Kang-hoo didn’t feel the need to beat around the bush and spoke directly.
“Kang-hoo.”
“Huh?”
“Pass this on to the Myeongga Guild. Tell them to be cautious of the Haeyeong Guild.”
“The Haeyeong Guild… You mean the one based in Busan?”
“Yes. They’re making moves against the Myeongga Guild. Even at this moment, they’re preparing.”
“Seriously?”
“Think about it. There are plenty of reasons for the Haeyeong Guild to target the Myeongga Guild, don’t you think?”
As Kang-hoo subtly guided Park Dong-jae’s thought process, Park Dong-jae nodded in realization.
“You’re right! Right now, they’re practically fused with the Jeonghwa Guild because of that mutual cooperation contract!”“Exactly.”
“And the Jeonghwa Guild does find the Myeongga Guild troublesome. But they can’t just crush them outright, can they?”
“No.”
“So, using the Haeyeong Guild as a proxy to strike the Myeongga Guild is a viable method. The puzzle fits together perfectly!”
“You’ve got it.”
“Why didn’t I think of this before? Yeah, it’d be stranger if the Haeyeong Guild wasn’t planning something!”
With just a little nudge, the sharp-minded Park Dong-jae grasped the entire situation.
Now, convincing him to warn the Myeongga Guild and ensure they stayed alert would be easy.
“They need to be careful. Or at the very least, keep a close watch on the Haeyeong Guild. One of the two is a must.”
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s always best to be cautious. That’s the smart move right now.”
With that, their conversation wrapped up smoothly.
Since Park Dong-jae had an upcoming dungeon expedition scheduled with the Myeongga Guild, the message would be relayed quickly.
And unless the Myeongga Guild had a blind spot for danger, they would be extra vigilant.
After finishing their meal—
Kang-hoo, whose flight was earlier, headed for Seoul, while Park Dong-jae saw him off and promised to meet again.
“It looks like Shin Kang-hoo is making a deal with Master K.”
This information was obtained after subduing the security limousine driver who had accompanied Shin Kang-hoo to Ground Zero.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Of course, having a connection with Master K isn’t necessarily suspicious. Our guild does business with him as well.”
“Many hunters purchase potions or herbs directly from Master K.”
“Yes. While it’s rare for them to go in person, that might just be a matter of personal discretion.”
“Any other peculiarities?”
“I suspected a connection with The Abyss, but there was no sign of that in this recent movement. However, there is one additional piece of information.”
“What is it?”
“He seems to be on quite friendly terms with the Groo Guild. He went to Jeju Island recently. We’ve confirmed his return and are currently tracking him.”
“Understood. You’re doing great. Keep up the good work. I’ll be waiting.”
“Yes, sir.”
By the time Kang-hoo had returned to Seoul—
Kim Hee-woon was submitting a report through the Jeonghwa Guild’s internal security communication app.
The recipient was Go Joo-hee.
Although Kim Hee-woon was directly under Chae Gwanhyeong, this matter fell under the jurisdiction of Gong Yoo-seok and Go Joo-hee.
As tedious as it was, he had no choice but to report to them thoroughly. In the hierarchy, obedience was absolute.
Kim Hee-woon was tailing Kang-hoo.
Through an informant stationed in Jeju, he had confirmed Kang-hoo’s meeting with the Groo Guild.
Thus, as Kang-hoo departed from Jeju Airport, Kim Hee-woon was already waiting at Gimpo Airport.
With the sheer number of people bustling around, tailing Kang-hoo in the crowd didn’t attract any attention.
Furthermore, since he could enhance his vision from a distance, there was no need to close the gap too much.
But Kang-hoo’s movements were strange.
Instead of following a typical route from the airport, he was heading in the direction of Paju via the airport railway.
According to Kim Hee-woon’s intelligence, Kang-hoo had no known connections or ties to Paju.
The only time he had been there was during the Hell of Judgment raid.
However, this wasn’t a period for hiring outside mercenaries, nor was there an ongoing raid.
That made it suspicious.
Choosing an unusual destination meant there had to be a reason behind it.
He continued tailing from a distance.
If Kang-hoo had suddenly sprinted, he might have lost him, but that didn’t happen.
After all, someone unaware of being followed wouldn’t have a reason to hurry.
How long had he been following?
Kang-hoo’s pace quickened slightly, and he disappeared into an abandoned factory near Paju Station.
‘Interesting…’
It seemed like he had a secret hideout.
There was no dungeon in the area, so perhaps he was engaging in something illicit, like a drug trade.
Whatever it was, there was clearly something he wanted to keep hidden. His curiosity was piqued.
Just as he was about to pick up his pace—
Swoosh! Slide!
“Ugh…!”
Kim Hee-woon suddenly felt a cold sensation pressing against his throat.
It was the distinct chill of metal.
Glancing down slightly, he saw a dagger with an extremely sharp edge pressed firmly against his Adam’s apple.
“Who are you?”
“……”
Kim Hee-woon remained silent.
Shwaaah!
“Gah!”
Without a moment’s hesitation, the dagger sliced through the skin at the Adam’s apple.
It was only because he controlled his strength that it wasn’t a fatal wound. A slightly deeper cut would have been instant death.
In other words, this was a warning.
