Evidence — Part 3
Upon hearing the news, Seo Woojin came rushing in.
“This crazy bastard!”
After listening to the explanation, he erupted in anger as if it were his own problem.
“There’s nothing to think about! An eye for an eye—let’s send an assassin after him, too!”
I could only smile bitterly.
If it were that simple, I would have done it already.
Kim Chulkwon, who had been observing Seo Woojin’s mood, cautiously chimed in.
“Uh, Young Master?”
“Call me Director.”
“Yes, Director Seo. It’s easy for you to say that without worrying about the consequences, but it’s different for our Warrior Kim here. If we send an assassin, the Seungcheon Security armed team will swarm us like bees. They’re leagues above the guy we dealt with this time.”
“That’s… true…”
“Boss Kim is absolutely right. And there’s another issue.”
Manager Choi was the second to cut in.
Seo Woojin glanced at him, and Choi made an “O” shape with his thumb and forefinger.
“We don’t have this.”
“Ah…”
“We’re talking about Seungcheon Security’s eldest son here. Not some unaffiliated superhuman, but a Paladin of the Old Father’s Cult and the son of a conglomerate. Do you know how much it would cost to take someone like that down? It’s practically impossible.”
“That’s… right.”
Seo Woojin, who had just been spitting fire, suddenly shrank back.
I leaned forward, placing my hand on the table.
“I don’t think we have any option but a duel.”
“Why not just sue him? Duels are too dangerous.”
Seo Woojin suggested, clearly uneasy.
Manager Choi chuckled beside him.
“Oh, Director, you know very well what kind of person our Warrior Kim is. Do you really think he can’t handle a punk like this Paladin?”
“Well, if the guy himself shows up, maybe…”
“Sorry? If he doesn’t show up himself, then who will?”
“He’ll probably hire a proxy.”
There’s no way some golden spoon would step into the arena himself, knowing he’s bound to lose.
Especially when just 10 billion or even 20 billion won would easily find him a proxy warrior.
Manager Choi’s face twisted.
“A proxy… Right, that’s possible. Is there no way to force him to come in person?”
“Do you think such a way exists?”
“But then what’s the point of the duel? Isn’t it just Warrior Kim who’s taking all the risk?”
“Let’s get an apology, get compensated, and call it done.”
“Will that really be enough?”
Kim Chulkwon looked at me, scrutinizing.
As if to say, “Would a killer like you really be satisfied with just an apology and compensation?”
I simply smiled.
Like a carnivore baring its teeth.
“No, it’s not enough. But what can I do? I’m just not powerful enough. And besides…”
I looked out beyond the glass window into the small, neglected garden, where weeds grew in scattered clumps.
Glaring at them as if they were Lee Jaeyeol himself, I spoke each word with deliberate precision.
“A dog might give up its bone, but a golden spoon wouldn’t dare admit their fault in a duel loss. They’ll just grind their teeth in private, stewing over the insult. And one day, when they do something stupid again… that’ll be the day he meets his end.”
“Yeah, I suppose so.”
“This is the moment to set an example…”
“Sir, you’re a scarier person than I thought.”
Seo Woojin remarked.
“I’m not exactly broad-minded. I’m not the type to just sit by and let someone who tried to kill me roam free.”
“Warrior Kim, that’s not a saint; that’s a pushover.”
“Exactly! If someone messes with you, you have to crush them completely. That’s how you stop others from underestimating you.”
“Well, I agree with that.”
We began strategizing.
How could we drag Lee Jaeyeol into the arena for a duel?
Kim Chulkwon, looking confident, spoke up.
“Leave that part to me. If you entrust me with this, I’ll make sure Lee Jaeyeol is presented before Warrior Kim.”
“How?”
“Manager Choi, could I borrow your laptop? Thank you. Now, if you look here, you can see the route Lee Jaeyeol used to place the hit. Wow, he really went all out with the laundering. The money passed through three different hands.”
“He really took precautions.”
“And spent quite a bit of money, too.”
“To be honest, I’ve handled a few cases like this before. Rich brats think they’re untouchable if they pass the job through a few intermediaries with a bit of cash. Absolutely not. It’s traceable. And when you trace it back and corner them, they panic. Money can’t completely cover up the guilty conscience.”
“True.”
“So, we approach him with a ‘we know what you did last week’ kind of message. Demand he come out while he still has the chance to save face. He might send a representative instead, but that’s where it begins.”
“At that point, I’ll step in.”
Manager Choi raised his hand.
“If we frame it as a confidential duel involving a top-level fighter, Lee Jaeyeol might take the bait. He could even try to eliminate us afterward… Director Seo?”
Seo Woojin nodded vigorously.
“I’ll help however I can. How do you need me to support you?”
“You don’t need to appear as one of our representatives; just serve as a notary.”
“It’s not hard, but are you sure? It’s better for an older, reputable figure, preferably someone from the legal community, to act as a duel notary. Oh, actually, I’ve got an idea.”
“What is it?”
