Chapter 49

Chapter 48: Black Market (1)

"Be careful? What do you mean by that?"

Jinhyuk lowered his voice.

[That guy. He smells weird. Should I say it's unpleasant and creepy? It's a scent that, unlike you, I wouldn't want to eat even if I starved to death.]

I was wondering what it was.

You're talking about the smell of blood?

What does this guy think of people?

A walking lunchbox?

Or a snack to eat when bored?

Either way, it's not normal.

[From your expression, I can tell what you're imagining, but I'm not joking. I'm really giving you a warning. That guy is definitely not an ordinary person.]

It's a pretty serious voice.

"Hmm..."

Jinhyuk's expression stiffened slightly.

Given how he's talking, it's not just a joke.

Glancing ahead, he saw a white man with blonde hair and a white suit.

He looked to be in his 20s. However, the ease he naturally exuded made him seem quite experienced.

"Hahaha! It's nothing."

"No, really! How did you know?"

The man and the stewardess were chatting away, seemingly enjoying something.

'On the surface, he just looks like a young CEO or the second generation of a wealthy family...'

Indeed, is he hiding something, as Ellis suggested?

There's only one way to find out.

Jinhyuk carefully activated the 'Eye of Truth' without the other noticing.

——————————————————

Name: Alex Judo

Gender: Male

Age: 24

Level: 27

Strength 15 Agility 13 Vitality 15 Magic 61

Available Stat Points: 0

Available Coins: 0

Occupation: Necromancer

Unique Ability: Forgotten Tomb

Skills: Lv5 'Resurrection of the Dead', Lv5 'Contract of the Dead', Lv5 'Magic Dissolution', Lv4 'Touch of the Dead', Lv4 'Crossbreeding'

——————————————————

[Copy Condition: You can copy one of the target's unique abilities or skills based on your intimacy level. However, to achieve the highest level of intimacy, you must join the 'Mine Association'.]

This can't be...

Jinhyuk's pupils dilated.

I can't believe that guy is one of the Mines.

Was his charming face all a lie?

[See? I was right. Even in the Tower of Trials, my nose is a top-notch masterpiece...]

Ellis raised his voice, boasting, but no more sound could be heard after he stuffed the ring into his pocket.

This guy is useful, but his only flaw is that he talks too much.

And the fact that he still thinks he's the queen is a problem.

At that moment,

"Are you enjoying your trip, Player Gang Jinhyuk?"

A stewardess approached with a smile.

Perfect timing.

This was an opportunity to ask for more information about Alex.

"Yes, thanks to you."

"If you have any discomfort, please let me know. Ah! And I brought some snacks. Would you like to have some?"

"I was just getting hungry, thank you."

Jinhyuk received a sandwich with beef steak and a can of Blang beer.

While doing so, he casually brought up the topic of Alex.

"I noticed someone else is sitting in first class besides me. Is he an Awakened?"

"Oh, you mean Mr. Alex!"

The stewardess answered with a bright expression.

It seems she has won his favor.

"He's an executive of a famous French cosmetics company. He came to Korea on business and is now heading to the United States."

That guy is an executive of a cosmetics company?

It doesn't fit at all with his job as a necromancer who deals with corpses.

Interesting.

'Probably, it's not a coincidence that he's sitting in first class with me.'

It's likely he boarded the plane with a plan.

And the reason is only one.

To try again what the duo failed to do last time.

'I wonder how they'll approach me this time.'

Since the assassination request from Cheonyu-seong failed, they can't approach me openly.

They'll either offer more attractive conditions or try to win my favor slowly to recruit me.

Jinhyuk folded his arms leisurely.

Now that I know their purpose, the ending of this play will go as I want.

All I need to do is act as if I'm falling for their scheme with an innocent face.

How much time passed?

Alex got up and headed to the restroom.

Actually, he was pretending to go to the restroom and was coming towards me.

"Wait, what...?"

Alex's eyes widened when he saw Jinhyuk.

As if he had met a celebrity in real life.

"Excuse me, are you Player Gang Jinhyuk, who received an S-grade rating in Korea today?"

His slightly excited face.

His trembling voice.

Wow, look at his acting skills.

I'd believe he's an actor rather than a corporate executive at this level.

But when it comes to acting, I'm not bad either.

"Yes, I was re-evaluated to S-grade a little while ago."

"Of course! I watched the video that was posted on the [Tower of Trials] community several times today. It's really amazing. I never thought I'd meet the person I saw in the video in person."

After chatting excitedly for a while, Alex seemed to remember something and rummaged through his suit's inner pocket.

"Excuse me... I'm Alex Judo."

The business card he handed over read 'Overseas Sales Director of de Feona Corporation'.

"I'm Gang Jinhyuk."

"Since we've met, it's a sign of fate. How about having a drink at the bar? It will make the long journey pass faster."

Pretending it's a coincidence to build camaraderie.

