/

Chapter 122




SMH 122
Chapter 40 – Let’s Do Business (1)
TL: Boko
Editor: Frost
Sung Joon’s father, Soo Hyuk, was diagnosed with a terminal disease, a rare form of blood cancer. With current medical treatments, it was possible to improve his condition, but a cure would be difficult; however, Sung Joon believed that nothing was impossible.
He currently possessed a lot of money, and there were several talented individuals in America right now. Therefore, just a little while ago, he had decided to take over a company that produced famous medicine or a research facility that developed new medicine with his large fortune.
Thus, he visited the Blue Dragon Group headquarters to meet Seol Ah and get her advice on that and its corresponding issues.
“Isn’t that a hunter sedan?”
“I heard that it is extremely expensive.”
Everyone focused their attention on his car, as soon as he parked it in a nearby parking lot. A hunter sedan cost more than $1.5 million minimum, so it wasn’t a common sight.
He finished parking and sent a message to Seol Ah on the first floor.
“Mr. Kang Sung Joon!”
It hadn’t even been five minutes since he’d sent a message, and a voice he was familiar with called out to him.
When he turned his head towards the direction of the voice, he saw Seol Ah standing there, with her brown hair neatly tied in a ponytail and wearing a suit.
And Sung Joon approached her.
“You said you had something you wanted to ask me, right?”
“Yes. I’m thinking about taking over a pharmaceutical company or a research facility that develops new medicine.”
“It seems like you got a lot of money from the incident in North Korea.” Seol Ah smiled and spoke. Sung Joon didn’t reply. However, it was already widespread that by killing the Winter Sovereign in North Korea, he had become extremely rich.
“Let’s go up to your office. I need some advice,” Sung Joon said. He genuinely wanted to talk about the issue of taking over a company. It seemed as though Seol Ah picked up on that, as she nodded her head and smiled. It made her feel happy that she was able to help Sung Joon after such a long time.
She herself didn’t know why; she just felt great.
“Please come this way.”
Seol Ah guided Sung Joon, as he wasn’t familiar with the layout of the Blue Dragon Group main building. Sung Joon took the elevator and together, they went up to the floor with her office.
She stopped in front of a door that said ‘Head of the Guild Plan’.
“We’re here.” She smiled bashfully and opened the door. Since she was acting like such a young lady today, Sung Joon couldn’t help but feel flustered.
‘This is my first time in her office…’ [1]
As she went into her office, she was worried that he’d hear her heart pounding. She was really happy that Sung Joon needed her.
“Please sit down.”
“Excuse me.”
Sung Joon sat on the sofa, and Seol Ah sat in front of him.
“You said that you’d like to take over a pharmaceutical company or a research facility that develops new medicine, right?” Seol Ah hid her smile and spoke earnestly. She briefly ignored the fact that her heart was pounding so that she could help him.
Sung Joon nodded his head and opened his mouth.
“When I think about it, it seems like taking over a pharmaceutical company will be impossible, so I’m thinking of taking over a research facility that develops new medicine.”
“A research facility that develops new medicine?” Seol Ah asked.
“Yes, that’s correct.” Sung Joon nodded his head. If there wasn’t a cure, then he just had to make one. It would be impossible if he didn’t have the money, but Sung Joon currently had a lot of money.
“Could you please at least tell me what your plan is, even if it’s simplified? That way, I’ll be able to give you some advice,” Seol Ah said. Because she didn’t know what Sung Joon intended, she couldn’t provide him with an assessment.
“I plan to take over a somewhat renowned research facility and recruit the best researchers as well as set up the best equipment. Personally, I’m leaning towards the Seo Guk Research Facility.”
“It’d be difficult to finance a Seo Guk Research Facility that develops new medicine, but if you’d like to take it over, you need at least $2 billion. You’ll probably need up to $3 billion, though.”
Because Seol Ah was trained in business administration, she calmly analyzed the marketplace, made a decision, and explained it to him. Sung Joon was flustered since he hadn’t expected that he’d need $2 billion, but he soon recollected himself.
