Chapter 12: The Shadow of the Politburo

Thunder Fist.

The size of the lightning gathered on Lee Tae-sung’s fist was still small, but it possessed sufficient lethality.

“Hup!?”

Lee Won-gwang’s eyes widened as he felt a terrifying murderous intent coming from Lee Tae-sung, whom he hadn’t paid any attention to at all.

He turned around a half-beat late to check, only to be struck with horror.

How could that brat use his younger brother’s Thunder Fist!?

-Boom!

“Kh-heup…!”

Lee Won-gwang stumbled back several steps.

He had spread both hands to block the Thunder Fist; though his palms were slightly scorched, he had managed to dissipate the rest of the force by retreating.

‘Ah. That’s a shame.’

Lee Tae-sung clicked his tongue.

He thought he could land a solid blow, but the man had managed to block it.

However, with this one move, any possibility of the man surviving had completely vanished.

“Well done!”

Elder Dam Ho-pung shouted with a wide grin, then lunged forward using his footwork!

If he missed an opportunity like this, he would have to resign from his position as an elder.

Lee Won-gwang’s expression darkened.

What followed was a combined assault from Elder Dam Ho-pung and Serena.

“Thank you.”

While watching the battle, Zhang Xuan spoke to him from the side.

He was grimacing as he touched his lower abdomen, where a dagger had been embedded.

A dull, throbbing pain radiated from the wound.

It was the first time he had experienced such pain since starting Dream World.

To inflict such pain upon him.

How dare a mere NPC!

Consequently, he glared with burning eyes at Lee Won-gwang, who was gradually being driven into a corner, but gratitude came first.

“You. You’re a user, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

Zhang Xuan had acted on his own for the most part, but he had overheard almost everything.

In the process, he had learned that Lee Tae-sung was a user and even heard the master and the Dragon Flying Gang elder talking behind his back, but he simply hadn’t cared much.

“I didn’t expect you to risk a death penalty just to save someone you’ve never met before. It was impressive.”

“?”

Lee Tae-sung tilted his head.

‘What is he talking about?’

Risk what?

He hadn’t risked anything.

Lee Tae-sung had simply aimed for Lee Won-gwang’s back because it was wide open.

However, Zhang Xuan’s interpretation was a bit different.

The sight of him bravely charging toward an enemy far stronger than himself as a user.

It felt as if he had put his life on the line to save him.

Moreover, he had helped carry out the revenge that Zhang Xuan himself should have taken.

Even if it was virtual reality, the vividness felt more real than reality itself.

Therefore, even if one could respawn, he didn’t view it lightly.

Having been raised by a father who always emphasized favors and grudges, Zhang Xuan did not let this matter pass.

“What’s your name?”

“…I’m Lee Tae-sung.”

Lee Tae-sung spoke awkwardly.

It wasn’t the first time he’d given his name.

He had introduced himself when they met earlier.

It seemed the guy hadn’t been paying attention, and sure enough, he didn’t remember.

“Nationality?”

“Korean.”

“I see. I’m from China.”

“Um… I see.”

He could tell just by the name.

“It’s close by.”

“That’s right. It is close.”

Lee Tae-sung said it was close because he didn’t have much else to say, but Zhang Xuan nodded as if he had said something profoundly correct.

“To ignore a bond forged through such a major event would be an insult to my own honor. I will surely repay this debt later, little brother.”

“?!”

He was about to ask what debt he was talking about, but the battle ended in the meantime.

“Kehek….”

The combination of a martial artist and a mage was incredibly powerful.

Lee Won-gwang held out desperately, but in the end, his head was taken by Elder Dam Ho-pung’s sword.

-Ding!

[You have contributed to defeating an enemy with an overwhelming power difference.]

[Level Up!]

Because Lee Tae-sung had created a major opening, his contribution was significant.

Even though he hadn’t dealt a killing blow, it was enough for him to gain a level!

Lee Tae-sung wore a satisfied smile.

His skill proficiency had increased on the way here, and now he had even gained a level.

