The Player that Can’t Level Up

Chapter 44: Phoenix Guild (2)

Blushing profusely, Gi-Gyu murmured, I admit that I acted childishly.

Currently, Gi-Gyu was sporting a bright red face: It was from embarrassment, not from his scuffle.

A close friends father The president of the association Pfft! When Sung-Hoon teased, Gi-Gyu quickly covered Sung-Hoons mouth with his hand. Gi-Gyu didnt know why he said such a thing. All he knew was that his anger turned him into someone he wasnt.

This is all your fault, Lou.

When Gi-Gyu grumbled to his Ego, Lou replied sarcastically.

-Why are you blaming me? This just shows what a terrible person you are.

Gi-Gyu suspected his outburst was due to prolonged stress. He had been hunting incessantly for so long that he started yelling something so childish.

Haa When Gi-Gyu sighed, Sung-Hoon tried to console him.

Please dont worry. Everyone has an embarrassing moment or two in their life. I mean, I had Mmph!!!

Gi-Gyu covered Sung-Hoons mouth again. Glaring at Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon, the police officer standing nearby ordered, Please be quiet over there.

Gi-Gyu lowered his face in shame and replied, Of course. I apologize.

Gi-Gyu, Sung-Hoon, and the four men from the yellow sports car were inside the police station. Many saw their fight, the one they had in the middle of the street, and reported them to the police. The six players involved were arrested on the spot and were brought to the police station.

When Gi-Gyu saw one of the men he fought glaring at him, he asked, What is it? You got something to say to me?

The man was miserable: Both of his eyes were bruised, and his nose was still bleeding. His friends were in about the same sad condition. Watching these pathetic players, Gi-Gyu thought, It was so hard controlling my strength when I was beating them up earlier.

These men were supposed to be players just like him, yet they were so fragile that Gi-Gyu was afraid they would die if he used his full force. So he made sure to control his strength during the fight, which turned out to be more challenging than the entire fight. Gi-Gyu had to land his punches with such precision that he was left unsatisfied even after beating the daylights out of his opponents.

The man, glaring at Gi-Gyu a moment ago, lowered his face in fear.

The policeman in charge announced, They said they are on their way. It wont be long, so please be patient.

Gi-Gyu also lowered his face in shame and murmured, Haa This is so embarrassing.

The fight earlier was between players, so the local police could deal with it. The association took care of all criminal cases involving players. Because this wasnt a huge fight, the association wasnt sending someone immediately. Had they used their abilities in a residential area, the Association Surveillance Department wouldve sent an agent right away.

Had their fight taken place in a public place and resulted in significant damage, it was very likely the associations Executive Department wouldve gotten involved. It would've sent someone immediately to carry out a non-judicial punishment. The penalty and repercussions of something like that could be enormous and complicated.

Gi-Gyu mumbled, For now, lets not tell Tae-Shik hyung about this.

I agree. Sung-Hoon nodded in agreement. Both men couldnt hide their embarrassment. How could they have fought in the middle of a street like common thugs? It would have been inappropriate for Gi-Gyu to use his hired soldier status to get out of this situation. In fact, he took the white gold association ring off his finger earlier and hid it in his pocket.

Just like the policeman promised, an agent from the association arrived shortly. He introduced himself to the police, Im Yeo Sung-Gu from the Association Surveillance Department. These are the men you called about?

Yes, we detained them after receiving a report about some men fighting on the street. But it turned out that they are players, the policeman replied tensely. Finally, the ball was in the associations court.

Yeo Sung-Gu looked around to check out each man involved in this incident. When he spotted the driver of the yellow sports car, he paused. It was only for a moment, but Gi-Gyu immediately realized something was wrong. No one else noticed it, but Yeo Sung-Gus face turned dark.

The agent announced with a sigh, Haa Youll all need to go to the association first.

All right, Gi-Gyu replied and stood up. Since cases of such kind were usually dealt with inside the association building, the other men also didnt say much and followed obediently.

Outside, a car from the surveillance department was waiting. Oddly, the agent ignored Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon and moved farther away to talk privately with the yellow car group. Gi-Gyu whispered to Sung-Hoon, Do you know that guy?

