Max Talent Player - Chapter 280

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

This was no coincidence. Kang Somyi seemed to have been waiting here, knowing that Giantgod would come.

“You’ve been waiting for us?”

“Yes. It seemed like you were going to come here.”

“How did you know?”

Had she tailed him? He didn’t think so. If she had, there was no way Hyukjin wouldn’t have known. Kang Somyi might be an excellent explorer, but the level 44 Hyukjin’s Eye of Perception would have never failed to detect her.

“Either here, or Japan. I thought you would go to one or the other.”

“Were you really the one who thought that?”

Of course she wasn’t. Kang Somyi wasn’t that well-informed.

“I heard it from Teacher.”

“I see.”

Jackson was behind this. He wouldn’t have known whether Hyukjin would go to the Nanba Terminal Dungeon in Japan or somewhere else, but he would have known that Hyukjin met Michael. There was a high chance Jackson approached Michael to glean information—information about Giantgod Guild going to Singapore—from the chef. There was nothing hard about it. It wasn’t like Hyukjin had asked Michael to keep it a secret.

“But what do you mean by Nanba Terminal?”

“Mm. You don’t know?” Somyi grinned. “Just as we thought. Heheh.”

“Thought what?”

“Teacher said that if you had a spy planted in Blood and Iron Lion, you would have gone to Nanba Terminal.”

“A spy?” Hyukjin echoed, as if he’d never considered the possibility.

“I know, right? As if there’d be a spy in Blood and Iron Lion.”

“You seem to be on very good terms with Blood and Iron Lion.”

“Ah. I’ve recently joined the guild. I, too, am an explorer who belongs to a major guild.”

She giggled with an unaffected smile, looking not at all unlikable. In fact, she gave off the impression of being somewhat dopey, a sharp contrast from what he had seen of her through the media in the past.

‘I think I heard her personality changed a lot after she lost her face from severe burns.’

He guessed this was Kang Somyi’s original personality.

‘The Kang Somyi I know acted alone.’

Without a guild behind her.

‘Trying to probe me using her, huh?’

It seemed he would have to be more careful when meeting Jung Sangchul or receiving information. After all, he hadn’t yet decided whether Jackson was an ally or a foe.

“Anywho, I’ve decided to help you in Singapore.”

“Why?”

“Because I still owe you a bit for last time, of course.”

She was referring to what happened on the second floor of the D-Tower.

“I’d say you’ve repaid that debt.”

“And well, you’re also handsome. I like handsome men.”

She broke out in another unostentatious giggle, so naive he couldn’t detect any ulterior motive from her. Sunhwa and Yeonseo, who had been listening quietly up until now, stepped forward in unison.

“Boss. This explorer. She’s suspicious.”

“Oppa. I think this unnie is sus.”

If they really thought that, wouldn’t they have said something sooner? Why were they making a fuss now? Hyukjin ignored them with a wave of his hand.

“So in any case, that means Blood and Iron Lion has gone to Nanba Terminal Dungeon, yes?”

“Yes. They should have left today.”

“Got it.”

Since Jackson had shown him some “consideration”, Hyukjin would act in kind. He was someone who locked antlers with the Demon King and the Guardians. Of course he wouldn’t shy away from confronting Blood and Iron Lion.

Kang Somyi’s teeth sparkled in another bright laugh. “I’ll do my darndest to help. I’m a pretty skilled explorer, you know. Giantgod doesn’t have an explorer, right?”

“Alright.”

This might be some sort of trap set up by Jackson, but Hyukjin decided to undertake that risk.

‘No. This probably isn’t a trap.’

Jackson couldn’t easily be categorized as an ally or a foe. If both Song Junghye and he were king candidates, Hyukjin figured Jackson would assist them both.

‘She’ll help me get [Märchen’s Breastplate] in Singapore for sure, but…’ Hyukjin smiled. ‘She’ll make the process take as long as possible.’

He was certain she would guide them to the safe but slow path.

‘That way, Blood and Iron Lion will be able to snag Nanba Terminal’s hidden piece.’

He saw exactly what Jackson was going for.

