Chapter 37 – Old Connection

Se-min discarded the sword and rolled on the ground to escape the spot.

The man was injured by Se-min’s sword fragments. He wiped the blood from his face. Like a machine, he approached Se-min again.

Se-min retreated as much as possible.

Since he had no sword, should he at least run away?

While thinking that, his ankle suddenly throbbed. It seemed he had injured it while dodging the attacks. He scanned the surroundings. Cheongmyeong was also waiting after cutting the cable ties.

The situation was not good.

Se-min took a deep breath. Although he had engaged in life-or-death battles multiple times in another world, he never grew accustomed to the crisis of death. A chilly sensation seeped into his spine. The premonition of death bound his feet.

He forced the corners of his mouth up.

“For politeness’ sake, can’t you give me a sword and then we continue?”

Cheongmyeong translated that diligently. The man shook his head.

“He says to just die!”

Detestable bastard.

The man thrust his sword. Se-min moved his body frantically. The opponent pursued Se-min leisurely. Se-min barely avoided the attack, and the container’s entrance shattered.

While he was entangled in the container fragments and dust, Se-min tried to evade. However, something flew in from afar.

Cheongmyeong had thrown a hidden weapon.

There was no suitable path. Se-min gritted his teeth and retreated into the shattered container to hold out even a moment longer.

He ended up trapped inside.

Gift was piled up.

The man said something outside the container. Ridicule was mixed in. Cheongmyeong was translating something, but Se-min did not pay attention.

He looked around to find anything.

Next to the pile of Gift, something like a small coffin was placed.

Se-min opened it without realizing.

How could this be.

A claymore was waiting for him.

It looked old and worn, but the unknown foreign letters engraved on the blade were clear.

Se-min instinctively grabbed the hilt.

At that moment, a strange chill flowed in and connected to his heart.

However, there was no time to think about what it was. Since Tai Chi Wisdom was calm, it probably was not something ominous. The powerful enemy in front of him came first.

Se-min gripped the claymore.

The man seemed startled upon seeing the sword Se-min held. He said something to Cheongmyeong. Cheongmyeong also stuttered a few times as he answered. This conversation was not translated.

Se-min attacked. The man raised his sword and blocked. Se-min raised his aura and coated the sword. Then, the characters engraved on the sword glowed faintly. The man’s sword was gradually pushed back.

Holding this sword, his body somehow felt light.

Tai Chi Wisdom stretched and expanded its size.

Aura burst forth from Se-min’s body.

He recalled the time he went on a raid with Ryu Gwan-cheol. At that time, his entire body was enveloped in aura, and a wave of power billowed in every single step and gesture. He had never seen such a massive scale of aura.

Looking at that, Se-min felt Ryu Gwan-cheol looked like a god.

However, after training, he grasped the clue. Ryu Gwan-cheol did not use such power because his aura was dozens of times greater than others’.

That was the hint.

Se-min manipulated the aura to construct it elaborately.

Building the aura firmly.

Like ice crystals.

Like the hexagonal structure of a honeycomb.

Emptying the inside and expanding the surface area by several fold.

Then, the aura multiplied several times. Aura wrapped around Se-min’s entire body. Se-min swung the sword toward the man. At that, a lump of aura flew toward him.

The emitted sword qi struck the man while maintaining its solid structure.

“Keu-heuk!”

The man was pushed back.

His head and body became fatigued. It was a technique that required immense mental power. He had to focus his nerves on his entire body and maintain the shape of the aura.

Se-min rushed in without delaying further.

He exchanged swords with the man. His sword was far more mature than Cheongmyeong’s. However, all of his sword paths were strangely familiar to Se-min.

In Se-min’s eyes, their sword looked like an imitation of the Grand Purity Sword Method.

Cleverly utilizing the enemy’s strength, and overcoming hardness with softness. If the enemy advanced, they retreated, and if the enemy retreated, they advanced to subdue the enemy’s opening.

