Trait Hoarder Chapter 160

Episode 162 Kuro Castle -1-

I stood there blankly, staring straight ahead.

My proud Gangnam building.

A large and precious 120 billion won building.

The building, which should have been glowing a cold blue, was completely covered in charcoal.

It was charred black.

All floors from the 1st to the 15th.

Moreover, the top has teeth as if it had been eaten by a monster.

It was completely ripped off.

I feel like my blood is rushing to my head.

Crunch, my teeth are grinding.

It’s been a long time since my clenched hands turned white.

Blood was dripping down, but I didn’t feel any pain.

My head was so hot.

It was to the point where I couldn’t even hear Kim Cheol-kwon talking next to me.

“… …I’m looking for it.”

“Who would do that?”

He asked again, cutting me off.

Thump, thump, I feel like my spirit is fading away.

Kim Cheol-kwon hesitated and then barely spoke again.

“We found traces leading to Kuro-dong. We are currently looking for the base.”

“So who did it?”

“We are investigating, but as of now, the terrorist league is the most likely suspect.”

Terrorist League!

Those guys again?

Yeah, I remember.

Before we went to Monster Village to catch the chameleon, Chief Choi said:

[With the collapse of the terrorist league, the remnants have scattered in all directions. Some are hiding in Seoul… … .]

Guro-dong, this is Guro-dong.

This world is basically unsafe, but the situation in Guro-dong is particularly serious.

Along with Daerim-dong in Yeongdeungpo-gu, it is the worst of the worst.

“What about Director Choi?”

Why can’t I see this guy’s nose?

When I asked, Kim Cheol-kwon’s face dropped.

“I don’t have any face. I’m in the intensive care unit.”

“Why the intensive care unit?”

“I was evacuating people right after the terrorist attack, and then… … .”

Wouldn’t most injuries be cured with a healing potion?

If it’s Chief Choi or Kim Cheol-kwon, there are high-level healing potions available.

Even if your lungs get punctured or your limbs are cut off, you will recover sufficiently… … .

I went to the hospital under Kim Cheol-kwon’s guidance.

It wasn’t difficult to get an interview.

As soon as I entered the intensive care unit, I suddenly lost my words.

Director Choi lying quietly on the patient bed.

On the outside it looks fine.

However, there was a nasal tube in his nose, a tracheostomy tube in his neck, and a urethral tube in his lower abdomen.

Beep, beep, beep.

That’s not all.

Choi was being forcibly kept alive by numerous medical machines, including an oxygen respirator, electrocardiograph, pulse oximeter, and intravenous drip.

“What happened?”

The question was asked to Kim Cheol-kwon, and the answer was given by a doctor.

“It’s hypoxic brain damage. The patient was there too long. In addition to the brain damage, there was also serious laryngitis, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and full-body burns.”

It looks okay now.

Actually, it’s okay.

Because the condition of Director Choi, as seen through my ears, was fine.

Except for one thing.

brain.

It had turned completely black.

Magic and blood flow are there, but they are not complete.

Half of normal, no, less than half of normal.

At this point, I guess we should consider him almost brain dead.

“under…….”

“We did everything we could to treat him. He has fully recovered from all his injuries except the brain damage. But the brain… … we came too late.”

I looked down at Director Choi without saying a word.

Director Choi’s first impression wasn’t very good.

All he had in mind was trying to use me in some way.

But after being rescued from the Dagger Sect, things changed.

Devoted to me.

Almost like a burden.

No, he was actually my confidant.

It was clearly a different relationship between the broker and the superman.

Chief Choi served me like a butler.

They take the initiative and take care of all kinds of trivial things, take you to places you need to go, pick you up, give you a car as a gift, and take care of political and social issues.

And now he even gave his own life.

“Hoooo.”

I can only sigh.

Life debt, life debt, what is it that makes you say this?

Evacuate appropriately and run away yourself.

You should have taken care of yourself first, regardless of whether one or two people died.

Even though he wasn’t really my subordinate.

If I were just a manager.

Even though he said he had a small stake, he only gave 10%.

Suddenly, a certain emotion struck my heart.

These emotions are mixed up in no particular order.

This feeling of confusion and swirling.

It could be regret, gratitude, or self-reproach.

After looking at Director Choi for a while, the doctor noticed my expression and spoke.

“As you know, there is no cure for brain damage. Even the highest level healing potions or holy water cannot regenerate it. Life-extending treatment is possible, but the chances of recovery are slim.”

“What do you want to say?”

“Hmm, that’s right… … I understand that Master Choi Seon-su’s only guardian is the Mukho Sword Master. Rather than continuing treatment for a few more years, wouldn’t it be better to make him comfortable?”

Let’s make it comfortable for you.

That is, kill him.

Kim Cheol-kwon lowered his head next to me.

It seems like he thinks this is his fault.

But I didn’t blame Kim Cheol-kwon.

Instead, he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

I couldn’t just leave him to die like this.

Responsibility?

Self-reproach?

Of course there is something like that.

If we look at the ultimate causality, this is the result of me preventing the Seoul terrorist attack.

