Maxed Out Leveling Novel

Chapter 26

10. Lee Ji-hye (1)

Cha Shin Hyeon’s complexion did not change.

He is not a kid who shows surprise or bewilderment at a single question.

And he wasn’t really surprised either. It was because I had expected to some extent that such a similar question would come up. In such a warm atmosphere, I just didn’t know that he would be told directly whether he was the culprit.

The only contact points between Cha Shin Hyeon and Dawn are three people, Cha Eun-seol, Seo Joong-hyun, and Seo Kang-jin.

Among them, the only major incident that the deputy guild leader could move was that related to Seo Kang-jin.

Of course, it could be just a guess. Therefore, Cha Shin Hyeon did not immediately respond.

“I wish I could tell you exactly what it means.”

“The question is whether the disappearance of Director Seo Kang-jin was your fault. In addition to that, including team leader Seo Joong-hyun and others. I’m almost certain, aren’t I?”

So yes, I’m not going to come all the way here just to point out a few things. I came here because I had some certainty.

“Can I hear how you came to that conclusion?”

Cha Shin Hyeon asked the question as if it was interesting.

Lee Ji-hye shrugged her shoulders.

“It wasn’t very difficult. The assistant guild leader of the Dawning is a place where you can easily get the information you want.”

The library was all smashed, but there was no way Seo Kang-jin went out without saying a word. It is normal to judge that something has happened.

First, he tried to call his son, Seo Joong-hyun, but he couldn’t contact him. Next, he contacted the Amun Cho Guild run by his right-hand man, Young-Hoon Lee, but no one answered.

I personally visited the guild office and inquired about the whereabouts of other guild members, but could not find it as if it had evaporated. Their families were also anxious.

Judging that she could no longer stand still, Lee Ji-hye took the initiative from this point on.

She said, “If you know Seo’s former job and know about his former subordinates, you’ll get a kick out of it. Would you have gone to a picnic without saying a word? He thought he was killed in conflict with the hostile forces.”

“If it’s a hostile force, twilight?”

“Actually, it was vague. Twilight is more of a rival than an enemy. Unless they intend to go to war right now, there’s no way they’re doing this so ignorantly. So I wondered if there was any power in the dark…”

As she investigated further, she found out that the entire standby chronic guild, which was Seo Kang-jin’s lower-level subordinate, had disappeared.

She searched the guild leader Choi Jin-sang’s charter records to find a clue, and found that she had sent a note to Cha Shin Hyeon.

“And I had heard your name before I discovered the Hyeonhyeok records. Did you ever meet with team leader Seo Joong-hyun on the 7th? Team leader Seo was taken away with injuries of unknown cause, and you were briefly interrogated by the special police, but you were not charged.”

“It was.”

“At this point, the outline was established. Are they all connected as one? Team leader Seo, you, Director Seo, Dae Ki-Sung, Amuncho.”

Lee Ji-hye smiled softly.

“If you don’t know about martial arts, you can never doubt you at level 7. But I was aware of Moorim’s existence, and I also found out that you were missing. So, wouldn’t it be possible to guess that Cha Shin Hyeon, a novice hunter, is actually a returned Moorim, and that those who touched you unknowingly were annihilated?”

“It’s a plausible reasoning.”

Cha Shin Hyeon was slightly impressed.

If Lee Ji-hye wasn’t a warrior, or if she wasn’t the leader of Dawning, it was an impossible conclusion for her to reach. As the two overlap, Cha Shin Hyeon is caught in her investigation.

“And I met him in person and confirmed that he was a Moorim. My guesses have been strengthened.”

“Looking at it, it seems like he’s just convinced, not ‘almost’. Even if I said no, I don’t think they would believe me.”

“Isn’t it really?”

Lee Ji-hye looked directly at Cha Shin Hyeon with her twinkle eyes.

As the name suggests, his eyes were full of guns.

Not because of that burdensome gaze, but Cha Shin Hyeon had no intention of making up a rude lie about this.

“Then let it be right.”

He said with a faint smile.

“if… … Now that you know the culprit, are you planning to take revenge?”

“of course.”

Lee Ji-hye answered immediately.“No.”

“Well?”

Cha Shin Hyeon’s head tilted at the unexpected answer.

“I told you a few minutes ago that you wanted to have a good time. I wasn’t close with the director to the point where I wanted to take revenge even by pretending to be with you.”

“Personally, you can, but aren’t you the Deputy Guild of Dawning? The director of the guild died, but I think he was too calm.”