Se-min twisted the tempo, retreating when the enemy retreated, and clashing when the enemy approached.

As the flow kept breaking, the man panicked. He shouted something in Chinese and used another swordsmanship.

This time, it was a domineering strong sword.

However, Se-min maintained his sword. He was unshaken. Not shaking soon became a countercurrent to the resistance. When the enemy pushed, he pushed together, and when the enemy pulled, he pulled together. That was the essence of stillness.

The man’s face was dyed with panic.

Cheongmyeong shouted.

“Isn’t that the Tai Chi Sword Method! Where on earth…!”

Se-min shook his head inwardly.

This was not some specific sword method.

It was the realization of the Tai Chi principles explained in the Tai Chi Diagram Explanation through the sword. It intertwined with the Grand Purity Sword Method to manifest a new realm.

And this unidentified claymore was aiding all of that.

His senses expanded into the sword.

Se-min grasped the upper hand.

A fight in which containers shattered continued. A siren began to wail in the far distance.

Since a report of a Raider fight must have been submitted, it would be either the Raider Mobile Unit or the heavily armed SWAT.

The tide of battle was turned.

Now they looked for an opening to flee, but Se-min did not let them go. Rather than trying to subdue the enemy, he occupied the space in a way that blocked their movement.

The man dropped his sword tip and glared at Se-min.

“Surrender quietly.”

Se-min smirked and provoked.

He exchanged eye contact with Cheongmyeong.

He wondered if they intended to surrender, but the man pulled something from his chest pocket. It was an item Se-min also knew. He emptied it into his mouth.

Gift.

He had used the drug.

His eyes became bloodshot. Se-min clicked his tongue. As he had experienced, using Gift increased combat power. Moreover, the amount that man used was several times what he had taken.

He immediately lunged his sword at Se-min.

It was a powerful energy.

It was fast and powerful, making it difficult even for Se-min to react. He barely raised his sword, but it was deflected as is.

He collided with the corner of a container and sprawled out. His entire body creaked. Se-min spat out blood and raised his head.

The man and Cheongmyeong were getting farther away.

“Damn it.”

He stumbled and stood up. He wanted to pursue them, but his condition was bad. Because he had overexerted himself in operating his aura, he did not even have the strength to fight further.

The sound of sirens gradually drew closer.

Suddenly, someone was seen moving stealthily.

It was Park Seo-geon.

He noticed Se-min’s gaze and smiled awkwardly. Se-min ran over and whacked the back of his head.

***

The one that arrived with sirens wailing was the Incheon SWAT, and soon Kim Gyu-jin came down and handled the situation.

Se-min ate seolleongtang with him in a messy state.

“You handled it quickly.”

“My acting skills are excellent, you see.”

Se-min, who was tasting the savory broth, suddenly swept the inside of his cheek with his tongue. It stung. There was a wound inside his mouth as an aftermath of the fight. Se-min wrapped it in aura to alleviate the pain.

“This item called Gift is also something we are seeing for the first time. We requested a component analysis from the research institute.”

“There are no serious side effects or anything, right?”

“There wouldn’t be any as long as you didn’t use a large amount.”

Se-min did not mention that he had used Gift, but Kim Gyu-jin, perhaps already guessing it, said something meaningful.

“Good job. The reward will be deposited into your account.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you want to keep going?”

While capturing Park Seo-geon, Se-min clashed with the Triad forces behind them. He might have become their target. After thinking for a moment, Se-min shook his head.

“I will stop here and return as a Raider. The Limitless Association must have gotten the message. Please take care of the aftermath.”

All of this happened because of the tailing.

Behind them would probably be Jin Bu-sik, and this would serve as a sufficient warning to him. If they touched him, he would not let them off, whether it was the Triads or whatever.

“Is that so.”

Kim Gyu-jin did not look particularly disappointed. Rather, the Raider Mobile Unit members who were eating seolleongtang together at the table seemed to find it a pity about Se-min.

