Trinity Build — Part 2
A checkpoint came into view.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunfire erupted from behind us.
Ignoring it, I floored the gas.
Crack!
A bullet hit the side mirror on the driver’s side, shattering it.
Pop!
One of our tires blew out.
The SUV swerved violently, but I kept a tight grip on the wheel.
After managing to slow down just enough, the SUV screeched to a halt right in front of the checkpoint.
Soldiers of the Eastern Army rushed out, clutching their rifles, mana waves surging around them.
I rolled down the window and presented my hunting license and superhuman ID.
“I’m Warrior Kim, a Level 4 superhuman affiliated with the Hunter Association. I’m returning from a hunt.”
“Oh? Aren’t you the guy who took down the Mountain King a few days ago?”
Coincidentally, it was a familiar face—the officer who had inspected me when I passed through after hunting the Mountain King.
The officer took in the battered SUV, my dust-covered face, and the hunters speeding up behind us.
“Looks like something happened out there. Cheorwon State doesn’t get involved in disputes over hunting grounds. But causing a disturbance within our borders would be seen as a challenge to the authority of the Commander, so keep things quiet.”
“Of course. I have nothing but respect for the Commander. I won’t cause any trouble.”
“Glad to hear it. You may pass!”
The soldiers moved aside to let us through.
From behind, the Association Hunter Association President shouted in protest.
“That man is a criminal! He’s killed someone!”
“Cheorwon State does not involve itself in disputes over hunting grounds. You’re well aware of that, Mr. Hunter Association President. I believe you were present at the treaty renewal last year, were you not?”
“That’s…!”
“Or would you like to try causing a disturbance here?”
The officer drew his sword.
Though only a Level 4, he was an officer of the Eastern Army.
One wrong move, and he’d have the entire Eastern Army behind him.
The Hunter Association President lowered his voice.
“No, of course not. I was just expressing my frustration.”
“If it’s a murder case, take it up in Seoul. Here in Cheorwon, the Eastern Army is in charge.”
“Of course, of course. I know that well.”
It was a clear display of hierarchy.
The Eastern Army officer, only Level 4 but full of authority.
The President of the Hunter Association, a Level 5 superhuman, forced to defer.
The Hunter Association President and the hunters behind him were also subjected to inspection before passing through.
After hours of a high-speed chase, they caught up with us in no time once we were past the checkpoint.
With a punctured tire, our speed was limited. Thankfully, the special tires allowed for low-speed driving, or we’d have been stranded.
“Kisuk Kang! You’re like a rat, scurrying away like that! Did you hire some racecar driver or something?”
The Hunter Association President was the first to break the silence.
Director Kang shot back, unwilling to back down.
“Oh, that? It’s because your boys can’t shoot for crap! If they’d hit the tires sooner, I’d have been dead by now! And where were you hiding, Mr. All-Important Hunter Association President? Didn’t see even a glimpse of your ugly mug for hours, and now you finally show up?”
“You bastard!”
“How’s Director Joo doing? He hasn’t kicked the bucket yet, has he? Our very own Hunter Kim here hit his rocket launcher head-on and sent him flying to the afterlife! It was like a scene out of a movie, I tell you. Skilled at hunting, driving, and shooting. If I had a daughter, I’d want him as a son-in-law!”
Not sure about that.
Being Director Kang’s son-in-law? Just imagining it made me feel like my ears would start bleeding from all the nonstop talking.
The Hunter Association President turned to glare at me with a sour expression.
“This is why I tried to recruit you, Hunter Kim…”
A hunter’s intuition, perhaps?
Both the Hunter Association President, who’d tried to invite me through Hunter Jung, and Director Kang, who had canceled his trip to China upon hearing the news, had certainly acted quickly.
I turned the SUV toward City Hall.
We planned to seek help from one of Director Kang’s contacts, but the Hunter Association’s SUVs raced ahead of us, blocking the road completely.
Honk! Honk! Honk!
Only the poor citizens of Cheorwon were suffering for it.
“What’s going on?”
“Why are they blocking the road?”
“Move it!”
“Who rented out the road to you guys?!”
Citizens shouted and honked their horns in frustration, only to be met with glares from the hunters.
“Shut up!”
“We’re in the middle of something here!”
What were they thinking, acting like this? What if the Eastern Army got annoyed and intervened?
The hunters surrounded us entirely.
They circled their SUVs around us like a barricade and stepped out with grim expressions.
I had nothing to fear.
Neither did Director Kang nor the two Chiefs with him, who all stepped out, letting their mana flow freely.
