[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 397

After returning to the place where he had first met Jeong-hoon, James Marcus began retracing his steps and searching the surrounding area.

He continued his search until he reached the spot where he and Jeong-hoon had parted ways.

"Nothing…"

As expected, the result was a complete bust.

"Was he just messing with me after all?"

But thinking back, Jeong-hoon’s expression had been far too serious for it to have been just a joke.

Determined, James Marcus went back to the first meeting point and started searching again.

"Mr. James."

At that moment, someone recognized him and approached.

"Hm? And you are…?"

James also knew who he was.

One of Korea’s Seven Strongest.

The Shadow King, Yeo Sunwoo.

While preparing to go pro, James had memorized the top representative players from each country—and among the rogue class, Yeo Sunwoo was one of them.

"You know me?" Yeo Sunwoo asked, his eyes slightly widening in surprise.

Truth be told, he hadn’t expected James to recognize him.

"Ah, I just have this habit of remembering small details."

"Small details, huh…"

"I didn’t mean it as an insult toward you, so please don’t take it the wrong way."

"Is that so? More importantly, Mr. James, what brings you to the Korean server?"

"…Just had some business here."

"I see. Then would you mind stepping aside for a moment?"

"Huh?"

Yeo Sunwoo strode past James Marcus without further explanation.

Ahead of them stood a factory that produced components. Right in front of it, Yeo Sunwoo crouched down and began feeling around the ground with his hands.

‘What on earth is he doing?’

James tilted his head, puzzled, but his curiosity kept his eyes locked on Yeo Sunwoo’s actions.

It took less than ten minutes for that curiosity to turn into outright shock.

"Here it is."

With those words, Yeo Sunwoo began digging into the ground.

Before long, he pulled out a gemstone that shimmered in a brilliant array of colors.

James Marcus instantly realized—this was one of the two hidden opportunities Jeong-hoon had mentioned.

"H-Hey!"

James hurriedly ran toward Yeo Sunwoo.

"Hm? What’s the matter?"

"How did you find that?"

"Ah, I got some intel."

"Intel?"

"Yes. I heard there are two hidden opportunities in Atlas."

"May I ask… who you got that information from?"

"Sorry, but I can’t tell you that," Yeo Sunwoo replied evasively.

Even so, James Marcus was certain the person who had tipped him off about the location was none other than Jeong-hoon, the man he had met earlier.

If you don’t take it, I’ll just give it to someone else. So, what’ll it be?

That’s exactly what Jeong-hoon had said to him.

Damn it, he only told me there were two of them. He never actually gave me the exact locations.

It felt downright unfair.

How was he supposed to find something buried underground without any clues?

"Then, I’ll be on my way," Yeo Sunwoo said, clearly intending to leave quickly.

Of course, James wasn’t about to just let him walk away.

"Wait."

James grabbed Yeo Sunwoo’s wrist and didn’t let go.

Because of the difference in their levels, Yeo Sunwoo couldn’t overpower his grip.

So, still caught, he spoke up.

"What else is it?"

"You know where the other hidden opportunity is, don’t you?"

"……"

Yeo Sunwoo stayed silent.

James Marcus’s impatience began to boil over.

"Please. I’m begging you. Can’t you tell me the location?"

"This is a hidden opportunity we’re talking about. Why should I just hand that over to you?"

"I’ll give you a reward! A real, worthwhile reward!"

"A reward… Sorry, but I’m not lacking in anything to the point where I’d be tempted by that."

"Unbelievable… Can’t you just be generous? You’ve already claimed one of them!"

"For someone who knows full well that the more of these you have, the better… you’re acting strangely."

"…Ha."

"Now, would you let me go? My guild has a lot of matters to attend to, so I need to get back quickly."

"What will it take for you to hand it over?"

Right now, James wanted this more than anything.

Perhaps his desperation reached him, because Yeo Sunwoo raised a single finger.

"If you promise me one thing, I’ll hand it over."

"What is it?"

"I’m the guild master of a guild called Hoyeong. So, if Hoyeong ever requests your help, I want you to drop everything and assist us—no questions asked, no matter what."

"Th-That’s all?"

James was a little taken aback.

Since this was about giving up a hidden opportunity, he had expected a far more unreasonable demand.

"Why? Is that such a difficult request?"

"No. I’ll agree to that."

"Then we have a deal."

Once James Marcus gave his word, Yeo Sunwoo even drew up a formal contract before revealing the location.

On top of that, he handed over the hidden opportunity he already possessed.

"This… why are you giving this to me?"

"I was planning to give you both from the very beginning."

"Is that true?"

"Yes. So please, I ask that you keep your promise without fail."

"…Of course. I swear on everything I have."

James Marcus gave Yeo Sunwoo a respectful bow before heading off toward the location where the hidden opportunity was concealed.

Watching his retreating figure, Yeo Sunwoo murmured softly,

"Mr. Hoon, I think this should be more than enough."

The Atlas orphanage was run by one NPC headmaster and seven AI robots.

"Hm? Has the event ended already?"

When Jeong-hoon arrived at the orphanage, Headmaster Lucas greeted him.

"No. I’m here to check something."

"Check something?"

Lucas tilted his head in puzzlement, but Loel cut in.

"Let me ask just one thing—have any children been adopted recently?"

"Adopted? Why are you asking that?"

"It’s part of an investigation."

"…No, none."

Lucas shook his head, but his eyes flicked toward the children standing behind Jeong-hoon.

As I thought… there’s something here.

It was only for the briefest instant, but Jeong-hoon caught the way Lucas’s gaze sharpened toward the children.

