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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Binding Alliances
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Jeong Hyun-su looked quite startled by Yeon Sung-hun's sudden appearance.
"What brings you here? Didn't you just pick up materials not long ago?"
Yeon Sung-hun stared silently at Jeong Hyun-su, who was tilting his head in confusion.
Sensing something different about Yeon Sung-hun, Jeong Hyun-su tilted his head again.
"Is there some kind of...?"
"He came looking for me."
By the time he'd arrived here, Yeon Sung-hun's emotions had fully settled, so his voice was utterly calm.
Jeong Hyun-su immediately frowned at Yeon Sung-hun's matter-of-fact tone.
"Came looking for you? From where? Don't tell me...?"
"That very place. The guy named Jin Seong-jun from our Chemical company's secretary office. Do you know him?"
"Even I don't know every secretary from every company. But I've heard the rumors."
Perhaps sensing the gravity of the situation?
Jeong Hyun-su, who had been leisurely reviewing documents, lit a cigarette.
"Not just our group—most companies keep at least one guy on hand to handle the dirty work. He might be in the secretary office, but his real role isn't much different from ours."
"Yeah, that's the vibe I got. So, you don't know anything about Jin Seong-jun?"
Jeong Hyun-su nodded firmly.
"Right. I could look into it if I investigated, but the fact that you're pointing him out specifically means you got hit hard, huh?"
"I'm not in the mood for jokes."
Jeong Hyun-su clamped his mouth shut under Yeon Sung-hun's piercing glare.
He gave an awkward smile before continuing.
"If Chemical—the pharma division—approached you, the reason's obvious. So, what were the terms? No, stupid question. You wouldn't be here if they were good."
Jeong Hyun-su exhaled a puff of smoke and glanced at Yeon Sung-hun.
No emotions could be read from his face, which seemed even more detached than usual.
"...First things first. Coming to me at this timing means I can take it as you fully trusting this side, right?"
Yeon Sung-hun shook his head at the question.
"No matter how bad things get, I can't just blindly trust an underworld guy. Bring out the 'Geas'."
A Geas was the highest level of contract that could be shared between parties.
A kind of magic scroll whose effect was closer to divine authority than mere magic.
Once established, it couldn't be canceled or broken.
It was an unbreakable oath in the truest sense.
The price for voiding or violating it was one's life.
"What? A 'Geas'? Do you know how expensive that is...?"
"Then you won't get any more of my potions."
"..."
Jeong Hyun-su grimaced for a moment before sighing.
"We'll split the cost half and half."
"Fine."
As Yeon Sung-hun agreed, Jeong Hyun-su retrieved a Geas from the safe in one corner of the office.
The condition Yeon Sung-hun proposed was simple: neither would betray the other.
Jeong Hyun-su frowned at the bare-bones terms.
"You really plan to keep it this simple? It's a Geas, after all..."
"Making it complicated would just limit our freedom."
Yeon Sung-hun answered flatly and immediately activated the contract.
The Geas floating in the air dissolved into a handful of mana that seeped into both their bodies.
Now, if either broke the contract, they would lose their life.
Feeling the mana seep into him, Jeong Hyun-su grinned.
"Now it really feels like we're proper partners. Guess I should thank those bastards."
"Don't get too happy. The info leak traces back to the Black Market side."
Jeong Hyun-su, who had been chuckling, immediately frowned.
"You sure?"
"No other place it could be."
Jeong Hyun-su sighed at Yeon Sung-hun's blunt statement.
"Fair enough... Sorry for the poor management."
He knew the underworld's inner workings well, so he accepted it quickly.
"No. We were complacent on our end too."
At Yeon Sung-hun's refusal to blame him, Jeong Hyun-su nodded once more before asking.
"Alright. So, what kind of help do you need? You've got something in mind."
"First question: What's your authority like inside the Black Market?"
"Depends on the situation, but if I report to the boss, pretty much anything's possible."
"Can you trust the boss?"
Yeon Sung-hun still didn't know that Jeong Hyun-su's father was the Black Market's president.
Jeong Hyun-su shrugged at his expression.
"Trust him? The boss is my father."
"...I see. That explains why a mere exchange manager has so much pull... How's your relationship with him?"
"I get what you're worried about, but don't. Neither I nor my father are the type to betray family."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly.
"In that case, gather info on our Chemical. Something that can shake them hard—whatever you can get."
"Hm. Info that could rattle a top-tier conglomerate... That's a stretch. Different weight class. We could get wiped out entirely if we're not careful."
"The whole group, sure. But I only want Chemical."
"...Then yeah, doable. A few underlings are gonna get shredded."
Here, "shredded" meant literally torn apart physically, not figuratively.
"And speed up the next auction."