The members who came with Kim Gyu-jin ruthlessly arrested Park Seo-geon and his gang members. A few gang members who were aura-compatible tried to resist, but after being thrashed with clubs by the members and handcuffed with handcuffs for aura-compatible individuals, they became like gentle lambs.

Se-min trying to wash his hands of it immediately was also partly because of them.

“Looking at the scene, the sword seemed to have broken, are you okay?”

“Yes. I always carry a spare sword. Isn’t that basic for a Raider? Hahaha.”

He had acquired the stolen goods that Park Seo-geon’s gang had hidden. It was a claymore that fit amazingly well in his hand.

Se-min packed it in his scabbard and pretended not to know. Park Seo-geon also consistently feigned ignorance, saying that the items other than Gift were handled by the Triads.

Now there were no witnesses.

It was his.

Se-min cleared his throat.

“Is the spare sword also the same product as the broken one?”

“No.”

When Kim Gyu-jin showed interest in the sword, Se-min’s heart throbbed.

His ominous white eyes flickered. It was as if he was urging him to confess, saying he had already seen through his lie. Se-min swallowed his saliva.

Don’t tell me Brother Kim Gyu-jin had already noticed his embezzlement?

“It’s an interesting thing.”

Kim Gyu-jin said.

Se-min wanted to ask.

What on earth was interesting?

Did it mean his fate of becoming a thief himself while dealing with criminals!

“As if foreseeing fate, that sword broke there.”

Se-min blinked because he could not understand what he was talking about at all. Kim Gyu-jin smiled faintly toward Se-min.

“Did you not see it?”

“I don’t really know what you mean.”

“Look at this.”

Kim Gyu-jin opened his cell phone and showed it. Photos of the container scene where they fought were displayed there. Se-min tilted his head.

“What do you mean…”

Kim Gyu-jin pointed to a corner of the screen.

Se-min’s face stiffened.

“The containers they used are all from the same company. It means those guys were bringing in goods from China through this company.”

Se-min examined the photos closely. The container where Gift came out, and the place where he acquired the unidentified claymore, all had the same company name written on the exterior.

Why had he not seen that?

“It seems Geoseong Metal Industry, which made your sword, is connected with the Triads.”

Se-min was lost for words.

The sword of Geoseong Metal Industry was a comrade that had been with him for a long time.

And the successor of the company, Jeon Woo-yeon.

He was an excellent leader in the military and had given Se-min a lot of advice. Thanks to sparring with him, he was able to survive in North Korean territory.

Even now, among the weapons available at a reasonable price range, this company’s products were counted as the best.

That such Geoseong Metal Industry was involved with the Triads.

Limitless Association. Triads. Geoseong Metal Industry.

What on earth was their relationship?

“Come to think of it, the second generation of Geoseong Metal Industry seemed to have been in the same unit as you.”

“Yes.”

Not only that, but he must have also conducted operations in the North with Kim Gyu-jin. However, he did not talk about the past. As if tracing memories, Kim Gyu-jin’s eyes became remote.

“Anyway.”

Kim Gyu-jin changed the subject.

“Good job. Contact me if it seems the Limitless Association is playing tricks again.”

“I feel reassured thanks to you, Brother.”

“Are you returning to Seoul again?”

“I should.”

Although originally planned for a month, there was no reason to stay in Incheon any longer. Staying here longer might rather be dangerous. The two aura-compatible individuals of the Triads were not caught.

“I also want to see Jin Bu-sik’s face.”

They were Platinum Marks. Due to the nature of top Raiders whose numbers were small, raids often overlapped. Unless Jin Bu-sik deliberately avoided it, they would see each other again.

Se-min was curious about his expression.

“Is that so.”

Kim Gyu-jin also nodded and began to eat seolleongtang again. Even in routine actions like eating, an unknown discipline was felt. Somehow, he was cool.

