Chapter 103: The Illusion Coordinator - (3)
Due to Han Hyunjung's call, the interview, which was supposed to include some leisurely small talk, ended in an instant.
Of course, all the key parts of the interview were completed. Neither Sanghyun nor Park Jungmin had any complaints about the conclusion.
Before leaving after the interview, Park Jungmin asked Sanghyun with a worried expression.
"The recent assassination attempt was truly shocking. Soon, there will be a report exposing the corruption and abnormal commission structure within Player Town."
"Thank you for your concern."
"Moving to Gold District was a good decision. However."
"However?"
"Hiring a private security team wouldn't be a bad idea. I happen to know a good one."
"I appreciate your concern, but I don’t feel that level of personal threat yet."
"If you ever need my connections, just let me know. This is my concern as a fellow player."
"Thank you once again."
Sanghyun was grateful for Park Jungmin’s thoughtfulness. Even if it was mere politeness, he still appreciated the sentiment.
"Ah, now that I think about it, I almost forgot an important part of the interview. Can you reveal your current level?"
"There's no reason not to. It's 130."
"Wow."
Knowing Sanghyun’s growth process to some extent, Park Jungmin couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
Sanghyun's growth was much faster than expected, to the point where it seemed almost exaggerated.
"I still have a long way to go. I need to push myself harder."
Sanghyun remained indifferent. He felt that his growth was still insufficient, as there was a long road ahead.
‘At this pace, he definitely has the potential to become a named player.’
Park Jungmin was convinced.
As a journalist, he had observed countless players, analyzing their growth patterns through data.
Sanghyun was experiencing ultra-fast growth, placing him confidently within the top 1%.
It was not coincidence but inevitability.
Players like him had a 100% chance of becoming named players—not just a high probability, but a certainty.
‘I need to secure my connection with him.’
Park Jungmin’s eyes gleamed.
Keeping such a contact close meant that exclusive news would always follow him like the wind.
He didn't want to miss this opportunity.
As soon as he parted ways with Park Jungmin, Sanghyun headed towards Hyunjung Building, where Han Hyunjung was waiting.
He had been invited.
Of course, the invitation wasn't for a meeting with Jerron D.K., but rather, a request to meet right after his meeting with him.
The timing was perfect.
Sanghyun had been eager to see Jerron D.K.'s face, even from a distance, so he readily agreed.
Moreover, he knew the conversation would involve sponsorship proposals, making his visit even more purposeful.
Meanwhile, during his commute, he had a brief call with Igah Hee, an employee of the Player Association.
It was about finalizing the agreement to sell the strategy guide for the gate he had conquered with Ham Jiyeon last time.
They decided to discuss the matter tomorrow. A significant profit was expected.
‘I'll keep the location of Watergate a secret for now. There’s no obligation to share it.’
For the time being, he decided not to disclose any details about the gate he had conquered during the second Kaeseong Subjugation Battle.
His plan was to reap some personal benefits first and only release the information once its value had diminished.
As long as Sanghyun kept the secret, no one would discover Watergate’s existence for years.
Arriving at Hyunjung Market about ten minutes early.
As soon as Sanghyun parked his car and stepped out of the parking lot, a female attendant greeted him as if she had been waiting.
She must have been informed by Han Hyunjung in advance and had been patiently awaiting his arrival.
"Mr. Shin Sanghyun! Is that you?"
"Yes, that's me."
"I’m Park Sun-young from Hyunjung Corporation! Master has instructed me to escort you."
"Can I go inside?"
"Of course! Master is currently meeting with an esteemed guest, but she said your entry wouldn't be an issue."
"So he’s already here?"
"Yes, he just arrived."
It seemed that Jerron D.K. had arrived.
No wonder the mana in the air around the building felt unusually dense today—there was a reason for it.
Although unconfirmed, Jerron D.K. was rumored to have an ability to attract mana.
He had never personally verified this in his previous life, but the aura surrounding him certainly suggested as much.
For a mage player, the ability to draw in mana was essentially ‘cheating.’
This was likely why Jerron D.K. was undeniably recognized as one of the world's top ten players.
Sanghyun quietly followed Park Sun-young into the building.
Because Jerron D.K. was already in discussion inside, the designated waiting area was rather unusual.
It was just below the top floor.
Hyunjung Building was designed with an open central area, allowing those above to look down.
From his position near the railing, Sanghyun could easily see below. The open view provided a clear line of sight.
"You’re free to observe. The esteemed guest is already aware of your presence."
"So I’m not an uninvited guest."
"No. Our Master has already informed him in advance."
Park Sun-young nodded.
Looking down, Sanghyun saw Jerron D.K. clearly, dressed in a white robe.
He was clad in what could only be described as the stereotypical mage’s outfit.
Jerron D.K. was famously known for enjoying cosplay.
Today, he was imitating a noble white mage, but tomorrow, he might portray a fallen dark mage.
His flair for showmanship and enjoyment of public attention were part of his unique personality.
‘His staff is legendary grade. Was it the Absolute Frost Staff? One hit and you’re frozen forever.’
Recalling his past knowledge, Sanghyun remembered Jerron D.K.’s equipment vividly.
He wore ten rings, each filling every finger, and one of them was an Almighty-grade ring.
Simply put, his specs were insane.
Receiving the full support and attention of the British Association, he was a cherished hero of Britain.
‘The problem isn’t just that Jerron D.K. is impressive.’