He had gained quite a lot from following the elder.

***

After the battle ended, Serena let out a long sigh.

“I didn’t expect something like this to happen. Regardless, the dispatch contract ends here.”

Serena did not claim a share of the deceased Lee Won-gwang’s belongings.

The Red Magic Tower was famous for its clean dealings while conducting various dispatch support businesses.

They didn’t pry into the client’s secrets, nor did they covet the spoils they obtained.

They only accepted the contract fee.

Since this battle also occurred during the contract, she acknowledged that Lee Won-gwang’s share belonged to Elder Dam Ho-pung.

Afterward, Serena bid farewell to Dam Ho-pung.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Thank you. I shall visit you later with a good bottle of liquor.”

Even though it was a contract, Serena had gone through some trouble, so he wouldn’t just be serving her liquor.

Serena smiled brightly, understanding that it meant he would give her a gift.

“Hoho. I’ll look forward to it.”

Then, as if suddenly remembering, she looked at Lee Tae-sung.

“Ah, and when you come, could you bring that gentleman along as well?”

“You mean this lad?”

“Yes. It seems like it would be fun.”

For a stranger, he was unusually polite; he had decent skills despite wearing low-level gang attire; and his judgment in boldly advancing toward the enemy was excellent.

It was enough to make her want to see him again.

From Lee Tae-sung’s perspective, he was bewildered.

He hadn’t made a massive donation, so why would a high-ranking mage of the Magic Tower want to see him?

“Thank you. I will definitely visit you later.”

Since forming a connection with such a high-ranking NPC was a very good thing, Lee Tae-sung politely cupped his fists.

Serena gave a light smile.

“Alright then. I hope you find something good inside.”

Zhang Xuan merely gave Lee Tae-sung a nod as a greeting.

Lee Tae-sung also bowed his head slightly.

And so, Serena and Zhang Xuan departed.

“Now then. Let’s go in.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung took Lee Tae-sung and strode into the interior of the cavern.

***

“This was on that second brat we just killed. It’s the Blood Explosion Secret Art.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung pulled out a manual from his robes and waved it.

It was presumably the secret manual of the martial arts Lee Won-gwang had mastered.

“But this is a type of demonic art. To be precise, it’s an erosive hybrid type.”

“What is that?”

“The kind where you get strong quickly if you learn it, but your mind slowly becomes contaminated. Your personality becomes volatile and violent… and ultimately, you become a madman.”

Many high-level hybrids carry this kind of risk.

Since it develops internal energy and mana simultaneously, the physical danger is much higher than that of general martial arts or magic.

“Madmen whose life goal is to pursue power would learn something like this gladly, but what about you? I’ll give it to you, do you want to learn it?”

“No. I’m fine.”

Lee Tae-sung refused flatly.

It would be troublesome if learning something like this affected his real-world mental state.

It was best not to touch anything that could become a problem.

“Right. Good thinking.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung put the Blood Explosion Secret Art back into his robes.

The inside of the cavern was not very wide.

The height and width were about 5 meters.

It was dug about 50 meters deep underground, and there was a large space at the very back.

In the center was a shelf carved entirely out of stone.

There were many different items on the shelf.

There were several small pouches and a variety of items presumed to be stolen goods, such as swords, sabers, axes, clubs, and clothing.

“It really was the warehouse of the youngest of the Crimson Brothers.”

He must have brought everything here that was difficult to store elsewhere.

The pouches were filled with a mix of gold, silver, and copper coins.

However, even after searching for a while, there were no martial arts manuals.

“Ah….”

Lee Tae-sung sighed involuntarily in disappointment.

He had come expecting to be a hunter of fortuitous encounters, but if this was all, the disappointment was great.

It seemed the youngest brother’s greatest treasure was the Thunder Fist that Lee Tae-sung had already acquired.

-Ding!

[You have completed the quest.]

[As a reward, you obtain 7 skill points, 2 silver coins, and a large amount of experience.]

‘At least the quest rewards are generous.’

