BXBX NOVEL Chapter 31
Seeing Kim Tae-soo collapse, Kang Hyeon rushed over urgently.
“Ugh…”
Kang Hyeon sighed in relief after confirming that Kim Tae-soo, who was groaning, was still alive.
“What’s that guy doing?”
“Looks like that bastard’s friend?”
The men snickered as they watched the scene.
“Hey, loser’s friend. Take that loser and get lost quickly. It’s making me sick.”
The man who had just beaten Kim Tae-soo approached and said.
“Huh… Was it you?”
“What? If you’re asking if I stepped on that bug, yeah, that was me.”
Kang Hyeon was quite tall at 179cm. But the man was so tall he could completely look down on Kang Hyeon.
“What? Got a problem? Looks like you want to show off because you worked out a bit. Take that trash and leave while I’m still asking nicely.”
The man looked down at Kang Hyeon and sneered.
-Creak…
Having experienced countless deaths, Kang Hyeon’s normal human emotions had worn down and twisted.
For him who had finally found peace after so long, having his peaceful time disturbed and his friend knocked down caused Kang Hyeon’s eyes to roll back.
“Haa…”
But to those already intoxicated by the pleasure of violence and alcohol, such facts didn’t matter.
“Hey. Tall guy.”
“What?”
“If you bow your head and sincerely apologize right now… I’ll let you live.”
“Hey, what’s this idiot saying?”
“Hahaha!”
The men clutched their stomachs laughing even at Kang Hyeon’s words. That grated on Kang Hyeon’s nerves even more.
“And don’t look down on me.”
“…”
“It’s annoying.”
“This bastard’s really full of himself till the end!”
As he spoke, the tall guy swung his fist at Kang Hyeon.
-Thud!
The tall guy’s fist connected squarely with Kang Hyeon’s jaw. But Kang Hyeon’s head didn’t budge an inch and remained still.
“W-What…?”
Feeling like he’d hit a massive wall, the tall guy stuttered in confusion.
“I told you not to look down on me.”
-Crack!
A lightning-fast low kick struck the tall guy’s leg.
In an instant, his knee twisted unnaturally and the bone pierced through the flesh.
“Aaaagh!”
“Now you should bow your head and apologize, right?”
Kang Hyeon struck the head of the tall guy who was screaming on his knees with all his might.
-Boom!
The tall guy’s head slammed into the ground at tremendous speed, shattering the tiles beneath.
“W-What the hell is this guy…?!”
“Hey, Jeong Sang-yeon!”
The tall guy called Jeong Sang-yeon showed no response even when his companions called out.
“Is he dead?”
“That bastard!”
“Shit, everyone get your equipment out!”
The villains took out their equipment from their inventories and charged at Kang Hyeon.
“Hiyaaa!”
“Die!”
Three ability users armed with blades.
It was a situation where anyone would feel threatened, but Kang Hyepn was overflowing with composure.
He didn’t even take out his equipment and just stood there blankly.
He only smiled, feeling the pain stabbing his body due to ‘Wayne’s Secret Technique’.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a good fight.”
With his increased reflexes, the guys swinging their swords looked as slow as turtles.
-Whoosh, whoosh!
Kang Hyeon leisurely dodged the randomly swung sword attacks.
He looked like someone existing in a completely different world.
“Ack…! Why can’t we hit him?!”
“What is this?!”
Kang Hyeon approached the confused man and slapped his cheek.
-Smack!
“Ugh!”
The guy who was slapped flew and crashed right into a table.
With his head buried and legs trembling, it looked like he wouldn’t be able to get up again.
“Urgh… Beast Transformation!”
Seeing his comrade go down in one hit, another guy used his skill.
His eyes turned red, and fur sprouted all over his body like a beast.
‘I didn’t know there was a skill like that.’
That was the extent of Kang Hyeon’s impression.
He looked at the man with an expressionless face.
“Graaah!”
The man who transformed into a beast swung his arm, which had grown massive with protruding claws, at Kang Hyeon.
-Grab
But contrary to that intense momentum, the guy’s hand was caught anticlimactically.