“My friends. I’ll call them in, along with their parents.”
“Uh… isn’t this getting a bit too big?”
Manager Choi said with a hint of concern, but to me, it didn’t sound like a bad idea.
“I’m in favor. If more people support us, I’m all for it.”
“Exactly! That way, that sneaky bastard Lee Jaeyeol won’t be able to back out.”
“I agree. I’ll call them myself.”
“Oh? I could make the call.”
“No, it’s better if I do it directly. Besides, I’m planning to use my favor token.”
“Ah…”
“Hmm. Warrior Kim, isn’t that a bit wasteful?”
“It’s better than racking up a debt. Seungcheon Security might just be a subsidiary of Seungcheon Group, but it’s still a conglomerate.”
Give and take—it’s essential.
If you don’t have anything to give, you’d better cash in a favor.
Unless you have a special connection.
“By the way, Warrior Kim.”
Kim Chulkwon asked, his expression serious as he looked at me.
“Are you confident you’ll win the duel?”
“What, do you think my teacher is going to lose?”
Before I could respond, Seo Woojin burst out, clearly offended.
Kim Chulkwon raised his hand, signaling for calm.
“No offense, but I think I’m the one here who knows Warrior Kim best. I saw him single-handedly dismantle the Cleaner Association and take down a level 4 superhuman in a one-on-one fight. But do you think Lee Jaeyeol would be ignorant of all that? He probably knows Warrior Kim’s entire track record.”
“You’re saying…”
“Yes. There’s no way he’ll send a level 3 superhuman. He’ll definitely send a level 4 superhuman.”
A level 4 superhuman.
The gap between level 1 and level 2 might not be that significant, but the difference between level 3 and level 4 is considerable.
And it only grows wider at the higher levels.
The stronger you get, the more exponentially your strength increases.
“Is there any chance he’ll send a level 5?”
“A level 5 is a high-ranking superhuman, prideful ones at that. They wouldn’t bother taking on someone two levels below them. Lee Jaeyeol knows Warrior Kim has defeated a level 4, so he’ll most likely send someone at that level.”
I agreed with his assessment.
Besides, the cost of hiring a level 5 superhuman would be astronomical.
Even the level 3 hunter charged 20 billion won for the job.
Since this isn’t an assassination, the fee might drop, but even 20 billion wouldn’t be enough for a level 5.
I’ve said it before—a level 5 is practically treated like a congressman in this world.
“A level 4, huh…”
I pondered for a moment.
Could I win against a level 4 with my current abilities, without relying on doping or mutations?
It would be close.
If they sent a weak one, I could win.
But if the opponent had well-developed traits and top-tier equipment…
It wouldn’t be easy.
Especially if I couldn’t afford to reveal my mutation.
Maybe it’s best to seal away the mutation altogether. Now that I’m at level 3, using it could mean there’s no going back.
But.
There’s a chance.
Among the ranks of level 4 superhumans in the Old Father’s Cult, there are a few connected to that Paladin, Lee Jaeyeol.
It’s obvious who they’ll send.
It won’t be easy.
I might be pushed to the brink of death.
One slip, and I could lose my head.
But with conviction, I said,
“I can win.”
“Good. We trust you, Warrior Kim.”
Kim Chulkwon looked at me with the expression of a man who’d put all his chips on the table.
Manager Choi and Seo Woojin exchanged glances filled with silent trust.
The weight on my shoulders felt heavy.
This was an emotion I had never once received in my old world.
“I’ll make contact today. It’ll take some time for the arrangements, so please just focus on preparing yourself, Warrior Kim.”
“What are the rules?”
“We’ll have to negotiate, but it should follow the usual conventions.”
“What do you mean by ‘conventions’?”
“Anything goes as long as no third parties interfere, except for the two combatants.”
There are no restrictions on weapons or foul play.
Any dirty trick is fair game.
Poison, concealed weapons—anything goes.
If you fall for it, that’s your fault. There are limits even to a superhuman’s power.
I decided to ask the question that had been on my mind for a while.
“What about doping? Is that allowed?”
“Ah, doping…”
Seo Woojin replied instead.
“You’re free to use drugs or poison, but you have to make them yourself.”
“So I can’t buy them?”
“No. Only items made from materials you bring and crafted right before the duel are allowed. You also have to declare in advance what substances you’ll be using.”
“That’s a bit restrictive. Sure, it makes sense for drugs, but isn’t it a penalty for superhumans who rely on poison?”
“They’ll have to make their own antidotes as well. Or else they’ll need to bring poison-resistant artifacts or purification artifacts.”
“No wonder assassins have a hard time in duels.”
So doping is allowed, then.
“Proceed under those terms. I’ll be ready.”
“Understood. We’ll start right away.”
“Oh, Warrior Kim. What about armor?”
Armor.
The magic armor Jo Chul had promised to make for me.
I thought about it carefully, then shook my head.
