Chapter 91

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At the negotiation table with the Koo Kwang Group, Lee Hyun-wook boldly presented what he wanted.

‘This guy... to make such an unreasonable demand...’

It was an excessively bold proposal, but Han Hee-jun, the negotiator for the Koo Kwang Group, could not easily refuse. This was because... the Koo Kwang Group was at a complete disadvantage in every aspect.

At that moment, the life of Koo Hyo-min, the chairman's granddaughter, was in danger,

and more importantly, the dark secrets of the Koo Kwang Group were on the table.

And this man was skillfully manipulating everything he had in his hands.

‘Lee Hyun-wook, it’s not just about wielding steel...’

Negotiations don’t always yield good results just because the situation is favorable. In the tug-of-war of back-and-forth, one’s position can crumble, leading to unknowingly disadvantageous choices.

‘So, I thought I would try to pressure and bend him within a short time...’

Even Han Hee-jun, who had been in the business world for quite a while, found his pressure ineffective.

He cleared his throat and spoke again.

“Mr. Lee Hyun-wook... instead of ‘Achilles’ Shield,’ would it be possible to offer an equivalent amount of cash?”

Among Lee Hyun-wook’s several demands, the first was that hero-grade item.

He slowly shook his head at Han Hee-jun’s proposal.

‘One of Chairman Koo Han-cheol’s hobbies is item collection.’

From the early days of this disaster, he had collected numerous items, both as an investment and a hobby.

Thus, he had a few decent collections, one of which was .

‘But the most important component of that collection is now in my hands.’

Chairman Koo Han-cheol had boldly given it to his grandson, Koo Dong-hoon, for his debut battle,

but it was lost during Lee Hyun-wook’s assault on the Cheongdam-dong ‘Red Gate.’

What the Koo Kwang Group believed to be lost was now in Lee Hyun-wook’s possession.

‘If I get Achilles’ Shield here, the synergy effect will be activated.’

When related items are owned, a kind of synergy effect occurs. The set of Achilles’ armor has the ability to make one temporarily invincible.

Lee Hyun-wook intended to obtain both the spear and the shield to gain part of this effect.

However, it was obvious that the other side would not readily give it up.

“That’s... because it’s a hero-grade item and one that the chairman values.”

“Still, I think it’s not as precious as his granddaughter. Is that the chairman’s opinion?”

Lee Hyun-wook maintained a stiff attitude and cast his gaze into the air.

This was a silent expression that he had no intention of compromising on this point.

Seeing this, Han Hee-jun realized he had no control over the situation.

The words Chairman Koo Han-cheol had said before sending him echoed in his mind.

‘Manager Han, time is of the essence! Find the right answer as quickly as possible!’

Ultimately...

“Um... I’ll make a call and be right back.”

And a moment later...

“Phew... Mr. Lee Hyun-wook, it’s fine. The chairman has agreed.”

Han Hee-jun extended his hand with a formal smile.

Chairman Koo Han-cheol had decided to exclude that shield from his treasure box.

In the end, things went as Lee Hyun-wook had wanted.

“...”

However, for some reason, Lee Hyun-wook did not shake Han Hee-jun’s hand.

“Besides that, has the proposal for the right to attack the mountainous areas of Gangwon Province been confirmed?”

Thus, what Lee Hyun-wook demanded was not just ‘Achilles’ Shield.’

‘I can’t just get one item from the Koo Kwang Group.’

Although the Koo Kwang Group did not operate a guild themselves, they held shares in several medium and small guilds that governed local areas. Lee Hyun-wook demanded part of their ‘attack rights.’

“Yes, we will also give you 18% of those rights. They will be transferred to your guild within a week.”

Only then did Lee Hyun-wook shake Han Hee-jun’s hand.

Thus, he obtained the ‘attack rights’ for the Gangwon Province area, which would serve as a growth driver for his guild.

‘And there are a few good gates that will open in the Gangwon Province area in the future.’

After the negotiation was concluded, Han Hee-jun stood up and quietly added a word.

“However... as I mentioned earlier, Dr. Koo Hyo-min must not be harmed in any way.”

She was a promising alchemist player and was considered a talent to lead the future of the Koo Kwang Group. Moreover, she was one of the few bloodlines that Chairman Koo Han-cheol favored.

“And... whatever happens inside must be kept confidential.”

This referred to the inhumane acts that occurred during the blood magic experiments in the basement of the research facility.

Of course, the Filipino workers, the victims, had been asked for their ‘consent’ for the research, but in the end, it was an illegal experiment that resulted in the loss of many lives, a clear major crime.

However, even if Lee Hyun-wook did not touch this issue, it would eventually come to light for some reason.

“Well, then... I’ll contact you again.”

As soon as they left the command tent, Commander Kwak Sang-pil entered.

“...Hmm, Private Lee Hyun-wook, how did the talk go?”