At least none of the hunters had drawn their weapons.
Drawing a weapon here would mean openly defying the authority of the Eastern Army.
Even with their tempers flaring, they didn’t dare cross that line.
“Director Kang.”
The Hunter Association President spoke, his face hard.
“Why don’t you come quietly? Does it really have to end in blood?”
“Oh, we’re way past that, don’t you think? I know all about your little trick. Poison in the soju and beer—mixed toxins, huh? Only person in the Association who drinks soju and beer like that is me, so I nearly ended up dead without even realizing it!”
“Hmm.”
“And you dare talk about avoiding bloodshed? You’re the one who manipulated Chief Choi into betraying me! After what happened to him, there’s no turning back! One of us has to die here!”
Director Kang shouted, his voice echoing.
The mention of Chief Choi’s death didn’t seem to faze the Hunter Association President.
He just glared at Director Kang, occasionally glancing over his shoulder toward Cheorwon City Hall.
Was he waiting for someone?
But the unexpected happened—someone else showed up from behind.
“What’s all this noise?”
Boom! Bang! Boom!
SUVs were tossed into the air.
They soared like fireworks before crashing down and exploding into oblivion.
Flames erupted, and even metal dissolved away in an unreal display.
Cheorwon citizens watching nearby cheered loudly.
“It’s the former Division Commander!”
“He’s as fierce as ever!”
“Serves those bastards right, blocking the road!”
“Commander! Get rid of these guys for us! They’re blocking the way, and we’re in a hurry!”
A path opened up, and a man strode forward.
In his 40s, clad in an Eastern Army uniform.
Tall and muscular, with fierce, piercing eyes. At his waist hung a rugged sword with a tiger engraving on the scabbard.
One of the four great division commanders of the Eastern Army.
Koo Hyungwon.
A Level 7 Warrior-class superhuman.
The mana waves radiating from him dominated the surroundings with a visible intensity.
And he wasn’t alone.
He was accompanied by dozens of disciplined superhumans, standing at attention.
“Greetings, Commander.”
“We were just having a little chat, but I suppose it got a bit noisy. My apologies.”
Both the Hunter Association President and Director Kang bowed deeply.
Division Commander Koo, a Level 7 superhuman, held that much authority.
Though the Hunter Association was a powerful organization, the Hunter Association President and Director Kang would both be easily outclassed by him.
Commander Koo gave the two of them a sharp look.
“I came out in a good mood to have a gathering with my subordinates, and you’re ruining it. Of all places, you decide to pull this nonsense in Cheorwon?”
“My apologies.”
“We’re very sorry.”
“I don’t care if hunters shoot at each other day and night, and I don’t give a damn what stunts you pull—just don’t do it here. Do you think Cheorwon is your playground?”
“My apologies.”
“We have no excuse.”
“People who claim to know better…”
Veins bulged on Koo Hyungwon’s neck as he prepared to unleash a verbal assault.
But then he paused, his gaze shifting to a tall skyscraper behind City Hall.
The headquarters of the Eastern Army.
Also known by the nickname “The Tiger’s Palace.”
He moved his lips slightly, as if murmuring something to himself.
A trait common among Warriors—sending messages through sound transmission.
What’s going on?
Koo Hyungwon’s face hardened.
His expression was one of clear incomprehension.
But when he finally spoke, his voice was firm and unyielding.
“The Eastern Army will mediate your conflict. Tomorrow at noon, you’ll settle this with an honor duel in the plaza in front of City Hall. However, no outside fighters are allowed. Only one of you present here may step forward.”
It was a sudden decree.
The Association Hunter Association President immediately protested.
“Commander! I respect and honor you, but this is strictly an internal matter of the Hunter Association. Not even you, sir, have the authority to interfere in our affairs!”
“Hmph.”
Koo Hyungwon scoffed.
“This is an order. You do not have the right to refuse.”
“An order? Commander, with all due respect, you don’t have the authority to command the Association—”
“It’s not my order. This command comes from above.”
From above.
Meaning, the Commander of the Eastern Army himself.
The air grew cold.
Everyone’s faces showed varying degrees of shock.
Director Kang muttered with a look of unease.
“But… why would the Commander…”
“Silence!”
Perhaps even hearing the title spoken aloud bothered him. Koo Hyungwon shot a fierce look at Director Kang.
“Tomorrow at noon. Don’t be late. I’ll serve as the official witness myself. The losing side will offer their life to the victor without resistance, even if their death is demanded. Anyone who refuses will answer to me directly.”
