Chapter 219 – Promise with Justin Walker

A month had passed since becoming S-rank.

Though it was just a month, Min Do-jun’s growth rate was unparalleled.

‘Ranking system.’

[Domestic Ranking]

1st – Shin Kyung-min (born 1995) – Level 3,601 (S-rank)

2nd – Kang Hyuk-su (born 1981) – Level 3,567 (S-rank)

3rd – Jeong Hye-won (born 1995) – Level 3,549 (S-rank)

4th – Seo Jin-cheol (born 1995) – Level 3,510 (S-rank)

—————

———-

7th – Min Do-jun (born 2000) – Level 3,400 (S-rank)

‘Already in the TOP 7.’

Even Min Do-jun was astonished by his leveling speed.

‘My fame is growing day by day, just as fast as my level.’

Already known as an S-rank Magic Swordsman and the Hero of Hongdae, the public was keenly interested in his every move.

Which country’s dungeon did he clear? How fast was his leveling speed?

Everything became news material, and as a result, his absurd leveling pace also drew attention.

In particular, a recent article was enough to ignite excitement among South Koreans.

[World Rank 1 Justin Walker! Pushed to 2nd Place in the Tower of Infinity After 4 Years.]

[Difference Between 1st and 2nd Place, About 50 Million Points! Overwhelming 1st Place!]

[Who is the Tower of Infinity’s 1st Place with Korean Nationality?]

[Confirmed: Tower of Infinity 1st Place is Hongdae Hero Min Do-jun…]

[Min Do-jun Defeats Justin Walker, Becoming the First Korean to Top the Tower of Infinity.]

└Korea took 1st place? Is this for real?

└Beating the USA for 1st? Insane, seriously!

└But what’s the Tower of Infinity? Can someone explain?

└The Tower of Infinity is a holographic hidden dungeon where you test your skills against monsters on each floor. Points earned from defeating monsters get you into the Hall of Fame. In other words, being 1st in the Tower of Infinity means your combat power is overwhelmingly superior. This has been Speedwagon.

└Thanks, Speedwagon!

└So, in short, Min Do-jun is stronger than Justin Walker?

└Not necessarily. The Tower of Infinity gives more points the lower your level is when you enter. It’s advantageous to enter at level 2,250.

└I saw in another article that both Justin Walker and Min Do-jun entered at level 2,250?

└Uh… then Min Do-jun Hunter is indeed stronger than Justin Walker. At least, assuming they’re at the same level.

└Does this make sense? Justin Walker is world rank 1, and Min Do-jun is only domestic rank 7? And Min Do-jun is stronger?

└Idiot. Rankings aren’t a measure of strength. They’re just based on level.

└Higher level means stronger, what nonsense are you spouting?

└Anyway, it means Min Do-jun overwhelmingly crushed Justin.

└I always thought his leveling speed was weird, turns out it’s because he’s insanely strong.

└In one word: Insane.

└At this rate, couldn’t he rival Shin Kyung-min?

└Looking at his leveling speed, he’ll soon be domestic rank 1.

└Truly a pride of Korea.

└Insane. Insane.

└Min Do-jun, is he a god?

A Korean hunter surpassing America’s strongest, Justin Walker, to claim 1st place?

This was no different from saying South Korea won the FIFA World Cup.

As a result, Min Do-jun’s fame skyrocketed after the Tower of Infinity rankings were revealed.

Now, even passing children knew Min Do-jun’s name.

Undoubtedly, Min Do-jun had become a source of pride for South Korea.

‘Hm?’

At that moment, an article on the main page of a portal site caught Min Do-jun’s eye.

[An Assassination Guild in Korea? Black Sea Guild Specializes in Contract Killings.]

[Worst Guild in History, Composed of Criminal Hunters. Secretly Taking Contracts to Murder Civilians…]

[Breaking News! Black Sea Guild Tortures and Self-Destructs with Victim Lee (53) in Seoul Alley.]

[Exposed Through a Confession of Conscience by the Deceased Victim’s Acquaintance.]

[ Heinous Reality of Black Sea Guild, a Cancer to Society.]

[Police Announce Full Investigation into Those Who Commissioned the Guild. Will Punish for Instigation of Murder.]

‘As expected, the Black Sea Guild’s crimes have made the news.’

A quick glance at the comments showed the public’s outrage was intense.

‘It’s only right that their misdeeds are known, just as history intended.’

Min Do-jun felt satisfied that the guild’s atrocities had surfaced.

Even though they were under his control, he wanted them to be torn apart by public opinion like this.

‘Considering what these bastards did to Teacher in my past life, even tearing them to pieces wouldn’t be enough.’

He planned to exploit the remaining 14 Black Sea Guild members to the fullest, use them up, and then absorb all their traits.

A smirk spread across his face as he thought this.

Bzzz- Bzzz-

His phone vibrated.

It wasn’t the phone he was currently looking at.

It was coming from the drawer.

‘Another call from the Black Sea Guild?’

Opening the drawer, Min Do-jun was slightly surprised.

It wasn’t Ahn Kwang-hyun’s phone.

‘It’s a call from Heo Ji-pyeong.’

