novelraw Chapter 208 : Chapter 208
Chapter 208 : Chapter 208
Chapter 208: The Subordinates (2)
Ho-cheol looked at the four men gathered in front of him.
“Wow. It’s good to be gathered and see your faces after a long time. How many years has it been?”
Vulture, Greed, Breaker, and Assassin.
They were all former villains who had been active as executives of the organization at one time.
In fact, the end of their relationship was not a good one.
The reformed Ho-cheol had personally destroyed the organization with his own hands, and most of the executives and related personnel had been caught and imprisoned.
“It’s the first time since the organization collapsed, probably?”
Of course, just a few months ago, Vulture and Breaker had raided Clington and had even cut off the dean's arm.
But that was a no-count.
In the first place, they had just been forcibly mobilized like machines, without any will, thought, or memory.
He was sure the dean would fully understand that the situation was unavoidable.
Probably or not.
“Whether it’s just 10 years, or a whole 10 years. You guys have gotten really old. You must have had a hard time.”
There was no answer to Ho-cheol's exaggerated nonchalance.
They just maintained silence with suspicious eyes.
They had the exact same face and voice as the Ho-cheol they remembered, but the aura and atmosphere he exuded were, honestly, completely different.
The last memory they had of Ho-cheol was him covered in blood, breaking the necks of his subordinates.
“You guys were always taciturn, but you didn’t walk around with zippers on your mouths. You must have had a hard time.”
In fact, that was a needless question.
They had been kidnapped by Ji-an, who had established a villain organization to find Ho-cheol in the past.
In the end, they had been forcibly injected with a Trait due to her threat.
And that experiment had brought about terrible results.
Vulture and Breaker had lost their sanity in exchange for gaining a new Trait and had become monsters.
Assassin and Greed had suffered from side effects without being able to adapt to the new Trait.
At least the monster-like forms had been somewhat restored in this treatment facility.
“But at least you’re alive. That’s the most important thing.”
Only then did someone speak.
Greed, the one with a geometric tattoo around his mouth, his tattoo twitched as he opened his mouth.
“Did you come here just to ask how we are?”
“Ehh. Do you think I would?”
Ho-cheol waved his hand.
But he immediately erased his smile and said shortly.
“Something has come up, and I have a use for you guys.”
“You betrayed us then, and now you’re back?”
Breaker said, as if spitting out the words.
“Yes. Again. Well, are you still holding a grudge over that? When were we ever that close? You guys know full well that in this world, it’s the fault of the one who got backstabbed, not the one who backstabbed.”
In fact, these four also knew that well.
They just wanted to say something.
“Well, since you guys are the more moderate ones, I'm letting you out.”
The executives of the old organization easily numbered over 10.
Nevertheless, only these few had not been caught, and the reason Ho-cheol was letting them out now was because these four at least had some room for redemption.
Villains who moved by their own will, not by desire.
In fact, after Ho-cheol had been caught, they had also stayed quiet without any activity.
“I refuse.”
This time, the Assassin answered.
With his white beard that went down to his chest, he had turned his body away and even closed his eyes, as if he didn't want to see Ho-cheol.
“You have changed. The thing that once fascinated me is completely gone, so regardless of the betrayal, I see no need to follow you.”
The other three were silent, but a similar sentiment flowed.
They had not just obeyed Ho-cheol's strength by force.
It wasn't a relationship that could be dominated by force.
Ho-cheol was an endless abyss, a darkness to heroes.
But conversely, to some, he was also a light that could not be looked at carelessly.
They had only followed him because they were fascinated by his blinding brilliance and his resolute mind.
But the current Ho-cheol had none of that light.
Ho-cheol scratched his cheek as if in trouble.
“Well, I can’t say I haven’t changed at all. But I believe that change itself is in a positive direction, that is, development.”
“Nonsense. The boldness that only the boss possessed to not shy away from any means, method, or sacrifice for the sake of his goal is completely gone from you now. This is a clear regression, not development…”
The assassin suddenly shut his mouth.
There had been no intimidating atmosphere until just a moment ago, but it was as if that had been an illusion.
“I told you. I’ve developed. The me you remember would certainly not shy away from any means or method for my goal. And I cherished my own body more than anyone else. But now I’m different.”
Ho-cheol covered his face with one hand.
His eyes, visible through the gaps in his fingers, shone menacingly.
Those eyes were the same as the boss they remembered from 10 years ago.
“I’m prepared to throw away even my own life as a means to achieve my goal.”
The four of them momentarily felt a chill run down their spines.
On the outside, he was endlessly soft, but if you were to peel off that thin mask, a monster more grotesque than in the past was sleeping beneath it.
“Heoheo.”
The assassin let out a hollow laugh.
“Unlike me, who has degenerated in 10 years, the boss is still strong.”
Ho-cheol removed his hand from his face and returned to his usual leisurely appearance.
“You guys might be obsolete, but I’m an active player. And I’ve worked hard on my rehabilitation.”
“So, what is the job you’re gathering these obsolete guys for?”
Vulture belatedly asked the most important question.
The power Ho-cheol had just briefly shown was proof that he had not degenerated at all compared to his prime.
For him to gather them and build a force again?
His goal must be as grand as his old organization's.
And the single sentence that followed was more than enough to satisfy their expectations.
“Lately, there’s been too much that’s been bothering me.”
Ho-cheol turned his head and looked into the distance.
“I’m going to destroy everything. Without leaving a trace, completely.”
