Chapter 288 - Festering Wound (2)

"Ah, hyung-nim!!"

As soon as Oh Kang-Woo arrived at the Hall of Protection, Kim Si-Hun, who seemed to have just finished training, waved at him.

'Oh dayum.'

Kang-Woo was surprised when he saw Si-Hun's shirtless body.

The male body couldn't get any more perfect than that. Kang-Woo felt more like he was looking at a work of art that an artisan crafted with their heart and soul than at a human body.

'Why can't I get like that?'

Kang-Woo's body was also perfect without any flab, but he still couldn't compare to Si-Hun.

'Is it because of that Heavenly Martial Physique or whatever it is?'

Kang-Woo felt like it was unfair for some reason.

"… Is something wrong, hyung-nim?"

"No, I'm just kind of annoyed for some reason," Kang-Woo replied, frowning.

Si-Hun fretted while not knowing what to do.

Kang-Woo asked, "More importantly, are you ready?"

"Yes. I just have to take a shower and change clothes. Please wait a moment," Si-Hun said, a smile on his face.

Just then…

"Kuh… T-To think you would m-make the king wait. Y-You've become arrogant, human." A brown-haired giant staggered toward them.

"…?"

Si-Hun's eyes widened.

"Who… might you be?"

"Balrog," Kang-Woo answered.

"Pardon? That gentleman is Balrog?"

"Yup."

Kang-Woo nodded and gave Si-Hun a quick explanation.

"It's absolutely seamless. I would've never guessed him to be Balrog just by looking at him," Si-Hun exclaimed. "I mean, the person himself seems to be struggling a lot, though."

It wasn't easy to get used to a significantly different stride length.

Balrog frowned and kept walking around.

"I-I am fine. I will acclimate soon enough."

"You could've just stayed home. There's no need for you to come with us."

"I cannot do that!" Balrog shouted and gave Si-Hun a sharp look. "I do not believe that this human will aid you properly."

"What did you say?"

Si-Hun's eyebrow went up. Sparks flew in the air as the two of them glared at each other. A thick bloodlust lingered in the air.

'What's wrong with you guys?'

Kang-Woo looked at Si-Hun and Balrog in disbelief. He couldn't help but sigh.

"It's nothing but a show. It honestly doesn't matter whether you come with us or not," Kang-Woo said while clicking his tongue.

A show. That was the best way to describe what they had to do in Venezuela.

'We're apparently recruiting immigrants.'

Most of South America had been fully restored. Leaving aside massive jungles like the Amazon, Guardians had managed to eliminate most of the monsters that had been living in the old human cities. This was all thanks to the Players' average level having increased after the Players had battled the Demon Cult.

'Demons give a lot of EXP.'

Not just that, but with World Rankers like Si-Hun, Jason, Grace McCubbin, and others taking the lead in wiping out the monsters, the Players had managed to restore most of South America.

'The problem is…'

No one wanted to live in South America. They'd managed to rescue the natives who had been silently living all over the South American regions, but that was nowhere near enough people.

Although they'd managed to drive the monsters back into the Gates, danger still lingered. The plan erected to counter such worries was to build a city with guaranteed safety. The first city of this kind had been built in Venezuela, and Si-Hun and Kang-Woo had been invited as special guests to promote and affirm the safety of the city.

"I understand Si-Hun, but why did they invite me?"

"Because you became famous during the last battle."

"But still, I didn't participate in the restoration of South America."

"Hahaha. I praised you a bunch during the operation, and they said that they wanted to meet you…"

'So it was because of you.'

Kang-Woo frowned in irritation but soon shrugged it off while sighing.

"Well, it's important," he said.

Although it was nothing but a show—no, it was important exactly because it was a show. Keeping up appearances was important for an international organization that received money from all around the world like Guardians.

"Then let's get going."

Kang-Woo began walking.

If it was something that had to be done, the best course of action was to deal with it as quickly as possible.

* * *

"Whoa… It's better built than I'd expected!" A short exclamation came out of Kang-Woo's mouth.

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Although the Venezuelan city wasn't that big, the European-style buildings and clean roads made it very beautiful.

'It also has a bit of a fantasy atmosphere.'

Although it was a modern city, it was a city that looked like it belonged to a fantasy novel.

"This is the first step… of Guardians," Si-Hun said in a proud voice.

Guardians' ultimate goal was to protect Earth from the otherworldly beings that threatened humanity and to create spaces where humanity would be able to live in peace as they had before the Day of Calamity.

The city that would become the first step toward that was Valencia, built in Venezuela.

"Haha. I wanted to show this city to you at least once, hyung-nim," Si-Hun said while bursting into laughter.

This city was the result of the South America Restoration Operation he had been involved in, so it was understandable that he'd be proud.

Kang-Woo tilted his head while looking around Valencia. "But did Guardians have enough money to build an entire city?"

It was true that Guardians had grown into a massive organization after receiving funding from countries all over the world, but still, building a city like this was a whole other story.

'Guardians is closer to a fighting group.'

It was only obvious since their main objective had been to eradicate the Demon Cult.

Si-Hun nodded as if he understood what Kang-Woo wanted to say.

"The USA apparently provided the money and infrastructure necessary to build the city."

"Ah, as expected."

If that were the case, he could understand it.

The USA, with its colossal Department of Defense budget, had stayed the strongest country in the world even after the Day of Calamity. If the USA had been involved in the construction, building a city of this level would have been a piece of cake.

Kang-Woo could easily guess why they would go so far as to build an entire city.

'They must be trying to use this opportunity to raise their influence in South America.'

It was a possible explanation.

Most South American countries had been ruined, which left vast amounts of land that did not belong to anyone. From the USA's perspective, there was no way they would miss the chance to expand their territory.

