Chapter 110 Karma (5)

“Let’s go. It will be more convenient than a taxi.”

Yoon-seok moved to the hotel in a limousine called by Tenner. Certainly, as he said, it was more comfortable. There was a soundproof gap between them and the driver’s seat, so their conversation wouldn’t be heard.

“Then can I hear about Moorim on the way?”

“Yes, it’s just been sorted out and delivered to me in the form of a report.”

He didn’t think 20 minutes had passed, yet one had already been written. He’d experienced it again and again, but their work was super-efficient.

“I think it’ll be easier to understand if you listen to it while you read it.”

After putting a summary of the report on his tablet, Tenner began explaining it like a company briefing. The style was completely different from Ashton’s, which pursued a light atmosphere with commentaries and jokes, but this format also had its advantages. No time was wasted reciting unimportant information.

“What do you think? Do you have any more questions?”

“No, I understand everything.”

It wasn’t that hard to understand in the first place. The news of the secret place called Cheonma-dong had spread in Moorim, and that had caused a great ruckus among countless warriors.

‘I think this is also why Namgoong Soso went back to Moorim….’

However, there was something unpleasant about it. The Sword Demon also said the reason Cheon-ma returned was completely unrelated to this case, and she was just there to meet someone. For reference, even the Sword Demon didn’t know who it was.

‘Is the person she’s meeting involved?’

Yoon-seok touched his chin without realizing it. It was an old habit of his when he felt worried. Perhaps the unidentified figure might threaten Cheon-ma’s life, but that was unconfirmed.

‘Well, it’s going to happen in a month or two, so I don’t think there’s a hint of it yet.’

Should he say that it was too early to determine the cause and effect of the information he heard from Elle? Eventually, Yoon-seok admitted that nothing could be decided at the moment. But he didn’t feel anxious.

‘There’s no need to rush since we haven’t decided what to do yet.’

Although he had an unusual connection to Cheon-ma, Yoon-seok didn’t want to be involved in the events of other dimensions. So why did he collect information like this? It was akin to curiosity. He was intensely curious about why she went to Moorim.

‘I don’t think it’s a good thing to know about the future.’

Yoon-seok looked quietly out the window. As the car drove, the surrounding landmarks passed them by topics such as Cheon-ma’s death, this precious missed opportunity, and Elle’s wish were floating around unorganized in his head.

“We’re almost there.”

They’d arrived at the hotel after about 30 more minutes of driving. When he went up to the room with Tenner, he saw a man sitting in the middle of a group of U.S. government agents.

“Long time no see.”

Yoon-seok greeted him first. Kang Hyung-woo, who sat on the sofa and was sweating silently, also turned his head. But.

“Wh-who are you?”

Kang Hyung-woo couldn’t recognize Yoon-seok. That was understandable. He was 10cm taller and wearing a mask.

Smirk.

He couldn’t help but laugh. He found out for the first time that Kang Hyung-woo could wear such a gentle appearance.

Thud.

Yoon-seok took off his mask without saying a word. Only then did Kang Hyung-woo recognize the face behind the mask. There was nothing dramatic. Kang Hyung-woo’s eyes lit with surprise and then turned to questions. What was in his mind was obvious.

‘He’s probably wondering why I’m here.’

Since Kang Hyung-woo was called by the Tower, he may know that Yoon-seok was a challenger too. But that was all. He had no idea how strong Yoon-seok became or who he’d become there. If he’d known, he wouldn’t dare try what he had.

“It seems like there’s a lot of things you want to ask. Just don’t do it. I don’t mean to answer, and I didn’t bring you here to do that.”

“Yoon-seok…listen to me for a second. There must be some misunderstanding, but I can solve everything. Really.”

He was already sick and tired of listening to his voice. In a way, it was an obvious repertoire, but it felt quite refreshing to Yoon-seok. Most of the targets Yoon-seok had killed didn’t run off. Rather, they lashed out by throwing around resentful words.

Yoon-seok immediately found out why such a difference occurred.

‘So he thought he could still live.’

He didn’t think he was going to die at this moment. Therefore, he only cared about what to say and do while worrying about the consequences. It was ridiculous, but he was a little curious what kind of nonsense he would yap about.

“Misunderstanding?”

He didn’t need to say much. The moment Yoon-seok gave him any leeway, Kang Hyung-woo jumped at it.

“Yeah, a misunderstanding! I don’t know what you’ve heard from these people, but it’s all a misunderstanding. I went to say hello to your parents after a long time. But I was trying to help them because some weird bastards were there. I mean it!”

Did he prepare while he was being dragged here? Kang Hyung-woo’s excuse was plausible. If only the one who was making an excuse wasn’t him.

“Then what about this text? In terms of time, it was sent ten minutes before you went to my house.”

Yoon-seok took out his smartphone and showed him the message that he sent this morning.

-Don’t regret it. You brought it all on yourself.

It was a very simple and malicious text. After seeing that, Kang Hyung-woo’s legs began trembling. Yoon-seok, who had been through a lot because of him, knew it was his habit when he was extremely anxious.

“W-wait. I can explain everything.”

To be honest, it was amazing at this point. He was still trying to excuse himself in this situation. Yoon-seok nodded quietly and gave him space. Soon, Kang Hyung-woo’s attitude changed as if he’d found a suitable excuse.

“K-kidnapping. This. Even if you’re a challenger, you shouldn’t do this. Police! No, lawyer…no, let me call my father.”

