all over the building. The next moment, his desk phone rang.
Jeong Jae-Uk answered, eyes fixed on Jae-Hyeok as he did.
“What’s going on?”
Jeong Jae-Uk’s brows rose higher and higher as he listened.
“What?”
Jeong Jae-Uk appeared next to the window with preternatural speed and focused his sharp eyes on the scene far below.
There, he saw it.
Hundreds of men in black suits were standing in front of the company building.
“What’s this?”
He’d thought they were students at first, but quickly dismissed the thought. There was no way so many students would follow a fallen aristocrat here. Not to mention, the majority appeared too old to be students.
“Could it be that the Kang family called up a hidden army? Are you starting a war against Guardian, one of the five major guilds? Why? Where do you get your courage?”
Jae-Hyeok smiled. Given the number of people, he knew Jeong Jae-Uk would have to dispatch most of Guardian’s members to reinforce the first floor, in case of an all-out attack.
It looks like my request to fill in the numbers worked out well.
Before leaving the mansion, Jae-Hyeok had contacted Yeon Ho-Rang, the president of Ocean Shipping, and Gu Gang-Seon, the president of Gugang Hotel. He’d asked them to gather as many civilians as possible and send them to Guardian’s headquarters. He didn’t give a proper reason, but both men owed Jae-Hyeok a favor in their own way and were forced to comply. Their trust that Guardian wouldn’t harm civilians had also played a role.
Jae-Hyeok said, “Shouldn’t we settle this among ourselves now?”
“Kuaaack!”
Jae-Hyeok severed the tendons in Yang Jun’s wrists and ankles to prevent him from using potions to heal himself. Then he stepped toward Jeong Jae-Uk.
So ruthless. The Yaksha’s son...
Thinking of the boy’s bloodline, Jeong Jae-Uk equipped his sword and shield with a serious expression.
“Come, you monster. It’ll be better for everyone if I kill you now—”
Baaaaang!
Jeong Jae-Uk’s words were clipped short as he hurriedly raised his shield.
Jae-Hyeok had performed a sword draw and closed a surprising distance in an instant. Jeong Jae-Uk felt the blow through his heavy shield.
A-class?No, more than that!
The fine hairs stood along Jeong Jae-Uk’s neck. Only then did he sense the threat.