But the feeling that gripped me now was something entirely different.

Anger. And fury.

It was mine.

The Gangnam building and Director Choi were both mine.

All I had was a 2-pyeong goshiwon (a small studio apartment).

No, even that goshiwon had a separate owner, and all I had was a deposit of several hundred thousand won.

To me, something that can be called wealth has emerged.

There’s someone I can think of as a subordinate.

My building, which was like that, was completely burned down by a terrorist attack on my subordinate.

He is lying in a brain dead state.

But there’s nothing I can do?

Stop life-sustaining treatment and let him go in comfort?

I can’t do that!

thud.

I put my golf bag down.

A golf bag weighing hundreds of kilograms without any weight loss makes a dull sound as it hits the ground.

“Excuse me, Mukho Sword Master?”

The doctor calls, but he ignores me.

Instead, he opened up his golf bag and put his hand in.

Take out one separately wrapped item.

A crystal bottle as transparent as a lake.

A liquid that looks like melted gold slosh around inside.

“Elixir!”

The doctor shouted in a panic.

It is difficult for an ordinary person to even touch a low-level healing potion.

Even the lowest level costs hundreds, and the lower level costs thousands.

What about elixir?

A resurrection and miracle elixir that even the highest level can press?

I bet even the superhuman doctor in front of you has never touched the elixir.

Then he took out the automatic syringe.

I opened the elixir without a second of hesitation.

Kim Cheol-kwon’s hands trembled as he injected all the elixir essence into the automatic syringe.

“Hyung, brother? Are you planning to use the elixir on Chief Choi?”

Kim Cheol-kwon, who was usually called the silent sword master.

It seems like he’s even forgotten his title now.

I told you not to call me brother, but you still call me that.

“uh.”

“older brother…….”

What were you thinking?

Kim Cheol-kwon even has tears in his eyes.

I turned to Chief Choi, holding the syringe.

Director Choi, who appears to be sleeping peacefully on the outside.

The mechanical sounds of beep, beep, beep and the tangled mess of medical equipment woke me up.

At first glance, my face appeared on the monitor.

Cold, glaring eyes.

His eyes are sparkling with anger as if he has lost control of his magical power without realizing it.

I bit my lip and swore.

‘I won’t leave it alone.’

Kill them all.

Whether it’s the Empress of Massacre or the League of Terror, it’s all silent.

The syringe was inserted.

Inject in one breath.

Fight!

Chief Choi, who had been lying in silence, is shaken violently.

My heart was pounding like a big drum, bouncing up and down.

It doesn’t stop there.

Boom, boom.

All the medical devices are bounced out.

Because of the golden shield spreading from the heart.

A mystical halo surrounded Chief Choi.

Then it slowly creeps forward.

With your head.

Towards the brain.

“Ugh.”

A doctor opens his mouth in amazement.

The golden light seeps into Chief Choi.

There were no more visible signs from outside.

It certainly seemed like Chief Choi was getting better.

Her dull skin became shiny, and her sunken cheek, which had been removed during treatment, was regenerated and returned to normal.

It didn’t take long.

Director Choi opened his eyes wide.

One side is a prosthetic eye. The other side is a normal eye.

It creaked and spun around until it landed on me.

“Your Majesty the Silent Sword… … .”

It just happens.

When the medical equipment started to rattle, he grabbed them all and got out of bed.

Then he gets down from the bed and kneels.

“Thank you, Lord Mukho Sword. I sincerely thank you. You saved my life again.”

“Were you conscious?”

“Yes. I was listening to everything. They say that a person’s hearing remains intact even before they die, and it seems that is indeed true.”

I didn’t know that would happen.

I thought he was completely brain dead.

Director Choi looked up at me while kneeling.

He hardens his face as if he has made up his mind about something, then bites his finger.

What is it? Why is it like that?

Surprisingly, not a single drop of blood was shed.

Instead, the finger is torn off.

No, it wasn’t a finger.

It was a small piece of white jade, like a piece of white chalk.

As soon as he turned the switch, golden letters flew up.

[One, Kim Jeon-sa is called Gap.]

[One, the best player is called Eul.]

[One, B absolutely obeys A.]

[One, A has the power over B’s life and death.]

Oh, this… … .

I have seen it.

The magical oath that Kim Cheol-kwon presented to me, swearing his loyalty to me.

The content was like this.

The only thing that has changed is the three letters in the name that went into the item.

When I looked away, Director Choi nodded.

“Master Mukho Sword. I’ve been thinking a lot these days. I’ve received so much from you, Master Mukho Sword, that I wonder if I can just sit still.”

“You have done a lot for me, sir.”

“But I couldn’t repay the debt of my life. But today, I was saved once again. You even used the elixir, that precious potion… … It’s a debt I can’t repay even if I die and come back to life.”

Director Choi extended his hand.

Magic letters and magic oaths float toward me.

The signature was already affixed.

The Chief’s signature, biometric information, and even his unique magical wavelength.

If you disobey my orders or betray me, your heart will be torn out and your brain will explode, killing you.