He noticed it because it was him—anyone else would have missed it.

"Is that so? Then, would it be alright if I stayed at the orphanage for a while?"

At Jeong-hoon’s question, Lucas responded with a troubled expression.

"Sorry, but the orphanage is off-limits to outsiders."

"Is that so?"

Normally, wouldn’t it be natural for orphanages to receive visits from outsiders?

For example—volunteer work.

Something smelled off in more ways than one.

"Then, could we at least check the list?"

Loel interjected again, perfectly timed.

"Haha… Sorry, but that’s not possible either."

Lucas refused once more.

"Then I guess we’ll just have to force our way in… right?"

Loel muttered under his breath while giving Jeong-hoon a signal.

Thud!

Jeong-hoon shoved Lucas aside and strode into the orphanage without hesitation.

"Stop! If you so much as touch that door, I’ll consider you an intruder!"

Lucas shouted urgently, but Jeong-hoon ignored him and ripped the door off its hinges.

The supposedly secure double doors were torn apart effortlessly by his strength.

[Entry is not possible.]

However, he still couldn’t step inside the orphanage.

Jeong-hoon crooked his finger toward Loel.

Loel, looking slightly displeased, still hurried over without protest.

"What is it?"

"Can you go in here?"

"Yes."

Without hesitation, Loel casually stepped into the orphanage.

The children, glancing nervously at Lucas, soon followed Loel inside.

So I’m the only one who can’t enter?

Did he need to remove Lucas first to get in?

Jeong-hoon turned his head toward Lucas.

Lucas was glaring at him with murderous eyes.

The moment their gazes met, Jeong-hoon stepped forward in an instant using the Heavenly Demon Lord’s Dominion, appearing right before him.

"…!"

Lucas tried to react quickly, but it was already too late.

Jeong-hoon had moved a beat faster, grabbing him by the collar.

"Do you know why I haven’t killed you, even though I can?"

"Wha—kugh!"

Lucas’s shock was clear.

This stranger before him was only level 320—or so he thought.

He had assumed he could easily overpower him, but his movements were far beyond what a level 320 should be capable of.

"It’s because the children were watching."

NPC or not, they were still children.

He didn’t want to show them someone dying right before their eyes.

"Khh…"

"But now the kids have all run inside the orphanage and hidden."

Frightened by Lucas’s vicious expression, they had bolted after Loel to hide inside.

"Which means… there’s no one left to see if I kill you."

Jeong-hoon smiled faintly as he drew the Shadow King’s Dagger.

Was this the first time he had taken it out since his regression?

The moment the Ultimate-grade dagger appeared, Lucas’s face went deathly pale.

"W-wait… I’ll tell you everything!"

"No. I’ll uncover it myself. You just go follow the children you’ve killed."

"I didn’t kill them! I didn’t!"

Whether it was fear of death or desperation, Lucas shouted frantically.

"Is that true?"

Jeong-hoon, who had been about to drive the dagger into his throat, paused.

He loosened his grip on Lucas’s collar slightly so he could answer more easily.

"Y-yes. About Aru and Hugo—"

Thud!

Jeong-hoon’s fist slammed into his stomach.

"Urgh!"

Because Jeong-hoon still had him by the collar, Lucas didn’t get sent flying, but just that one punch left him on the verge of collapse.

His waist folded over, his eyes bulged so far they looked like they’d pop out, and bile spilled from his mouth.

"Watch your tone. I’ll say it again—if you get on my nerves, you die. Understood?"

At Jeong-hoon’s chilling warning, Lucas gave a strained nod.

[Using Divine Healing.]

Divine Healing flowed into Lucas’s body.

In moments, his near-dead state recovered completely to 100%.

The overwhelming restorative power left Lucas staring in dazed amazement.

"Wow…"

"Now, your answer?"

"Aru and Hugo… I locked them in the basement to use as sacrifices."

"Sacrifices?"

"Yes…"

Lucas’s response was somewhat unexpected.

"Tenebris?"

"Yes… I am a believer who awaits Lord Tenebris’s resurrection."

The resurrection of Tenebris.

This was the same cult Jeong-hoon had previously eradicated during a past quest.

He had believed them to be completely wiped out—yet to think their reach had extended even into Atlas.

Should I even call this a cult?

Wasn’t Tenebris supposed to be on our side?

Hmm, Master. What are you going to do about this?

Jeong-hoon knew Tenebris was aligned with the Divine Realm.

But that didn’t mean Lucas’s actions were justifiable.

From what Jeong-hoon had learned when breaking Tenebris’s seal, the claim that child sacrifices were needed was entirely false.

And even if it were true, Lucas’s behavior could never be considered acceptable.

"If there’s even the slightest harm to the children’s bodies, you die."

Gulp…

"Take me to the basement."

"…Yes."

Following Lucas, Jeong-hoon descended into the orphanage’s basement.

Just like the upper floor, the basement had rooms for people to stay in.

Aru and Hugo were each confined in separate rooms.

The doors were sealed tight with necromantic wards.

"Teacher… we’re hungry."

"I want to go outside…"

Sensing movement, the children carefully approached their doors and called for Lucas.

"Let them out."

"N-not right now."

"Why not?"

"The ritual hasn’t been completed yet. It’s dangerous."

The ritual to awaken Tenebris was still underway, and removing the children now could lead to unknown consequences.

"It’s fine. Let them out."

"U-understood."

At Jeong-hoon’s icy tone, Lucas quickly approached the door and began tearing off every talisman plastered across it.

The moment they were removed, the door swung open as if waiting—

and a black figure suddenly leapt out.

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]