“If you have any odd jobs to handle, please let me know. I’ll take a look on my day off.”

Se-min said.

As if he had been waiting, Kim Gyu-jin handed something over.

When he opened the document folder, two familiar faces came out.

They were Cheongmyeong, whom Se-min had subdued, and the unidentified man whom he had fought until the end. His name was written as Shinkai.

“Why this…”

“I’m giving this to you just in case. Because they will probably chase you from now on.”

Kim Gyu-jin spoke ominous words calmly.

“This is data received from the Chinese side. He is suspected of murdering multiple aura-compatible individuals and Raiders in China. It is said he is called Black Dog because he does not let go once he bites a target. It seems he was expelled from the raid industry and threw himself into the Triads.”

He was a more brutal guy than expected.

Se-min accepted it with trembling hands.

Kim Gyu-jin asked.

“Are you afraid?”

Se-min shook his head and hugged the documents to his chest.

And he grinned.

“No. It is because I am excited.”

While fighting them, Se-min felt that his skills had improved. It was a different sensation from when he fought magic beasts.

Player-versus-player combat was soon a sophisticated game of numbers. If one put forward powerful destructive force like when dealing with magic beasts, it was a guaranteed defeat. Se-min wanted to fight that guy Shinkai once more.

If he came, he would see it through to the end then.

“What if the enemy dies while fighting?”

“It will be recognized as self-defense.”

“That’s a relief.”

Se-min lifted the earthenware pot and drank the seolleongtang broth.

This taste.

A taste on a different level from the cheap powdered seolleongtang served in the military.

In that blurry landscape of the past, Se-min saw the face of the grinning Jeon Woo-yeon overlapping.

***

The heavy body of the Kesia collapsed.

“Thank you all for your hard work.”

It was a familiar creature to Se-min.

The ones who raided together this time were CCC, one of the Big Three. They had former military personnel as their mainstay, just like their company name, ‘Courageous Citizen Corps.’

“As expected, a sergeant of the reserve force is indeed different!”

Gu Jin-mo, a manager of CCC who ordered this raid, laughed heartily and patted Se-min’s back. He was a former officer who immediately discharged as soon as he manifested aura, and then joined CCC through his military connections.

He smelled like an opportunist, but his speech and behavior were grand.

“We, CCC, are different from the Limitless Association guys. Se-min, you also saw how those guys enforce discipline, right?”

“Yes. Those who haven’t even served were filming a comedy.”

“I knew you would think so too, Se-min. If you’re interested, Se-min, join our CCC. A genius like you is always welcome. You’re A-grade, A-grade.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Would you like to have a company dinner together?”

“I have work at the company, so…”

“What a pity. Let’s meet again next time, Se-min.”

After parting with the CCC Raiders, Se-min returned to the company on his junk scooter.

He accessed the Transcendent Network, which he had not accessed for a while because of his training.

His current status was as follows.

Raider Lee Se-min’s Grade: lv2

Raider Lee Se-min’s Points: 3200p

Tai Chi Wisdom

Form-Intention Fist

Three Talents Swordplay

Cloud-Ascending Steps

Grand Purity Sword Method

Explanations of Fists and Kicks

Tai Chi Diagram Explanation

After being promoted to Platinum Mark, he performed more minor quests to hunt magic beasts, and the new mission given to him now was as follows.

Raider Lee Se-min, the rising star of the Transcendent Network!

Now most quests must be too easy, right?

Hunt a disaster-grade magic beast!

Reward Points: 5000p

He could not know whether the Transcendent Network held him in high esteem, or was just throwing it roughly because it was troublesome now.

Disaster-grade magic beast.

The entity Se-min had dimly seen during the Missing Gate incident, the Orc, was a representative disaster-grade magic beast.

Up to now, there were four types of magic beasts defined as disaster-grade, including the Orc.

They were creatures called the Four Great Disaster Magic Beasts.

Those creatures did not appear easily, and even if a Gate opened, it was rare for it to be revealed to the outside.

