Max Talent Player

“...But it’s not hopeless.”

With the help of the Fairy of the Bellows Fire, Hyukjin now knew the secret hidden within the Special Ability Enhancement Crystal. Of his abilities, this crystal was most compatible with Immortal Fleet. In addition, he was even shown the conditions for restoring the Immortal Fleet, as well as an explanation regarding the enhancement requirements.

[A Player capable of the Seek Life to Die, Seek Death to Live Incantation is a requirement for enhancement.]

[A Player capable of uttering Will Incantations is an unconditional requirement.]

[A Player capable of uttering Will Incantations can restore the Immortal Fleet.]

There were other conditions required for restoration. One of them was the power of the Endless Sky Crystal. When that, and other factors were present, the Immortal Fleet could be repaired and even enhanced.

‘The die is already cast anyway.’

He couldn’t back out now. This story needed its ending. If he came all the way to the Nanba Terminal Dungeon and wasn’t able to secure a satisfying conclusion, all the trouble he went through would be wasted. Who would like a story without an ending?

Hyukjin said, “I need to restore the Immortal Fleet and flawlessly carry out its enhancement, too.”

“Right now?”

“There’s a requirement I need to fulfill.”

“What kind of requirement?”

“To do this perfectly, I need the help of another Player.”

He didn’t forget to throw hints to the Guardians, inviting them to imagine and infer things for themselves.

“I need a person who can do the Seek Life to Die, Seek Death to Live Will Incantation.”

Senia didn’t seem to remember. “Do you know someone like that?”

“I do.”

He knew who it was—the German sovereign/archer, Schultz. He was the Player who had first shown him this incantation in the Dewinged Angel Statue Gate.

“For now, the dungeon is cleared, right?”

“Yes.”

When the Pause was dispelled, there would be a dungeon clear announcement.

Hyukjin nodded. “We’ll go right into enhancement.”

* * *

Hyukjin and the members of Giantgod Guild left the Nanba Terminal Dungeon. Despite clearing it, they didn’t receive much in the way of rewards. Only the Explorer of Service, Kang Somyi, was given a reward and a hint about her next class scenario.

“The dungeon is going to collapse,” stated Hyukjin.

Kang Somyi added, “The dungeon base has disappeared.”

She was sincerely amazed. When Kim Hyukjin jumped into the ocean, she thought he was an absolute madman. She spent the rather long wait afterwards alternating between worrying and marveling at his recklessness. But to her relief and amazement, some time later, the King Kraken died while screaming.

‘What exactly happened inside the King Kraken’s body?’

She would have to ask him seriously later when they had time. This man, Kim Hyukjin, became more and more fascinating by the second.

‘I’ve got to ask him.’

She was dying to know how he had hunted it. Somyi really didn’t expect him to solo a beast like the King Kraken. If she could learn how he did it, it would be very helpful when she published her monster encyclopedia, the goal she was working towards.

“I don’t know what that is, either. But even though the dungeon has collapsed and it’s been cleared, it’s still going to break.”

It was the same with the Sangam World Cup Stadium Dungeon. After losing its Endless Sky Crystal, the dungeon would break.

“Somyi, do you have any sense of what the dungeon break will look like?” Hyukjin asked.

“To be honest, not really. But I don’t think it’ll be like what happened with the Sangam World Cup Stadium Dungeon.”

“Really?”

Believing her judgment, Hyukjin made a request to his guildmates.

“It’s possible we’re somewhat responsible for this dungeon’s collapse.”

“...”

“So when the dungeon break happens, if it’s not looking too dicey, please help out.”

Yeonseo smiled brightly. “Will there be a lot of strong enemies?”

“I don’t know.”

“A request from Boss, how unexpected. I thought you could take care of everything alone.” Yeonseo shrugged, and after a slightly fake laugh, she pulled out the Demon Blade Asura.

“Don’t worry. I’ll stop that break in its tracks.”

“I’m not asking you to stop it completely. Don’t overdo it if it’s too dangerous.”

“Jeez, alright, alright. I’ll handle it with caution.”

Sunghyun spoke up next. “It seems like you have something else to do. Am I right?”

“Yeah. I’m going to leave this place to you guys and go meet another Player.”

“Can I ask what’s going on?”

Hyukjin saw through Sunghyun. The kid was worrying about him. He really didn’t show it, but Sunghyun was very concerned about him.

Hyukjin used this opportunity to inform the Guardians.

“I’m gonna go meet someone real quick. I need to proceed with Immortal Fleet enhancement content.”

* * *

* * *

Hyukjin returned to Korea via the Tutorial Building Warp Gate, then went straight to Song Kiyeol’s office. It just so happened that Song Junghye was there as well.

“Kim Hyukjin, you…! Where do you think you’re barging into!”

Hyukjin completely and utterly ignored her, not paying a single glance at her as she screamed with reddened eyes. She wasn’t even a threat.

“Y-You…! You’re ignoring me? Me? Song Junghye?”

Song Kiyeol sighed.

“Junghye. Go outside.”

“Oppa. I had an appointment with you first, and I’m here as the guildmaster of Blood and Iron Lion. What do you think you’re doing?”

“I get it, so go outside.”

“Is this how you do business?!”

Junghye shot to her feet. Smiling, Hyukjin threw a jab.

“You should’ve ambushed me when I got out of the Nanba Terminal Dungeon.”

“...”

“If you did that, you might have succeeded for once in that assassination thing you’re so fond of.”

