Chapter 239: Chapter 239

Everyone else remained calm.

They had expressions that seemed to say, It was bound to happen.

Some didn’t even acknowledge it, having already resigned themselves, nodding without any real reaction.

Kim Mu-hwan was the same.

Su-ho continued speaking with the same calm demeanor.

“You all ended up under Pi Seong-yeol because each of you committed unforgivable sins. Pi Seong-yeol used that against you, manipulating you to do his bidding. And in the process, you committed even more crimes. This is the truth. It will never change. So, your crimes cannot be hidden, no matter what form they take.”

Su-ho’s words kept coming.

Choi Yoon’s face showed confusion.

It was clear she didn’t understand what was being said.

But Su-ho kept speaking, offering no further explanations.

“However, I gave you a chance. And you accepted it. I’m not someone who breaks promises. That’s why I’ve called you here to fulfill my promise.”

As Su-ho spoke, he pointed at Choi Yoon.

“This person comes from the Union, the largest underground guild in the country. Initially, I wanted the representative, but due to various reasons, I’m working with their agent. Choi Yoon, please introduce yourself.”

At Su-ho’s introduction, Choi Yoon awkwardly stood up and introduced herself.

“Ah, yes... I’m Choi Yoon. I was asked to come here by the representative... Though, I don’t really know why. I was told by the agent to listen to everything you say.”

Without any explanation, the only instruction Ion had given her was simple.

If she came in place of the representative, she was to do everything Su-ho asked.

Su-ho had chosen her as the representative because she was the only one he had any contact with in the Union.

Of course, Ion was fully aware of everything that was about to happen today.

Even though the Union was a crucial ally, the details of the mission had to be shared.

Once Choi Yoon sat down, Su-ho continued.

“This is all the explanation there is. Everyone, live with the guilt of the sins you’ve committed, even if it’s late. Death is not an option. If I hear any talk of suicide attempts at Cheongok, I’ll immediately cut off the promised support. The sins you’ve committed are far too great to be repaid by something as simple as death. Now, is there anyone with more to say?”

At his words, Kim Mu-hwan stood and bowed.

“I ask for your guidance.”

Following him, all the other team members stood and bowed as well.

Their bowing was out of gratitude.

Gratitude for the opportunity to remain human, even if it was late.

And gratitude for the solution to the worries that plagued them.

Though Choi Yoon still didn’t understand the situation, she remained silent.

Soon, Su-ho made a phone call, and Na Do-won from the investigation department appeared.

“You know who he is, right? He’ll guide you to the basement.”

Na Do-won nodded at Su-ho’s words.

As he left the conference room, all of the team members, including Kim Mu-hwan, followed Na Do-won as if entranced by the Pied Piper.

When the last team member had left the room, Choi Yoon finally stepped up to Su-ho and asked, “What exactly is going on here?”

“They were originally Pi Seong-yeol’s soldiers. But after making a deal with me, they betrayed him.”

“Betrayed Pi Seong-yeol?”

“The deal with Representative Ion is finished. From now on, Choi Yoon, you’ll be taking care of their families. The details should be in the documents I gave you earlier.”

“Wait, what? I’m supposed to...”

“If you can’t do it, just let me know, and I’ll find someone else for the job.”

“Who says I can’t do it? I’ll do it! Who else would handle this kind of work?”

As expected of Choi Yoon.

Her sense of responsibility was admirable.

Su-ho grinned, and finally, Choi Yoon said, “...But what on earth have you been doing?”

“Everything you’ve done—where do I even begin? Never mind. I guess it’s better if I don’t know.”

Su-ho chuckled at that.

“Do you still work as a gate broker?”

“Ha, do you think that’s possible? The black market has been dead since the banshee appeared.”

It referred to the illegal markets where gates were operated.

But to be more specific, it was the illegal organizations controlling gates that had been wiped out.

That was because of the secret war Su-ho had started against crime.

“If you want to run illegal gates, you need at least a gang-level power, but those types of organizations were all destroyed by the banshees,” Su-ho thought to himself.

Thus, the surviving black market was reduced to just item trading.

But even that had seen a drastic reduction in its scale.

Since the banshee appeared, everyone had been cautious and avoided getting involved.

“Well, that’s not my problem,” Su-ho thought.

He knew that as soon as enough second-tier players emerged, a massive upheaval would start, and it would no longer be possible to secretly run gates on the side.

Second-tier gates were too high-level to be controlled secretly.

Su-ho laughed and said, “You made a good decision. The gate market will continue to get harder, so stop thinking about that and just focus on assisting Representative Ion.”

“Right. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing.”

