Chapter 126: Star, The First Mission (1)

Unable to understand why Jin wanted the [Delusion Sphere], Chang-Sun asked,

‘Why would you want this?’

『It looks like it’ll help me,』 Jin replied.

Chang-Sun wondered how the [Delusion Sphere] would help Jin, considering it held an immense amount of Hohwan Mama, more than any [Dream Sphere] Chang-Sun had ever encountered. He guessed this was the finished product from the Gildal Project, which Lab Director Yang Sang-Won had talked about.

In contrast, Jin was a Biwi, which was born from the energy of purified Hohwan Mama, so he would be incompatible with Hohwan Mama. Upon realizing that, Chang-Sun finally understood Jin’s plan. He chuckled.

‘You’re going to purify and use it to reinforce your Biwi factor.’

『Yeah, I’m thinking of making my subordinates stronger. That would be good news for you as well, wouldn’t it?』 Jin asked.

Chang-Sun unnoticeably nodded. Jin was right. The Hohwan Mama inside the [Delusion Sphere] would be a great help to Jin’s subordinates, whose levels were still low.

『Besides, I’m also curious about how they condensed the energy. If I can condense the Biwi factor like that, I should be able to form a sturdier core,』 Jin revealed his other intention.

There was a chance Chang-Sun could build something similar to a Gildal.

『Well, there’s nothing I can do if you’re worried about me becoming stronger.』 Jin shrugged.

‘You’re still sounding me out, huh. How do I give this to you?’?

Chang-Sun asked.

『Haha. Eat it but don’t purify it. I’ll take care of the rest,』 Jin replied.

That wouldn’t harm Chang-Sun, so he ate the [Delusion Sphere] without hesitation.

[Consumed the ‘Delusion Sphere’!]

[The ‘enhanced Hohwan Mama’ is quickly spreading throughout your body.]

[The Effect ‘Ten Toxin Immunity’ has been activated, trying to purify the impure energy!]

[You have canceled the activation.]

[The Effect ‘Single Eon Fire’ has been activated, trying to purify the impure energy!]

[You have canceled the activation.]

…

[The Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ wishes to collect the ‘enhanced Hohwan Mama’ on your behalf.]

[The ‘enforced Hohwan Mama’ is resisting.]

Chang-Sun felt something boiling inside him for a minute.

『How annoying.』 Jin irritatedly mumbled as he used his power, instantly subduing the Hohwan Mama.

[The ‘enhanced Hohwan Mama’ has been subdued, and your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has absorbed it.]

『I’ll share the results later. Let me know whenever you get anything like this,』 Jin said and disappeared like a mirage along with the Hohwan Mama.

Executive Director Oh shouldn’t know about this. Hence, remembering how Song Yoo-Jun had behaved after he had eaten the [Dream Sphere], Chang-Sun put on an act. He slowly opened his eyes as if he had completely absorbed the [Delusion Sphere]’s power.

“How do you feel?” Executive Director Oh asked very delightedly.

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ smiles enigmatically.]

Heoju smiled as if he knew Chang-Sun’s plan. Without looking in Heoju’s direction at all, Chang-Sun replied, “I feel good.”

“Hahaha! You feel good? You’re truly something. Others would usually fuss around, saying the process of absorbing the power was horrible or that they felt like they almost lost their mind… but I guess the sphere was very compatible with you, huh? ” Executive Director Oh pleasantly said.

Chang-Sun momentarily wondered if Executive Director Oh had caught onto his act, but it seemed he genuinely thought Chang-Sun and the [Delusion Sphere] were compatible. That conclusion was logical since no one would think a mere human could defy the . Executive Director Oh likely firmly believed that Chang-Sun had become his man—no, puppet.

“Can I have more?” Chang-Sun requested.

“Of course, but making it requires a significant amount of materials. Whenever you make contributions to the Clan, I’ll give this as a reward. How does that sound?” Executive Director Oh offered.

Executive Director Oh surely knew how to manage people. He didn’t only slave his puppets around but also gave them carrots at the right moment to improve their morale.