It's not a bad method, especially with his gentlemanly appearance and smooth talk.

But let's see.

Who will be the one laughing at the end of this conversation?

"Sure, it would be a good way to pass the time. I was feeling a bit disappointed just drinking beer."

***

The place they arrived at was a bar for first and business class passengers.

"I have a favorite drink. Would it be okay to order that?"

"As long as it has alcohol, anything is fine."

"Haha. Don't worry about that."

Louis XIII.

The highest-grade cognac, sold for 15 million won per bottle in salons.

Alex casually ordered it from the vending machine as if it were a cola.

One glass, two glasses.

As the strong liquor was consumed, the barrier between them gradually broke down.

At least, that's what Alex believed.

And finally, when the entire bottle was empty.

"To be honest, I didn't come to Korea for cosmetics. I came to expand my business into the Awakened sector."

Alex started to get to the point.

Clank.

A child-sized ice cube moved in the glass.

Jinhyuk pretended not to know and asked.

"Business related to Awakened?"

"Yes. I initially planned to start lightly, but a small problem occurred."

"What kind of problem...?"

"Before I explain, do you know about the person who has been wearing a mask recently?"

Of course, I know.

The mask is still in my carrier.

If I take it out and wear it now, this guy's expression would be quite entertaining...

But I have to hold back for now.

The story isn't over yet.

Jinhyuk composed his expression and continued.

"I've seen him a few times in videos. He played the biggest role in conquering the 'Corridor of the Fallen' on the first floor. He also declared the conquest of the fourth floor at a recent meeting between large guilds. But, what does this person have to do with your company, Alex?"

"It's a kind of turf war. We wanted to help in conquering the boss, but he strongly blocked us. I guess he wanted to take all the credit for himself."

Look at this guy?

He's making up stories without even wetting his lips?

After editing out the parts related to the Mines and posting the video...

He seems to think that no third party will ever know the truth.

'How can you lie to the person involved?'

It's impossible to be fooled even if I wanted to.

Jinhyuk chuckled.

It would be quite entertaining to hear how far he can go with his lies.

"What a greedy person. The one wearing the mask."

"Exactly! Isn't it too much? That's why I'm saying, if Player Gang Jinhyuk joins us... It would be a huge help to us."

"Me?"

"Yes! Since S-grade players have the right to act independently, no one can touch you."

So,

You want to use the privileges of S-grade to get a share in the conquest of the fourth floor?

What should I say?

Are you really that shameless?

You could stab him with a pen and not draw a drop of blood. This guy.

"I don't dislike Alex, but this request is a bit too much."

"Of course, I will offer a reward that matches the demanding request."

Alex opened his subspace inventory as if he had been waiting for it.

Whoosh!

A transparent crystal containing a blue liquid, an elixir, appeared with a brilliant light.

Even if you were terminally ill.

Or if your heart was shattered, this legendary potion could heal you.

'What the hell are these guys doing to have so many of these expensive items?'

No, seriously.

I'd like to make a vlog about a day in the life of the Mines sometime.

To see how viciously they live from morning till night to live comfortably and full.

Jinhyuk played with the bottle containing the elixir.

"This... I do covet it."

Then, Alex took out a document.

"Sign the contract, and the elixir will be yours, Player Gang Jinhyuk."

[Alex activates Lv5 'Contract of the Dead'!]

A faint but ominous aura rose.

A necromancer's unique skill that binds the contracted party.

'So, you're using this.'

Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed.

It looks like a regular contract on the surface.

That's what makes it scary.

It's too easy to fall for it unknowingly.

'Since it's an absolute contract, once you're in, you must fulfill the terms written in the contract.'

Non-compliance means death. So, I can't fall for this.

But, not signing it means the elixir is too precious to give up.

"Ah!"

Jinhyuk lightly clapped his hands as if he had an idea.

"Have you made a decision?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I won't sign. These days, there are so many scams, so I decided not to sign anything carelessly."

"That... is a very disappointing statement. In that case, the elixir will also be null and void."

Alex reached out his hand towards Jinhyuk.

Since the deal was off, he was asking for the elixir back.

But,

"I'll keep this."

"What do you mean?"

"I also have a principle of not spitting out a candy once I've put it in my mouth."

Saying this, he subtly gathered his magic.

Rumble!

The plane shook violently.

"P, Passengers. The plane is shaking due to turbulence, so please fasten your seatbelts... Ahhh!"

"Please stop moving for a moment."

The stewardesses moved hurriedly.

Everyone thought this was due to turbulence.

"I'll return to my seat for safety. Alex, please follow the stewardess's instructions."

Jinhyuk gave a sly smile to Alex, who was gritting his teeth.

Why?

If you feel wronged, try to use force?

But will that be okay?

A necromancer... what can he do without any corpses?

Does he plan to kill everyone here?

'Hmm.'

That won't happen.

He doesn't have the authority to make such a decision within the Mine Association.