Chapter Twenty-One – Sung Jin-Woo Meets Liu Zhigang
This gathering was not normal, by any stretch of the word, for (Sung Jin-Woo).
To him, it carried many hidden currents, a sea of political ambition and veiled power plays beneath a surface of polite chatter and clinking glasses. He had arrived swiftly at the venue for the international gathering of all guilds.
When he entered, he tried to lower the Shadow Monarch's aura that perpetually surrounded him—a mantle of absolute authority and chilling cold that he now wore as naturally as his own skin.
Shadow Aura Concealment activated.
The skill took effect with a subtle internal click, a dial turning down the pressure he exuded from 'terrifying sovereign' to 'unremarkable S-rank.' He slipped between the guests, a specter in a well-tailored black suit.
He stood with extreme quietness amidst the glittering throng, his eyes—sharper than any blade—scanning, assessing. He used the System's ability for evaluation to appraise the strength of all the hunters present here.
A cascade of blue windows, invisible to all but him, flickered at the edge of his vision with each glance.
[Hunter – Choi Jong-In – Rank: S]
[Hunter – Baek Yoonho – Rank: S]
[Hunter – Lennart Niermann – Rank: S]
[Hunter – ... – Rank: A]
They were all between S-rank and A-rank. This information, which he obtained thanks to the System's power, after knowing their strengths, did not make the future Shadow Monarch feel any threat. On the contrary, he looked at them with a cold expression that held no sympathy.
To him, the higher-level hunters were merely lucky individuals who possessed power, unlike him, who had been forced to exert immense effort before he could reach this level. In the end, they were just lottery winners in the grand, bloody lottery of the Awakening.
And while he was moving through the crowd, a soft, internal chime sounded.
Ding.
— Alert: There is a signal for a strong person near the Player.
Without any outward reaction, he calmly turned. His gaze landed on the person the System was indicating.
The man had long hair tied in a high ponytail. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, missing nothing. He wore a simple, elegant formal suit that seemed to flow with his movements. From this man emanated an aura that (Sung Jin-Woo) could not measure so calmly.
The level of the man standing directly before him was completely different from the rest of the hunters in this place. It was a qualitative difference, like comparing a bonfire to a contained star.
(Sung Jin-Woo)'s System window updated instantly.
[Hunter – Liu Zhigang – Rank: National]
[Level: ???]
[Threat Level: High]
"It's an honor to meet you, respected hunter. My name is (Liu Zhigang). One of the Chinese hunters."
While speaking, he introduced himself. At the same time, the Chinese hunter never lifted his eyes from the Shadow Monarch. On the contrary, his eyes scrutinized (Sung Jin-Woo) with quiet and extreme intensity, as if he were capable of seeing the amount of power the Shadow King was hiding.
But for (Sung Jin-Woo), another alert from the System arrived.
Ding.
— Alert: Player level is equal. The System advises the Player against engaging in combat. —
The message was stark. He had been inside places with a huge group of S-rank individuals. Even (Goto Ryuji), who was the greatest Japanese hunter, hadn't been able to force the System to say such words or tell (Jin-Woo) not to enter a fight.
This man is very strong. I can know that just by being near him. He is not on the same level as the S-rank individuals.
The rapid analysis passed through (Sung Jin-Woo)'s mind, but it didn't show on his face. His expression remained placid, a mask of cool indifference. He even took a step closer, closing the distance between them with a predator's casual confidence. He looked into the eyes of (Liu Zhigang) and spoke.
"Shadow Guild Master, (Sung Jin-Woo). From Korea."
He spoke in a normal tone, his voice level and uninflected, as he held the National Rank hunter's piercing gaze.
All the people who knew who the National Rank hunter currently speaking was—an S-rank hunter—were struck with astonishment to the degree that they all stopped in their places, watching this exchange.
Their shock wasn't because the Korean hunter's words seemed strange to them; after all, he had only introduced himself. But everyone was looking at the Chinese hunter, also known as the Seven-Star National Rank hunter, (Liu Zhigang).