“I’m at your service,” Chang-Sun said.

“You really understand me.” Smiling contentedly, Executive Director Oh held his hands behind his back. “I told you before, didn’t I? I don’t want our Clan to limit itself to Korea.”

“Yes, you did.” Chang-Sun nodded.

“The Future Strategy Department members will soon head to America with me,” Executive Director Oh continued.

Chang-Sun’s eyes shone since he didn’t expect to hear about America. Fortunately, Executive Director Oh didn’t see them since it only lasted for a very short moment.

“We’re going to ally with the Jaynix Company there.”

Chang-Sun was very well aware of Jaynix since it was one of America’s biggest Clan—no, it could be an oversimplification to consider Jaynix as an ordinary major Clan. It didn’t only train Players to clear Dungeons but also researched and developed weapons they could use.

The company was so big that most of the famous Players in this generation had tried out its artifacts, which was also why Executive Director Oh called Jaynix a company, not a Clan. However, the Jaynix Company was powerful for another reason. Although it could develop and distribute many splendid weapons and had many talented Players, what made people nervous the most was the fact that its president was the ‘Gold Overlord’ from the ‘Ten Overlords,’ which were the ten leading Players in this generation.

“The Jaynix is about to enter a big war. Our Clan will participate in that war as their ally, making our name known to the world.” Executive Director Oh smiled.

The mention of war jogged Chang-Sun’s memory.

“I don’t know about the details, but there seems to be a sign of war in the United States. That’s why the major military-industrial establishments in the U.S. are hoarding [Cold Irons], and why the American government initiated an embargo on exporting them. That’s making it really hard to get the material, and… “

Choi Bu-Yong had once sighed and said the number of [Cold Irons] in the market had significantly decreased. It looked like one of those military-industrial establishments was the Jaynix Company.

‘Is the Jaynix Company starting a hegemonic war? Something’s definitely up… Who in the world are they fighting against?’?

Chang-Sun wondered, unable to think of anyone.

Chang-Sun now knew that the Jaynix Company was hoarding all the supplies in the market, but their goal was still unclear even though such a company trying to take action would cause a stir. Chang-Sun just thought it could be a sign of the incoming storm, however.

‘The bigger the storm, the quieter its eye.’?

Chang-Sun’s eyes shone sharply.

‘I have to look into this.’

Luckily, Chang-Sun knew someone who knew much about foreign affairs. Choi Hyeong-Gil would definitely know something.

“Many other Clans will be involved in this war, so we’re trying to coordinate with the company on this business trip before we actually go.” Executive Director Oh crossed his arms.

“What do I have to do there?” Chang-Sun asked.

“What do you think?” Executive Director Oh smiled enigmatically, implying he wanted Chang-Sun to come up with the answer on his own again.

Without answering, Chang-Sun pondered what Executive Director Oh’s game was for a moment.

* * *

[The ‘False Domain’ has closed.]

Chang-Sun and Executive Director Oh returned to the office. Looking at Chang-Sun, Executive Director Oh sat in his chair and rested his chin on his hands. “Many people have recently begun to assign you to their missions.”

Chang-Sun’s eyes shone as he realized Executive Director Oh was getting down to the main issue.

Executive Director Oh crookedly smiled. “It means you’ve become a celebrity. So, let me rephrase my previous question. What’s your strongest weapon as a celebrity?”

Chang-Sun didn’t need to think further. “Influence.”

“Yes, there’s no celebrity whom the worldwide media and public are interested in more than you. Now, what do you think would happen if I took that celebrity to America?”

Chang-Sun slightly nodded. No matter what ‘kind’ of war the White Tiger Clan had entered with the Jaynix Company, it was all useless if the Clan couldn’t get the media’s spotlight. Since the Clan should be under the spotlight for a good reason, Executive Director Oh wanted to put Chang-Sun in charge of the press.

‘It’s good news for me,’?

Chang-Sun thought.