“The actions of Director Seo were completely private. She died doing something that had nothing to do with Dawning. What would Dawn do to get her revenge?”

Lee Ji-hye cut it to the point of being cold-hearted.

“Surprisingly. Considering Moorim, the elder of the Daemun faction is dead. Don’t you usually try to punish yourself, even for your pride?”

“It would be if my self-esteem had been slashed. But externally, the director is missing, and she is not murdered.”

If Seo Gang-jin had been killed by Twilight or the dark forces, things got worse. At that time, the face of the Dawn who ‘failed to protect her members’ will be slashed.

But disappearance is a different story.

When she announces, ‘She suddenly cut off contact with her and disappeared,’ she can’t curse the Dawn, even if it’s strange. She’s gone, what should she do?

“Of course, digging up the case of her disappearance and uncovering her culprit can give you credibility. But would anyone be able to convince her to point out Cha Shin Hyeon as the culprit?”

“To do that, she will have to reveal about the martial arts.”

“Yes. I don’t want that.”

Therefore, it was best for Seo Kang-jin’s disappearance to remain as a simple disappearance. Since the culprit could not be revealed, it was the best option to ask this as it is.

“I don’t have any honor to get, so what? What’s left of being hostile to the powerful person who will break the move? Killing you does not revive Isa, and in the meantime, she will only lose power in her Dawning.”

It’s not a loss, but if Cha Shin Hyeon’s mood deteriorated, the dawn could be erased by that day. She didn’t know that, but as a result, Lee Ji-hye’s judgment was very wise.

“Then I can accept it as saying that we should cover it up like this.”

“Yes. I would like to dismiss it as a personal matter between you and Director Seo.”

“Don’t do that.”

If it didn’t bother me any more, Cha Shin Hyeon was also welcome.

Thus, the agreement was concluded that Seo Kang-jin would shed tears of blood in the underworld.

“Okay, then the story is over.”

Lee Ji-hye brought up a new topic.

“Can I make a suggestion?”

“Don’t listen.”

Cha Shin Hyeon signaled to speak.

Lee Ji-hye, clearing her throat, spoke her words in a serious voice.

“ Cha Shin Hyeon, how about joining Yeoree?”

“… … join?”

what did i hear wrong

Cha Shin Hyeon, who reacted one beat late, questioned in bewilderment.

“This is a sincere suggestion. I want to welcome you as the Dawning Officer.”

“Is that an offer to someone who vacated an executive position, right?”

“It’s empty, so you have to fill it up.”

Lee Ji-hye responded calmly.

She said, “Personally, I said that I have no ill feelings at all, and at the guild level, I decided to ask about the move, right? Then all that remains is purely Cha Shin Hyeon himself. As the Deputy Guild of Dawn, isn’t it natural to try to recruit a hunter with a guaranteed future?”

“her.”

That’s true, but even so, it wasn’t an ordinary woman to make such a proposal right here.

Lee Ji-hye’s words continued.

“Why did you choose the path of a hunter?”

“Because it was the best way to do it.”

“Yes. You chose Hunter because you can do the best you can, and because you can be successful. What is a successful hunter? He is a hunter who earned a lot of money and gained fame.”

“It sounds very snobbish when you say that, but… … Well, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Cha Shin Hyeon graciously admitted.

It was right that I started because of money, and it was natural to aim for success once I started.

“That is what our Dawn actively helps. We will provide you with abundant financial support, and if you are a director of Dawning, you will have enough honor. If you provide enough dungeons, you will be able to become a high-ranking hunter in no time.”

“That’s an interesting proposition. Especially the last one.”

When Cha Shin Hyeon showed interest, Jihye Lee said excitedly.

“Yes? That’s an outrageous treatment. It’s a huge benefit to Cha Shin Hyeon as well, and it’s a win-win for us to have hunters with skills above known levels, isn’t it?”

“Okay, okay. It’s all good…”

In a good mood, Cha Shin Hyeon blurted out the end of her speech.

“One thing is at stake.”

“Yes?”

“First, let me ask you this. Didn’t I say that the only returnees of Moorim are you and the guild leader of Twilight?”

“that’s right.”

“But why are you the deputy chief? The guild leader of the Dawning must be a pure hunter, is he stronger than you?”

Jihye Lee shook her head.

“Is it possible? Externally, it is known that they are similar, but that is only when considering the Hunter level. He knows that I am actually stronger. Of course, he doesn’t know martial arts, so he just thinks I’ve learned a special skill.”