The reason for their great astonishment was that they knew this hunter didn't like talking much and didn't enjoy mingling extensively. He was a person known across a wide scope for entering all sorts of gates and clearing them in record time. Therefore, he didn't socialize with many people and was known to, when he entered any international meeting, sit and wait until the end of the meeting, then leave silently, just as he had entered. As for other hunters who wanted to talk to him, they found themselves unable to do so, especially with his insane, oppressive aura that kept everyone at a respectful, fearful distance.
Yet here he was, initiating a conversation.
"You are very interesting, Korean hunter."
(Liu Zhigang) laughed, completely ignoring the astonishment of the others. He said something with great clarity while pointing subtly, not with his finger, but with his chin, towards (Sung Jin-Woo)'s form.
"You have a great amount of power. I can feel that. Yet you introduce yourself as merely an S-rank hunter. I truly wonder why you do that."
He paused, his hawk-like eyes narrowing a fraction.
"Are you hiding something, Korean hunter (Sung Jin-Woo)?"
(Sung Jin-Woo) did not answer immediately. Instead, his attention shifted to the explanation now present on the System screen, a more detailed analysis triggered by the direct confrontation.
— Target level is higher than Player level by a minimal margin. Allows Player to know the target's specific power. —
— Analyzing chance of success in direct combat… —
— Success Rate: 70% —
The System was sending its analyses with great precision to (Jin-Woo), who, after finishing reading the System's report, replied to (Liu Zhigang).
"My power is not something to boast about. I only came here for business. Not for anything else."
The Shadow Monarch didn't feel any fighting aura coming from the person in front of him. Moreover, the System hadn't detected any killing intent, or it would have activated automatic combat mode and forced him to fight the person before him. Therefore, he was relaxed as he said that.
(Liu Zhigang) was impressed by these words. A genuine, intrigued smile touched his lips, a rare sight for those who knew him.
"Really? That is very interesting. That's the same as my thinking. That power isn't something to boast about, only to use correctly. So, what do you say about coming with me? I invite you for a drink until the meeting starts, (Sung Jin-Woo). What do you think of that?"
Everyone who was watching this scene lost their composure. They didn't know what to say. They had just heard it—the hunter famously known for staying utterly alone was inviting another hunter to drink at the bar in the hall's private lounge.
The collective mental record of the onlookers scratched. This was unprecedented.
(Sung Jin-Woo) considered it for a moment that stretched in the silent, watching space between them. The clinking of glasses elsewhere sounded unnaturally loud.
"I cannot. I have some business to attend to."
The reply offered by the Korean hunter surpassed everyone's expectations. Especially since everyone present would have done anything to get such an opportunity—a private audience with a National Rank, a chance to build a connection, to gain a sliver of favor.
The refusal hung in the air, crisp and absolute.
"Really? That is a pity."
The sound of (Liu Zhigang)'s disappointment was clear to all present, who were focusing on this conversation. This disappointment struck them with a psychological shock. Did this Korean hunter just… reject a National Rank? Voluntarily?
But then, (Liu Zhigang) smiled again. It was a wider, more knowing smile, as if the refusal had confirmed something for him, made the young man before him even more intriguing.
"We can repeat it another time. It was an honor to meet you, Korean hunter. I hope fate brings us together again."
After that, the Seven-Star hunter turned. His ponytail swung with the motion. He walked to the bar, his steps silent on the thick carpet. He sat on a stool, which emitted a soft creak under his weight. He ordered a glass of wine—a deep, dark red—and began to drink it quietly.
Of course, everyone was watching him, their gazes flicking between the enigmatic Chinese legend and the unfathomable Korean S-rank who had just brushed him off.
But (Liu Zhigang) didn't pay them any mind. His eyes glinted with a private amusement, a smile lingering on his face as he took a slow, savoring sip of his wine, the liquid swirling like blood in the crystal glass. The game, it seemed, had just gotten a new player, and (Liu Zhigang) was delighted to have found him.
(Sung Jin-Woo) watched him go for a second, then turned, melting back into the crowd, his own thoughts churning. 70% success rate. The number was filed away, a data point for future reference. For now, he had other business. He needed to find the Chairman. He needed to know about his father.
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End of Chapter.
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