He thought he could only receive quests that rewarded skill points once his level and status were higher.

This was enough to soothe his disappointment.

With that thought, he looked at Elder Dam Ho-pung, who was tilting his head back to look at the ceiling.

His eyes flickered with a sharp light, as if he had enhanced his vision with internal energy.

Then he chuckled.

“Hehe. You truly are lucky.”

“Pardon?”

“Give me paper and a brush.”

Action came before the question.

When Lee Tae-sung took them out of his backpack and handed them over, Elder Dam Ho-pung began to write something down without taking his eyes off the ceiling.

Tae-sung also looked up out of curiosity, but in the dark cave, nothing was clearly visible.

“Is there something up there?”

“Yes. There are characters engraved on the ceiling.”

“Pardon?”

At those words, Lee Tae-sung tried to examine the ceiling.

However, there were almost no light sources inside the cave except for the faint light coming from the entrance.

Unless one was a master who could see as clearly as day even at night, it was impossible to see the characters written on the ceiling.

“That’s how it is with those who suddenly gain power without building proper skill. There was probably something on this shelf, but they were so distracted by the treasures in front of them that they clearly didn’t check properly or simply couldn’t recognize it. They wouldn’t have just left it otherwise.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung spent a long time copying the characters from the ceiling onto the paper with flourishing brushstrokes.

Lee Tae-sung quietly assisted him from the side until he was finished.

Every time a page was filled, he pulled out a new sheet and handed it over, and before long, it became a stack of paper.

Enough to become a full book if bound.

“There. It’s done. Take a look.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung handed over the stack of paper with a grin.

‘W-What!!?’

Lee Tae-sung was shocked as he took it.

[Solar Star Power Art (Unique)]

-Grade: Rank 5 Hybrid Mana Operation Method

Because what had been blank paper had transformed into a Rank 5 Hybrid secret manual!

***

A large mansion not far from downtown Beijing.

This was a place known only to those in the know, the residence of a member of the Central Politburo.

In another country, it might be strange for a high-ranking government official to live in such a place.

But in China, it wasn’t particularly strange.

It was a mansion ‘voluntarily’ donated by wealthy businessmen for the official to work hard for the country, and high-ranking officials accepted it with a smile.

-Pshhh

The lid of the capsule opened with a slight hiss of steam.

A man in his 40s with sharp eyes and a well-maintained appearance rose from his seat.

Aides in suits rushed over to greet him.

“Member Zhang. Are you awake?”

“Yes.”

“A dinner is scheduled with Executive Member Li Jiopeng. A vehicle is waiting out front, and the bills for your review are ready.”

“Let’s go immediately.”

The man moved straight away after checking the time.

Zhang Xuan smirked as he recalled the moments before.

‘Dream World. Those Americans created something terrifying.’

He understood why people praised it so much.

He hadn’t had time to play the game despite his busy schedule and had only heard about it, but now that he had tried it, he could see why it was a global hit.

Dream World wasn’t just a game; it was a place where one could live a second life.

And even if it was mere entertainment, a bond where one’s life was owed could not be ignored.

He gave an instruction to his aide.

“And find someone for me. Nationality is South Korea. Name is Lee Tae-sung.”

“Understood.”

The aide’s eyes flickered.

This kind of thing had happened a few times before.

When traitors who dared to interfere with state affairs blocked the member’s path, experts would step in to show them the seawater and feed the fish.

It had been quiet lately, but it seemed it was time to work again.

He didn’t know what happened, but it seemed this person named Lee Tae-sung had touched someone he shouldn’t have.

“I will also tell Captain Li Peng to prepare.”

“No. It’s not like that.”

Member Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Then he smiled slightly.

“He is my little brother, so treat him with the utmost respect.”

“!”

The Standing Committee, the highest power organ in China where the seven Standing Members, including the President, exist.

Immediately below that was the Central Politburo, and Zhang Xuan was one of the 25 members of that Politburo.

For such a man to call someone his little brother.

It was no wonder the aides were shocked.