Chapter 431 – Part 2 – Solemn Footsteps

“Ah…”

“Looking at your reaction, you were suspicious too, Leader.”

Ryu Jong-ik nodded.

“There aren’t many hunters who can kill Great Heroes, after all.”

He too had been thinking that Choi Seong-min might be the Black Mask.

Moreover, they were both assassin types.

“Judging by how he overwhelmed Christopher, the Black Mask’s combat power is at least 3 million or more. Among Eastlanders, the only person with combat power exceeding 3 million is Hunter Choi Seong-min.”

“But there’s no guarantee the Black Mask is necessarily an Eastlander, is there?”

“Of course not. But judging by pronunciation, an Eastlander is likely.”

The two fell silent.

There was no disagreement.

The common thought was that Choi Seong-min being the Black Mask was likely.

“What does identity matter anyway?”

“That’s true, but it’s so likely that it feels awkward to pretend not to know.”

Ryu Jong-ik nodded in agreement.

He too found it difficult to manage his expression when seeing Choi Seong-min.

Because of the thought that he might be the Black Mask.

“If Hunter Choi Seong-min really is the Black Mask… he’s unlikely to attend the assembly.”

“Right. He’d have to appear wearing the Black Mask…”

“Come to think of it, I’ve never seen the two together.”

“Indeed. If they knew each other, they’d acknowledge each other at least once. Unless they’re the same person…”

As they continued their suspicions, the hypothesis that Choi Seong-min was the Black Mask gained more strength.

That’s when it happened.

The Black Mask suddenly appeared.

“Were you all here?”

“Ah, Black Mask, you’ve arrived.”

The two briefly bowed their heads in greeting.

Though they were convinced inside that he was Choi Seong-min, they pretended not to know.

‘There must be a reason he’s living a double life.’

Out of respect, they decided not to pry.

“Black Mask, how did the work go? Did you finish it well…”

“You mean Melissa and Frank.”

The Black Mask eventually nodded.

It was an affirmative gesture.

“You don’t need to worry about those two anymore. I’ve dealt with them personally and am on my way back.”

“Ah, really?”

“That’s welcome news to hear.”

Ryu Jong-ik and Gang Min-chan’s faces brightened.

“Yes. Now only attacking the association remains.”

The coup had truly approached.

“Leader, have all the members gathered?”

“I’ve issued assembly orders. Everyone should gather within an hour.”

As Ryu Jong-ik said, with assembly time approaching, members appeared one by one.

“Greetings, Leader.”

“You’ve arrived. Please wait here, everyone.”

The arriving members were busy calming their excited hearts while glancing at the Black Mask.

‘To fight alongside such an idol-like existence.’

‘Should I try talking to him about the honor?’

But perhaps because he was so strong and had an unapproachable aura?

No member actually spoke to him.

Meanwhile, Ryu Jong-ik and Gang Min-chan were thinking similarly.

‘As expected, Hunter Choi Seong-min doesn’t appear.’

‘As expected, the Black Mask is Hunter Choi Seong-min.’

Just as suspicion was hardening into certainty.

“Greetings, Leader. Captain.”

The two had to make stunned expressions seeing the member who came to greet them.

It was none other than Hunter Choi Seong-min right before their eyes.

‘Wh-what’s going on?’

‘Choi Seong-min Hunter and the Black Mask are in the same place?’

Ryu Jong-ik and Gang Min-chan looked back and forth between the two.

‘I thought Choi Seong-min Hunter was the Black Mask…’

‘Wasn’t he…?’

Unless he had cloning techniques, there was no way the two could be the same person.

The fact that their prediction was completely wrong left them bewildered, while Choi Seong-min greeted the Black Mask.

“Greetings, Black Mask.”

“Greetings.”

Though his expression couldn’t be seen, the Black Mask returned the greeting.

To Ryu Jong-ik and Gang Min-chan, this wasn’t surprising.

They had said they knew each other.

‘Since it’s a public setting, they’re not showing they know each other.’

But they didn’t know.

That a small smile hung on Choi Seong-min’s lips.

‘Well done, Woo Seong-jae. No, Black Mask.’

In fact, the one wearing the black mask was none other than Woo Seong-jae.

Choi Seong-min had revived him with the Potion of Life, put a mask on him, and brought him.

To escape suspicion of being the Black Mask himself.

It was dangerous work, but there was nothing to worry about.

‘Since I used Mind Control, he’s doing well as instructed.’

Choi Seong-min had made Woo Seong-jae his subordinate using the Mind Control trait he had obtained in his previous life.

Woo Seong-jae’s karma was 8,000.

Since Mind Control could be used if karma was 100 or above, the conditions were sufficient.

‘As long as he doesn’t remove the mask himself, there’s no worry of Woo Seong-jae’s identity being discovered.’

Since he had given orders to protect the mask no matter what, there was no chance of discovery.

There was no way Woo Seong-jae with 10 million combat power would have his mask stolen.

‘It’s a bit disappointing it’s not the real Doppelganger’s Mask.’

Actually, the mask Woo Seong-jae was wearing was a replica.

It was just a mask with no functions, neither hunter equipment nor anything else.

‘Originally I wanted to give him the Doppelganger’s Mask, but I couldn’t because it was bound.’

This was why he had to make a replica.

‘But everyone was completely fooled without any sense of incongruity.’

Since the equipped gear and voice were the same as the Black Mask, distinction was impossible.

Of course, if you listened carefully, the voice tone was different.

Still, since he had ordered him to imitate as closely as possible, they could pass without any suspicion.

‘The Black Mask was originally a symbolic existence created for image anyway. It doesn’t matter who takes that position.’

