F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 145

A sense of tension filled the living room. Seo Gangrim, too, remained silent, simply watching them without uttering a word.

'What did I just hear?'

It was definitely a novel, but why was his name and Shin Sooah mentioned? And in a situation that couldn't possibly happen in reality?

Seo Gangrim stood up and approached Yu Harang, trying to stop Yoon Geoul from taking the phone.

"Uh, excuse me. Master! That...!"

Seo Gangrim quickly glanced at the screen, as Yoon Geoul looked visibly flustered and attempted to retrieve his phone.

Seo Gangrim quickly scanned the screen, where his and Shin Sooah's names were indeed written. For some unknown reason, the novel depicted Shin Sooah cornering Seo Gangrim in an unrealistic situation.

"Yoon Geoul, what is this?"

"Well... it's a web novel?"

"A novel? Is this supposed to be a novel?"

This was the most ridiculous novel Seo Gangrim had ever read. Did Yoon Geoul spend the night reading something like this? Unbelieving, he questioned Yoon Geoul.

"Did you write this?"

"No, no way! It's a new work by Dokgo Jun!"

If it was Dokgo Jun, it made sense. Yoon Geoul began explaining himself with a long-winded excuse.

"I didn't intentionally read it. He said there's a novel where you're the protagonist... So, for investigation purposes..."

"Someone else saw this?"

"Yeah, because Dokgo Jun is famous. Although it hasn't been serialized for long, quite a few people are reading it."

Other people were reading this too? Yoon Geoul defended himself.

"No, but it's really fun! Master, I mean Seo Gangrim, looks cool. The novel is about Seo Gangrim possessing a book and becoming powerful by merging with it...!"

Merging? Seo Gangrim quickly scrolled through the content from the first episode. The title of the novel was 『When a Doomed Master is Possessed』.

The protagonist's name was 'Seo Gangrim.' His personality, way of speaking, appearance, and more closely resembled the real Seo Gangrim. Even the experiences he had gone through were depicted quite similarly.

One day, the protagonist opened his eyes after being hit by a truck, only to find himself possessing the novel's extra character, also named 'Seo Gangrim.' The prologue signaled the beginning of an awakening day. A massive monster suddenly appeared, but 'Seo Gangrim' overcame it using pre-existing information.

The depiction of him entering a training facility and actively participating seemed like a replica of real-life events.

'Dokgo Jun, who accompanied me on various events, must know what happened to me,'

'Seo Gangrim' faced the unexpected challenges that arose from the awakening day to entering the Training facility.

Although there were some differences from reality, they were the kind that only the real Seo Gangrim would notice. If someone else read it, for them the novel would seem so detailed and intertwined with Seo Gangrim's life that it was almost as if it were a biography.

The comments left there served as evidence of this fact.

- Huh? Is this the real Hunter Seo Gangrim?

Is the novel's content so similar to the real Seo Gangrim?

- Is this a true story about Seo Gangrim?

Many people were skeptical about whether this novel was based on a true story. It was understandable because all the personal names, locations, and events in the novel were real.

No one believed that it was a real-life experience of someone being possessed, but there were quite a few who believed that what happened was real.

Yoon Geoul glanced at Seo Gangrim and asked, "Master, did you really kiss Sooah-noona in the Geohae room?"

"No, I didn't."

If Yoon Geoul was bewildered, it wasn't clear how others would react. Amidst this confusion, another notification popped up.

[Hunter 'Seo Gangrim's name is spreading widely! Humans are beginning to pay attention to you.]

'Has this notification been popping up frequently lately because of Dokgo Jun?'

Seo Gangrim could now understand the cause of this situation. Even in his previous life, movies featuring hunters or invincible characters were popular, leading to the fame of those involved.

"What are you going to do about Dokgo Jun, Seo Gangrim?" Yu Harang asked.

Normally, this would be a situation where one would get angry, but Seo Gangrim's expression remained calm. After thinking for a moment, he took out his phone.

***

Seo Gangrim was sitting on the living room sofa. Silence prevailed in the living room as he silently read the novel posted by Dokgo Jun. However, the tranquility was interrupted by the creaking sound of the door opening.

"Oh, Seo Gangrim! It's been a while."

The person entering was Dokgo Jun. Being invited to the Flying Tiger sect building for the first time, he seemed exceptionally excited. With a cheerful smile, Dokgo Jun sat across from Seo Gangrim.

"Ah, Seo Gangrim inviting me like this, it's truly something I never expected to experience!"

Despite Dokgo Jun's elation, Seo Gangrim remained expressionless. He put down the novel he was reading and stared at Dokgo Jun.

"I read your novel."

"Really? That's great. I'm glad you took the time to read it."

"By the way, in the novel, you appeared as my colleague."

As Seo Gangrim mentioned, in the novel, 'Seo Gangrim' and 'Dokgo Jun' were portrayed as unparalleled colleagues. Although it was quite detached from reality, people seemed to believe in it.

- Wow, I cried in this episode.

- How can it be so... Are they really that close in real life?

- Both are from the same Training institution, right?

- They were so in sync even during the Zodiac Race!

People began confusing the novel and reality. Dokgo Jun was smiling broadly.

"It's my personal wish. I just hoped we could become even better colleagues."

"Why did you use me as material for your novel?"