"Hm? At this timing? They're not the kind we can handle just by selling a few potions."
Instead of answering the puzzled Jeong Hyun-su, Yeon Sung-hun placed something down.
A massive backpack thudded heavily onto the table.
"What's this?"
"Items for the auction."
Jeong Hyun-su hurriedly checked inside at Yeon Sung-hun's calm words.
The bag was filled to bursting with a mountain of potions.
Jeong Hyun-su's mouth fell open in呆滞.
"Wound healing, antidotes, body enhancement, mana recovery, stamina. Plus some throwable potions. Put them all up for auction."
"...All these potions at once? The prices will..."
"Crash hard, yeah. But I don't care. It's temporary, and I don't need money right now."
Jeong Hyun-su stared blankly at Yeon Sung-hun's steady voice.
A hidden murderous glint flickered in his eyes.
Jeong Hyun-su swallowed involuntarily.
"...Fame?"
"Influence through fame, precisely."
"...Everyone will come knocking."
"That's the idea."
"...I see. In the end, you're the only one who can make these potions. You want them fighting each other?"
"They'll stay quiet while watching each other. Then I'll adjust supply based on the aftermath."
"They'll all go nuts. Once they've tried yours, no other potion measures up."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly.
Since the board was already set, he planned to expand it entirely.
"...Not a bad plan. Probably the best option we have right now."
"If you want to profit off this, go ahead. As long as it doesn't mess with the plan, I won't care."
"You've laid out the feast—failing to grab a spoon would cost me my heir spot. I'll make plenty, so don't worry."
Yeon Sung-hun said nothing to Jeong Hyun-su's grinning face.
How to schedule the auction?
How to best leverage this chance?
As Jeong Hyun-su pondered quietly, Yeon Sung-hun spoke up.
"One more thing. How many subordinates can you really trust?"
"Subordinates I trust? Well..."
"Think carefully. I mean ones you'd stake your life on."
Jeong Hyun-su fell silent for a moment.
The underworld's nature meant such men were rare.
No, even in the legit world, finding someone to entrust your life to wasn't easy.
After some thought, Jeong Hyun-su spoke.
"...A few."
"Their skills?"
"All solid. At least C-rank. But they're precious to me, so I won't throw them away lightly."
"It might get dangerous. I want you to protect my family."
Jeong Hyun-su nodded slowly in agreement.
He didn't know Yeon Sung-hun's full situation, but family was one of the most important things to most people.
And their greatest weakness.
"How many to protect?"
"Two."
"Manageable... Alright. I'll assign my best guys."
"Thanks."
Jeong Hyun-su opened his mouth at Yeon Sung-hun's quiet gratitude.
This was the first time he'd heard "thanks" from him.
Having only seen his cynical side, it was all the more surprising.
Even the cold Yeon Sung-hun has a soft spot for family, huh.
Quietly noting this new fact, Jeong Hyun-su spoke.
"Come to think of it, we never properly introduced ourselves."
"...Yeah, guess not. Yeon Sung-hun."
"That's it?"
"You'll background-check me anyway."
"Heh. You really know the underworld inside out. Were you one of us?"
"Just a regular alchemist. Your name?"
"Jeong Hyun-su."
"That's all for you too?"
"Jealous? Dig into my background then."
"Not particularly interested."
"...Tough nut."
Yeon Sung-hun smiled faintly for the first time that day as Jeong Hyun-su smacked his lips.
He quietly extended his hand to Jeong Hyun-su.
"Anyway, let's get along, Jeong Hyun-su."
"You too, Yeon Sung-hun."
The two shook hands firmly.
Though he'd taken some measures through Jeong Hyun-su, Yeon Sung-hun's actions weren't finished.
Hadn't he said it?
He'd use everything available, whatever it was.
He still had more cards to play.
"...Is that really true?"
Choi Yeon-ah frowned quietly at Yeon Sung-hun's calm explanation.
Yeon Sung-hun had informed the guild members in advance about the incident.
Since they were part of his guild, they could be targeted anytime, anywhere.
"I've taken some steps, but given who they are, I can't say for sure. Be extra careful—they might try something else."
The guild members nodded gravely at his words.
They were worried about Yeon Sung-hun, who had faced the direct threat.
"Don't worry too much about me. Just look after yourselves first."
After firmly cautioning those concerned for him, Yeon Sung-hun called Gye Cheong-san.
"Team Leader Gye. Money's no object—hurry the construction on that house. Please."
"We'll push as fast as we can. Anything else?"
"They're sneaky bastards. They might target you too, even as a civilian, so stay sharp."
"Got it. I'll be careful."
"They might hit through the Association too, so watch that."
"I'll coordinate with Seong-sil and schedule Gangwon-do for now."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded lightly at Gye Cheong-san's response.