“If we don't follow the boss, we’ll be trapped in this facility and become test subjects. There’s no reason to refuse.”
Meanwhile, Wolf Fang quickly came down and called Ho-cheol.
“Boss! It seems the hero support will be here soon. If you can't persuade them, just beat up those obsolete old men and get out quickly Ugh.”
He was horrified when he saw the four executives gathered and took a step back.
Did he really persuade them?
I never thought he could do it!
In the old organization, Wolf Fang was in the position of an action captain, just below the executives.
How much he had been tormented by those four.
He had secretly hoped that Ho-cheol would fail to persuade them and they would not join him.
“That bastard? That son of a bitch from back then.”
“Heh. He takes care of guys like that too.”
“Obsolete old men? That madman is truly crazy.”
Wolf Fang sighed inwardly, looking at the four executives who were all taking turns insulting him.
The path of hardship ahead was all too clear.
***
The four former executives had joined, but they still did not meet the ideal firepower Ho-cheol wanted for his organization.
In the past, they had been four individuals with semi-S-rank combat power, but unfortunately, their prime was over.
On top of that, their innate strengths and the delicate Trait control that had covered their lack of firepower had faded greatly due to the human experiments.
“As expected, I need an active S-rank.”
Of course, he was talking about villains, not heroes.
He checked the stack of papers in his hand again.
A list that compiled all the information on active S-rank or semi-S-rank villains.
He crossed out Hong Beom-do's name at the very top with a red pen.
After that, he also eliminated all the incorrigible trash he wouldn't want to deal with, the ones who would rather die than be threatened with their lives.
And after eliminating all the villains whose location or appearance he couldn't specify.
“Only four?”
It was a very paltry result compared to the nearly a hundred people on the list.
Ho-cheol at least checked the name of the strongest villain among the remaining list.
“Slasher. Slasher, you say.”
A name he had not heard during his active days.
But when he checked the evaluation next to the name, his interest was certainly piqued.
The fact that Hong Beom-do firmly holds the S-rank No. 1 villain position is merely a result of the villain ranking including external factors such as career, danger level, and the scale of the affiliated organization, not individual strength.
If you were to pick the strongest among the S-rank villains, he would be the first to be mentioned.
The only S-rank villain who is not affiliated with any organization and has no connections.
There are various reports on the reason he became a villain, but judging by his actions after being designated a villain and his own reaction, it seems the cause was simply the illegal use of his Trait.
A very belligerent personality.
List of crimes committed…
After that, detailed information continued.
As expected of information bought with expensive black market money.
It was not at all lacking compared to the information provided by the Association.
Especially since the sightings were more detailed, it would be more convenient if he were to look for him.
“So this guy is the strongest villain right now.”
Of course, who was the strongest could not be definitively determined unless they fought directly.
However, at the very least, the high rollers who had been operating in this scene for a long time seemed to consider Slasher as one of the strongest S-rank villains.
“He'll be useful.”
A bleak wind blew in the back alley.
Ho-cheol had somehow arrived at a shabby bar.
He muttered, looking at the dilapidated old sign.
“This is the place.”
He had heard that Slasher half-resided here, but unfortunately, he had no photo of his face, so he had no choice but to wait until he showed up.
He opened the door, and the hinges creaked and screamed.
Only one customer was inside.
With a sword at his waist, he silently tilted his glass at the bar counter, swirling the ice.
Ho-cheol walked in without even properly looking around and plopped down next to the only customer.
I’m lucky.
To think I would find him right away.
With just that small movement, the air sank heavily.
Of course, his purpose was not the alcohol, but he had to order something at least.
Ho-cheol glanced at the menu and clicked his tongue.
This is not the price of a bottle!
Why is it so expensive when they sell it by the glass?
He ordered the cheapest drink on the menu.
“Can I get this tonic water? One of these, please.”
“Ah. This is…”
The bartender looked as if he was about to explain something.
But he gave up and shut his mouth.
Ho-cheol, who was drinking the tonic water, tilted his head.
This is not alcohol, is it?
But he pretended to be familiar with it and nodded his head, muttering "Mmm, mmm."
Before long, Ho-cheol's glass was empty, and the original customer had also finished his drink.
Ho-cheol was inwardly impressed.
Even though he was so close, he couldn't feel any power at all.
At most, a C-rank?
He hid his strength so well that even Ho-cheol had a hard time noticing it.
Such a level of disguise.
He was certainly an opponent who raised his expectations.
He subtly let out an aura.
The distance was so close that if either of them reached for their weapon, it would hit the other's heart.
With both of them ready to react to even a single movement, killing intent and vigilance slid across the bar counter.
After exchanging numerous silent conversations in the silence.
Drreureuk the customer pushed his chair back and stood up.
He put his hand in his pocket and flicked a few coins to the bartender.
“Thank you.”
The bartender gathered the coins as if it was a common occurrence.
And so, the customer disappeared.
Only Ho-cheol and the bartender were left in the bar.
“So.”
The bartender's sharp gaze, as he wiped the glass with a dry cloth, pierced Ho-cheol.
“What’s your business?”
“Do we need to talk?”
“Absolutely.”
The cheap light hanging from the ceiling.
They had all been installed on the same day.
As if the intangible pressure flowing between them had affected them, the lights, as if by appointment, illuminated the surroundings a little brighter one last time.
Whoosh and they died with a silent hum.
The moment darkness enveloped the inside of the bar.
It coincided with the moment the two villains moved.
Kwang—!
Metal ground against metal between the two, and sparks flew.