Chapter 113: A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss (Part 1)

Three days later.

Ramphil was able to clean up all the remaining gang organizations, and including the chips collected from them, so far, the chips he had collected had reached seventy thousand.

“This is the first time I regret being a hunter.”

Zin sighed as he looked at the chips Ramphil had brought. Ramphil’s method was violent and reckless, but it was definitely effective.

Now that the gangs’ pockets were emptied, his method was useless, but they only needed to collect another 130,000 chips.

The sudden appearance of a madman had paralyzed the gangs’ activities altogether. Ramphil was now notorious in New Hong Kong, to the point that the gangsters he had visited at the end had surrendered without even thinking of fighting.

“The problem starts now…”

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It was true that he had gathered chips faster than expected, but now that the gangs’ pockets were empty, he had no one else to rob anymore.

“Must we consider destroying the Hive…?”

Collaborating with Dominator would bring substantial rewards, and also the chips that would come from the Hive’s monsters.

“That seems to be the only choice we have right now.”

Surely, they had reached the end of the line with the monster hunting requests. Taking more of those jobs would be like asking other monster hunters in the Nest to starve to death. There were many difficulties because they had to keep a certain kind of commercial morality in the Nest.

“Isn’t that too dangerous?” asked Leona. The three were now eating on the first floor of the academy’s lodge. Leona was thinking that entering the Hive would be a very dangerous option, considering the death of countless hunters in the past during the Hive search-and-destroy mission.

“If you think about what this guy did in the first place, we’re already a little out of line,” said Zin.

What Ramphil had done was so brutal that they would have nothing to say even if the gangs formed a coalition and attacked the Nest right now.

For the people of Harlem, who were persecuted and oppressed by the gangs, Ramphil was almost treated like a saint, but the praise of those people actually meant nothing. Although no one knew, the gangs were not able to make such an attempt due to the intervention of Odin Corporation.

With his mouth full of fries, Ramphil mumbled at Zin, who was giving him a hard time, “It’s not like we had other options.”

“That’s true…”

Should they take on the dangerous task of the Hive’s destruction? They had no more outlets for getting more chips. However, it was unclear whether their cooperation with Dominator’s Hive destruction effort would resolve that issue.

When it was time for taking risks, one had to take risks, but the decision to take that risk needed to be made with caution.

Leona clapped her hands as if she had thought of something.

“Why don’t you open a business?”

Since they had seed money, the idea was to collect two hundred thousand chips by doing business based at the bottom line. Zin looked alternately at Ramphil and Leona.

“This goes for me, too, but first of all, don’t you think it would be impossible for this guy to sell anything?”

“… That’s true.”

They would be lucky a if they didn’t get swindled. From the start, a pine caterpillar should eat pine needles, since they had never managed a business before, there was no guarantee of success if they were to start now.

And it wasn’t a simple problem.

Zin knew that if the Hive destruction mission were to be successful, that would be the end of the monster hunters in the Nest. Large-scale propaganda would be possible, and just by mentioning that the Hive had been destroyed, Odin Corporation would project an image that they were far better than the hunters in the Nest, both in terms of expertise as well as practicality.

Thanks the Nest’s image being based on its long history and tradition, people still didn’t trust Dominator. That was why the Nest still had a small supply of requests.

Zin and Ramphil’s collaboration with Dominator might bring the end of the Red Dragon Nest.

“My head hurts.”

Hunters were always confronted with difficult choices. The more talent you had, the more ability you had. The bigger and more difficult the problems you faced, the more situations you would face where you were forced to make decisions.

Then, suddenly, there was a commotion near the door.

“How dare you show your face here?”

A few hunters rose from their seats abruptly and guarded the door.

“Move over. I’m here now as a client with a request. Are you guys selective with the requests now?

“A request? From you, the CEO of Dominator?”

Even though they were talking to each other calmly, the atmosphere was filled with aggressive tension. Naturally, Zin, Ramphil and Leona looked in that direction.

There stood a man with an iron mask on his face, and he was a head taller than everyone else.

“Yes, that’s why I came without an escort. Get out of the way.”

“Get the hell out of here, unless you want a hole in your hideous head.”

The hunters were ready to take out their guns at any moment, as if making to shoot him at once.

Yoohwan was the one who had betrayed all hunters after leaving the Hunter’s Nest, and Dominator, which he created, was taking jobs away from those hunters.

In fact, it was natural for them to get angry when the man who had taken the jobs away from the monster hunters had gone there with a request.

“I told you to get out of the way,” said Yoohwan coldly, and everyone clenched their jaws. Even as a traitor, Yoohwan was a hunter with a career equal to Taehone’s, the Dean of the Academy there. Unlike the retired Taehone, everyone also knew that Yoohwan was still active.

If he decided to showcase his talent, there was no telling what would happen.

“That’s enough.”

A calm voice bated the tension-filled air. Upon hearing those words, everyone bit their lips and backed away slowly from Yoohwan.

It was Taehone, the Dean of the Academy and the Elder of the Nest, who came in slowly.

“He said that he came here as a client, so take it as is.”

That was accurate, and the Dean’s words had to be respected in the Nest, even if it was not the law. The hunters retreated slowly with clenched teeth. Looking down at the relatively short Taehone, he said, “A long time no see, Taehone.”

The two went on their separate ways after they got out of the Hive. Although their positions were different now, they were the only two in the world to share the same experience.

“Yes, it’s been a long time, Yoohwan.”

“May I attend to my business?”

Yoohwan acted dignified, and that dignity did not include rudeness. He was polite to Taehone, and Taehone also did not hold Yoohwan accountable for the actions of Dominator.

Knowing each other’s feelings, they could not laugh or despise each other.