To face them, Black Marks and unique marks were mobilized in large numbers, and they were summoned by the World Headquarters of the Raid Alliance regardless of nationality.

To hunt such a creature, the difficulty had suddenly jumped too much.

“I should just repeat training.”

Se-min was not greatly frustrated. For the time being, he did not need points that much either. It was also tough to master what he already possessed.

The martial art he learned first, Tai Chi Wisdom.

Three Talents Swordplay, which many people ignored as a basic martial art.

He had not even mastered those properly, so there was no need to be greedy.

Dokgo Cheonma said that one could become the world’s strongest with just those two.

“By the way…”

Se-min accessed the general bulletin board.

Author: Night Emperor Alaste

Title: Sister Iana, what have you been up to lately? lol

Can’t see you much lately lol Busy? lol

I received a new fief from the king not long ago lol When I drank some alcohol and stared into his eyes lol

He trembled and handed one down lol

I’m super busy managing that lol

What are you doing, Sister? lol It’s been a long time since I saw you lol I’m super bored lol A glass of alcohol in Sister’s dimension, call? lol

Waiting for comments while smoking a cigarette lol

Se-min’s face stiffened.

That Alaste bastard was flirting with Sister Iana now.

He casually appealed his status by saying the king backed down when he stared at him while drinking; he was quite a playboy.

Even his tone, with ‘lol’ attached to each, exuded a chic charm, and he boasted his composure by saying he was making a sort of courtship proposal to have a drink just because he was bored. He was none other than a Casanova. He was a bad boy who did not even hide the fact that he smoked.

“This bastard…”

Se-min’s heart thudded. Judging by the words that it had been a long time since they saw each other, the two had already met before.

Why on earth was that?

For what matter did they meet and what did they do?

Se-min held his breath and waited for Iana’s comment. She did not appear. It seemed she was doing something else. Se-min let out a sigh of relief.

“Surely not…”

Se-min composed his mind. To be united with Sister Iana, he had to be confident first. Becoming strong came first.

“Huu. Let’s ignore it.”

Se-min ignored Alaste and left a message for his master Dokgo Cheonma. It was to ask about what had happened recently.

When he used the Grand Purity Sword Method, Cheongmyeong talked nonsense, calling him a senior of Wudang, and later even interrogated him on how he knew the Tai Chi Sword. Even in Se-min’s view, their martial arts resembled Dokgo Cheonma’s.

An imitation whose true essence was lost and blurred over a long period, leaving only its form.

That was the impression Se-min received.

As a technique to kill enemies, its function might be intact, but the things Dokgo Cheonma truly wished to teach Se-min were hollowed out.

He wanted to ask about that.

When Se-min left the message, Dokgo Cheonma soon left a comment.

Sure enough, whenever her name was mentioned, she appeared in an instant anytime, anywhere.

The Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma: Did you say Wudang?

Raider Lee Se-min: Yes, Brother! When I cast Brother’s Grand Purity Sword Method bam-bam-bam, he was startled and immediately banged his head, bowing and saying he greets the senior of Wudang and blah blah… As expected, Brother Dokgo Cheonma’s martial arts are great! Loyalty! ^^7

The Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma: Was it that dimension?

Unlike Dokgo Cheonma who always spoke the core, she delayed the reply once.

Soon, Dokgo Cheonma continued.

The Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma: There was a time when my master traveled around multiple dimensions in the past. I will explain only this much.

Master.

Past.

Multiple dimensions.

Much was implied. Dokgo Cheonma’s master was also a transcendent, and it was a story that he traveled multiple dimensions.

Could it be that he transmitted martial arts to those Wudang guys?

Raider Lee Se-min: As expected… Our sect has such a secret history…

Se-min made a statement that subtly incorporated himself into Dokgo Cheonma’s line.

Dokgo Cheonma did not particularly deny it.

The Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma: Are you learning the Tai Chi Diagram Explanation well?