In Cheorwon State, the Commander’s authority was sacred.
With a wave of his hand, Koo Hyungwon turned and left.
Only the Hunter Association President’s side and our group remained.
The Hunter Association President and Director Kang locked eyes.
“Hmph! This is actually perfect. Justice always prevails, after all.”
The Hunter Association President’s face was already smug, as if victory was certain.
“We won’t know until it’s over.”
In contrast, Director Kang looked visibly anxious.
A duel between a bio-mutant shapeshifter and a cybernetically enhanced sniper.
The outcome seemed obvious without needing to say it.
If they started with distance between them, it might be uncertain. But in a straightforward honor duel, the shapeshifter would undoubtedly have the advantage.
The Hunter Association President glanced between Director Kang and me, his mouth twisting into a sneer.
“I won’t kill you. But prepare yourself to serve me until you drop dead. I’ll work you to the bone like a dog.”
“Don’t be so sure of yourself. I won’t leave you alive. If you don’t want to die, come at me with everything you’ve got.”
“Puhaha! Talking like you’ve already won. Fine. See you tomorrow.”
With that, the Hunter Association President turned and left.
The road cleared, and their SUVs began to drive off.
I parked our SUV in a safe spot.
“Haah…”
Seeing no one else around, Director Kang let out a deep sigh.
“Director…”
“Will you be okay?”
The Chiefs looked worried.
The outcome of the honor duel was, after all, painfully clear.
“Why would the Commander give us such an order? Did the Hunter Association President manage to curry favor with him somehow?”
“That’s impossible.”
“He’s the Commander, after all.”
“The Hunter Association President isn’t someone who could even get close to that level.”
“Then why would the Commander suddenly side with the Hunter Association President?”
There was only one reason.
Because of me.
I was already tangled up with two Level 8 superhumans.
The Saintess, who’d performed a forced blessing on me, and the Tower Master of the Sun Mage Tower, who claimed recruitment rights over me as a ‘wager.’
Word of that would’ve surely reached the Commander’s ears.
This was undoubtedly his way of verifying me in person.
‘Fine.’
So he wants to check me out?
I’ll play along this time.
It’s better to resolve things here than to keep up a never-ending battle of wits with the future leader of an assassination organization.
Since I’ve already caught the eyes of the Saintess and the Tower Master, what’s one more big shot?
The real question was whether I could actually defeat the Hunter Association President in a duel.
‘It’s possible. It won’t be easy, but…’
I was the one who’d defeated Park Daeyeop at Level 2 and taken down Oh Dusik at Level 3.
Now, at Level 4, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for me to challenge a Level 5 opponent like the Hunter Association President.
But I couldn’t afford to be careless.
Unlike warriors, enhanced superhumans often had some unexpected tricks up their sleeves.
And the Hunter Association President was the ultimate example of that unpredictability, being a shapeshifter.
“Director, be honest with me. My life’s on the line here. Can you truly win? If you had to put a number on it, what would you say your chances are?”
I stared at Director Kang, my gaze unwavering.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, his lips twitching as he finally spoke.
“Realistically, less than five percent.”
In other words, almost no chance of winning.
At least he was aware of his limits, which was a relief. If he’d insisted on going through with it out of sheer stubbornness, I’d have been dragged down with him.
“Director…”
The Chiefs’ faces contorted with despair.
After a moment of silence, I spoke in a low voice.
“Then I’ll go.”
“Hunter Kim, you? But you’re only Level 4! The Hunter Association President is Level 5!”
“I defeated President of the Cleaner Association when I was only Level 2, and I killed the Lion Knight at Level 3. My chances of winning are higher than five percent.”
“The Hunter Association President is not someone to underestimate.”
“I know. He’s a vampiric shapeshifter, right? The eyes and fangs gave it away.”
“You’re confident?”
“Yes. I’m confident I’ll win.”
[SR Vampiric Shapeshifter]
He wasn’t an easy boss in the game.
But when I compared the Hunter Association President’s shapeshifter traits with the build I was about to complete, I was sure I had a good chance.
At the very least, it was definitely better than five percent.
“However, I’ll need something.”
“Just say the word. Time is tight, but I’ll do whatever it takes to get it.”
“I need diamonds.”
“Diamonds?”
“Yes. As many as you can get.”
That evening.
Director Kang managed to gather eight diamonds.
It was more than enough.
Using traits like [Resilience], [Iron Skin], [Fortress], [Endurance], [Resolve], and [Fortitude], I combined them to forge the Vajra Body.
And thus, the Trinity Build was complete.
–TL Notes–
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