He was an S-rank Hunter. Because $1 billion was a fortune, it was indeed difficult to gather, but it wasn’t impossible for him.
“If you’re short on funds, we can help you.”
The Blue Dragon Group’s Chairman was friendly towards Sung Joon, and because he was actively trying to make him an ally, Seol Ah could speak confidently and offer him their aid.
“No, it’s fine.”
However, Sung Joon shook his head. He thought of the Blue Dragon Group favorably, but he didn’t want that to bite him in the ass later[2]. Sung Joon thought Seol Ah would help him, but he also didn’t want to be in Chairman Yoon Tae Seok’s debt.
“I’ll gather the funds one way or another,” Sung Joon said. He would need to gather at least $500 million more, but his voice was bright. He was an S-rank Hunter, and also possessed the nickname, Unlimited Power, so it wasn’t impossible.
It was a problem that could be solved with time.
“If it’s you, it’s entirely possible, Mr. Kang Sung Joon.”
“Anyway, is the takeover procedure really troublesome?” Sung Joon asked. Seol Ah smiled and opened her mouth.
“It’s tough to the point that it’s almost impossible if you do it personally, but if I help you, you’ll only have to go through the simple procedures and then you’ll be done. So, don’t worry about the procedures,” Seol Ah replied, and Sung Joon’s eyes gleamed. This was the first time that she’d been so reliable.
“I understand. Then I’ll procure the funds as quickly as possible,” Sung Joon said. He parted ways with Seol Ah and on the way back to his studio apartment, he visited the Dungeon Bureau and applied for a A-rank dungeon solo play.
* * *
– Assault confirmed, measurement complete. A-rank dungeon, clear.
After he killed the Boss and absorbed its mana, his measuring tool reacted. Rishubalt, who had been hovering around, came before Sung Joon and opened his mouth.
“You have satisfied the conditions for entering the Awakening Dungeon. Would you like to enter?”
“Let’s go.”
“I’ll open the door to the Awakening Dungeon,” Rishubalt said. After Sung Joon had finished mentally preparing himself and nodded his head, Rishubalt drew his mana.
Their surroundings melted away like snow. And took on a new appearance.
“It’s night this time,” Sung Joon muttered softly, so softly that it was almost like he was talking to himself. He was outdoors, but the sky was dark and his surroundings was that of a vast plain. He sensed the presence of a dimensional barrier that severed access from the outside.
“There’s a temporary military post in front of you, about 500 m away. They seem to be supply troops, based on their formation,” Rishubalt reported. While Sung Joon briefly surveyed his surroundings, it seemed like Rishubalt had been scouting. Sung Joon’s eyes didn’t leave the night sky as he opened his mouth.
“What about their fortifications?”
“Because it’s a temporary military post, it’s just a thick wooden barricade. However, there are Vampire Knights on guard in the watchtower.”
“Vampires? Is it the Species Alliance?”
“Yes, their flag is definitely that of the Species Alliance,” Rishubalt replied, and Sung Joon slightly smirked.
“Good. They have to know about the return of the Sword Saint, too.”
“Are you planning on using stealth?” Rishubalt asked. The top tier A-rank monsters, Vampire Knights, had enhanced senses during night to the point that they’d be able to see through stealth. And right now, the sky was dyed black.
“It just seems better than attacking straight up.”
“Since your ability to hide your presence is outstanding, my lord, even though it is night time, it’s highly likely that the Vampire Knights won’t be able to detect you.”
It was a favorable opinion; Sung Joon was confident in concealing his presence.
“Stealth.”
He spoke the activation words, and Sung Joon melded into the darkness. After he lowered his presence as much as he could, he started to walk towards the post.
The Vampire Knights hadn’t been able to grasp his presence, even though he had gotten right in front of entrance of the barricade.
Even though it was nighttime!
“To think that you can conceal your presence to such a level that the Vampire Knights cannot sense your presence at night! As expected of you, my lord!”
From beside him, Rishubalt made a huge fuss over nothing. It didn’t feel bad. Sung Joon drew and raised his sword, and as he gathered his mana, his Stealth was lifted.