There is only one place left.

Just a place for me to sign.

“I want to establish a proper relationship with the Mukho Sword Master today. That’s the natural course of things. I want to become the Mukho Sword Master’s subordinate and vassal, not just an outsider who mediates requests and handles miscellaneous tasks.”

A subordinate and vassal.

Second after Kim Cheol-kwon.

Kim Cheol-kwon is watching from the side with a moved expression on his face.

I closed my eyes for a moment.

The answer was decided from the beginning.

No, I think it was decided when we saved Chief Choi from the Dagger Sect.

At that time, both Director Choi and I were immature and absent-minded, so we couldn’t give our relationship a proper name.

“Okay. I accept it.”

I let go of the horse.

Director Choi and Player Choi’s faces brightened.

The magic letters burn instantly.

They combine with each other to create a magic circle.

The magic circle split into two and was embedded in Choi Seon-su’s and mine hearts.

Thus, soul and soul were connected.

“Welcome, sir.”

“Hey, just call me player.”

“Hehe, is that so?”

The two have quite an age difference.

I guess he doesn’t care about that and just wants to eat his friends.

“I, my lord.”

“I’m staring. Speak comfortably.”

“Yes, Lord Mukho. Actually, it wasn’t just me who was affected. During the terrorist attack, my blood was spilled on them.”

“Blood? Why?”

“Wow. As expected, he’s a player. Hyung, no, Mukho Sword Master. I performed a procedure on this player. I put nanomachines in his blood. It’s for tracking. He’s impervious to detection magic. You won’t know unless you enter a precision measuring device.”

“Yeah? Good job.”

This is what I got in return for ordering you to invest in the Geonwoobong facility.

I started the discharge process right away.

There was no need for a discharge check-up because the elixir was injected right in front of the doctor.

The results will all be normal.

I got in the car and headed straight to Guro-dong.

The best player was manipulating his own prosthetic eye.

The nanomachines and prosthetic eyes are connected.

They say you’ll be tracked wherever you are.

“Here it is.”

“Huh… …Why of all things.”

Also on the outskirts of Kuro-dong.

The point right next to Daerim-dong.

The three of us were in the worst place in Seoul.

Tall buildings are built very close together.

There is very little space between the buildings.

So at first glance it looks like a castle wall or a fortress.

A cluster of buildings reminiscent of the old Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong.

Should we name it Kuro Castle?

The signs hanging on every floor of every building are dizzying.

The heavily rotted exterior walls resemble moldy murals.

A foul smell wafts through the air, and shirtless tattooed men stroll past, glaring.

There are more than one or two of these.

Almost a dozen.

They are lined up like a castle.

The old dagger faction’s building wall stronghold is just cute.

Now I know why the nanomachine signal led here.

“It ended here.”

“How did you break it?”

“You can remove the nanomachines with purification magic or EMP bomb magic. They’re more thorough than you think.”

“He must be hiding in there?”

“I think so.”

It’s stupid to go right in.

Do you know what’s inside?

Kim Cheol-kwon flashed his steel prosthetic hand and made a mechanical sound.

“Should I just push everything away?”

“Do you want to push?”

“Yes. After all, the people living here are vagrants, drug dealers, gangsters, human garbage, criminals, and bottom-tier people. Even if you kick them all out and push them away, they won’t be able to say anything. You should be grateful that they’re holding on to your life.”

In other words, it is true.

It makes no sense to leave the citadel and wipe out the remnants of the terrorist league.

Even if you put in all your time, manpower, and resources, you might end up losing the terrorist alliance.

People here?

What do you know?

The terrorist league is my enemy.

If I don’t handle this properly, it will come back to haunt me for a long time.

‘no.’

However, I rejected Kim Cheol-kwon’s proposal.

Destruction is not the answer.

If, if.

What if this is also a ploy by the terrorist league?

Although Choi Seon-su was quick to get his blood on him, Kim Cheol-kwon was the first to say that the trail led to Kuro, but what if the terrorist league actually lured him?

The original name of the Terror League was the League of Rights.

In terms of setting, the terrorist league stood up to seek the rights of the disenfranchised and the marginalized.

When the chameleon talked about mutations, the bear thought it was plausible, and that was the background.

What would happen if I pushed away Kuro Castle?

The terrorist league will be empowered immediately.

At the very least, those I kick out will lean heavily towards the terrorist league.

Or just join.

‘No way.’

I can’t stand seeing that.

then…….

How to properly screw the terrorist league… … .

“Let’s push it away.”

“Yes! Let’s look into the gunpowder company and the demolition company right away.”

“No. We’re going to start with an explanation session.”

“yes?”

What does that mean?

Choi Seon-su and Kim Cheol-kwon ask with their eyes.

Instead of answering right away, I looked at Kuro Castle.

A castle built from piles of garbage, like Lego blocks, so dirty it’s impossible to ignore.

If you have to push, push.

But I have to push it my way.

“We will redevelop it.”

“yes?”

“They are going to redevelop this place.”

And I have the redeveloped Guro-dong.

That was my idea.