“Nevertheless, it seems that you are satisfied as a deputy guild leader.”

“It’s because I’m not the type of person who cares too much about fighting spirit. There are practical problems.”

she laughed bitterly.

“Unfortunately, the hunter society is dominated by men.”

In the early days of the dungeon appearance, there was a great perception that a hunter was a dangerous job, so there were many men who switched to the hunter industry.

Although the academy graduates have a similar male to female ratio, the academy itself has a short history, so there are not many graduates. Because of that, there were still far more male hunters in the hunter society.

“There is still a trend of non-academy graduates not liking female hunters. It’s similar to how rare women are among the presidents, military generals, and chief executives.”

“Is that why you gave up your position as guild leader?”

“It was the best for Dawn. I hate to admit it, but if I had been the guild leader, I wouldn’t have grown this much.”

“There was a story like that.”

Cha Shin Hyeon nodded her head quietly.

“But I have a slightly different situation with you.”

“Yes?”

“Because I’m the type who cares quite a bit about fighting spirit.”

Lee Ji-hye was a little embarrassed by his words and asked a question.

“Isn’t it an honorable position to be a Director of Dawn?”

“It is not a matter of honor, it is a matter of status. Even if you say moving, isn’t that the end of the guild leader or the sub-guild leader?”

Cha Shin Hyeon chuckled.

“Because I don’t like having anyone above me.”

Lee Ji-hye’s expression stiffened slightly.

“On the surface, but in reality, you can see that they are equal. I also have no intention of pretending to be a superior…”

“You mustn’t ignore that ‘outward’ appearance.”

Cha Shin Hyeon pointed out coldly.

Gone are the days when the public’s opinion would shudder. However, that doesn’t mean that you keep your ears shut. He is not greedy for honor, but there is no reason to tarnish the honor he has.

Even if they were treated internally, who would treat the guild leader and the director as equal on the outside? look down on you Wherever you go, whatever you do, you get a tag of Dawning.This is Cha Shin Hyeon, who spent her whole life on the river.

There was no special reason, but it was difficult to tolerate going under the control of someone far below him.

“If you really want to be treated equally, go as a partnership, but? Other conditions remain the same. Instead, not as Director of Dawn, but as an outside cooperative position.”

“Are you going to remain as an outsider while receiving such convenience?”

Lee Ji-hye was absurd and asked.

“Isn’t it supposed to be considered a sponsorship? I’m shy too, but if I have something to eat, I’ll help out that much.”

“What if you act recklessly? What do we become?”

“That is an unpleasant assumption.”

The tip of Cha Shin Hyeon’s lips twisted slightly.

“But the answer is, you have to build enough trust to prevent me from doing that. It doesn’t matter if I belong to the Dawning or not.”

“It’s important. What if you, an independent, were offered the same offer in Twilight? If you build trust with them and cross your legs here and there, the meaning of your investment will be lost, right?”

“Then we have to work harder in Dawning so that we don’t lose it. Did you set my value so low that I couldn’t even put in that much effort?”

“Ugh…….”

Realizing that she could not win with words, Lee Ji-hye bit her lip.

“… … like.”

After thinking for a while, she opened her mouth.

“Then let’s do this.”

A sudden announcement came out of nowhere.

“Would you mind competing with me?”

“… … Huh?”

What the hell happened in your head to come to this conclusion?

When Cha Shin Hyeon spat out a question mark, Lee Ji-hye explained it again and again.

“Give an outsider a chance to judge whether the investment is worth it, and whether Cha Shin Hyeon is really worth that much. Isn’t this a possible request from an investor’s point of view?”

“It is.”

“All I know is that you are stronger than me. You’ll have to stick with it to figure out exactly how strong it is. Will you allow me?”

Well, it is questionable whether she will be able to grasp ‘accurately’ with her skills, but Cha Shin Hyeon did not bother to point out that point. You will understand and appreciate it.

“As good. So when are you going to do it?”

“ When is Cha Shin Hyeon okay?”

“I don’t mind any time.”

“Then how are you right now?”

“… … here?”

Cha Shin Hyeon asked shakily. Fighting in the apartment complex?

Lee Ji-hye showed her confident smile.

“If you agree, there is a way to make sure you don’t harm those around you.”

“Hey, I have a question. Can you show me?”

“Then can I accept that I can start right away?”

“okay.”

“If so.”