The Vampire Knights in the watchtower, who were on guard, focused their attention on Sung Joon.
“An enemy?”
He’s gathering his mana! He’s trying to break open the door! Stop him!”
Three Vampire Knights came down in order to stop him, but..
“It’s too late.”
Sung Joon discharged an aura slash and shattered the entrance of the barricade. While a battalion of Orcs gathered in order to deal with the attack, the three Vampire Knights blocked Sung Joon’s path.
Red aura danced upon their blades.
“A human?”
“Is he from the Kingdom Alliance?”
The Vampire Knights briefly conversed and slightly closed the distance. Sung Joon raised his sword and assumed a defensive stance.
‘It’s a triangular formation. They’re going to attack all at once.’
Of the three Vampire Knights, the most veteran amongst them gave the signal. The remaining two moved into position in order to attack him in a triangular formation all together. But at that moment…
“Huh?”
One of the Vampires that passed by Sung Joon spewed blood, and weakly fell onto the floor; there was a dagger burrowed into the Vampire’s neck.
“Y-You crazy…!”
“I couldn’t even see him!”
The remaining two Vampire Knights were flustered at their comrade’s demise; their comrade had been much too easily dealt with.
“He’s at least the level of an elite knight! Get ready… Ugh!”
“You talk too much.”
“Cough!”
The Vampire Knight, who seemingly possessed a high rank, vomited blood. Sung Joon’s blade had already pierced through the Vampire’s heart.
“Team Leader!”
“Absorb.”
Sung Joon retrieved his dagger, and threw the dagger at the Vampire who was over-anxiously calling for his Team Leader.
“You won’t take me down so easil… Ugh!”
The dagger destroyed his heart. Though Vampires possessed powerful regeneration capabilities, the strike ended the Vampire’s life in one hit.
Sung Joon cleaned up the Vampire Knights, and as soon as he entered the post, he was blocked by an Orc Blademaster leading a battalion of Orcs. But this was only after the top tier B-rank Elf Rangers had assembled atop the post.
“How dare you aim for the Species Alliance’ supply troops! You’re truly reckless! Everyone, attack!” the Orc Blademaster ordered. The Elf Rangers let loose their bowstrings, and dozens of arrows pierced through the air, fiercely flying towards him. However, Sung Joon didn’t even move a single step.
“AH!”
Whenever Sung Joon swung his sword, the advancing Orcs spurted red blood. To him, who had gained a synchronization rate of 50% and had attained the level of an SS-rank Hunter, Orcs were no match for him.
His thick killing intent that spread through the air even limited the Orcs’ actions.
‘It’s a seriously thick killing intent.’ The Orc Blademaster, who commanded the Orc battalion, had no choice but to recognize that.
“I think it’d be best to retreat.”
“Let’s join up with ‘them’,” the Elf Ranger Commander said. The Orc Blademaster nodded his head in agreement. Their forces retreated and Sung Joon eliminated the small amount of troops left, and went to the center of the post.
And the moment he reached the command barracks…
“Welcome, young Swordmaster. I am Viscount Entilrike.”
The Vampire Viscount revealed himself. It seemed like he was in charge of the supply troops. As soon as he showed himself, Sung Joon immediately felt a powerful flow of mana, accompanied by dozens of masked individuals emerging from the darkness.
“The Ghost Squad, huh? But there are only three first class assassins. Are you planning on making this your grave?”
Sung Joon wasn’t surprised because as he made his way to their command building, he had felt the peculiar presence of those stealthed, as well as their flow of mana.
Entilrike smirked.
Read Latest Chapters at wuxiaworld.eu
“This is your answer.”
At some point, the entire Species Alliance’s’ soldiers here had surrounded him. However, Sung Joon looked as though he had expected all of this already. He didn’t once show any signs of panic.
“It seems like there’ll be a lot of people going to the grave today.”
Sung Joon infused his green gemmed ring, the ‘Feast of Poison’ with mana.
“It’s clean up time.”