She even worried about him instead.

Sure enough, she was a gentle, attentive, and kind person.

Raider Lee Se-min: Since I am lacking, I still don’t really know what it means TT

The Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma: It is originally like that. If you accumulate experience and keep contemplating, you will reach it someday.

She did not rush him either.

Se-min felt respect rising for big brother Dokgo Cheonma once again.

He really wanted to meet her once and offer at least a glass of alcohol to her.

Raider Lee Se-min: TT Yes! Brother! Thank you! I will definitely meet you someday and offer the custom of nine bows of gratitude myself!

The Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma: Fufu. I will wait.

Going to another dimension cost an immense amount of points. Moreover, for Se-min to cross to another dimension, he had to upgrade his membership level once more, which also required an immense amount of points.

It was still insufficient.

***

Se-min rose from his seat.

He was half-lying on the customer sofa in the corner of the office, accessing the Transcendent Network on his phone.

“Did you wash up after coming back from the raid?”

Yoo Sang-heun, the president, asked. Se-min shook his head.

“Hey, why are you lying there so dirtily!”

“I raided cleanly today. Not a single drop of blood splattered.”

“Don’t you know it splatters invisibly?”

“I don’t know about that.”

Se-min placed a chair next to Yoo Sang-heun and sat down.

Yoo Sang-heun was startled. He was startled not because Se-min was dirty, but because he was caught in the act of what he was doing on the computer. Today, he was writing malicious comments on overseas soccer articles again.

“…”

Se-min did not say anything.

Yoo Sang-heun also cleared his throat.

“President. Let me check the letters.”

Se-min rummaged through the pile of letters stacked on his desk. Some were sent by raid product companies, and others were regarding fees or various utility bills.

In the midst of that, Se-min found something strange and was startled.

“Will You Marry, Raider?”

He looked at Yoo Sang-heun. Embarrassed, he hit Se-min on the shoulder and tried to snatch the letter.

“L-lately, ads have been coming often.”

“Dear Member Yoo Sang-heun?”

“They call you a member just by accessing… Hey, don’t open it!”

Yoo Sang-heun, age forty.

As a representative running a raid company, he was a man who lacked nothing, but unfortunately, he was far from marriage.

“A marriage agency specializing in the raid industry. You must have been very lonely, President.”

“It’s not like that. This president is a cold-blooded man who does not know things like solitude or loneliness. Don’t you know the research results showing many sociopaths among corporate chairmen?”

“Why does such a person linger around a marriage matchmaking agency? Women dislike you because you write malicious comments on the internet.”

Yoo Sang-heun, whether Se-min watched or not now, was slandering the rival club of the soccer team he supported in the comment section of overseas soccer.

“This is exactly passion. Thanks to this passion of mine, our SH Company grew this big.”

He seemed to have no gratitude for the benefactor who actually grew the company, Lee Se-min.

Se-min stared at him with cold, dry eyes.

“You punk, what are you looking at. Go brew some coffee for this president.”

“…”

Se-min showed his intention of resistance by deepening his nasolabial folds. The office worker who was typing behind rose and served instant mix coffee. He was an abusive boss.

Se-min rummaged through the rest of the letters. Among the letters, what he was looking for soon came out.

Se-min shook the envelope.

“This isn’t over yet, right?”

Yoo Sang-heun scanned the sender and shrugged his shoulders.

“Yeah. Why that all of a sudden? You hate that kind of stuff, don’t you?”

“Since I see you looking into marriage matchmaking agencies, President, I felt I should help you. I will help you by your side. Like Batman and Robin. Ah, I am Batman.”

The letter Se-min held out was an invitation.

As Raiders became a privileged class of society, gatherings only for those in the industry emerged. They periodically held parties or events that ordinary people could not attend to solidify their connections. It was like the social gatherings of the old nobility.

In the past, Yoo Sang-heun had asked him in passing, but Se-min at the time had no interest in such places.