Lee Hyun-wook stood up and looked at Kwak Sang-pil.

“Commander, have you confirmed the location of Dr. Choi Tae-joon?”

“Hmm, well, it hasn’t been confirmed yet...”

The guy probably used all sorts of tricks like hiding and disguising to escape the surveillance.

‘As an alchemist who has obtained the power of a demon, he must have developed all sorts of bizarre drugs.’

Lee Hyun-wook walked to the map of Seoul hanging on the operations board.

“Commander, I can track him down. And I will rescue the kidnapped Koo Hyo-min.”

“Oh... is that true?”

“Yes, so... can you give me command of this operation?”

At this, Kwak Sang-pil nodded repeatedly with a smile, as if he had been waiting for it.

Perhaps he had already exchanged some signals with the Koo Kwang Group.

“Great! If you take the lead, we’ll be grateful! Do you need anything?”

Lee Hyun-wook nodded.

“Yes, I need a few people. AMT troops.”

“Oh, sure, just say how many you need!”

“And... I need about 100 grams of orichalcum.”

However, even Kwak Sang-pil had to tilt his head at this request.

100 grams of the legendary metal orichalcum would be worth over 1.2 billion won.

As the commander of the AMT Special Warfare Command, he would try to obtain it somehow...

“...Huh? Why do you need that? It’s a very, very expensive item, isn’t it?”

“I’m sorry, but I’d prefer you not to ask the reason. It will be awkward for the Koo Kwang Group.”

“Oh...”

“So, I’d like you to arrange it secretly without leaving any records.”

This was a complete lie, but with the name Koo, Kwak Sang-pil had no choice but to nod.

“Oh... I understand! Don’t worry, I understand completely!”

And of course, the orichalcum had nothing to do with this operation.

This way, the Koo Kwang Group was not the only one that could be taken advantage of.

***

What threatened this world was not just ‘villains.’

Initially, ‘players’ were a phenomenon where some individuals gained power that surpassed public authority, leading to an era where lawless violent organizations could sprout up everywhere in the world.

And ‘demon worshippers’ were a particularly special kind of such people.

‘They gain power through demon objects they obtain by chance and communicate with each other.’

Thus, even though they were scattered around the world, they maintained a secret ‘connection’ like a secret society.

‘Choi Tae-joon’s escape route was also prepared by another demon worshipper organization.’

Today, Lee Hyun-wook planned to completely capture several demon worshipper organizations.

Through this, he would gain considerable rewards, including bounties and items.

‘By now, they must have taken the bait I left with Choi Tae-joon...’

While Lee Hyun-wook was making this plan,

Creak— Creak—

The sound of metal clashing was heard as someone entered the operations tent.

It was a familiar face, Seo Eun-ha.

She was wearing a full gray armor, with a shield and a greatsword.

“Sergeant, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Lee Hyun-wook... I heard you called for me. Is that true?”

“Yes, I plan to brief the additional personnel when they arrive. Please wait a moment.”

A moment later, one of the ‘additional personnel,’ Park Jun-mo, appeared.

“Huh, sir! Sir! ...Sir!”

He saluted the officers in quick succession, as a mere private should.

“Sir... Private Lee, are we going somewhere again?”

Lee Hyun-wook nodded, and Park Jun-mo’s face stiffened even more.

“Ah...”

The next additional personnel, Kim Se-hee, appeared with a sour expression.

“Hey, how long has it been since I was discharged, and you’re already calling me back to the military?”

“Still, don’t you sometimes miss this strict atmosphere?”

“Ah, what a ridiculous thing... Ugh, the smell of the poncho, ugh, I might get hives...”

Thus, the four players from the 3rd Anti-Demon Brigade 1st Battalion, requested by Lee Hyun-wook, gathered in one place.

Seo Eun-ha and Kim Se-hee, who seemed to have some familiarity, greeted each other warmly.

“Hey, hello. Sergeant Seo, it’s been a while!”

“Oh, Private Kim Se-hee, or rather, a civilian now?”

“Yes, that’s right. Haha...”

“You were already beautiful, but you’ve become even more beautiful since your discharge.”

As they exchanged formal greetings, Lee Hyun-wook placed a table PC on the table.

“Alright, let’s start the briefing. We can chat later.”

“What? Hold on... Are we just the four of us?”

Seo Eun-ha’s question was met with a nod from Lee Hyun-wook.

“Yes, that’s correct. Only the four of us will be involved in this operation.”

This made all four of them look bewildered. They hadn’t heard the exact details of the operation yet, but they had a sense of what it was about—chasing the cow-like monster that appeared in the news.

“...If only the four of us are involved, it means we don’t need a search operation, right? So, the location is already known?”

Lee Hyun-wook nodded at her sharp question.

“Yes, I obtained the information on their escape when I infiltr