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The Player Who Eats Steel - Episode 82

82fury. 

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Today's world is an ecosystem where the 'underground economy' has no choice but to grow. There may be many reasons, but fundamentally it was because the player power, or the power of the guild, exceeded the control of the government..

It was also because it was easy to avoid the surveillance of the law by using the player's skills..

In other words, it was a world where players could run wild and ignore the judgment of the law..

‘Although our country is under control to some extent, the situation abroad is serious..’

For example, in regions with poor security, such as Latin America and Southeast Asia, the underground economy was dozens of times larger than the sunny economy, and the main axis of it was the 'black market'..

In addition, black markets around the world interact with each other and serve as an international information network, and the black market here in Incheon was also an axis of that huge 'back alley world'..

‘Therefore, in order to protect this country, we need to increase our influence on the black market..’

Otherwise, someday, villains will use this secret passage to threaten the Republic of Korea, and Lee Hyun-wook was planning to take control of this place and not allow any 'gap' for them to sneak in..

Meanwhile, Lee Hyun-wook was walking through the desert and looking around from time to time..

"Well, this wasn't really a desert.?”

Lee Hyun-wook noticed trees that were dry and twisted here and there..

Go Jinhwa nodded to that question..

"that's right. It was once a fairly fertile grassland terrain, making it possible to be self-sufficient in food on farmland 2.5 times the size of Yeouido. Well, until the black vines started growing in the swamp north of the dungeon, yes.……."

Swallow, a plant community monster called a black vine, is a being that absorbs all the moisture in the area, and once it appears, it is a catastrophe that turns several kilometers of the area into a desert..

At first, it simply absorbs water from the surrounding terrain, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater, but after it has absorbed everything, it starts eating the sap of trees, and goes further to target the body fluids of living things..

In other words, this land would eventually become uninhabitable as man-eating trees covered the entire world..

Lee Hyun-wook remembered a global crisis created by that terrible monster..

‘Four years from now, a similar swamp will spread across the Amazon, creating a global emergency..’

Amazon, where Swallow takes root. As a result, the lungs of the Earth were in danger of dying out, and the world began to unite and seek a way to solve this unprecedented disaster..

So the highest level analyst players and alchemist players gather and continue research..

As a result, we succeeded in developing an 'object' that has the effect of suppressing the growth of swallows..

In other words, Lee Hyun-wook knew very well how to make it..

"But I have one question... … How do you know this??”

"yes?”

"The fact that we are in this crisis. We never announced it to the outside world..”

Go Jin-hwa asked with a question, and Lee Hyun-wook gave the answer he had already thought of..

"Well, didn't you ask 'Black Hertz' for advice on this a few years ago??”

Black Hertz was a secret channel through which high-quality information of black market VIPs was exchanged..

"Oh, that's right... … No, no way… … How on earth did that information get leaked??”

Lee Hyun-wook didn't answer and just shrugged his shoulders..

"Oh, that's ridiculous. Black Hertz is a very secure place, but what are you??"

Go Jin-hwa seems to think that he is someone who can ignore even Black Hertz's security.,

In fact, I heard all of this directly from Go Jin-hwa himself, who was a colleague in my past life..

"I'll tell you more details later when I meet the gatekeeper..”

Go Jin-hwa frowned at those words but nodded..

Her mind was becoming more and more complicated..

‘This man appears out of nowhere and speaks as if he knows everything. Obviously, it's a big deal..'

Because he was wearing a mask that covered his face, it was impossible to guess his identity. However, seeing as he was aware of their secrets, it was clear that he was not an ordinary person..

As Go Jin-hwa realized this fact, he couldn't help but become very nervous..

This man said he brought a way to save Redhall Village.…….

‘If by chance it's the other way around... … very dangerous.’

Hoping that wasn't the case, Gu Jin-hwa led the man to the village..

"Ah, it arrived just in time. Well, that's our town..”

Before we knew it, we had reached our destination. It was a dark red basin in the center of the dungeon..

And a fairly large village was formed in the central part of the place..

