Chapter 467

Zeon had once been trapped in this very building by Triox Five’s schemes.

At the time, one of the research heads here, Lee Soomyung, caused an incident that led to a massive explosion.

Because of it, dozens of underground floors collapsed, and for a brief moment, Triox Five’s true form was exposed.

Zeon had seen it clearly then.

A massive stone mass enclosed within a transparent tank.

Countless cables had been connected to that stone, and from it, he had felt intelligence, consciousness.

That was when Zeon realized.

That giant stone was none other than Triox Five, the Western District’s supercomputer.

He remembered the feeling vividly even now,

the sensation of being watched by Triox Five.

And that same presence now emanated from the cameras installed throughout the lab.

It was certain. Triox Five was watching him again, peering at him through the lab’s cameras.

‘Triox Five was said to have been made from the brain of a golem…’

Zeon frowned.

A bad feeling stirred in his chest.

He turned to Oh Jin-ho and asked,

“Is Triox Five involved in Atlas’s research by any chance?”

“No, not at all.”

“You’re certain?”

“I’m certain. As you can see, the ones studying that golem are all humans. Of course, they receive assistance from support AIs, but Triox Five’s direct involvement has been completely blocked.”

Oh Jin-ho spoke confidently.

In the past, he might not have known such details. But since receiving his support AI, Black Tiger, he could now see everything clearly.

Triox Five and the downgraded support AIs were managed entirely separately.

Ever since researcher Lee Soomyung, who had been assigned a support AI, tried to secretly hack into Triox Five and sabotage it, security had become even stricter.

Kim Hyunsoo had completely forbidden any form of physical contact between Triox Five and outsiders.

That rule even applied to Triox Five itself.

It could not directly interfere with the golem being studied in the lab.

Triox Five could only observe and analyze through the human researchers.

Because of this, it was unable to physically approach the S-class golem they had captured.

It was merely watching through cameras.

Whirrr!

The faint sound of a camera lens adjusting reached Zeon’s ears.

No doubt, Triox Five was observing him closely.

Zeon didn’t look away. Instead, he stared straight into the camera.

Noticing his odd behavior, Oh Jin-ho asked carefully,

“Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

Just then, one of the researchers came running toward them in a hurry.

“You two!”

“What is it?”

“You’re being called upstairs.”

“Upstairs?”

“Mr. Kim Hyunsoo has contacted us.”

“Ah.”

“He says to come up immediately.”

It was a summons from the building’s master and the ruler of the Western District, Kim Hyunsoo.

Apparently, he had learned through Triox Five that Zeon had entered the building.

Oh Jin-ho looked uneasy.

“What will you do?”

“When the host invites you, you go. It’s only proper manners.”

“He asked for me to come as well, so I’ll guide you.”

“Thank you.”

Zeon left the lab with Oh Jin-ho and stepped into the elevator.

The high-speed lift carried them swiftly to the top floor.

When the doors opened, a cold, mechanical space greeted them, pipes, cables, and wires exposed everywhere.

As expected from the one who stood at the pinnacle of the mechanized awakened, Kim Hyunsoo’s quarters were made entirely of metal.

At the center of the room sat a giant metallic chair, and in it, Kim Hyunsoo himself.

At first glance, he looked like an ordinary man, perhaps just a little larger than average.

But most of his body had long since been replaced with machinery.

Only a layer of highly sophisticated synthetic skin made it difficult to tell.

Yet there was one unmistakable difference, his eyes.

If one looked closely, faint red light flickered within his pupils. It revealed the truth: they were artificial.

When Zeon and Oh Jin-ho entered, Kim Hyunsoo spoke first.

“It’s been a while.”

“It has. You’ve been well?”

“Same as always.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“What is?”

“That peace is holding, isn’t it?”

“Peace isn’t always a good thing.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because prolonged peace becomes an obstacle to progress.”

It was a heavy, meaningful reply.

Zeon sat down across from him and said,

“Well, everyone has their own view of things.”

“So you think differently from me?”

“There’s no reason we have to think the same, is there?”

“Arrogant. But you’ve earned the right, so I’ll let it slide.”

Kim Hyunsoo was generous toward those he deemed strong.

And Zeon, in his eyes, was strong enough to warrant respect.

After all, he had taken down Johan of Dongdaemun, hardly someone to treat like the rest.

Zeon asked,

“Why did you call for me?”

“To express my gratitude, and to offer you proper compensation. Thanks to you, the S-class golem’s remains are in our hands. And on top of that, all those metallic monster parts. With them, our Western District will grow even stronger.”

“What do you plan to do with Atlas?”

