[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 184: Treasure Hunt (3)

Kwon Hanul followed the soldier to the place where Mohammad Chamkani was waiting.

The soldiers guided him to Chamkani’s villa located outside the city of Parsak.

As expected of a place where the city's ruler resided, tall walls surrounded the villa, and armed Hunters stood guard.

“They’ve hired that many Hunters? He must be filthy rich,” Mei Hong said in surprise.

Even in a world where Hunters were commonplace, using so many of them as private guards was still a costly luxury.

What’s more, the Hunters stationed here were clearly high-level. That meant their fees must be sky-high.

“This place is really heavily guarded,” Kwon Hudon muttered with a tense expression. Mei Hong pinched his side, telling him not to be such a scaredy-cat.

“We’ve brought a guest from Hyukcheon.”

The soldier escorting Kwon Hanul spoke to the Hunter guarding the front gate. The Hunter gave Kwon Hanul a brief glance through the window.

“The general only invited Kwon Hanul,”

he added with a flick of his chin.

“The rest of you will wait here.”

Rather than getting angry, Kwon Hanul simply let out a sigh.

As expected, the group’s expressions began to sour. Kwon Sori, in particular, looked like she was about to explode.

“What a rude way to treat a guest.”

Joo Hayeon said sharply. The Hunter snorted.

“You’re standing before the general. Isn’t it common courtesy to show some respect?”

Kwon Hanul was quietly impressed. Not even the name "Hyukcheon" seemed to intimidate them.

He couldn’t tell whether they were brave or just plain stupid.

“These bastards—!”

That’s when Kwon Sori finally lost it.

“Do you have a death wish or something?! Do you even know who this man is?! If you keep this up—!”

“Let’s not do that.”

Kwon Hanul calmly stepped out of the car. Kwon Sori stared at him, stunned.

“Hanul-nim! There’s no need for this! Just say the word and I’ll bring the Black Troupe over and make them all kneel—!”

“It’s just a quick meeting. No need to cause a scene and make everyone uncomfortable.”

With Kwon Hanul taking that stance, even Kwon Sori couldn’t insist. She swallowed her anger and sat back down.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Kwon Hanul walked alone through the front gate.

Inside the compound, Kwon Hanul boarded a separate vehicle prepared for him.

After a short drive, something unusual came into view.

‘A square?’

A massive cube-like structure loomed ahead.

It wasn’t made of brick or concrete. Instead, it had a smooth, glass-like surface—though it was opaque, unlike real glass, and gave no hint of what lay inside.

“What is that?”

Kwon Hanul couldn’t suppress his curiosity and pointed to the cube.

The Hunter accompanying him curled one corner of his lip.

“So even someone from Hyukcheon doesn’t know everything. I thought you people knew it all.”

The driver and another Hunter chuckled, but when Kwon Hanul didn’t react, the laughter quickly died out.

“It’s made from the processed membrane of a Deepsea Moth’s wings.”

He’d never seen a building like that, but he had heard of Deepsea Moths.

They were monsters that lived deep in the ocean, and their “wings” were more like fins.

The wings had special properties—maintaining body temperature and refracting light—making them useful for making insulated gear for polar expeditions or specialized Hunter equipment.

“You built an entire building out of… Deepsea Moth wings?”

Those materials were typically used for clothes or tents—never for buildings. It made no sense to Kwon Hanul.

Who would waste that much money on something so inefficient?

“You’ll understand once you’re inside.”

The vehicle stopped in front of the structure.

Unlike the rest of the building, the entrance was made of concrete.

“We’ve brought the guest. Open the door.”

The guards at the entrance complied. Once inside, Kwon Hanul immediately understood what the Hunter had meant.

“Kyaaah!”

“Ahahaha!”

Screams of delight and bursts of laughter filled the air.

Women in swimsuits swam and played on amusement rides.

“……”

Kwon Hanul looked around in disbelief.

Even though Badakshan had more greenery than other areas, it still had a dry climate.

A swimming pool in the middle of all this?

And not just a pool—it was a full-blown waterpark with giant attractions.

‘So that’s why they needed Deepsea Moth wings…’

What truly stood out was the structure overhead.