“It’s a village in a dungeon… … It's bigger than I thought. The name is Redhall Village.?”

Lee Hyun-wook had already seen it once, but he seemed impressed as if he was seeing it for the first time..

Park Jun-mo also said, ‘Wow, there’s a village in a dungeon…’ … ',' he muttered..

"Yes, that red basin looks like a red hole, so it is called Red Hole..”

The Red Hall organization, the mainstay of the Incheon black market, actually meant this village..

So, when Lee Hyun-wook and Park Jun-mo appeared, the villagers began to come out to the streets one by one..

"—uh?”

"No, crazy… … Hey, what are those?!”

Hostility went beyond wariness, and they reacted rather sensitively to the reactions of unfamiliar visitors..

‘I understand. If you look at the history of this town, it has to be that way..’

They must have been kicked out of the outside world and come into this shadowy place to live a miserable life.…….

"Hey, Class Captain Go! Who on earth are those people? You can bring me here so carelessly.?”

Like this, I even argued with Go Jin-hwa..

"ah… … This happens, so don't worry and go in..”

Go Jin-hwa reassured them and guided Lee Hyun-wook and Park Jun-mo to the gatekeeper's residence..

It was a surprisingly simple little house, no different from other houses in the village. Should I call it a house with you? It was a one-story house with a roof made of wood pieces and tied together with rope..

"Dad, no, I have to talk to the chief, so just wait here for a moment..”

After Go Jin-ha said that, he went inside the house..

"hmm… … For a boss of an underground organization, his living quarters is rather small..”

That was Park Jun-mo’s sensibility..

‘That's bound to happen, the owner of this place is a person more suited to a village chief than a boss in the first place..’

But it was no different from the fact that he was a huge tycoon who controlled the shadows..

After a while, Go Jin-hwa came out and motioned for Lee Hyun-wook to come in..

As soon as Lee Hyeon-wook entered the house, he made eye contact with a white-haired old man standing in one corner of the living room..

“……So, are you the traveler who knows the way to heal our secret pain??”

As he said that, he placed the kettle on the mana burner, poured mana into it, and ignited it..

Then the dark room became brighter and the old man's face was revealed in more detail..

This white-haired old man was Go Jun-cheol, the boss of Red Hall, one of the three major underground forces..

He was also a 'Red Player' with a bounty of 1 billion won on various charges..

However, contrary to the notoriety that is known between the lines, the actual appearance is... … He was just an old man with a big belly..

‘Still, he is a man who was once ranked 6th in Korea..’

He was one of the first generation players and was once the head of a large guild in Korea..

However, for political reasons, it was suppressed by the vested interests and was pushed into the shadows..

That was 11 years ago.

‘The reason is that… … Because he is a warlock.’

12The suppression of black magic began 20 years ago.…….

Today, black magic skills are considered evil and 'acquired' is legally prohibited..

‘However, since such a system is also artificial, it was not like that from the beginning..’

After it was revealed that black magic skills, if taken to the extreme, borrow the power of 'devils' or 'evil gods', a large-scale movement to regulate black magic took place, led by paladins, and the ousting of black magicians began..

‘But not all warlocks are tainted by evil..’

Although this man, like Go Jun-cheol, is a black magician, there are also those who do not abuse the evil side of that power..

However, the world - especially Go Jun-cheol's enemies - persistently questioned this, and due to the social atmosphere at the time, he and other black magicians and their families had no choice but to hide in the shadows..

‘Not long after the world turned into a game, a witch hunt was carried out amidst the chaos..’

This Red Hall village was a place where people with such a sad history gathered..

"hmm… … But you guys don't plan on showing your faces??”

Come to think of it, Lee Hyun-wook and Park Jun-mo were still wearing masks..

"Oh, excuse me..”

Lee Hyun-wook said that and lowered his mask..

Then Go Jun-cheol and Go Jin-hwa's eyes widened at the same time..

"Oh, who is this?……."

"uh? What, what! It's you, him, it's him?”