“Atlas? The golem’s name, I presume?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll analyze its structure completely, copy its magic array, and then dismantle it for detailed study.”

“You’ll dismantle it?”

“Why? Is that a problem?”

“No.”

Zeon shook his head.

In fact, he preferred it that way.

Disassembling that enormous golem for research was far safer than keeping it intact.

“You brought all the monster remains?”

“Yes. Everything I stored in my subspace.”

“I appreciate that you didn’t sell them to the Goblin Market. It would’ve cost us several times more to buy them back there.”

“A direct trade is always the most efficient, after all.”

“So, what do you want in return? Magic stones? Cash?”

“I hadn’t thought that far. Just pay me something reasonable.”

“That’s actually harder, you know.”

Kim Hyunsoo frowned.

Money wasn’t the issue.

It was a matter of pride.

A man of his stature couldn’t simply hand Zeon cash and send him off.

After thinking for a moment, Kim Hyunsoo came up with something suitable.

“I’ll give you a building.”

“I don’t really need one in the Western District.”

“Who said anything about the Western District? It’s in Sinchon.”

“There’s a building in Sinchon?”

“Yes. I bought it to use as an outpost in the slums. Don’t be surprised, every district has likely done the same in secret.”

Zeon wasn’t surprised.

He already knew the factions of Neo Seoul kept a close eye on the slums.

Though the area was divided by tall walls, the slums were still part of Neo Seoul.

Anything that happened there could affect the city proper.

It made sense that they’d establish bases to monitor it.

“Since you’re offering, I’ll gladly accept.”

“Take this. Everything you need is in it.”

Kim Hyunsoo handed him a small square card.

It was the access key containing all data and ownership rights to the building.

Zeon smiled.

“Thanks to you, I get to experience being a landlord. I appreciate it.”

Even for the wealthy, buying property wasn’t easy.

Land was scarce, and every inch of it already covered by buildings.

There was no room left to build new ones.

And most existing structures were occupied or entangled in complicated ownership disputes.

For an individual like Zeon, cutting through all that and acquiring a building was nearly impossible.

Of course, he could seize one by force, but he had no desire to do that.

Since this was a former Western District outpost, its ownership and legal ties were likely already cleared.

Receiving such a property freely was a considerable gain.

Zeon rose from his seat.

“Then I’ll accept it with thanks.”

“Leaving already?”

“I’m curious, that’s all.”

Zeon waved the card key with a grin.

“Our people removed all the wards and equipment from the place, so it’ll be a bit empty.”

“That makes it even better. I’ll put it to good use.”

Zeon smiled and stepped into the elevator.

Once he was gone, Kim Hyunsoo’s expression hardened.

“Arrogant brat. Still, the debt’s paid, and we can proceed with our research without interference. Oh Jin-ho!”

“Yes, sir!”

Oh Jin-ho, who had been standing silently, bowed his head.

“For now, you and your subordinates will guard the lab where the S-class golem, Atlas, is kept.”

“Understood.”

“All research will proceed independently. No external access, no exceptions.”

“I will defend the lab with my life.”

Determination burned in Oh Jin-ho’s voice.

---

“I’ve suddenly become a building owner.”

Outside, Zeon let out a quiet laugh.

He hadn’t asked for it, but knowing he now owned a building in Sinchon where he lived did lift his mood.

He left the Western District and headed straight for Sinchon.

As he walked, he infused mana into the card, and the location of the building appeared.

“Good. It’s close to my place. Did he pick it on purpose?”

It was possible.

In the slums, Zeon was the most dangerous existence.

It wouldn’t be strange if they’d bought a nearby building just to keep an eye on him.

“Hyung!”

As Zeon entered the slums, Levin spotted him and waved.

“Levin!”

“Where were you?”

“Just dropped by the Western District. Perfect timing, you’re coming with me.”

“Me? Where to?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

“All right.”

Levin followed without question.

They stopped in front of a building.

“So this is it?”

Zeon muttered.

Before them stood a twelve-story structure.

Smaller and lower than most around it.

In the slums, such buildings were rare.

Most were built upward without restraint, crammed together with no gaps between them.

But the one Zeon stood before had space around it, and its modest height made it stand out.

Levin looked puzzled.

“What’s this place?”

“This building’s mine now.”

“What?”

“It belonged to the Western District. They transferred it to me.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“Wow, that’s insane. So many people wanted this place, and now it’s yours?”

“Looks that way.”

“Congratulations, hyung!”

“Thanks.”

Zeon looked up at the building.

Old and worn-down though it was, it was his.

In an age where everything was broken and falling apart, the feeling of becoming a building owner wasn’t bad at all.