LRAB Chapter 221: Meeting (1)
Chapter 221: Meeting (1)
Lee Ye-rin called.
Since he could check his skill anytime, he canceled the activation and answered the call right away.
“Yes, this is Shin Kang-hoo.”
-Are you free to talk?
“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have answered.”
-Ah...
Lee Ye-rin sighed briefly, perhaps because she was met with Kang-hoo’s characteristic bluntness from the start of the conversation.
Considering that most of Lee Ye-rin’s clients are easygoing and enjoy jokes...
Kang-hoo is undoubtedly among the dull ones. If ranked by dullness, he would certainly be at the top.
“Is there an overseas request?”
-Ah, that matter is still under discussion. There are quite a few details to coordinate.
“I see. Then, what’s the reason?”
-I received a call from the Jeonghwa Guild. They want to arrange a meeting with you.
“Why didn’t they contact me directly?”
-They want to show respect. They think contacting you directly might seem less formal.
“Whose status are they worried about?”
-Yours, of course. They want to approach as carefully as possible.
“Hmm.”
Kang-hoo pondered briefly.
There was no real reason to avoid the meeting.
In fact, avoiding it would be strange.
Kang-hoo knew Jang Si-hwan’s nature, so he couldn’t help but be curious about his every move.
But if he looked at himself from Jang Si-hwan’s perspective, the picture would be entirely different.
To Jang Si-hwan, he was just one of many hunters.
For instance, he recalled meeting Baek Seon-tae from the local warlord group Jajang during a previous trip to Yeosu.
Back then, Baek Seon-tae even gave him his contact information and showed a lot of interest.
However, Kang-hoo considered Baek Seon-tae just a peculiar assassin, nothing particularly remarkable.
Since then, he hadn’t been curious about Baek Seon-tae, nor did he care to know where he was or what he was doing.
If he swapped positions, placing himself in Baek Seon-tae’s shoes and Jang Si-hwan in his own, he could somewhat understand.
Jang Si-hwan might find him intriguing.
But to go beyond that, he would need to stand out and grow even more than he does now.
Otherwise, from Jang Si-hwan’s position, “Shin Kang-hoo” would only seem somewhat unique at best.
-What should we do?
“Let’s meet. Since this is happening, let’s just suggest the Cheong-an Building. I might as well take care of two things at once.”
-Meeting me first, then taking care of the next agenda all in one go?
“Can a monk move first? The temple has to move.”
-Haha. That joke was actually funny. Maybe I’m getting old.
“If you lump me in with old-timers like that... Haha.”
Kang-hoo chuckled.
-When should we meet?
“I’m in Suwon right now. I’ll head straight to Daejeon. Please arrange the meeting with the Jeonghwa Guild as soon as possible.”
-Got it. Shall I send someone to Daejeon Station?
“No need. I’ll go myself and get a feel for the surroundings. Don’t worry about me coming.”
-Alright, then. I’ll wait.
After ending the call, Kang-hoo headed directly to Suwon Station.@@@@
He would have opportunities to train and hone his Death Flame skill anytime. He didn’t feel it was a loss to not display it now.
Daejeon Station.
Since he hadn’t visited recently, the area around Daejeon Station had changed noticeably.
The flags and emblems of the Cheong-an Mercenary Corps and Heuksaja were flying more prominently than before.
And the hunters affiliated with Eclipse, who used to appear occasionally, were nowhere to be seen, as if they had disappeared entirely.
Therefore, despite expecting some level of conflict upon arrival at Daejeon Station, there was nothing to worry about.
Currently, Kang-hoo was under a kill order from Eclipse, so many were actively pursuing him.
“You’re underestimating the power of video. Those with keen eyes can recognize something special just from that.”
“Well, it’s good news nonetheless.”
“Indeed. It’s become easier to set the stage under favorable conditions. And setting the stage is my specialty...”
“I’m counting on you.”
“Is there anything else I should consider when accepting requests? Feel free to let me know.”
“I’ll prioritize requests from Germany or South Africa.”
“Understood.”
Lee Ye-rin didn’t ask for any further explanation.
Not having excessive curiosity is one of the virtues of a skilled broker.
If she had personal curiosity, she could investigate on her own. No need to show it.
“May I bring up a different topic?”
“Sure, go ahead. I also accept date requests, you know.”
“It’s not that.”
“...Learn to take a joke!”
“I met Ayane. I have her consent to mention this. She also agreed that I could talk about her to you.”
“One moment.”
Lee Ye-rin paused the conversation briefly and made a phone call.
Kang-hoo knew exactly who she was calling. Naturally, it would be Ayane.
It was a reaction he had expected. Partly, he brought it up to test her response.
If Lee Ye-rin had casually started talking about Ayane after Kang-hoo claimed he had her permission...
He would have questioned her capability, thinking she didn’t understand the weight of being a broker.
But she didn’t.
“Ah, yes. I see. I confirmed it. So with that consent, I’ll proceed if there are related matters.”
The conversation, which seemed to include mutual consent and opinions, concluded.
Lee Ye-rin resumed speaking to Kang-hoo.
“It’s a necessary verification process, so I paused the conversation and made a call. I hope you don’t mind?”
“Of course.”
“It’s amazing how these coincidences overlap. Although, I did arrange both for the Jeongmun Pharmaceutical case.”
“Going to Fukuoka in Japan wasn’t part of the original plan, though.”
“Exactly. And then Ayane was there for a request I received. I suppose it’s fate.”
“Thanks to that, I was able to express my late gratitude. For the help we exchanged back at the lab, which we couldn’t acknowledge.”
Kang-hoo nodded.
“Ayane is really picky when it comes to evaluating hunters. It shows especially when she’s choosing a partner...”
Seeing Lee Ye-rin’s reaction, it was clear Ayane had high standards. Lee Ye-rin continued,
“If she finds a truly impressive hunter, her focus shifts completely. She becomes captivated, in a good way.”
“That’s a unique trait.”
“Exactly. She treats hunters without skill as absolute trash. Courtesy greetings? Humility? None of that.”
“Hmm...”
“The fact that Ayane is this interested in Kang-hoo means she acknowledges that his skills are different.”
“Ayane is skilled too.”
“Right. That’s why it’s even more impressive. To capture the interest of such a selective hunter is amazing.”
“I didn’t intend to capture her interest, but she’d already invested her interest by the time I knew.”
Kang-hoo laughed, recalling his encounter with Ayane in the Fukuoka Liberation Area.
At that moment.
Lee Ye-rin, her thoughts seemingly shifted, adjusted her seat and her expression grew slightly somber.
“Among the overseas requests, I’ll coordinate those that can be linked with Ayane upon mutual agreement. But that’s not the main topic for today.”
Kang-hoo had an idea of what was coming, but he deliberately tilted his head as if he didn’t.
Discussing the expected “topic”...
It would be better for her to realize and address it herself than for him to prod unnecessarily.
And that was—
“Today, I want to talk seriously to you about the Jeonghwa Guild. I hope you listen closely.”
It was a conversation to confront her resentment towards the Jeonghwa Guild, reminding her of the fate her character was heading toward in the original story.