However, he wanted to visit once now.

“You’re not going to protest because your sword broke, are you?”

“Since the pride of domestic products was broken, I must go and argue.”

That was right.

The organizer of this gathering was Geoseong Metal Industry, the enterprise holding the largest share of the domestic weapon industry.

They invited famous Raiders and associates to introduce the company’s new products and hold a party.

The person in charge of the event was the successor of Geoseong Metal Industry, the rising young second generation, Jeon Woo-yeon.

***

That day arrived.

Se-min parked his scooter in front of Yoo Sang-heun’s house.

Although he was a gentleman who only surfed the web every day, because he and the affiliated Raiders including Hyeon Jae-yeong worked hard to make money for him, he owned a nice house.

When Se-min pressed the doorbell, the garage door next to the entrance opened.

[Come in.]

He parked the scooter and entered his house.

In the master bedroom, the sign of Yoo Sang-heun moving busily was heard.

Se-min lay down roughly on the living room sofa. Then he turned on the television. The reporter smiled brightly, saying the weather was very clear today, making it good for outdoor activities.

“You’re all prepared, right?”

“Yes.”

“You too…”

Yoo Sang-heun came out of the living room, looked at him, and froze.

“You’re going like that?”

Se-min was wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and a Sukajan, just like usual.

On the other hand, Yoo Sang-heun was dressed in a suit and tie. His hair was neatly swept back, and a high-priced watch sparkled on his wrist.

“Is there a dress code or something?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“Then it doesn’t matter, does it?”

“Ugh…”

Yoo Sang-heun looked down at Se-min.

He was giggling while watching television in an outfit that looked like it had popped out of a biker gang webtoon.

Who would think of this guy as the famous Raider Lee Se-min.

“Right, let’s go.”

Yoo Sang-heun gave up.

Since he said nothing more, Se-min rather felt disappointed.

“Aren’t you going to nag?”

“Who could stop you. Let’s just go.”

“You made a good choice. Today, I’ll make sure you withdraw from ‘Will You Marry, Raider’.”

“Stop blabbing about that!”

They left the house and got into Yoo Sang-heun’s car.

The Maybach advanced toward the destination.

“Wow, this bastard sits in the back seat.”

Yoo Sang-heun grumbled.

***

Thanks to Yoo Sang-heun’s excellent speeding, they quickly arrived at the destination. It was a banquet hall located in Cheongdam-dong.

They left the car for valet parking and stepped into the entrance. The receptionist welcoming visitors at the entrance scanned Se-min’s outfit once. The fact that there was no change in her expression at all proved she was a professional receptionist.

“President Yoo Sang-heun of SH Company. Long time no see. And this person?”

She asked while writing the list of visitors.

“I am Lee Se-min.”

She looked at Se-min. As if only then recalling that the Sukajan was his trademark, she smiled brightly.

“Ah! You are very welcome. We have been honored that you always use our products. So that we will not disappoint you in the future…”

“It broke not long ago. It lost to a Chinese sword.”

“Pardon?”

She looked flustered by Se-min’s answer. Se-min grinned.

“That can happen.”

“Ah, yes. Hohoho.”

She laughed. Yoo Sang-heun nudged Se-min with his elbow.

They stepped inside.

The introduction of Geoseong Metal Industry’s new products had not started yet. The interior was wider than expected, and food and alcohol were prepared on tables so everyone could serve themselves what they wanted.

The people were conversing warmly, perhaps knowing each other.

Someone struck up a conversation with Yoo Sang-heun.

“President Yoo! Long time no see!”

The opponent was a middle-aged man with a robust build. The sign of aura was felt. Se-min guessed he was a retired Raider.

“President Park is here as well.”

It was said he was the president of an enterprise providing Raider management programs. They said they analyzed Raiders’ status and managed their condition with high-tech equipment, but of course SH Company had no such thing.

“Didn’t you say you would think about our products before?”