Ryu Jong-ik and Gang Min-chan still had bewildered expressions as if hit in the back of the head.

It seemed they had been quite convinced that the Black Mask was him.

‘I’ve escaped suspicion of being the Black Mask as planned.’

Though he had used the last remaining Potion of Life to revive Woo Seong-jae, it wasn’t wasteful.

He needed to escape suspicion of being the Black Mask.

‘If it’s revealed that I’m the Black Mask, my family would become more dangerous. The Black Mask is a hero, but to some, he’s an object of hatred.’

As soon as everyone gathered, Choi Seong-min would lead people to attack the association.

‘Probably the world will change after today.’

If the coup ended successfully, the world would know.

That behind killing the Great Heroes and reforming the world was a hero called the Black Mask.

‘If it’s revealed that hero’s identity is me, my family would actually suffer.’

Someone at the top of the food chain wouldn’t welcome the coup.

There was no guarantee that any surviving remnants wouldn’t target his family for revenge.

‘No matter how much insecticide you spray to exterminate bugs, eggs might be hatching somewhere.’

That was the only reason he needed to hide his identity.

To ensure his family’s safety.

“Black Mask.”

Turning his head, Ryu Jong-ik was speaking to Woo Seong-jae.

“Personnel are ready as instructed.”

“Is that so? How many in total?”

“60 from Revolution and 20 from Wings of Hope, about 80 total.”

The masked Woo Seong-jae spoke calmly.

“Then let’s go. To start the revolution.”

* * *

Step step step-

Solemn footsteps headed toward the association.

About 80 rebels armed with weapons and armor crossed the grand garden.

Perhaps because the great undertaking was ahead, they all had tense expressions.

But contrary to the serious atmosphere, the sunlight was warm.

Step-

The Black Mask leading the people from the front stopped walking.

Just before entering the association, he turned to look at the rebels as if he had something to say.

“As I said before, our purpose is to subdue the association and seize power. I won’t tolerate indiscriminate killing. Subdue opponents without injury as much as possible.”

Everyone nodded in unison.

As if there was no time to delay, the Black Mask turned around.

“Then let’s enter.”

With the Black Mask in the lead, people poured into the association like a tide.

Choi Seong-min also joined the group and entered inside.

‘That Woo Seong-jae bastard. He could become an actor at this point?’

Knowing the Black Mask’s identity, Choi Seong-min let out a chuckle.

Woo Seong-jae was doing even better than instructed.

‘I knew Mind Control was useful, but to this extent.’

Those under Mind Control absolutely obey their master’s words.

Don’t act conspicuously, don’t remove the mask, only subdue opponents without killing them until given instructions, etc.

They remember and follow specific instructions like laws.

Therefore, there was absolutely no way Woo Seong-jae would make mistakes.

“Wh-what are you people! Keuhuk!”

“What are you doing… Kuk!”

Security personnel guarding the association lobby were quickly subdued.

“Sorry. You won’t get hurt if you stay still. So please cooperate, everyone!”

Ryu Jong-ik apologized while catching fleeing employees.

All association employees were hunters.

Since they were fighters who had grown by killing monsters, no one would just take it lying down.

“Die! Damn it!”

“Oh my, it’s dangerous to swing like that.”

Ryu Jong-ik, who easily dodged the swinging axe blade, struck the employee’s nape.

Thud-!

They collapsed on the spot like a puppet with cut strings.

“If you resist, we have no choice but to use force! If you quietly raise your hands and surrender, you won’t get hurt!”

Perhaps swayed by Ryu Jong-ik’s words, employees who were about to fight with weapons flinched and trembled.

Since the rebels clearly outnumbered them, honestly they wanted to surrender.

But they were wavering, not knowing if they should trust Ryu Jong-ik’s words.

Of course, not everyone was like that.

Among them, some quietly raised their hands and came forward.

“I-I surrender. Don’t hit me.”

“We won’t hit you, so don’t worry. You just need to wait here with our colleague until work is finished.”

Perhaps reassured by Ryu Jong-ik’s merciful smile as he welcomed them?

People surrendering appeared one after another.

“I’ll surrender too.”

“M-me too.”

Rather than resist and get beaten into unconsciousness, people who would surrender early appeared in droves.

But employees who still didn’t trust the rebels were busy running away.

The rebels including Choi Seong-min were busy chasing such employees.

“Where are you going? Just get caught quietly…”

“Damn terrorist bastards! Get lost!”

Choi Seong-min, who slickly dodged the opponent’s dangerously swinging sword, scratched the back of his head.

“If you’re going to resist, there’s no choice.”

Choi Seong-min, who instantly got behind using Shadow Step, struck the nape with his hand blade.

“Keuk!”

With a single scream, they buried their head on the floor and fainted.

It was tremendous force.

‘Ah… it’s hard to control strength.’

Even though he thought he hit very lightly, it was to this extent.

The opponent was even an A-rank hunter, though not very visible.

Tap tap tap-

Seeing another employee running away, he used Rush to catch up.

“Huk!”

The startled employee threateningly stabbed with the dagger they were holding.

Of course, Choi Seong-min wasn’t one to get hit by blind attacks.

“Dangerously. You might get hurt doing that?”

“What are you saying, damn it, keuk!”

When he lightly struck the abdomen, they immediately buried their head and collapsed.

Seeing them not moving at all while collapsed, they seemed to have fainted.

A sigh escaped Choi Seong-min’s mouth.

‘Pretending to be weak is damn hard.’

For someone with 3.3 billion combat power, controlling strength wasn’t easy.