As Kang Hyeon gripped and twisted his wrist, the guy’s body gradually crumbled from the pain.
“What is this…”
‘To be overpowered even after using Beast Transformation!’
The guy’s eyes widened in disbelief.
-Crack
“I thought you’d be different after that flashy transformation.”
“Aaaagh!”
“I’m disappointed.”
Kang Hyeon completely twisted the man’s wrist.
As his arm turned at an impossibly strange angle, the guy howled in pain.
“What is that… What the hell is this monstrous bastard?!”
Seeing his comrades get destroyed in an instant, the last remaining man fell into panic.
“Watch your language. You thug.”
-Crack
Kang Hyeon approached the man, grabbed his head, and slammed it against the wall.
“Urgh!”
“That’s what you get.”
-Crack!
“Ugh… P-Please… Spare…”
-Crack!
“What was that?”
“I’m… S-sorry…”
“I can’t hear you?”
Just as Kang Hyeon was about to slam the man’s head again, someone grabbed his hand.
“What?”
“Stop. I’m fine.”
It was Kim Tae-soo, who had gotten up from his seat.
“Huh?”
“I said stop. There are a lot of people here too.”
Only then did Kang Hyeon come to his senses and look around.
All the people who had gathered were trembling in fear as they looked at him.
-Thud
“Hah, they’re too weak. There’s not even any stress relief in beating them up.”
Kang Hyeon threw the man aside and approached the counter.
“I’m sorry. I’ll compensate for ruining your business today and for the damages.”
“No! You don’t need to do that!”
“It’s fine, so please give me your account number.”
The owner, who had been watching the situation unfold, frantically waved his hands at the mention of compensation.
“It’s really okay!”
“Don’t make me a thug and just give me the number.”
“No, really, you don’t need to…”
As the owner persistently refused, Kang Hyeon’s eyes flashed.
“I said give it to me.”
“15-4231-5446-xxxx, Agricultural Bank.”
The owner, whose eyes met Kang Hyeon’s, froze up completely and recited the account number.
“I’ve sent the money, so check it well.”
After finishing the transfer, Kang Hyeon turned around and approached Kim Tae-soo.
“Phew, let’s go.”
“I wondered, but you’re an ability user too?”
“That’s how it turned out.”
As Kang Hyeon left the store with Kim Tae-soo, the owner loudly bid them farewell.
“Thank you! Have a good day!”
The owner, who had just earned two months’ worth of profit in an instant, beamed with a big smile.
***
Ippotranslation
***
Kang Hyeon left the store and told Kim Tae-soo about what had happened.
He talked about his parents getting injured in an accident, and his experiences in dungeons afterwards.
Although it covered over half a year of events, it took less than 30 minutes to convey it all through conversation.
“You’ve been through a lot. You should have contacted me.”
“Sorry. I was overwhelmed.”
After hearing everything, Kim Tae-soo brought up the topic of guilds to Kang Hyeon.
“I’m not in a high position or anything, but I can give you a recommendation. Someone of your caliber is more than enough, so let me know if you’re interested in the Dangun Guild.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Although Kang Hyeon had no plans to join any organization yet, he thanked Kim Tae-soo for his thoughtfulness before they parted ways.
“Phew… That was hectic.”
Finally arriving home, Kang Hyeon sighed at the comfort he felt.
“Did you meet someone? You smell like alcohol.”
“I met Kim Tae-soo for a bit.”
Kang A-hyun, who was watching TV in the living room, waved her hand in greeting.
“Good. Don’t just bury yourself in dungeons alone like a madman every day. Do some socializing too.”
“Your way of talking, really… Tsk tsk.”
Kang Hyeon clicked his tongue and entered the bathroom.
“Hey. What did you do?”
A little while later, as Kang Hyeon came out after showering, Kang A-hyun approached him.
“W-What did I do?”
Feeling guilty about something, Kang Hyeon stuttered.
“Well. Someone came to my company today. Said they knew you.”
“What?”
Kang Hyeon frowned in confusion at the unexpected news.
No matter how much he searched his limited social circle, there was no one who would go to his sister’s company.