“Well then, take care. Let me know if anything comes up.”

“Ah... never mind. I’m not even sure what to say anymore since you’ve become such a big shot.”

Su-ho listened to Choi Yoon’s grumbling, paying no mind to it as he picked up his phone and dialed someone for a summons order.

The person who responded to the summons was none other than Kim Geon.

At Nexus Academy in Paju.

At Su-ho’s question, the banshees answered loudly.

Su-ho nodded in satisfaction.

“You all applied for the special assignment, right?”

“Good. Everyone has reached level 100... Now, is there anyone who still hasn’t completed their class or specialization quests?”

A few raised their hands.

Su-ho nodded and said, “Hmm, you know the special assignment application period is fifteen days, right? During that time, you’ll have some free time, so finish your class and specialization quests within those fifteen days.”

At that moment, Seo Gyo-won raised his hand.

“Boss, I have a question.”

“Use the proper title.”

“Sir, I have a question.”

“If someone finishes both their class and specialization quests, what happens?”

“A few of you are done with both quests?”

Several raised their hands.

Among them was Seo Gyo-won, one Su-ho had marked.

Su-ho grinned as he looked at Seo Gyo-won.

“Seo Gyo-won, you finished both?”

“Yes, it wasn’t that hard. I finished it early.”

“What class did you advance to?”

One of the next classes a mage could take, and it was a perfect fit for Seo Gyo-won, who had bomb-making traits.

Su-ho smiled and asked, “Your trait was bomb-making, right? What’s your upgraded trait?”

“An increase in explosive power and the amount I can make at once.”

“Good. Then keep making bombs, Seo Gyo-won.”

“How many should I make?”

“As many as possible.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Su-ho looked at the others and said, “The ones who’ve finished their quests, help the others finish theirs quickly. Once they’re all done, rest.”

Then, turning back to Seo Gyo-won, he added, “But Seo Gyo-won, you’re exempt. Whenever you have free time, keep making bombs. Things are about to get really busy.”

Seo Gyo-won didn’t ask why.

When the leader said something, there was no need for an explanation.

The others stayed quiet, not wanting to get extra work.

Su-ho laughed and said, “Alright, we’ll meet again in fifteen days. The special assignment evaluation will be strict, so don’t slack off.”

“And Geon, stay for a moment.”

Su-ho pulled Kim Geon aside.

They stepped outside, and Su-ho asked, “How have you been?”

“Thanks to you, I’m doing well.”

“Compared to before, everything feels like a dream. It’s all thanks to you, sir.”

Su-ho chuckled at his respectful tone.

“How’s your brother?”

“He’s being well taken care of. I don’t see him as often, but the caregivers rotate, so I can focus on my work.”

“Glad to hear it. But you know you won’t be able to care for him once you start with the Special Forces, right?”

At that, Kim Geon paused.

“Oh... I hadn’t thought about that.”

“No, not yet. If you allow it, I’d like to take some time during the quest to make arrangements for my brother.”

“Do that. Let me know if you need anything. And for that matter, I’ll go see your brother too.”

At Su-ho’s request, Kim Geon immediately led him to his brother Kim Gwon’s room.

Of course, it wasn’t a real hospital room.

It was a specially decorated suite that resembled one.

But for convenience, it was called a hospital room.

‘Still, Nexus is Nexus.’

Just like a VIP ward in a hospital, Kim Gwon was being treated with the utmost care.

When they entered the room, the caregiver quietly stepped out.

Kim Gwon was still asleep, looking like a corpse.

Su-ho asked, “He’s in a coma from a traffic accident, right?”

“Did you catch the °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° hit-and-run driver?”

At that, Kim Geon smiled awkwardly.

After Kim Geon had gained some stability, he had been searching for the driver who put his brother in this state.

But finding that driver now was no easy feat.

Su-ho nodded and said, “You’ll keep looking, even if I tell you not to, right?”

“Honestly, yes. I think I will. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Everyone has their personal reasons. But with taking care of your brother, working in Special Forces, and looking for the hit-and-run driver, it’s going to be tough.”

“No. I’ll make sure it doesn’t affect my work. And I have enough savings to hire a caregiver for my brother.”

“Those savings can’t be much... How’s your own body holding up?”

Kim Gwon was in a coma, but Kim Geon had paralysis from the waist down.

And his real body was lying in another room next to the hospital room.

He usually operated through a Meta Suit.

After watching over his brother for a while, Su-ho extended his hand.

It was the light of Recovery.

Kim Geon tilted his head in confusion at the sight.

And then, a slight twitch—

As if by magic, Kim Gwon’s index finger began to move.