NOVEL NEXT Chapter 270
“Because it’s the first [Obliteration-grade] title given by the System.”
Hyukjin checked the title effect.
[Pioneer of Obliteration]
The Pioneer of Victory is someone who pioneered a new domain and seized the first victory in a new domain. The Pioneer of Victory can grow in different ways. This title, Pioneer of Obliteration, is granted to the first Player to completely obliterate an upper-grade being.
All party members +25% EXP
Stacks with other titles.
Stacks with other effects (buffs/debuffs).
Amplifies all title effects when in a field pioneered by the Pioneer of Victory.
Can use the title effect ‘Obliteration’.
A new authority had been added to the title.
[Obliteration]
Player
When ‘Obliteration’ is used on a Player in critical condition, the Player is either stripped of their Player rights, or their Player abilities will be reduced.
Non-Player
When ‘Obliteration’ is used on a non-Player in critical condition, their potential to awaken as a Player will either be lost or reduced.
Hyukjin gulped.
‘This shit is possible?’
The world was rapidly entering an age of ‘new culture’ where Players were essentially power. In such a world, an authority that could control someone’s Player rights… had the potential to give the wielder tremendous power.
‘I can basically close or decrease talent plates by force.’
All of a sudden,
‘Why is Song Jinchul coming to mind?’
There was no rhyme or reason. That spoiled brat’s face simply popped into his mind all of a sudden. Song Jinchul, the youngest Sungshin scion who had awakened ahead of plan. The kid had it out for Hyukjin, but Hyukjin wasn’t all that afraid of him.
‘If I wanted to, I could even erase his talent plates.’
Of course, he wouldn’t abuse a power like this without justification, nor was that something he wanted to do. Swinging around a big bat just because he had one wasn’t something Kim Hyukjin fancied doing.
“Congratulations on acquiring an obliteration-grade title,” said Senia.
“Thanks.”
“I will be opening the channel soon. Would you like to tell the Guardians that you have acquired an obliteration-grade title?”
Hyukjin thought for a moment. There were benefits to both options.
“Let’s hide it for now.”
“Understood. However, I would like to know the reason.”
Senia was prepared to accept the greater part of whatever Hyukjin said. She felt as though she was learning a lot from him, and as such, she wanted to know his reasoning.
“It seems to me that an obliteration-grade title is among the highest grade titles you can get in the beginner period.”
“That is untrue. It is a title that should not be possible to acquire in the beginner period. Normally, that is.”
Senia already knew that words like ‘normally’ or ‘originally’ were meaningless with Kim Hyukjin. Even the System designated this monster of a Player an Irregular.
“In any case, it’s incredibly good.”
“Yes.”
“The better something is, the more impact it has, right?”
“Of course.”
“If you drop too great a bomb up front, the impacts afterwards won’t feel like impacts.”
“Ah.” Senia nodded. “Do you mean that we should increase the impact by increments?”
“Exactly. We need to feed them juicier tidbits little by little, showing them that I’m growing. If we tell them I got this title now, there’s no knowing what I’d have to get next to satisfy the Guardians. We can’t throw out anything that will set their standards overly high.”
“I understand. Thank you for the lesson.”
Senia stared at Kim Hyukjin in silence, maintaining her gaze for a long time. Hyukjin noticed her stare.
“What?”
“I am curious about your true name.”
In truth, his true name wasn’t why she had been staring at him. Senia herself had no idea why she’d been spacing out. When she snapped back to her senses, she found that she was still staring at him.
“I told you I don’t have anything like that.”
“How faithfully do you intend on upholding the Sword’s Pact?”
“It’s not just a contract, but a pact. I need to give it my all.”
“I see.”
For whatever reason, Senia’s feelings when she heard that were complicated.
‘I’d like that contract to fall through.’
The twisted thought that it would be great if the Sword’s Pact were to be dissolved flashed through her mind.
‘What in the world am I thinking?!’
The Sword’s Pact could be called Kim Hyukjin’s foundation. It was thanks to the Sword’s Pact that he got the Endless Sky Physique, and Isabel would be an incredible help in his future growth. As the producer of his content, the more Kim Hyukjin grew, the higher her position would ascend.