“Jo Chul and Lee Jaeyeol are two peas in a pod. Do you think he’d finish it on time? Jo Chul might not deliberately sabotage it or set a trap, but he’ll definitely drag his feet. Rather than waiting for it, let’s schedule the duel as soon as possible.”
“Then we’ll go with that plan.”
“I’m counting on you all. We can’t just let this slide as if we stepped in something. I promise I’ll repay each of you later.”
“Repayment? That’s unnecessary. Just having the chance to help you is my pleasure, Warrior Kim. Call on me anytime!”
“We’re just helping each other out. If you lend a hand when my organization or I am in danger someday, that will be more than enough.”
“Repayment? What’s there to repay between us? You saved my life, sir. Actually, should I go as your proxy for the duel instead?”
“That would make things too complicated. Just handling the notarization is more than enough.”
“Haha, leave it to me. I’ll even bring in a retired Supreme Court judge to ensure it’s fully notarized.”
“Just hearing that is reassuring.”
The strategy meeting concluded.
After the three left, I immediately went online and ordered a few items.
An alchemy workstation.
Along with all the consumables and materials I’d need.
Once everything was delivered via express courier, I dove straight into potion crafting.
Potions.
Using only recipes known for their potent effects and minimal side effects.
Bang!
“Urgh!”
I failed multiple times.
Explosions went off, and thick black smoke billowed everywhere.
I had to use the fire extinguisher several times, to the point where I’d need to order a new one.
Despite the struggles, I achieved my goal.
The [Potion Making] trait.
The same one the human hunter possessed.
Specialized in crafting poisons and potions, and even more effective when combined with traits for crafting and modification, increasing both the success rate and potency.
The potions I crafted were threefold.
[Potion of Iron Body]
[Potion of Lightning Reflexes]
[Potion of Dragon’s Mana]
The effects were simple.
One dramatically boosts strength and durability, another heightens senses and agility, and the last amplifies mana regeneration.
There are better potions out there, but at level 3, and with the materials I could gather, this was the limit.
If I hadn’t secured the materials from the human hunter’s hideout, I wouldn’t have been able to make the Dragon’s Mana Potion at all.
[Celestial Gold, Hell Silver, and World Iron, you said?]
“Yes. I don’t need much.”
Ingredients for a special strengthening catalyst.
When facing the Paladins and priests of the Old Father’s Cult, this catalyst was essential.
“Huff… huff…”
While making potions, I practiced wielding the sacred sword.
Naturally, I’d be bringing firearms too.
A grenade launcher and various grenades, as well.
But would they be effective?
If my guess was correct, a level 4 Paladin would come as the proxy, and I doubted bullets and grenades would easily kill him.
There was no way.
In the end, it would all come down to my swordsmanship.
It’s true that I’m relatively weak when it comes to swordsmanship.
The only thing I could rely on was the Trait Swap technique.
I poured my focus into practicing the Mountain Breaking Sword Art alongside the trait-switching technique.
So that, in the moment of attack, I could switch in traits like [Strength], [Smash], and [Slash] to maximize offensive power.
And in the moment of defense, switch to traits like [Endurance], [Defense], and [Mana Shield] to bolster my defenses.
“Huff… haa…”
Sweat poured down like rain.
I ate until I felt like I would burst, worked myself to exhaustion, soaked briefly in the mana spring bath, ate again, and swung my sword with all my might.
I forgot about everything else.
I was solely focused on self-improvement.
I didn’t spare a thought for what might be happening outside.
Once I grew comfortable combining the Mountain Breaking Sword Art and Trait Swap, I practiced against an imaginary opponent.
“Ugh!”
It wasn’t easy.
I’m no master of combat; to be honest, I’m getting by on sheer trait power.
In novels and movies, protagonists make shadowboxing look effortless, but doing it myself was a struggle.
It didn’t help that I wasn’t familiar with the opponent.
I knew all the attack patterns in games, but real-world superhumans wouldn’t move as predictably as in a game.
In the end, I called for help.
“Woojin, I need some sparring.”
“Of course, sir. I’ll be glad to help.”
I set aside my pride and learned from Seo Woojin—my student.
To be honest?
I couldn’t match Seo Woojin anymore.
Even before his awakening, he had wanted to best me.
Now that he’s reached level 5, he toyed with me as if it were child’s play.
Yet he was always respectful, which I appreciated.
“Sir, shall we go one more round?”
“In that situation, you should have parried like this. See?”
“Oh, that was good.”
“Are you really just level 3, sir? You look like you’d hold your own against a level 4.”
“This is strange… What exactly are your abilities, sir? To an outsider, it would look like you have dozens of traits.”
After days of getting stabbed and sliced in training.
Perhaps because I was learning formal swordsmanship, a [Swordsmanship] trait finally formed, and I was able to match Seo Woojin a bit.
Around that time, I received a message from Manager Choi.
[Warrior Kim, the duel date has been set.]
“When is it?”
[Three days from now.]
The three days flew by.
Though not perfect, I completed my preparations to the best of my ability.
And then, I made my way to the designated secret dueling arena.
–TL Notes–
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