“Very well. But since there is a situation, I’d like to be present when you make your request.

“… As you wish.”

However, Taehone wanted to monitor Yoohwan, and Yoohwan did not put up a fight. Although the two old hunters did not show hostility to each other, the two old hunters were clearly engaged in a war of nerves. Although Taehone was old, his spirits were still high, and Yoohwan’s energy emanating from his giant body was powerful.

And Yoohwan was heading exactly toward where Zin was.

“The atmosphere completely blows,” muttered Leona with her head lowered, as if her insides churned when she saw the two men in serious moods approaching.

There were four people with minds that transcended ordinary human beings, so

Leona could not tell which ones were stranger. Yoohwan stood in front of Zin’s table and bowed his head forcefully to Zin, who was eating silently.

“I haven’t seen you in a long time, Zin. I pay my respects to you.”

All the hunters in the area were shocked by his actions.

Who was this guy that made not only Taehone but also Yoohwan, who was no longer a hunter, pay respects to him?

Although they knew that he was a serious hunter who could kill many monsters in a day, everyone felt curiosity and awe toward the hunter named Zin, who could make even those who left the hunting business bow their heads to him.

Of course, Zin made it even worse. Without even addressing the greeting, he pointed to the chair with his chin.

“Have a seat.”

People were even more surprised at his informal behavior. Even though they were unfriendly toward Yoohwan, they were still afraid of him.

But Zin acted as if he didn’t care about how he treated Yoohwan. He still spoke to him without giving him a glance.

“The little kid grew up a lot.”

“It’s been a long time.”

“OK, what’s your business?” Zin said, as if he would listen while eating his meal. Taehone also sat silently beside Zin’s table.

“Before we destroy the Hive, we’re planning to do a reconnaissance mission.”

“Really?”

“We’re putting together a recon team. Please join them in the mission. This guy here as well.” Yoohwan was pointing to Ramphil.

Dominator believed that they needed to analyze the Hive’s current strength before they go went with destroying it. And most of all, there were Mr. Odin’s orders to give some chips to Zin and Ramphil.

“I’ll pay you ten thousand to start, and ten thousand when it’s done. For each of you, not the two of you together.”

If Ramphil were to join, that would make this a forty-thousand-chip job. Spending that much on a job that was just recon and not the actual destruction mission meant that the job was less important than the intention to hand them the chips.

The job wasn’t a destruction mission, it was reconnaissance. They could just come back when it got too dangerous. Above all, even if they failed to complete the mission properly, they would still get twenty thousand chips.

The amount was too huge for them to decline, and the risk was relatively small. That was why even Taehone simply continued to listen.

“How many people are joining the reconnaissance?”

“It would be a small number. First of all, myself and then you two along a special team.”

Since it was a reconnaissance mission, limiting the number of people to less than ten was the right move. If they were to hold hands with Yoohwan here, then it would make sense to leave the Nest. Since Zin was a hunter, he wanted the Red Dragon Nest to remain intact, but at the same time he needed more chips.

If Dominator were to lead the Hive’s destruction, their position would be instantly elevated. There was clearly a way to prevent that from happening while accepting the request.

“All right, but there’s one requirement.”

“Tell me.”

“We will have four people in the reconnaissance team. You, me, Ramphil here…” Zin pointed to an old man with a calm expression and added, “… and Taehone goes with us.”

“Wh-What?”

“!”

Taehone opened his eyes wide, and Yoohwan looked appalled.

If Taehone, the symbolic CEO of the Nest, went to a reconnaissance mission with them, even if Dominator destroyed the Hive, the Nest would have played a part in it. So, politically, the Nest would not lose its public image completely.

Yoohwan, of course, expressed his disapproval. Zin’s intention aside, Taehone was blind in one eye and had only one arm.

“Ramphil is going to be in front when there’s a fight. You two are just going to be observing, so it doesn’t matter whether one can fight or not.”

With that logic, Zin shut Yoohwan up even before he had a chance to object.

“What matters is what you think. How do you feel about it, Taehone?”

The old hunter with the firm look was silent, but then, he managed to heave a sigh.

“I still have an eye to see the enemy and a hand to pull the trigger.”

Taehone somehow seemed pleased with Zin’s suggestion.

Unfortunately, it was Zin and Ramphil who had leverage right now, not Dominator. At the end, Yoohwan nodded with a deep sigh.

For now, Mr. Odin’s orders to hand the chips to the two were the priority.

“Yes, let it be so.” Yoohwan had enough discretion to decide on that much.

———————

“The Hive seems like a pretty dangerous place. I’m not sure if we’ll make it,” Ramphil said as he walked to his room after Yoohwan had left. Leona was also fidgeting, worried about having only four people go to such a dangerous place.

“I agree. Even though you and Ramphil are very good… I’m a little scared.”

Leona looked up at Zin, and he shook his head with a smile on his face.

“I don’t have to collect two hundred thousand chips to be strong.”

The words gave Leona and Ramphil a look of realization.

“We can use the chips collected so far as capital for the Hive reconnaissance.”

The more chips he absorbed, the more Zin became stronger. Absorbing about seventy thousand chips would increase his energy by more than 2 percent. That would be enough to respond to most crises. At that level, he could utilize the power of Dark Born in case of an emergency.

In fact, it was Zin, with his Dark Born power, and Ramphil who were entering the Hive. They might not be able to destroy the Hive, but they could handle reconnaissance.

“So, don’t worry,” said Zin, and Leona flashed him an awkward smile, feeling anxious but somewhat reassured.

Currently, the total number of chips they had collected was 70,000, and with the 40,000 that would be obtained from the Hive reconnaissance mission, their total would go up to 110,000. Although not intended, Zin’s team was somehow rapidly approaching the target amount.