Junghye glared at Hyukjin for a long time. To be honest, the idea had occurred to her. Giantgod Guild would be very tired after clearing the Nanba Terminal Dungeon, and it wasn’t like it hadn’t occurred to her to attack them at that time. It was just that there were too many onlookers to take action outside the dungeon.

‘I’ll kill you one day. I swear.’

Hyukjin saw straight through Song Junghye’s vitriolic thoughts. Her emotions were all too obvious. He intentionally continued to provoke her.

“If you want me dead, come at me any time. You’re too weak to do it anyway.”

He laughed scornfully. Song Junghye left the room, slamming the door behind her. Kiyeol, who had been watching in silence, pursed his lips.

“...It looks like you were intentionally provoking Junghye.”

“Like I’ve been saying, if it weren’t for you, I might have already killed her.”

It was true that Hyukjin hadn’t killed her out of consideration for Song Kiyeol, but to be honest, it was more out of an interest for his own gain. Song Junghye was deeply linked to Jackson.

‘Jackson will maneuver her.’

And through him, Song Junghye would obtain many things. In the process, Jackson would test both Junghye and Hyukjin again and again, weighing which of the two would make a better candidate.

‘For the time being, he’ll be focusing his efforts on Song Junghye.’

Hyukjin just had to grab hold of all the things that were supposed to go to her. He would be able to get amazing abilities like the Immortal Fleet without dealing directly with Jackson, who couldn’t be 100% trusted. That was the best stance Hyukjin could take right now.

Meanwhile, Song Kiyeol remained silent. He hadn’t been able to respond to Hyukjin’s matter-of-fact statement.

“...”

It was a bit strange to thank Hyukjin for not killing his sister. After some time, he replied, “I’ll punish her properly again.”

“Yes, well. That’s your business.” Hyukjin wasn’t here because of Song Junghye. “I want to see the German Player Schultz. Please arrange that for me.”

As a German Ranker, Schultz was being closely watched by many people in Germany. As such, Hyukjin wanted to get in contact with Schultz under the official front of Taeguk Shield.

“Schultz…?” Song Kiyeol’s eyes widened.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Schultz has actually contacted us already.”

“He has?”

“To be exact, we were contacted by an Italian info merchant.”

“Ah, you mean Pietro.”

“Yes.”

Hyukjin heard the whole story. Apparently, Schultz wanted to meet Kim Hyukjin for some reason as well.

‘Schultz was supposed to have died in the Dewinged Angel Statue Gate.’

He had nobly sacrificed himself to save the other Players. Through his sacrifice, more Players were able to survive, and the survivors of the Dewinged Angel Statue Gate considered Schultz a hero.

‘He’s looking for me, and right now? So coincidentally?’

The timing was one thing, but the reason Schultz gave for wanting to meet him was interesting as well.

‘He’s looking for information about the Immortal Fleet…’

Hyukjin didn’t know what Schultz and Pietro had discussed. After leaving Kiyeol’s office, he called Pietro right away.

–Why didn’t you contact me directly?

–I did, but I wasn’t able to reach you. My intel tells me you’ve been in a certain Japanese dungeon.

–I see.

It was an acceptable explanation, as well as another hint for Hyukjin.

‘That means he was in such a hurry to get in contact with me that he couldn’t wait and went to Song Kiyeol.’

–How much did you say about the Immortal Fleet?

–Not much. But Schultz told me he thinks the Immortal Fleet is in Korea.

–How did he find that out?

–He said Itachi from Japan told him.

Hyukjin’s meeting with Schultz came quickly. For Hyukjin, it was a very good sequence of events—things were progressing nicely without losing momentum. Schultz came to Giantgod Guild’s office in person.

They hadn’t seen each other in a while. After a simple greeting, they went straight to business.

“Itachi said the Eternal Star of the Sea is shining on Korea.”

“So he thinks the Eternal Star of the Sea is the Immortal Fleet, and the fact that it's shining on Korea means I’m related to the Immortal Fleet?”

That was a stretch.

“He said there are very, very few people he can make such concrete and detailed prophecies about.”

“Ah.”

“That’s why Itachi figured it was you, Guildmaster Kim.”

“Fine. Say you’re looking for the Immortal Fleet, and that it has something to do with me. What is it that you want then, Schultz?”

Schultz looked directly into Hyukjin’s eyes.

“May I ask a question first?”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you have the Immortal Fleet?”

“...”

Hyukjin thought for a moment. Should he be honest, or conceal the truth?

‘There’s no reason not to tell him.’

Not only would the whole world come to know of this ability during the Bali Naval Battle, but Schultz’s cooperation was crucial for enhancing the Immortal Fleet.

‘And there’s no need to draw this out.’

Hyukjin nodded.

“The Immortal Fleet… is one of my special abilities.”

“As I thought!” Schultz jumped to his feet, before quickly sitting back down with a look of embarrassment. “I apologize. I got too excited.”

“It’s alright. But why is it such a good thing for you that I have the Immortal Fleet? To the point that you would jump out of your seat?”

Schultz fell silent, chewing on his next words. All this time, he had been deliberating on how he should put this, but he couldn’t come up with anything else. He decided to be blunt and direct about it. There really was no roundabout way to put it.

He would just be honest.

“I’ll be direct with you.”

“Yes, I prefer that as well.”

Schultz got up, went down on his knees, and said something that was, from Hyukjin’s point of view, completely ridiculous.

“Please give me the Immortal Fleet.”