Go Jun-cheol grinned and extended his hand for a handshake..

"Wasn’t Lee Hyun-wook the savior of Seoul and the swordsman’s beater??”

Perhaps because he was familiar with outside information, he mentioned both of Lee Hyun-wook's nicknames..

"Yes, it is called by many different names these days..”

"Hehehe—the most outgoing young man today can't believe he comes all the way to this shabby hut."

In times like these, it was nice to be famous..

Not only does it allow you to omit self-introduction, but it also secures a certain level of trust..

Beep——

Meanwhile, the water in the kettle was boiling and he poured out some tea..

"So, if you came this far as a hero from the outside world, you would have a big business.?”

"yes?”

"Even if you could really get rid of the black vines, I don't think you would have come to this dangerous place with only good intentions like a fairytale hero, right??”

"Oh, of course I was hoping for a fair price. Because I can't be a philanthropist..”

Lee Hyun-wook’s primary goal was to find ‘manpower’ to operate Laputa..

But I was planning to get many other things besides that..

"Yes, of course there is a price to pay. however… … Is there really a way to get rid of them? We've tried almost everything, but nothing has worked.……."

His eyes shone. Even though it was an unexpected suggestion from an unfamiliar visitor, there was more anticipation than doubt..

‘That's why this place, Red Hall Village, is currently at a dead end..’

Since the people of this village are a major axis of the black market, black money must have been piled up in warehouses..

However, since most of them were wanted criminals, it was difficult in many ways for them to live outside of this place..

In other words, he wanted to protect this home at all costs..

"Yes, we have solid information, you can trust it..”

Lee Hyun-wook nodded confidently..

"But I would like to ask you a few questions.……."

At that time, Go Jun-cheol's eyes became sharp..

"So, what is the method for removing black vines and where did you find it??”

Still, he was willing to do some verification before entrusting the work..

"There is a precedent for dealing with that black vine, Swallow..”

Lee Hyun-wook added credibility by intentionally mentioning 'Swallow', a black vine..

In order to get what he wanted, he would have to roast and boil this veteran in just a few conversations..

"Oh, is that really true? Even though I searched all the information in the world, why couldn't I find it??”

“……It's difficult to tell because it's a state secret..”

State secret, this was also a deliberate choice of words..

And at that point, Go Jun-cheol’s eyebrows twitched..

"Confidential, confidential... … Does that mean you have information from the government??”

As Go Jun-cheol is a red player living in the shadows, he reacted sensitively to the government..

"Yes, I am a member of the Government Secret Service. But there's no need to be wary.”

Confidential department… … With those words, Go Jun-cheol stared straight into Lee Hyun-wook's eyes..

"......."

For about ten seconds, I slowly nodded..

"good… … It doesn't matter what happens, as long as we can 'save' us too.……."

He took a gulp of tea..

"So, what do you want in return??”

One of those costs was people. An F-rank player who will manage Laputa. However, since the man is now known to be F-rank, he is not considered a very valuable human resource, so he decided to skip it for now..

Instead, he brought up a rather sensitive issue first..

"What I wish for... … It is related to the Taishan Guild.”

"Um, Taisan.……."

This village, Red Hall, would later become the leader of the Taesan Guild..

‘but not yet.’

Fortunately, we are now just 'partners' in a shadowy business..

However, after Go Jun-cheol's death, he was destined to quickly fall into Taesan's hands..

“……I heard that the government is determined to shake up the Taesan guild, and this is part of it.?”

"Yes, and I'm the one leading it..”

"Well, you're bigger than I thought, huh? At first, I thought it was a clown created by Woo Seong-moon........"

In this way, Lee Hyun-wook succeeded in gradually inflating his existence with just a few conversations..

The reason was to make a very weighty request..

"Well then, let me be a little more clear. I need information to completely blow up Taishan..”

“……what?

Ki Baekjun and Taesan Guild increased their power through all kinds of illegal methods..

‘……They operated mana extraction plants, cultivation of hallucinogenic herbs, and even human trafficking of players..’