The semi-transparent membrane of Deepsea Moth wings formed a dome above the pool, keeping the temperature just right and blocking out the sun.

It was the perfect environment for water recreation—better than anywhere else.

“Oh! You’ve arrived!”

Amid the sound of young women laughing, a gruff voice rang out.

A middle-aged man, half-lounging on a long chair, waved him over.

He had a bulging belly, thick body hair on his chest and arms—a textbook example of a hairy, overweight man.

“What are you standing there for? Come on, sit down.”

He patted the empty chair next to him. Kwon Hanul approached.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Kwon Hanul of Hyukcheon.”

“Likewise! I’m Mohammad Chamkani!”

The middle-aged man stood up and greeted him warmly.

“Up close, you’re even more dashing! A solid, dependable young man!”

Chamkani let out a loud laugh.

“I’ve heard all about you! You’ve done some incredible things at such a young age! Took down Odin, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t do it alone. My aunt had already done most of the work—I just helped a little at the end.”

“No need to be modest! Even so, killing a Pandemonium delegate at your age is an incredible feat!”

Chamkani grasped his hand and patted him on the shoulder, like an elder praising a junior.

“I heard you wanted to see me.”

“Hahaha! Straight to business, huh? Let’s save the boring stuff for later. For now, why don’t you relax?”

Chamkani gestured to the pool.

“You’re still in your prime. I hand-picked the most beautiful ladies just for you.”

He leaned in with a sly smile.

“There’s a private room beneath the pool. If you fancy someone, feel free to take her there.”

“I appreciate the offer, but my companions are waiting for me outside.”

Chamkani’s smile faltered slightly.

“Ah, so you’re the loyal type. I like that even more.”

“You’re too kind.”

“But still, a young man needs to let off steam now and then.”

“There’s a time and place for everything.”

“Hey now! When an elder offers you wisdom, it’s rude to keep turning him down!”

Kwon Hanul started to feel uncomfortable.

From the start, he hadn’t liked the way Chamkani treated him like a subordinate.

“I went out of my way to set this up for you… But if you insist, I won’t push.”

Fortunately, Chamkani backed off before Kwon Hanul’s patience ran out.

"Why don’t you sit too? My neck’s starting to hurt, talking like this."

At Mohammad Chamkani’s suggestion, Kwon Hanul took the seat prepared beside him.

"You seem to appreciate directness, so I’ll get straight to the point. Leave Badakhshan by tomorrow."

Kwon Hanul looked at Mohammad Chamkani.

Chamkani wore a warm smile, but his eyes were cold and razor-sharp.

"I’d like to know why."

"You’ve seen it yourself. Hunters from all over the world are flooding into Parsak City—because of that so-called relic of the Mei Clan’s head, or whatever it is."

As he spoke, Chamkani made a gesture. A woman who had been standing by stepped forward, handed him a drink, and disappeared.

"From what I’ve gathered, not just world-ranked hunters, but even villains from Pandemonium are coming in. Parsak City is like a powder keg—ready to blow at any moment."

Chamkani downed the drink in one go and tossed the empty glass carelessly behind him.

"And now, you’ve shown up. I hesitate to say this, but the karma of Hyukcheon runs deep. There’s no other group with as many grudges and enemies as Hyukcheon."

It was a hard truth to deny.

Hyukcheon had created many enemies due to its inherently combative nature.

"I guarantee it—Hyukcheon will be the spark that detonates Parsak City. There won’t be anything left. And I don’t want to see that happen."

In short, Chamkani wanted to prevent trouble before it began.

Parsak City generated enormous wealth. Naturally, he’d want to protect it.

"I’m sorry, but..."

That was, ultimately, Chamkani’s concern.

"I can’t grant that request."

At Kwon Hanul’s words, Chamkani’s expression began to harden.

"You can’t?"

"That’s right. We have business to take care of. We can’t leave until it’s resolved."

"Business? You mean relic-hunting or whatever?"

"I’m afraid I can’t say."

Chamkani’s brow twitched.

But then he broke into a broad laugh.

"Alright, I understand. From your perspective, you’ve come all this way with great difficulty—only to be kicked out. That would make anyone angry. Still, think this over carefully."

His laughter stopped abruptly. His voice turned cold.