Sanghyun remained cautious.
He had once admired him as a role model in his past life, so he was momentarily drawn in.
But in reality, many other named players surpassed Jerron D.K.'s fame.
Most advanced nations had at least one or two top-tier named players.
Jerron D.K. was just one of them, representing Britain.
Then.
Woong! Woong!
Suddenly, for some unknown reason, a powerful wave of silence swept over the entire Hyunjung Building.
It didn’t create a physical change like the wind, but it had the characteristic of causing an unpleasant sense of discomfort in the body.
‘Is he suddenly going to put on a talent show here?’
Sanghyun shrugged his shoulders.
The wave of silence was undoubtedly a phenomenon created by Jerron D.K.
This wave, which created complete silence over a vast area, was one of Jerron D.K.'s core abilities.
Because of this ability, whether facing monsters or players, most opponents had no choice but to give up the first move against him.
That was because skills couldn’t be used while in a state of silence. The only escape was to have a resistance artifact.
‘Every time I see it, the range is just insane.’
The sight of the entire 15-story building being completely engulfed by the wave of silence was truly spectacular.
Thanks to his title as the Illusion Coordinator, Sanghyun was unaffected by the silence and looked down below with interest.
At that moment.
"Oh-ho."
Jerron D.K., who was on the first floor, made an intrigued expression and then swiftly leaped into the air.
He began soaring freely, and in an instant, he appeared right in front of Sanghyun, who had been standing on the central railing of the 14th floor.
It was an unexpected encounter with a Named character.
It was the first time he had ever seen him this close, whether in his past life or present life!
"You’re immune to silence?"
His accent was a rigid British one, but it was easy to understand.
Thanks to his experiences in his past life, Sanghyun knew multiple languages, making language barriers almost nonexistent for him.
"I’m Shin Sanghyun."
For a moment, he almost hesitated to speak, but Sanghyun quickly introduced himself first and reached out for a handshake.
Jerron D.K. maintained his stable hovering state as he exchanged a handshake with Sanghyun.
"I’ve known your name for a while. I hear you’re quite popular in Korea these days?"
"Compared to you, I’m nothing more than dust before the wind."
"Haha. Let’s not use such sorrowful comparisons. It’s clear that you’re one of Korea’s rising stars, isn’t it?"
"……"
"Not the type to enjoy attention, I see! Either way, I was curious because there’s only one person immune to silence, so I came up to take a look."
"It’s not a great ability."
"You’re right. Resisting silence isn’t particularly special. But it’s not an ability easily obtained, is it?"
"It’s just a minor trick."
"Exactly! If your level were extremely high, it would just be a small trick! But isn’t it a bit too much for your current level?"
Fwoosh!
The moment he finished speaking, Jerron’s mana wave pressed heavily down on Sanghyun.
All he had done was release his internal mana, yet the sheer force of it created an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Jerron D.K. continued speaking.
"Hmph, Korea’s rising star. You should learn how to show off a little."
Hearing this advice not to be overly modest, Sanghyun let out a small chuckle. It wasn’t exactly wrong.
Srrr.
After completing a smooth descent, Jerron returned to the first floor and resumed his conversation with Han Hyunjung.
As if nothing had happened just moments ago, he didn’t even glance back at Sanghyun.
At that moment.
"Shin Sanghyun-nim."
The one who called out to him was not Park Sun-young, who had been there earlier, but a husky-voiced woman.
It was Lee Yeon.
‘Han Hyunjung’s bodyguard.’
Sanghyun immediately recognized her.
They had never introduced themselves, but he had long known that she was always by Han Hyunjung’s side.
"Yes."
"Please wait in the office while Master takes care of business. I believe it will be more comfortable there."
He had never said he wanted comfort, yet Lee Yeon firmly set the decision in stone.
There was a feeling that something serious would happen if he didn’t comply. From her, he could sense an unmistakable aura of killing intent.
With his short meeting with Jerron D.K. now over, there was little reason to linger here any longer.
Sanghyun followed Lee Yeon.
Since it was only one floor up, Lee Yeon led Sanghyun up the stairs.
He had no complaints, so he simply followed her toward the top floor.
However, the entire way up, he could feel her constantly staring at him, examining him from head to toe.
At first, he let it slide.
But as time passed, it became so blatant that it started to feel unpleasant.
Sanghyun responded sharply.
"Did I do something wrong? Your eyes make it seem like you’re looking at a criminal or some highly suspicious person."
It was an unusual reaction for Sanghyun, who rarely pointed things out first. That was just how unpleasant Lee Yeon’s gaze was.
She then answered.
"Our Master is truly kind and pure. I cannot simply allow someone with suspicious intentions to stay by my Master’s side."
Through the small gap in her long bangs, Lee Yeon’s hidden eyes gleamed coldly.
Her gaze was filled with killing intent.
It wasn’t just bravado—it was a murderous aura that could only be felt when someone was truly serious.
"Hmph, so what?"
Sanghyun snorted at the bodyguard’s sudden hostility. Was she really trying to pick a fight like this?
At that moment, Sanghyun recalled Han Hyunjung, who was likely still tending to her affairs below.
Was this Lee Yeon’s solo act?
Unlikely.
It was probably a clever probing attempt disguised as an independent move.
And sure enough.
"Let’s see if you’re a player worthy of my Master’s recognition."
Lee Yeon was the first to cross the line.