Since Red Hall is a partner with them, it would contain important information..

It was some kind of ‘evidence’ that would once again shake the mountain that was somehow holding on..

"As you know, the Taishan guild will soon be castrated in Yangji..”

"Yes, it will be difficult to escape, as Director Woo Seong-moon is persistently biting into it.……."

"Yes, that's right. And maybe… … Wouldn't the Red Hall also suffer damage??”

In other words, if you make a mistake, you too will suffer… … This was also a subtle threat..

Go Jun-cheol must have felt that too and frowned.,

At that very moment, Lee Hyun-wook spit out one decisive word..

"Now, I'm telling you to stick with us..”

"what? When you say ‘we’, are you really talking about the government??”

"Yes, that's true to some extent. If that happens, this town will be safe..”

“Ha—are you saying the government is taking us away now? I wonder if that makes sense?”

Many of the members of Red Hall Village, including Go Jun-cheol, were red players, that is, wanted players. But to cooperate with the government... … It was bound to be a word that was difficult to trust..

"Sir, there will be no problem. I guarantee that..”

At those words, Go Jun-cheol displayed a blatant cynicism..

"what? ha ha ha… … How on earth can you make such a bold suggestion??”

"......."

"Hey young man… … It's only been a few days since I heard your name, and now you're bragging in front of me that you're at that level? ha ha ha… … This is true......."

"......."

"Yes, if you achieve certain achievements at a young age, you will become self-absorbed and look great, but you know that if you show off like that in front of old people, you will be seen as a slug.?”

Yeah, it made sense to think so..

However, Lee Hyun-wook still seemed to have not lost his composure..

Go Jun-cheol had a sneer on his face, but was watching Lee Hyun-wook's reaction..

‘Oh, look, there's something there.?’

Lee Hyun-wook leaned back on the sofa. It was a very relaxed attitude..

"The old man just called me by two nicknames: the savior of Seoul and the swordsman beater..”

"Yeah, I don't know if it's true, but that's what the world calls it?”

"That's all true. And in the future... … A few more nicknames will be added.”

“……hmm? What on earth do you want to say??”

Lee Hyun-wook took something out of his pocket..

Well, it was a black sphere........

giiiiing——

It opened and became a crow..

"Well, that's Hugin—!”

Go Jun-cheol recognized the item. Legendary items owned by the Korean government,

However, it was an item that no one could operate and had the worst over handicap..

Go Jun-cheol couldn't understand why this man had such an amazing thing..

"It's hard for me to say this myself, but I am now evaluated as a key member of the government. This is the proof."

“……There's no way he stole it, so yeah, that's probably true.?”

"So, something like Hugin's Operator will be added to my nickname..”

Lee Hyun-wook then pointed his left index finger to the sky..

"And one more thing, Laputa’s manager……."

At that point, Go Jun-cheol's eyes blinked rapidly..

"what? Oh, no way……."

"Yes, Administrator of Laputa, that's what you'll be called..”

If it was Laputa, the weight was different..

Lee Hyun-wook nodded and raised his teacup..

That wasn't the end.

"And finally, the 32nd S-rank player, that's what he'll be called..”

And at that point, Go Jun-cheol opened his mouth without realizing it..

At first doubt appeared on his face, but then he couldn't help but nod..

When S-class parts were added, rumors began to spread about this man named Lee Hyun-wook... … This is because I realized that all the circumstances that had gone astray were coming together in a plausible way..

"After all, there is no way an F-rank player could accomplish such an incredible feat... … You fooled the world?"

Go Jun-cheol’s expression had changed quite a bit..

S rank, that was a completely different aura..

Lee Hyun-wook slowly smiled..

"So let me suggest a little differently.”

"hmm?"

“……I tell you to toe my line, not the government's..”

When negotiating to get something, sometimes it was necessary to show off..

"......."

Go Jun-cheol looked at Lee Hyun-wook and began to feel a new appreciation in just a few seconds..

‘If this is true... … The future power of this country is now before my eyes..’