So why?
‘Why did I just think that it would be nice if the Sword’s Pact were to be dissolved?’ she asked herself. ‘I don’t know.’
She found no answers.
Still expressionless, Senia said, “Opening the channel in ten seconds.”
Somehow, she seemed a little angry.
* * *
* * *
There weren’t many people who could meet CEO Song Kiyoung without an appointment. Kim Hyukjin was one of them, and another was his youngest grandson, Song Jinchul.
“Grandpa!”
“Jinchul, my boy.”
Even the mighty Song Kiyoung was helpless towards Song Jinchul. As long as Jinchul’s older brother and sister were alive, the kid had no chance of becoming the successor and was simply the cute youngest child. That was why Song Kiyoung wasn’t strict with Jinchul.
“I want to become stronger, too.”
“There’s no free ticket to strength.”
“But you can do that, Grandpa.”
Song Kiyoung chuckled. “Why do you want to get stronger so badly?”
“I want to stomp Kim Hyukjin.”
“Kim Hyukjin?”
Song Kiyoung recalled a recent incident—the scandal at Gwanghwamun D-Tower. That incident was deeply linked with Kim Hyukjin, and through it, Song Kiyoung acquired the yellow mana crystals.
‘Junghwa is probably connected to it as well.’
Thankfully, Kim Hyukjin didn’t push Junghe to take responsibility. But that actually worried Song Kiyoung more. Kim Hyukjin not pressing the issue now looked as though he was intentionally waiting.
“Yes. I want to become stronger than him at least.”
“Even though he’s already so far ahead?”
“Still. If Grandpa helps me, I think I can catch up to him, easy.”
“Jinchul. A person needs to know how to differentiate between allies and foes.”
“Are you trying to say Kim Hyukjin is an ally?”
“He’s an ally, yes. One we should keep as close as humanly possible.”
“Okay. But if he’s gonna be my ally, I also need to become strong.”
“That’s true.”
Song Jinchul knew. He just had to whine, and his grandpa would yield.
“You can make me stronger with your ability, Grandpa.”
With the power of the Golden Sovereign, that was possible. It was just that it consumed an enormous fortune.
“Alright, I’ll think about it. Your gramps might be striking it rich soon.”
“Really? Okay. I’ll wait!”
Song Jinchul left the office, somewhat excited.
‘Jinchul’s probably just a baby in Kim Hyukjin’s eyes anyway.’
CEO Song called Kim Hyukjin.
–Hello?
–Are you busy right now, lad?
–No. I’m on the road to Seoul.
–Just like you said, yellow mana crystals are extremely potent in producing a hangover cure.
–Is that so? I’m glad to hear that.
–In addition, if you generate mana by deploying one yellow mana crystal and ten white mana crystals in the appropriate manner, I think we can make an almost infinite quantity of hangover cure.
Sitting in the car driving from Yangpyeong to Seoul, Kim Hyukjin smiled.
‘You made it the same way before, too.’
The ‘Arrayist Choi Wookhyun’ must have been mobilized for this process.
–That’s good news. Was Choi Wookhyun put to the task?
–I’m not even surprised anymore. You’re right.
Apparently, it would take more than this to surprise Song Kiyoung now.
–I think we’ll be able to earn a fortune with this. Thanks to you.
That was bound to happen. Sungshin had made a killing with this hangover cure in the past, too. Hyukjin took something that would have happened without his involvement and turned it into his own achievement.
–But is it okay for me to earn a fortune like this?
–What do you mean?
–As you know, my class is called Golden Sovereign. By offering money, I can strengthen a target of my choosing.
–Yes.
–So do you think I’ll invest in you, or in my grandchildren?
Hyukjin realized CEO Song was hinting at something. He was hinting that he could very well give his full support to one of his grandchildren. The aggravator wasn’t Song Kiyeol, but either Junghye or Jinchul. Song Junghye was probably grinding her teeth to nubs right now, and so was Song Jinchul.
–Are you telling me this in the spirit of fair play?
–Don’t make too many enemies.
–Those enemies keep striking me first. Every time.