He could have killed him at any time but chose not to.
“There won’t be a second chance to talk. I don’t care who you are. What I want to know is who sent you.”
“Sh… Shin Kang-hoo?”
Kim Hee-woon repeated in disbelief.
Even as he spoke, he couldn’t make sense of the situation.
Just moments ago, he had watched Kang-hoo enter the abandoned factory.
Yet now, suddenly, he had appeared hundreds of meters away and was threatening his life. How was that possible?
Of course.
From Kang-hoo’s perspective, not only was it possible, but it was the natural outcome of his preparation the moment he sensed he was being followed.
At first, he hadn’t noticed Kim Hee-woon’s tailing.
However, ever since obtaining the Third Eye constellation, Kang-hoo had been making a habit of utilizing it at all times.
It required no mana to maintain, and if it disappeared, he could simply set it up again.
So, suspicious or not, he always left the Third Eye along his path.
That was how he noticed a hunter persistently following his route, constantly checking his direction.
He deliberately lured him to an isolated location where combat wouldn’t be an issue.
Considering how rare it was for hunters to come to Paju—
The fact that Kim Hee-woon had followed him this far was enough to confirm the tail.
“Why were you following me?”
Kang-hoo’s question made Kim Hee-woon hesitate.
He could try to fight back. With his barrier up, he could break free and escape.
Then, once he got some distance, he could engage in a one-on-one battle. It wasn’t an impossible scenario.
But his orders from above were clear: follow and gather intelligence, but avoid direct confrontation.
This wasn’t an assassination mission. And right now, he was at a complete disadvantage.
The conclusion was obvious.
“I apologize. I was sent by the Jeonghwa Guild. We were gathering information on you, Shin Kang-hoo.”
Kim Hee-woon immediately admitted defeat and continued.
“The Jeonghwa Guild has taken great interest in you, and they wanted to obtain information discreetly.”
“The Jeonghwa Guild sent you?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Kim Hee-woon nodded, biting his lip in frustration.
How had he been discovered? How had his tail been detected?
Unless Kang-hoo had eyes in the back of his head—
Unless he had the ability to teleport—
There was no way he should have suddenly appeared behind him, pressing a dagger to his throat.
He prided himself on his skills in stealth and surveillance, earning the favor of Chae Gwanhyeong and the recognition of the Jeonghwa Guild.
Yet, never before had he been caught, let alone threatened with death.
“Consider this a warning. I already made it clear that I’m not interested in the Jeonghwa Guild’s offer. I told them I have no desire to belong to any group.”
“……”
“Despite that, you still followed me. What else am I supposed to think besides assuming you’re after my life?”
“I sincerely apologize.”
“I’m letting this go as a warning today. But if you’re caught following me again, be prepared to die. Tell your superiors as well—let’s at least keep some manners.”
“…Understood.”
Srrk.
Before the words even finished leaving Kim Hee-woon’s mouth, Kang-hoo vanished.
Freed from the dagger’s edge, Kim Hee-woon immediately tried to track Kang-hoo’s movements. But there was nothing to find.
With all his skills and item buffs enhancing his stealth, Kang-hoo had erased his presence completely—finding him was impossible.
That night.
While staying at the hotel he had reserved in advance, Kang-hoo received a call from Lee Ye-rin.
The schedule for the German request was in its final coordination phase. The confirmation would come within three days.
For Kang-hoo, this meant some unexpected downtime. The delay was slightly longer than anticipated.
“I had a feeling this would happen.”
Recalling his encounter with Kim Hee-woon earlier in the day, Kang-hoo smirked.
He had already suspected the Jeonghwa Guild would send someone to follow him.
It was their usual method of gathering intelligence. They had numerous hunters specialized in tailing.
Most of those hunters were under Chae Gwanhyeong’s direct command, receiving extensive training that made them highly skilled.
When Kang-hoo first confronted Kim Hee-woon, he had initially anticipated a fight.
However, Kim Hee-woon had immediately backed down. This indicated that the Jeonghwa Guild had issued specific orders—
To follow him, but if confronted, to reveal the purpose immediately. It was likely Jang Si-hwan’s directive.
“There was nothing to gain from killing him.”
If he had killed Kim Hee-woon, the only thing he would have obtained was his constellation.
That, in turn, would have provoked not just Chae Gwanhyeong but Jang Si-hwan as well.
He could fight them if needed, but since the tracker had admitted his mistake, there was no reason to escalate things to an extreme.
Instead, he had instilled fear in Kim Hee-woon.
Through him, the warning would reach Jang Si-hwan and Chae Gwanhyeong.
By the time he reported back, he would exaggerate everything—explaining his failure and how his life had been in danger.
“If this happens again, I’ll have a solid reason to kill next time.”
Kang-hoo reached his own conclusion.
And given the fact that the Jeonghwa Guild had sent a tail, it only confirmed how much interest they had in him.
This warning would be a strong enough statement. It would especially intrigue Jang Si-hwan.
“But in the meantime… what should I do with my free time?”
Kang-hoo clicked his tongue.
He had no immediate obligations. The talisman matter was still pending, and the German deal was in final negotiations.
That left him with about two and a half days to spare.
Just then, a certain place came to mind.
A place he could visit alone, where he wouldn’t have to worry about anyone else.