Seo Gangrim interrupted Dokgo Jun's words and asked. Dokgo Jun chuckled and replied.

"Maybe it's a sort of fan sentiment? I like you, and I wanted to introduce the real you to the world."

In Dokgo Jun's latest work, 'Seo Gangrim' was portrayed in an exaggeratedly positive and heroic manner. As a result, some people's perception of the real Seo Gangrim changed after reading the character in the novel. However, Seo Gangrim didn't show any signs of being pleased.

"Did you think I would be happy about this?"

"Oops? It wasn't good?"

Dokgo Jun tilted his head with a smirk. After contemplating for a moment, he spoke up, "I purposely wrote you as a possessed character because I thought you might be a reincarnation. Could it be that you're the one being possessed?"

Dokgo Jun was still making irrelevant remarks. Knowing well that he was dealing with a crazy person, Seo Gangrim continued without getting angry or showing any hesitation.

"Wasting time trying to reason with you is futile. First, stop the serialization."

"No! Readers hate year-round hiatus writers!"

"If you're my colleague, are you not going to follow my instructions?"

Upon hearing this, Dokgo Jun had a slightly awkward expression. He seemed reluctant to go on hiatus, but at the same time, he didn't want to be in opposition to Seo Gangrim.

"Well, I don't really want to go on hiatus... If you're my colleague, it's a bit... complicated."

"Then I'll allow you to continue the serialization conditionally."

"And what are the conditions?"

Seo Gangrim took something out from his sleeve. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary piece of paper, but it was overflowing with magical energy.

Dokgo Jun squinted his eyes. "Is that an Oath?"

An 'Oath' was more than a simple contract; it was an item that imposed fatal penalties. While Dokgo Jun examined the pact, Seo Gangrim continued speaking.

"If you want to continue writing the novel, sign this Oath."

Dokgo Jun casually skimmed through the Oath's content. As soon as he read it, he exclaimed with an admiring tone, "Wow, this is a complete scam contract."

As Dokgo Jun described, the contents of the oath were applied unfavorably to him. Under normal circumstances, it was a level where someone would jump up and run away in protest.

"[Seo Gangrim (hereinafter referred to as 'Party A') and Dokgo Jun (hereinafter referred to as 'Party B')]

[Party B agrees to comply with all requests regarding Party A's novel.]"

It was an unreasonable condition. Dokgo Jun looked at the Oath and smiled wryly.

"Seo Gangrim, isn't this too harsh? I might have said I'd do anything, but I'm not an idiot, you know."

"Considering your actions, I think this level of sanction is necessary," Seo Gangrim said, tapping the Oath while looking at Dokgo Jun. "If you agree only to my conditions, I'm willing to let the serialization continue."

"Hmm. Still, this is a bit..."

Dokgo Jun hesitated for some reason. No, he seemed to be pretending to hesitate. He smiled, his eyes forming crescents.

"If you grant me one more condition, I'll sign the contract."

"And what's the condition?"

"I'm curious about something. Seo Gangrim, who is Baek Young?"

As the name Baek Young flowed from his mouth, Seo Gangrim's eyes turned cold. He had a sense of where Dokgo Jun might have learned about Baek Young. While Shin Sooah had used her questioning authority to inquire about things related to Seo Gangrim, she expected that Dokgo Jun, being equally interested, might use it similarly.

With a smiling face, Dokgo Jun continued, "When I went to the Divine Realm, I asked the god what you asked."

Seo Gangrim recalled the three questions he had asked. The first was about the god who was supposed to descend upon him in his childhood. The second was about why Baek Young was targeting him. The third was about the location of the Secheon Flower Garden.

"I am curious about the god who was supposed to descend upon you, and I am also curious about Baek Young," Dokgo Jun said casually, smiling.

"So, I'd like more detailed information. If you tell me about Baek Young, I'll sign the contract."

"Fine. I agree."

When Seo Gangrim accepted smoothly, Dokgo Jun looked surprised, as if it were unexpected.

"I thought you would refuse."

"Yes, but for now, I won't tell you. It's not the right time."

"Hmm. Considering your personality, you won't pretend not to know later..."

Dokgo Jun thought for a moment, then picked up the pen placed in front of him. As he signed the Oath, a brilliant light emanated following his elegant strokes.

He handed the Oath to Seo Gangrim.

"Well, it's done. Can I start writing the novel again?"

"Yeah. But before you upload, I'll always check your manuscript."

"Wow, you'll keep reviewing my novel. That might be a good thing."

While Dokgo Jun laughed discreetly, Seo Gangrim stood up from his seat. It seemed like he was about to leave the room, but instead, he opened the door and stood in front of Dokgo Jun.

"Follow me."

"Huh?"

Dokgo Jun seemed puzzled, but he obediently followed Seo Gangrim's guidance. As they entered the elevator, it started moving downward. When they arrived at a room in the underground area and opened the door, a desk and a laptop placed on it caught their eyes.

"Seo Gangrim, where is this...?"

-Click

The sound of a lock clicking echoed. When Dokgo Jun turned around, Seo Gangrim was nowhere to be seen, and the door was locked. Now that he looked closely, the door wasn't an ordinary one; it had a small opening, resembling a prison door.

Through the hole, Seo Gangrim's face appeared.

"This will be your workspace from now on."