Hyukjin paused.
–Thank you for letting me know for fairness’ sake.
–I didn’t tell you anything myself.
–I have one thing to say as well.
Song Kiyoung had just told him to not make too many enemies. So Hyukjin said back,
–Do not become my enemy.
This was a word of warning for CEO Song, but also his final warning for Song Junghye and Song Jinchul.
Song Kiyoung laughed.
–An arrogant thing to say.
But he wasn’t displeased by those arrogant words, nor did they sound like an empty bluff.
Kim Hyukjin lowered the phone. That was sufficient warning from him.
* * *
Four days passed after returning from Yangpyeong. In that time, Michael came to Korea and had his meeting with Ahyoung.
Gathered at the table were Kim Hyukjin, his mother Lee Soohyun, his little sister Kim Sunhwa, his older sister Kim Ahyoung, and even Kim Darong. The family of five—if you included the little squirrel—were enjoying a harmonious dinner.
As the dinner approached its conclusion, Hyukjin looked at Ahyoung.
“How was it?” he asked her.
“How was what?”
“You met Michael. For two days in a row.”
Their mom’s eyes widened at that.
“Whaaat?” Lee Soohyun exclaimed. “You’re seeing a man? Is he a foreigner?”
“Psh, Mom. It’s not like that.”
“Then who’s Michael?”
“The person who’ll teach me how to cook.”
“Really?” Lee Soohyun sighed regretfully. “It’s about time for you to meet a decent man.”
When he heard that, Hyukjin suddenly remembered something.
‘Come to think of it… there was a rumor that he’s the world’s greatest doting husband.’
Michael had a stellar reputation.
‘Her face didn’t become public, but I heard he married an Asian woman?’
Hyukjin heard Michael had gone somewhere for cooking research and married a woman he met there. The famous chef had apparently fallen in love at first sight and chased her for half a year, or something like that.
Instead of responding to her mom’s complaint, Ahyoung moved her chopsticks in silence, moving a few soy sauce beans into her mouth.
“Noona. Why aren’t you responding?”
“To what?”
Hyukjin suddenly remembered that Michael… was an impressively handsome man. He was the Gold Pyramid Michelle’s little brother. Of course those superior genes hadn’t just vanished.
“Michael. How was he?”
“How would I know? I’ve only met him two times.”
“Did he tell you to come to the US?”
“No, he said he was planning on opening a new restaurant in Korea.”
“And he said he’d invite you there?”
“He told me to climb the ranks, starting from a kitchen porter.”
That was good. It was exactly what Ahyoung had wanted so badly—to learn under a proper chef. There was nothing more she could want, especially if that chef was Michael.
‘He was planning on opening a new restaurant in Korea?’
That was BS. Michael originally had zero interest in Korea. Hyukjin had to pull a favor just to get the man to come, and that was a close thing.
‘What is he smoking?’
This wouldn’t do.
“Let’s go see him together.”
“Why you?”
“Didn’t he tell you why he came to Korea and met you?”
“He said it was the request of a VIP.”
“That VIP is me.”
“...”
Ahyoung was shocked into silence. She had suspected it, but hearing it for herself made her breath catch in her throat. How in the world did her little brother become the VIP of such a super-famous chef?
“As his VIP, I’d better go meet him. If he’s really going to open a restaurant in Korea, there’s a lot I can help him with.”
“Just focus on your work. You’re busy.”
“I’m really free these days.”
Kim Sunhwa pressed ‘X’ to doubt.
‘Hold on, Oppa needs to go to Singapore, clear the World Cup Stadium Dungeon, and continue the Sword Forest scenario. He’s actually super busy…?’
In any case, one day passed. Hyukjin intended on meeting Michael, but that meeting did not come to be.
Whirrrrrrrrr–!
A siren blasted off in the distance, audible all the way from the DMC Riverview Xi. Breaking news hit the media—a dungeon break had occurred.
‘A dungeon break?’
It couldn’t be.
The Sangam World Cup Dungeon, which was supposed to break one month from now, had already begun the process.
‘The dungeon shouldn’t even be created at this point…’
Something had changed.