Chapter 11: I'm Happy You're Willing To Cooperate

There's a reason why you're being held without putting up a fight, isn't there? That's so, he said, as he finally closed in on Gu Ji-hoon. Ji-hoon frowned as he looked at the young man in front of him. He didn't say anything; he didn't plan to. Instead, he observed the man's expression.

Kim Ji-min smiled as he said, "I finally met you, Ji-hoon. I've heard so much about you." Ji-hoon felt a pang of fear as he realized this man was incredibly strong. His strength greatly surpassed his own. The aura of horror emanating from his body indicated that, even though young, this man was at least A-rank. Ji-hoon knew he could not fight such a monster. He was glad he hadn't divulged the information earlier to such a man.

If such a person got hold of that item, who knows what disaster would befall the world? Ji-hoon immediately closed his eyes and said, "I'm not telling you." He managed to squeeze out the words. "It doesn't matter how much you threaten me; I'm not going to tell you." Resigning himself to his fate, he closed his eyes. He had already accepted that the only outcome would be death. Nothing else. To go against someone like this was courting death, and he had expected it.

For his honor and for the sake of his guilt—whether it still existed or not—that was the least he could sacrifice. His life was the least he could offer. He flinched slightly when he heard Kim Ji-min's voice. "This isn't a threat—at least not for you. But rather…" Ji-min paused, a smile creeping up his face before leaning toward Ji-hoon's ear to whisper something.

Ji-hoon's eyes immediately widened in shock. His body shivered upon hearing Ji-min's words. Ji-min moved away and said, "Do you really think you can hide them from me? You underestimate me so much. But it's okay—I'm quite accustomed to that."

He turned away, walking toward the door with his secretary following. He was about to leave when Ji-hoon's panicked voice rang out. "I'll tell you! Just don't hurt them. Promise me you won't hurt them. I beg you!" Ji-hoon's voice was filled with desperation.

"I'm happy you're willing to cooperate," Ji-min said. "However, the issue of whether I spare them depends on you—and how useful the information you provide is." He smirked.

"I'll talk! I'll say everything I know. I promise! Please, just let them be. They have nothing to do with this!" Ji-hoon said. His earlier stoic demeanor had completely crumbled.

"I totally agree," Ji-min said, turning back to look at Ji-hoon with a smile. "Now, tell me where it is."

"It's in the dungeon. They're in the dungeon," Ji-hoon answered.

"Dungeon?" Ji-min raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, they're in the dungeon. It's hidden in the Red Gate Dungeon, at the Macrosimyo Construction site. That's where we kept it, along with the other Blue Jaguar members who managed to escape," Ji-hoon explained.

"I see," Ji-min said. For a moment, he seemed deep in thought. Then, after a few moments, his face returned to its usual gleeful smile. "I understand."

He was about to leave when Ji-hoon shouted, "You're going to spare them, right?" There was doubt and uncertainty in his voice. Ji-min didn't stop walking as he replied, "Of course, of course. You have my word."

Only then did Ji-hoon relax slightly. Ji-min exited the room and instructed his secretary, "Handle the matter with care. Ensure the kids are unharmed. Also, call the leader of Black Sparrow and tell him I have a job for him."

The secretary nodded before turning and walking away. Ji-min continued alone down the alley. It was a sunny day as Frank Lee flagged down a taxi.

Frank Lee walked alone in the alley. It was a sunny day, and he flagged down a taxi. Lately, he had developed a preference for taking taxis, despite their higher cost compared to public buses. While buses were cheaper, taxis offered greater convenience.

Frank Lee continued walking toward his destination. After some time, he arrived at a large tunnel sealed off with green, red, and yellow police caution tape. Beyond the tape, the tunnel emitted a palpable aura of spirituality. Sitting and standing near the entrance were several distinct figures waiting around.

As he approached, Frank noticed a group of eight individuals. Among them was a dark-skinned woman with dreadlocks falling to her right and a young boy who appeared to be about his age, though much taller. Despite his height, the boy's face exuded an innocence that contrasted with his stature. If not for his youthful appearance, Frank might have assumed he was older.

The group also included a fair-skinned woman clad in silver armor, a muscular dark-skinned man who looked like a warrior, a skinny man with glasses and leather armor carrying a small sword on his back, two men who appeared to be twins with their heads painted blue and pink, and a woman wearing a mage's cap holding a staff. The team usually consisted of seven members, but they often hired an eighth to assist with their tasks. Frank observed that their usual companion, an old man with messy hair and a beard, was absent, replaced by two newcomers, including himself.

As Frank scanned the area, he spotted Gao Tan emerging from around the corner, accompanied by a man in a hood whose face was almost entirely obscured, save for his dark hazel eyes. Gao Tan left the hooded man behind and approached Frank with a nod.

"I'm glad you actually came," Gao Tan said, his fair face framed by a blond beard and mustache. His features were striking, marked by a long scar across his eyes and two smaller scars—one above his eyelid and another running from the corner of his mouth across his lips, ending at his chin. The scars, though faded, suggested an encounter with a large creature long ago, perhaps during a dungeon raid. Far from detracting from his appearance, the scars added a rugged charm, giving him the air of a veteran general.

"How have you been?" Gao Tan asked with a welcoming smile.

"I've been doing my best," Frank replied, smiling awkwardly as he recalled past events.

"I hope you've changed your armor. The last time I saw you, it was completely destroyed in one strike," Gao Tan remarked, patting Frank on the shoulder.

Frank nodded, remembering the harrowing scene of his armor being torn apart by a male goblin. "Yeah, I did," he responded with a sheepish grin.

"That's good to hear," Gao Tan said, approvingly.