Heo Ji-pyeong, the master of China’s White Snake Guild.

After killing him, Min Do-jun had kept his phone just in case.

In case Justin Walker contacted him.

And sure enough.

‘It’s here now.’

The caller ID clearly read Justin Walker.

Srrrk-

Equipping the Tarnhelm, Min Do-jun immediately transformed into Heo Ji-pyeong.

To impersonate him, even the voice had to be perfect.

Click-

He answered the call with a tense expression.

“Hello, Mr. Justin Walker.”

-It’s been a while, Heo Ji-pyeong. How have you been?

“Of course, I’ve been well.”

There was no hint of suspicion in Justin Walker’s voice as he spoke in Chinese.

‘Good thing I know Chinese.’

Min Do-jun continued to impersonate Heo Ji-pyeong.

“But may I ask why you’ve called?”

-Do I need a reason to call?

“If I’ve offended you, I apologize.”

-Haha, just kidding. Of course, I called for a reason.

“What is it…?”

-I saw an article in Korea. About the Black Sea Guild.

“Ah…”

Min Do-jun understood why he had called out of the blue.

-I remember you said the ones who took my treasured sword were the Black Sea Guild, right?

“That’s correct.”

-I thought of it when I saw the article.

Hearing that, Min Do-jun couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘He thought of it after seeing the article…?’

It seemed he wasn’t as concerned about the legendary sword as Min Do-jun had thought.

-The last time we spoke, you said you’d track them down and retrieve the sword. How’s that going?

“I haven’t found it yet.”

-Still?

“…I’m ashamed.”

A brief silence hung between them.

-I’m disappointed. You sounded so confident, and yet you still haven’t found it.

“I’m sorry. I will definitely track them down and recover it…”

-No, don’t bother. The Black Sea Guild is already exposed in the media, isn’t it? If you keep searching, you might get caught. It’s better to give up.

“Is that really okay…?”

-I lost an item worth hundreds of billions, but what can I do? And besides, I’m not the one who’s losing out here. You were supposed to keep the sword if you retrieved it, right?

“That’s true, but I feel burdened for not carrying out the task you entrusted to me.”

-Ah, it’s fine. I’ve achieved my goal anyway.

Min Do-jun knew what goal he was referring to, having heard it from Heo Ji-pyeong.

‘It was to put the Korean Association President in debt. He plans to use that as leverage to demand something.’

He didn’t know what that something was, but he needed to find out.

‘If possible, I’d like to meet Justin Walker in person…’

At that moment, a thought flashed through Min Do-jun’s mind.

‘The offer from Overlord Guild. If I join Overlord Guild, could I meet Justin Walker?’

There was no guarantee he’d meet him.

The chances would be higher than now, though.

-Don’t think about the sword anymore. Don’t feel burdened by losing it either.

“…Thank you.”

-Then, take care.

‘No, I can’t. I haven’t figured out his real goal yet.’

As the call was about to end, Min Do-jun urgently called out.

“Uh, Mr. Justin Walker.”

-What is it?

“There’s something I’m curious about. May I ask?”

-Sure, go ahead.

Min Do-jun decided to be direct rather than beat around the bush.

“What are your plans now?”

-What do you mean?

“Didn’t you achieve your goal of putting the Korean Association President in debt?”

-That’s right.

“I’m curious about what you’ll do next.”

-What kind of request are you planning to make…?

-I’d rather not say that over the phone.

“I’m sorry. Did I overstep?”

-I can’t say you didn’t.

“I must have crossed a line, thinking we’d grown closer. My apologies.”

He subtly flattered him to lower his guard.

It was a quick strategy Min Do-jun came up with on the spot.

‘If he views Heo Ji-pyeong negatively, this will only raise suspicion…’

But if the opposite were true, it could have a positive effect.

Fortunately, it seemed Justin Walker viewed Heo Ji-pyeong favorably.

-What line is there between us? Didn’t I tell you? One way or another, we’re in the same boat.

“Haha… I’m grateful you see it that way.”

-Even so, I can’t tell you over the phone.

At first glance, it sounded disappointing, but Min Do-jun saw hope.

Not saying it over the phone implied he might say it in person.

Sure enough, Justin Walker made an offer that was hard to refuse.

-If you’re that curious, come and hear it in person.

“In person?”

-Yeah. When I go to meet the Association President, you can tag along as if you’re part of my entourage.

“Is that okay?”

-Why wouldn’t it be?

This was an opportunity.

A golden chance to meet Justin Walker.

-Will you come?

“I’ll come.”

-Then I’ll text you in advance when I’m going to meet the Association President. I’ll let you know when and where.

“Understood.”

-It’ll be nice to see your face in Korea after a long time.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

With that, the call with Justin Walker ended after setting the appointment.

‘Finally, I might be able to meet him in person?’

If he could just meet him and memorize his scent, the game would be over.

‘Once I have his scent, he’s as good as caught prey.’

Above all, he was curious whether he’d be able to see the weaknesses of Justin Walker, the world rank 1, with his Weakness Detection trait.

‘Am I stronger now, or is he…?’

He was curious, but time would tell.

‘I hope that time comes soon.’

A smile spread across Min Do-jun’s face.