'Well, leaving their intentions aside…'

It was only obvious that a country would take action for its own benefit.

Kang-Woo looked around. "I see a lot of people wearing the Guardians uniform."

All over the place were Players wearing black uniforms with white shields drawn on them.

"Guardians maintain this city's security. The mayor of Valencia is also from Guardians."

"Wha…"

Kang-Woo laughed in disbelief.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the city was owned by Guardians.

'Why?'

Kang-Woo could not think of why Guardians had practically been given ownership of the city despite the USA having funded its development.

"Oh, could it be that…"

"Yes, that's right. This city is being managed by the American Players of Guardians."

"As I thought." Kang-Woo nodded.

Guardians was an organization composed of players from all around the world. If the American Players belonging to Guardians managed the place, both entities could benefit.

'Regardless, it means that this city is owned by Guardians in name.'

Even if the city was a gathering of American Players, since the two of them also belonged to Guardians, they had a say in what happened in the city.

"Shiiiet."

The secret organization that used to only have a few members had grown to become a massive international organization that even owned a city.

Although it was Kang-Woo who had set the foundation, the ones who managed it and made it grow so big were Gaia, Grace, and Si-Hun.

'No wonder the news was saying that some people are worried that we're gaining too much power.'

It certainly wasn't an authority that a normal organization could gain.

'That aside…'

Kang-Woo looked at the streets of Valencia. There were people who had immigrated from all around the world. Most were American, but there were also a few Asian people.

'Something's…'

He felt a strange sense of uneasiness.

Just then…

"Thank you for coming such a long way." A middle-aged man with a fancy mustache walked toward them. The man, wearing a slick suit, bowed toward them. "I am Samuel Hayden, mayor of Valencia."

He extended his hand and smiled at them. His hair was slicked back with gel, and his mustache was groomed beyond perfection.

"Nice to meet you. I am Kim Si-Hun."

"I am Oh Kang-Woo."

"Haha. I've heard a lot about both of you. Although you aren't related by blood, you have a deep comradery that goes beyond that… Even among Guardians, you're very well known."

"Haha, I'm flattered…" Si-Hun laughed awkwardly while scratching his head.

"And who is this fine gentleman next to you?" the man asked while looking at Balrog.

"He's my secretary," Kang-Woo answered.

"Ah, I see." Samuel turned away as if he wasn't interested in Balrog. "Let us go to the city hall. We have a very busy schedule ahead of us."

He guided them to a luxurious limousine.

As Si-Hun and Kang-Woo headed to the limousine, people exclaimed in surprise after recognizing them.

"Woooow!"

"I-It's Sword Dragon!"

"A-And the Golden Hero…!"

Si-Hun's popularity in particular didn't seem to have a limit.

"…"

Kang-Woo remained quiet. Once again, he felt an uneasiness and narrowed his eyes.

Clack.

"Please, get in."

Samuel opened the limo's door, and they saw the inside was adorned with luxurious curtains and decorations. It was as if they'd entered a hotel room. There were so many things decorating the interior that it was hard to see out the window.

"…"

Once again, Kang-Woo narrowed his eyes.

"Let us depart." At Samuel's words, the limousine started to move.

* * *

That afternoon passed by chaotically.

The word show was the best way to describe their experience. Dozens of reporters took Kang-Woo's and Si-Hun's photos.

Kang-Woo and Si-Hun were shown around Valencia and were told how safe and beautiful the city was. At the same time, the pair also appeared in a talk show where they talked about Guardians' goals and future plans.

'It feels as if I'm an idol in a variety show.'

Kang-Woo clicked his tongue while looking at the girls screaming around the broadcasting station. Although some were interested in Kang-Woo, their main interest was Si-Hun.

"KYAAAAAA!!"

"I-It's really him! It's Sword Dragon!"

"Please give me an autograph!"

Si-Hun made a troubled expression because he was surrounded by women as soon as he left the building.

"Mm."

Kang-Woo groaned.

He already knew it would happen. He had been the cause of Si-Hun's massive popularity, but being shown the massive difference between them at point blank was…

"It's kind of… Yeah, this is…"

It took a while for him to find the right word.

"Yeah, that's it."

A lightbulb turned on in his head, and he clapped his hands together.

"Like… shit."

Although he had a beautiful darling like Han Seol-Ah, there was no way he'd feel good when he saw women from all over the world rushing to someone other than himself.

"Hey, Si-Hun, enough of that, and come h—"

He extended his hand to Si-Hun, who was making a troubled expression. As soon as he grabbed Si-Hun's hand…

Snap, snap, snap!!!

"KYAAAAAAAA!!"

"Yes! This is it!! This is the perfect angle!"

"Who's the top, and who's the bottom?!"

"Sword Dragon is obviously the bottom!"

"No, the older one being the bottom is…"

"Who's that brown-haired man over there? A rival? A love triangle?"

The women screamed like mad after seeing Kang-Woo and Si-Hun hold hands. It was as if the temperature in the area had gone up by ten degrees.

"…"

Kang-Woo's mouth fell open; their dense desires overwhelmed him. Their desires were so strong that they could even make Mammon, the Prince of Greed, kneel.

'What the fuck?'

Were they in Hell?

"Si-Hun, let's go somewhere quieter."

He couldn't think of anything other than that they needed to get away from this place as soon as possible.

"Ah, h-hyung-nim!"

Kang-Woo pulled Si-Hun along and ran in the opposite direction as if they were eloping lovers.

The screams intensified.

"W-Wait!"

Samuel and his bodyguards hurriedly ran after them, but they were chasing after Si-Hun and Kang-Woo—one was humanity's strongest Player and the other was the demon king who had dominated the Nine Hells.

The two disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Sh-Shit!"

Samuel cursed aggressively and quickly grabbed his communication crystal orb to make a call.