Looking at how he was looking for the father who cut ties with him, he was mentally driven to a dead end. Or he might have decided that he had no choice but to get Chairman Kang’s help to resolve the situation.

“Mr. Tenner, does Chairman Kang know about my existence?”

“If you mean the head of the JC group, yes. He does.”

Tenner immediately answered Yoon-seok’s question. It was just as he expected. JC Group started in related businesses as soon as information about the Tower was released to the public as if they’d been waiting for the moment. It would make no sense if the company’s head didn’t know who Yoon-seok was.

“Can I get through to him on the phone now?”

“He’ll be on the line in three minutes.”

Tenner kept true to his word. Without having to ask Kang Hyung-woo, he quickly took his phone and dialed. He asked for Yoon-seok’s opinion while the ringtone played dully.

“What shall we do?”

“Please let him know about the current situation.”

“I got it.”

Shortly after Chairman Kang answered the phone, Tenner revealed his identity first and told him what happened. Everyone else could hear the call, Kang Hyung-woo included. No matter how weak he was, he was also a challenger.

—So you mean, he…you’re saying he tried to hurt Chief Choi and his wife?

“Yes, that’s right. Currently, we’re taking over the situation.”

—…

The Chairman went silent for a long moment. Suddenly, Kang Hyung-woo started shouting so loudly that his voice rang through the whole room.

“Father! Father! Help me! Don’t believe what they say. They’re all crazy!”

The surrounding agents looked at Yoon-seok, their gazes saying that he would be taken down immediately once they received permission. However, Yoon-seok shook his head quietly. After seeing this behavior, Tenner asked Chairman Kang if he had noticed something.

“I’ll let you speak to your son if you want.”

—…I have already cut ties with that child. You don’t have to do that.

There was no way he didn’t hear Kang Hyung-woo’s cry. Nevertheless, he declined. He expressed his intention not to become involved in how they were planning to handle the matter. But Yoon-seok didn’t think a fair man like Chairman Kang would make this decision. Should he say that because of the rotten mind of a businessman, he was ready to cut off his gains and losses coldly?

‘I’ve changed a lot, too.’

Chairman Kang hadn’t changed. It was just that the way he looked at the world had. Since he started ascending the Tower, Yoon-seok went through many things and constantly contemplated good and evil. As a result, his perspective had grown a little wider and more cynical than when he was still clueless.

-Can you hand the call to Yoon-seok if he’s beside you?

Yoon-seok nodded, and Tenner handed over the phone.

“Long time no see.”

-…Yes, it’s been a while. I apologize on behalf of him for what he’s done.

“You don’t have to do that. You’re not related anyway, are you?”

-I’m glad you think so. But can I ask you a question? What are you going to do with him?

Chairman Kang carefully asked about his son’s treatment, and Yoon-seok answered immediately without any hesitation.

“I’m going to kill him.”

Cut the weeds and eliminate the problem. Kang Hyung-woo wasn’t a man who would repent of his mistakes. If he let him go, he would only think about getting revenge and acquiring the strength to achieve it.

-…

Did he not think Yoon-seok would kill him? For a while, he was silent across the phone. Yet, after that long silence, Chairman Kang didn’t say anything like to think twice.

Rather, he said this.

—I see why you called me.

“Is that so?”

-Really, you’ve become cruel.

“It wasn’t me who was cruel. It was the other side.”

-Please don’t let Hye-in know. She doesn’t know your real identity.

“…I will.”

Tuk.

The line was cut off. Yoon-seok looked at Kang Hyung-woo and pulled out the Judgment Sword, causing the judgment mark and his accumulated karma to appear.

Good: 121

Evil: 18,900

How much harm did he cause others that only he knew, living until now? Even after accumulating data while traveling around Seoul today, it was a ratio that he hadn’t seen before.

“…”

Yoon-seok laughed deceptively. It was funny that that was the only thing Kang Hyung-woo had ever done to him….

Above all, the fact that his data wasn’t even 1

/100 of his own was ironic.

“Are you going to kill me? Huh? No, right? You’re just trying to scare me, aren’t you?”

Yoon-seok didn’t answer. He just looked indifferently into his eyes. Betrayal by his father, anxiety about the current situation, hatred, vengeance, fear…

There were a lot of emotions swirling around inside them.

“Fuck….”

To look into his eyes…in other words, he was also looking into his eyes. However, Yoon-seok didn’t know what that bastard saw in his eyes. However, he trembled and began to throw insults.

“Why would you! Why do you look at me like that?! Fuck you, you **ing son of a bitchhhhhhhh!”

There was only one reason for the sudden change of attitude: he finally abandoned the idea of being able to live.

“You know what? I hate you so **ing much.”

Even if he didn’t tell him, he knew very well. Because it was the same for him.

Plorkk.

Yoon-seok stabbed the Judgment Sword into Kang Hyung-woo’s forehead. Maybe he didn’t even know what was going on. No challenger here noticed Yoon-seok’s movements.

“We’ll take care of it.”

Tenner said so without blinking an eye. He had a corpse disposal skill, but the floor would melt as well. Yoon-seok told him to proceed and sat on the sofa.

Then….

Ring.

A text message arrived.

-How are you, oppa? I’m at the police station. I think Kang Hyung-woo is missing. I heard there are a lot of cases like that because of the Tower. You’re not like that either, are you?

Hatred was hatred, but was she worried because they were blood-related? It seemed like she even visited the police station to report Kang Hyung-woo’s disappearance.

Karma, the return price by good and evil. Yoon-seok thought, if karma existed in this world, he might one day have to pay his price.