Choi Yeon-ah, who had been listening silently, spoke cautiously.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Yeon Sung-hun shook his head.
"Just focus on your own safety, Yeon-ah."
"I'll be fine. With your potions, I can handle even an S-rank hunter coming for me."
"Hm. In that case, I do have a small favor."
"Yes, anything."
At Choi Yeon-ah's willing response, Yeon Sung-hun spoke.
"Hello? Nice to see you again, Guild Leader Yeon."
"Nice to see you too, Hunter Seong A-reum."
Yeon Sung-hun and Seong A-reum.
The two who had briefly crossed paths before met again today, arranged by Choi Yeon-ah.
What Yeon Sung-hun had asked Choi Yeon-ah for was simple: this meeting with Seong A-reum.
It wasn't much of a favor, and he hadn't pushed her.
After all, her options were limited after a year retired.
Choi Yeon-ah seemed a bit hurt but ultimately understood his choice.
She knew her own limits well.
Naturally, active S-rank Seong A-reum was far more helpful.
"I heard you're busy, so thank you for making time today."
"Unnie nagged me to meet you. And since it's you, Guild Leader Yeon, I should've been the one begging."
Seong A-reum smiled demurely, trying to overturn her first impression from their last meeting.
As the saying went, hunters were full of beauties and hunks, and she was at the pinnacle.
Her smooth lips curved gracefully, brightening her surroundings.
"Just call me comfortably. Not worth 'Hunter Seong A-reum' formality."
"Great. You too, then."
After the quick greetings, they got to the point.
"So, Sung-hun, why'd you want to meet? Honestly didn't expect you to reach out first."
Seong A-reum asked calmly.
She had her own desires for Yeon Sung-hun, but he'd initiated today.
She held some initiative in the conversation.
"Know about the potion rumors in the underworld lately?"
"...The mysterious alchemist F's potions?"
Seong A-reum trailed off, eyeing him curiously.
Her guild, Dawn, was a top domestic powerhouse and had joined that auction, so she knew about F and his potions.
Plus, she'd heard about Yeon Sung-hun from Han So-yul early on.
She subtly suspected F was him.
"Figured you'd guess. F is me."
Seong A-reum wasn't surprised, as expected.
It was just confirmation of her hunch.
She was more curious about his intent.
"You need my potions too. You've tried them several times already."
"Yes. Once you use them, others are unusable. The performance gap is huge... So why bring it up now?"
Curiosity, interest, and faint wariness mixed on her face as she watched him.
Yeon Sung-hun brushed off the gaze lightly.
"Black Market auction in a few days. A ton of my potions will be up for bid."
"Stock up ammo in advance? Helpful advice, sure, but..."
"No need for you to join the auction."
"What...?"
"The auction lineup: basic heals, buffs, dopings, throwables. And mana recovery potions."
"Throwables? Mana recovery? What kind?"
"You'll see when you try them."
"You just said no need to join the auction—how am I supposed to try...?"
Seong A-reum trailed off with an exclamation.
She'd grasped his meaning.
To the blankly gaping Seong A-reum, Yeon Sung-hun said calmly.
"No auction needed. Deal with me directly. Can't supply unlimited, but enough for your use."
"...Why offer me this? Because of So-yul and Unnie?"
Normally, she'd jump at it, but suspicion came first.
S-rank hunter instincts?
No pressure, but her steady gaze held unyielding resolve against lies.
Accepting it silently, Yeon Sung-hun replied.
"Know who won my potions at the last auction?"
"...Our group, I heard?"
Auctions kept winners secret in principle, but everyone knew through whispers.
Underworld style.
"Chemical approached me recently. Tried to recruit me."
"Oh dear. Failed to replicate, huh."
"Not something you can easily copy."
Seong A-reum nodded at his confident tone.
If infamous Chemical tried recruiting over copying, his potions were uniquely irreplaceable.
"Terms weren't good? No, dumb question. Sorry."
She knew the group well.
Probably slave-contract level.
Most companies and guilds pulled that.
After a pause, Seong A-reum asked.
"...What do you want from me?"
"Your power. Or rather, Dawn Guild's."
Seong A-reum fell silent briefly at his steady words.
She'd half-expected this.
Not the guild master, but as S-rank, she wielded major influence and could move Dawn if she wanted.
His potions made it even easier.
"...What if I refuse?"
"Then join the auction like everyone else. I offered because you're So-yul and Yeon-ah's friend."
"...Not running that auction for nothing."
Guessing his goal?
She let out a short sigh, then chuckled.
The answer was decided from the start.
"...Irresistible offer. Lucky you, good sisters."
She smiled faintly and extended her hand.
"Looking forward to working together."
"Same here."
The two shook hands lightly.
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