“I thought about it a lot, but the company is still small. Hahaha.”

“Oh dear, if President Yoo says such words, what should people like me do.”

Yoo Sang-heun did not look like he did much work at the company, but surprisingly, his attitude in dealing with people was skillful.

“This fellow?”

Not minding Se-min’s free-spirited attire, the man called President Park looked at Se-min with a smiling face.

“He is the ace of our company. A friend named Lee Se-min. You’ve heard of him, right?”

“Ah! That fellow!”

He opened his arms in an exaggerated manner to express surprise, and then requested a handshake from Se-min. Se-min held his hand. The man placed his hand on Se-min’s shoulder and nodded.

“You were cool when catching those Kesias. A Raider like you isn’t common. President Yoo brought a precious talent.”

Se-min just expressed gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“Your grip strength is good. That’s how it should be. A man should be like this. Hahaha!”

They conversed harmoniously and clinked the wine glasses placed nearby. The man said goodbye to Yoo Sang-heun and left.

Yoo Sang-heun whispered toward Se-min.

“Annoying old man.”

Since he said such a thing despite looking like they got along well on the surface, Se-min tilted his head.

“Why is that?”

“He only pretends to be a good person, but he’s very vicious. Several companies closed down because of him. You should also be careful of the people here. They are black-hearted even if they smile in front of you.”

In terms of social experience, Yoo Sang-heun was at a higher level than Se-min. Se-min saw Yoo Sang-heun in a new light.

“Since you know so well… go over there and strike up a conversation.”

Several women were gathered and talking. Laughter like rolling beads burst out. Whether they were Raiders or aura-compatible individuals, everyone’s bodies were firm.

“Ahem, I came here to work. I have no business with that.”

As the topic of women was brought up, his tension was clearly visible.

Se-min pushed his back. Yoo Sang-heun resisted. He even manifested aura, showing his will to shake Se-min off.

“Hey, d-don’t do that.”

“President. No, Brother.”

Se-min said with sincerity.

“I am a Platinum.”

“T-this bastard. Using force.”

Yoo Sang-heun, who retired from the Gold Mark, could not match Se-min. The soft aura of Tai Chi Wisdom pushed him.

As the two appeared, the women’s gazes gathered.

Se-min wore a smile that was supposedly warm.

“Hello…”

Even before finishing his words, Se-min spotted someone and startled. He immediately turned his body to leave.

“Excuse me? Why are you leaving in the middle of greeting?”

Bang Yu-bi was there.

Since forming an ill relationship with Kim Seon-ha, somehow the women of the Iron Horse Company did not suit him. When Se-min tried to run away, Yoo Sang-heun caught Se-min now and grinned.

“Se-min. You should greet them.”

“…”

Old habits die hard; the aura of the former Gold Mark was blocking Se-min’s escape.

Resigned, Se-min turned around again and bowed.

He outputted his lines mechanically.

“Hello. I am Platinum Mark Raider Lee Se-min. You are all having a good time, right? I just dropped by to say hello. I will take my leave now…”

And as he was about to leave again, another woman caught him.

“Talk a bit more before you go.”

“You wore a Sukajan today too. They say you have several of them at home, is it true?”

“Weren’t you scared when facing the Kesia alone?”

His reputation had spread widely, so the women showed interest. For some reason, Bang Yu-bi’s gaze was chilly.

Se-min answered.

“Yes. I have over ten Sukajans, and the Kesia wasn’t very scary.”

“Really? Why wasn’t it scary?”

“Because a Raider must always be prepared for death. Dying in a place that is not a battlefield is scarier.”

“Puhaha, look at how serious your expression is.”

“I’ve never seen someone who actually says such things.”

The women burst into laughter. The eyes of Bang Yu-bi, standing opposite Se-min, narrowed even more.

Se-min cleared his throat.

“Anyway, I will take my…”

He was trying to leave the place subtly, but just then, the event began.

# 4