"Do you have any idea who you’re standing in front of? If I put my mind to it, there’s no way you’ll leave here in one piece. I might even drive out every Hyukcheon unit in Afghanistan."

He added in a low voice, "So choose your actions carefully..."

"You do have a way with words."

Suddenly, Kwon Hanul cut him off. He couldn’t take it any longer.

"You’re trying to throw your status around..."

He crossed one leg over the other, placed his hands on his knee, and stared straight at Chamkani.

That arrogant posture ignited fury in Chamkani’s eyes.

But he couldn’t say a word.

Because something had changed—Kwon Hanul’s presence had shifted entirely.

"You actually think someone like you is in a position to threaten Hyukcheon? General, pull yourself together."

Kwon Hanul’s voice had turned firm and cold.

"If Hyukcheon moves, your little army could be wiped out in a day."

He didn’t even need a full unit. A single elite clan member could easily take out all the Hunters guarding this villa.

"Y-You dare spout such nonsense to my face?!"

"How is it nonsense?"

Kwon Hanul scoffed.

"Have you already forgotten what happened overnight in South America?"

Chamkani was rendered speechless by that reminder.

"Cut the pathetic threats."

Kwon Hanul’s fury came from two things:

First, that someone like Mohammad Chamkani had dared to try and intimidate him.

Second, that he was being told to leave for such an absurd reason.

"Hyukcheon will be the spark, you say? Don’t talk nonsense. The city’s already past saving."

Even without Hyukcheon, the city was bound to blow—from the clash of Hunters and the chaos surrounding the Mei Clan relic.

And now he wanted to blame Hyukcheon, after letting it get this far?

"Watch your mouth! I only asked you to leave to prevent danger!"

"Then let’s do this—I’ll take full responsibility for everything."

"...What did you say?"

"Whatever happens because of me, I’ll resolve it myself. I’ll cover any damages as well."

Chamkani was stunned into silence by Kwon Hanul’s unwavering declaration.

"I’ll take that as permission, then. I’ll be on my way."

Kwon Hanul stood up abruptly. Just as he was about to walk off, Chamkani called out.

"I still can’t allow it."

"Then I won’t be asking for your permission."

At that, Chamkani’s face turned a furious shade of red.

"W-What did you just say, you insolent brat?!"

"See you next time."

There was no reason to stay—business was finished.

Kwon Hanul turned to leave.

That’s when Chamkani shouted, "Bobo! It’s time for you to step in!"

In that instant, a crushing killing intent bore down on Kwon Hanul.

He looked up.

A Black man was hanging upside down from the translucent ceiling like a bat.

"See? Told you they wouldn’t get it until I showed my face."

"Yes, yes. I admit I made a mistake. Now help me out, will you?"

The man dropped soundlessly to the floor beside Chamkani.

‘He’s strong.’

Kwon Hanul instantly sensed it.

This guy wasn’t just some hired thug. Honestly, it was shocking that someone of this caliber was even here.

"They call me Hook Hand Bobo."

The man spoke in a deep, heavy voice. When Kwon Hanul didn’t react, he scratched the back of his head and added,

"Ranked 71st in the world. Surprised now?"

No wonder he gave off such an intense vibe.

A Double Numbering—one of only 90 in the world.

"You don’t seem like someone who should be here."

"I’m only helping out as a favor for a friend."

Bobo shrugged.

"Ha ha ha! Look at that shocked face! Makes sense. Even for you, a Double Numbering Hunter is out of your league!"

Chamkani let out a mocking laugh.

"What? You told me to remember what happened in South America? Do you take me for a fool? That wasn’t you—it was the Black Sharp Unit! And they’re not here now. What exactly do you think you can do?"

Chamkani spoke with the utmost arrogance.

"I’ll give you one last chance. Leave this city by tomorrow. If not, I’ll have no choice but to let my friend here step in."

No response came right away. When Kwon Hanul stayed silent, Chamkani looked pleased.

"Of course, sometimes a bit of violence is necessary to persuade someone. People only listen when it comes to that."

"Violence?"

That’s when Kwon Hanul finally spoke.

He looked Bobo up and down and added, "This? This won’t be enough."

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]