Unfortunately for Jackson, Hyukjin had zero intention of letting everything go as Jackson planned. He permitted Kang Somyi to join them in clearing this gate.

“Oh, right. Ham Sohyun asked me to relay this to you.”

She even came bearing a precognitive note from Ham Sohyun. Apparently, the seer had seen a concrete future and had called for Kang Somyi by name, asking the explorer to deliver this.

–Playwright and robber meet, a starry world unfolds.

–She who escaped the fate of scorching heat shall kneel.

–At the end of a one-sided exchange, the singular sun shall rise.

It was then that Hyukjin happened to meet eyes with a certain Singaporean Player. He looked away naturally, pretending not to know them.

“Well then, let’s proceed to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. We’ll explore the place for about a day.”

* * *

* * *

Six hours ago, Kim Hyukjin called Michelle. She picked up before the phone could ring three times.

–I’ve actually been waiting to hear from you.

–From me?

–Did things go well with my little brother?

–Yes. He seems like a good person.

The guy having eyes for his sister Ahyoung was an issue, but if Michael was really a good person, Hyukjin wasn’t opposed to treating him well. The American chef might become a part of his family, after all.

–I’m relieved to hear that. Michael’s never done anything like this before…

Michelle let out a big sigh.

–He suddenly told me he fell in love with Ahyoung and declared he’d be settling down in Korea. It gave me such a headache.

–Michael said that much?

He was trying to see Michael in a good light, but the man had a knack for rubbing Hyukjin the wrong way.

–Yes. I thought he was gay. He didn’t seem to have any interest whatsoever in women.

Before Hyukjin regressed, Michael fell in love at first sight with some random woman, successfully married her, and loved her with all his heart… or so people said.

Hyukjin gave a short laugh.

–You may already know, but I place a great deal of value on family.

–Well, she’s your sister after all.

–Family’s especially important to me.

He had lost them once, and he didn’t want to lose them again. Neither his mom, nor his older sister, nor the new sister he had gained.

–I understand.

Cold sweat ran down Michelle’s back. The person named ‘Kim Ahyoung’ catapulted to wild card status in Michelle’s mind. She could very well become a major variable in Michelle’s relationship with Kim Hyukjin.

‘I need to pray that Michael doesn’t mess up.’

Thomas, Michelle’s deputy and her close friend, watched with amusement as Michelle talked on the phone.

‘Never thought I’d see Michelle’s expression change so frequently like this.’

They had known each other as kids, but this side of her was a first for him.

‘She only gets this flustered around Kim Hyukjin.’

Thomas had never in his life imagined that the great and mighty Michelle would ever look so frazzled. He was both impressed and amazed by this guy named Kim Hyukjin.

When Michelle lowered her phone, Thomas piped up as if he’d been waiting for her to finish.

“Michelle. What did he say?”

“He said he’ll hire the Black Crow.”

“The Black… Crow? He already knows about that?”

“Not only does he know, but he was listing off the names of the Players who will become a part of it.” Michelle shook her head in consternation. “It’s almost like he knows everything about us.”

“But that’s Level 1 confidential information! How’d he know?”

Even within the mercenary company Michelle had created, Crow, the constituents of the Black Crow were the elites, mercenaries of the highest grade. Most of them were part of the Michelle Division and were the top Rankers of the country. Naturally, they were currently growing with Michelle’s full support.

“Do we have a rat?”

“There’s no way it was leaked from the inside.”

“Right.”

Neither Michelle nor Thomas entertained the possibility of a spy. That was just how much they trusted the Black Crow.

“But what’s he hiring them for?”

“He wants them to go to Japan. Have you heard of Nanba Terminal?”

“Nope. It’s probably a terminal of some sort.”

“Apparently, Blood and Iron Lion has been dispatched there.”

“Will a dungeon appear?”

“A gate is going to open.”

“Hm. And?”

“It seems Song Junghye is planning on getting something there.”

Thomas shook his head, blurting out the first thought that occurred to him. “Korean Style. How terrifying.”

“Yes, really. I think it’s the Precognitive Dreamer Ham Sohyun. Guildmaster Song Kiyeol seems to cherish Guildmaster Song Junghye a great deal. He may very well have given her a little hint.”