“They said they were from the Bait Guild and knew you well?”
“Bait…?”
At the mention of the Bait Guild, Kang Hyeon’s expression quickly hardened.
“They said you suddenly became unreachable and asked me to pass this on.”
“Let me see it.”
Kang Hyeon hastily snatched the note Kang A-hyun handed over.
————–
Mr. Kang Hyeon,
Hello.
This is Jeong Eui-hyeon, the guild master of the Bait Guild.
Although you rejected our offer a few days ago, I’m contacting you again out of regret.
If you’ve changed your mind, please contact us at the number below.
010-5296-1….
We’ll be waiting.
————–
“These bastards!”
After reading the note, Kang Hyeon quickly started putting on clothes.
“Hey. What’s going on? What’s happening?”
“Don’t go outside. Just stay here!”
“Where are you going at this hour?!”
Ignoring Kang A-hyun’s questions, Kang Hyeon opened the front door.
“I’ll be back soon!”
-Slam!
Rushing outside, Kang Hyeon dialed the number written on the memo.
-Hello.
After a few rings, a familiar voice came through the phone.
“What are you trying to do now?”
-Ah, Mr. Kang Hyeon. Thank you for calling.
The voice on the phone sounded genuinely pleased, as if they were really glad to hear from Kang Hyeon.
“Cut the crap!”
Kang Hyeon shouted into the phone.
“If this is a threat, you’ve picked the wrong person. If you lay a finger on Kang A-hyun, you’re all dead.”
-My, you’re thinking too extremely.
“Is it extreme?”
-I merely went to contact you, Mr. Kang Hyeon. Pfft…
As Jeong Eui-hyeon spoke, his voice was clearly trying to hold back laughter.
“You fucking bastard! Where are you?!”
-Let’s calm down first. For now. We have no intention of harming anyone yet.
“…”
-It would be a shame if you collapsed from high blood pressure before your mother in the hospital, wouldn’t it? Hehehe.
Kang Hyeon roughly ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
“Haa…”
After taking a moment to catch his breath, he felt a bit calmer.
The guy had already finished investigating him. There was nothing to gain by getting worked up here.
“What do you want?”
-Guild membership. I’ll give you a very generous two days, so contact us again if you change your mind.
After answering Kang Hyeon’s question, Jeong Eui-hyeon hung up unilaterally.
-Click
Even after the call ended, Kang Hyeon stood still, staring at his phone.
“You’ve crossed the line.”
With eyes full of anger, Kang Hyeon spat out the words.
***
Ippotranslation
***
-Buzz.
Late at night.
Kim Tae-soo took out his smartphone as it suddenly rang.
“Kang Hyeon?”
The screen displayed Kang Hyeon’s name.
“What’s going on at this hour?”
Kim Tae-soo wondered as he pressed the answer button.
“Hello.”
-Hey.
“What’s suddenly happening?”
-Sorry, but I have a favor to ask.
“A favor? What kind of favor?”
Kang Hyeon’s voice sounded deeply upset, as if he was angry about something.
Sensing that something had happened, Kim Tae-soo asked in a worried voice.
-Do you know about a place called the Bait Guild?
“I’ve heard the name since it’s a big guild. Those guys are completely vicious, aren’t they? What about them?”
The original purpose of guilds was dungeon clearing.
However, there were more guilds than expected that forgot this purpose and went crazy for money.
Among them, the Bait Guild was famous for making money through illegal activities such as dungeon occupation and ability user extortion.
-Haa…
“Why? What happened…?”
Kim Tae-soo’s expression became even more serious when that name came out of Kang Hyeon’s mouth.
-I got into trouble with the Bait Guild. Those bastards are threatening me using Kang A-hyun and my mother as leverage.
“What?! What do you mean?”
Kim Tae-soo shouted in surprise.
-They’re telling me to join their guild and follow them like a dog.
“Huh…”
-Can you look into some information about those guys for me?
“Phew. Wait. I’ll gather information and send it to you by lunch tomorrow.”
-Okay. Thanks.
After ending the call, Kim Tae-soo hurriedly started contacting people around him.