The more famous he became, the more influence he had within the White Tiger Clan, and the more weaknesses the White Tiger Clan would reveal to Chang-Sun.

‘I could make a good use out of this war.’

Chang-Sun quickly began to plan his moves since the big board was being set without him knowing.

The White Tiger Clan’s rise was Chang-Sun’s best opportunity to devour everything that the White Tiger Clan acquired or created. To do so, however, Chang-Sun would have to see several moves ahead and slowly lay the groundwork. Since many veteran Players were going to clash with each other on the battlefield, Chang-Sun required a stronger and more brilliant power—[Blood Lightning]—if he wanted to play an active role on the battlefield.

“When are we heading to America?” Chang-Sun asked.

“We’re still adjusting the date, but I think we’ll depart in about a month,” Executive Director Oh answered.

“I’ll do some missions while waiting, then. If I constantly carry out important and difficult missions, then I’ll be able to advertise the Clan more. It’ll also be an opportunity for my team to improve teamwork,” Chang-Sun said.

“I want the headline to be something along the lines of ‘The remarkable performance of the new team the Tyrant created’, but it seems like you have another reason,” Executive Director assumed.

“Let me stop by France before I head to America.” Chang-Sun requested.

“France?” Executive Director Oh titled his head, unable to comprehend why Chang-Sun mentioned such a random place.

With a serious face, Chang-Sun nodded. “The ‘Wuthering Stone Desert’ is in Nice, isn’t it?”

“… What? Bwahahaha!” Executive Director Oh’s eyes widened as he burst into laughter, finally realizing what Chang-Sun was planning.

The ‘Wuthering Stone Desert’ was a world-famous uncleared Dungeon. Its terrain was very tough like the Sahara or Gobi Desert, so many rankers had given up on clearing it.

“I’ll head to America and clear ‘Doomsday City’ in Chicago afterward. If I become a ranker once I’ve done those, won’t that attract as much attention as possible?” Chang-Sun faintly smiled.

“You’re planning to become our star,” Executive Director Oh concluded.

Chang-Sun had decided to become a franchise Player of the White Tiger Clan. Since he was chosen by Executive Director Oh to join the Future Strategy Department, his actions would make the department and Executive Director Oh more influential. Many people would then pay attention to the ‘war’ that Chang-Sun, who had brilliantly become a ranker, participated in.

“And…” Chang-Sun presented numerous opinions as if he had been waiting for this moment, making Executive Director Oh adore him.

Up until now, Executive Director Oh had made and recruited many ‘tools,’ but he hadn’t found anyone like Chang-Sun. Hence, he pleasantly asked, “Do you have another plan?”

“While I interrogated the Highoff remnants, I found out that their small fries sneaked into France,” Chang-Sun reported.

“What?” Executive Director Oh’s face hardened when a name he didn’t expect to hear now was mentioned. He had believed the Highoff-related matter had already been dealt with.

Chang-Sun abruptly brought up the Highoffs to make sure he could head to France. If his goal was just to get famous, then he wouldn’t be able to insist on heading to the ‘Wuthering Stone Desert.’ There was a chance Executive Director Oh would order him to clear other Dungeons instead, so he took the initiative.

“Why did they head there? What for?” Executive Director Oh asked.

“I couldn’t figure that out, so I wish to find out why. Please send me to France.” Chang-Sun requested. He could see Executive Director Oh beating his brain.

Perhaps while trying to infer why the Highoffs had headed to France, he concluded that it had to be related to the [Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan].

‘It’s impossible to fool Executive Director Oh completely, so I’ll have to weave some truth into lies.’?

Chang-Sun thought.

After organizing his thoughts, Executive Director Oh nodded. “If you want to, then go, but I’ll send you with a backup since I don’t know what kind of danger you’ll run into.”

Although Executive Director Oh spoke as if he was worried about Chang-Sun, he just meant he was going to keep an eye on him.

Expecting that much, Chang-Sun bowed. “Thank you.”

With that, Chang-Sun’s trip to France had been decided.

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ is very happy to see a sign of a new incoming disaster!]