Michelle was aware of the fact that recently, the Japanese astrologist ‘Itachi’ had traveled to Korea to meet Ham Sohyun.

“Or Itachi might have told them. In any case, they’ve apparently deduced the location of the gate before it opened and are preparing, in true Korean fashion. And I think they already know what reward they’ll get.”

“Their playstyle is so creepy it’s scary.”

And even scarier yet was Kim Hyukjin, who knew all that in advance and was preparing to intercept.

“So wait, what Black Crow needs to do can’t be…”

“It’s as you think.”

Hyukjin hired Michelle’s mercenary company, Crow. More specifically, the Black Crow, Players who could really be called a part of the Michelle Division.

“We need to make it so Song Junghye can’t get a thing. Especially not a ‘fleet’. We have to make absolutely sure she doesn’t get that. That’s our job.”

“But that’ll put us at odds with Blood and Iron Lion, won’t it?”

Michelle knew that. She breathed a long sigh, then shrugged like there was nothing she could do.

“It’s what the VIP wants.”

“But you can refuse.”

“I don’t know. I somehow don’t want to.”

Thomas saw straight through Michelle’s heart.

“Discarding the card called Song Junghye and inching a bit closer to the Kim Hyukjin side, are you?”

“I’m glad my friend is so perceptive.”

“Isn’t the Song Junghye card kind of a waste to discard?”

“The other card is just so overwhelmingly good. It’d be great if I could take both, but life is always a series of choices.”

“And you have a track record of making pretty good choices.”

“Thomas, do you respect my choice?”

Thomas nodded. “Kim Hyukjin—no, Giantgod Guild, is way too special even among other Koreans. I’ll back your decision completely. As your deputy.”

Only then did Michelle break into a grin. Feeling a little better, Michelle said, “This is just a maybe, like really a maybe, but I might become related to Kim Hyukjin.”

In Thomas’ eyes, Michelle looked really happy.

* * *

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel was a 5-star hotel on the Singapore Marina Bay. As a hotel located at a famous tourist destination, there was a constant stream of taxis going in and out, dropping off and picking up travelers.

Kim Hyukjin was one such traveler. After descending from his taxi, he entered the building.

‘Nothing special about the entrance.’

Next to the revolving door was a regular door as well. The members of Giantgod entered the hotel after him. People snuck glances at the massive So Yoohyun, as well as at Shin Yeonseo.

“Looks like my beauty shines in Singapore too, Boss.”

“Ah. Yeah.”

“C’mon, Boss. Am I not pretty?”

“You are.”

“So frustrating. You don’t mean it a single bit.”

Despite saying that, Yeonseo giggled giddily. She seemed to be in a very good mood, perhaps because the gate hadn’t been activated yet and they had come to a hotel at a famous tourist destination.

Yeonseo pulled Sunhwa into a hug, almost like she was protecting a treasure.

“But hey, isn’t it a bit much to sneak glances at Sunhwa? I know she’s super cute and all, but still.”

“Unnie! I can’t breathe!”

“Hush. Heavens above, please make the eyes of all the people looking at our Sunhwa fall out.”

Meanwhile, Kang Somyi walked briskly ahead, waving. “I’ll be doing some exploring of my own,” she called out. “I’ll also check us in!”

Hyukjin watched as she walked away.

‘If I can use her well…’

They would be able to find a safe, but fast path and clear the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Gate. It all came down to how well he was able to manipulate her.

They had a premium ocean view room on the top floor. Hyukjin and his guild streamed into the elevator to go up to the 21st floor.

“Ooh, I’m so excited,” Yeonseo chirped. “I hear the night view here is super pretty.”

1F. 2F. 3F. 4F.

The elevator began to quickly ascend.

5F. 6F. 7F. 8F.

But then, the elevator came to a halt with a thud.

Yeonseo tilted her head.

“Huh? What’s going on? Is it broken?”

Bzzt–! Bzzzzt–!

The lights in the elevator went off with the sound of sparks.

“Ehh?”

And then, the elevator began to plummet.