No, I belong to the portal maintenance team, a completely different department. And I dont have any friends in the surveillance department, replied Sung-Hoon as he shook his head.

The four beaten-up men got into the association car. Yeo Sung-Gu walked up to Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon and offered, Do you smoke?

No, Gi-Gyu replied.

I do. When Sung-Hoon nodded, the agent handed him a cigarette. The two smoked quietly while the white smoke clouded their vision a little. After a short silence, Yeo Sung-Gu began, Ive heard what happened from the police. Those guys were drunk driving, and they threatened you and made the first move. Am I correct?

Yes, Gi-Gyu replied quietly.

And thats when you assaulted them. They could barely move since they were intoxicated, but you still chose to fight those vulnerable men.

... Gi-Gyu suddenly realized something was wrong as the agent continued, So They made the first move, but you made sure they couldnt make the second. In other words, you beat a few vulnerable men to within an inch of their life for throwing a single punch.

That man tried to slap me first. And he thought I was a non-player. When Gi-Gyu insisted, Yeo Sung-Gu sighed in frustration. He threw the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it before replying, Do you know who the director of Phoenix Guilds strategy department is? That guys father. This isnt going to end well. Had you let them beat you up, you couldve settled it with some money, but

Are you telling me I shouldve let him beat me up? Gi-Gyu frowned unhappily. Shaking his head, the agent replied, But you hit him. Look at his face. Are you saying you believe you didnt do anything wrong here?

Gi-Gyu turned toward Sung-Hoon, who decided to let Gi-Gyu do whatever he wished. Turning toward the agent, Gi-Gyu continued, That man thought I was a non-player, yet he

Yeo Sung-Gu interrupted Gi-Gyu and instructed, Based on their injuries, I can tell you are a pretty high-level player. So you do know that the penalty increases with a players level, right? If there is a huge difference between the levels of two fighters, even the self-defense claim doesnt apply. Didnt you know?

The agent was correct. If the gap between the two players was extreme, the self-defense claim didnt apply in an assault case. A high-level player couldnt fight back even if a lower-level player attacked them unless their opponent used a weapon or a special item.

Gi-Gyu understood the logic behind this. If there was a significant level difference, the higher-level player could just ignore the lower-leveled players attack. Still, Gi-Gyu couldnt help but feel furious. Yeo Sung-Gu, an association employee, shouldve been an impartial and objective judge of this case. Yet, the agent wasnt worried about Gi-Gyu at all. He even told Gi-Gyu that he should just let it go since it was his fault.

Trying his best to keep his voice calm, Gi-Gyu asked, Are you feeling lazy right now?

Pardon?

If you are really from the surveillance department, why are you playing favorites? You shouldnt try to twist this case into something you find easier to deal with.

W-what? Yeo Sung-Gos face reddened as he stammered. But he recovered quickly and smirked at Gi-Gyu.

Were you bribed by those men? When Gi-Gyu guessed, Yeo Sung-Gu cleared his throat and turned away.

Khhmm.

As if coming to a decision, the agent replied, I was going to go easy on you, but I can see that you will not cooperate. We need to get to the association building first, so just get in the car. And give me your phones. I cant have you do anything that will interfere with this investigation.

Yeo Sung-Gu was annoyed, apparent by his disrespectful behavior toward Gi-Gyu. Sung-Hoon gasped when he asked for their phones, What?

Sung-Hoon tried to argue, but Gi-Gyu stopped him. By now, Gi-Gyu had a good idea of what this agent and the four men were planning. Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon got into the car silently. The other four men from the yellow sports car snickered as they watched Gi-Gyu.

It was now clear that the four men and the agent were on the same side. Sung-Hoon grabbed Gi-Gyus wrist as his eyes hinted, Not here.

***

In the car, the four men refused to stop mocking Gi-Gyu. Gi-Gyu respectfully asked Yeo Sung-Gu to control them, but the agent ignored Gi-Gyus request. It appeared that the four men believed they had won.

Something inside Gi-Gyu twitched. It was similar to anger, but it was something much more. Afraid it might explode at any time, Gi-Gyu clenched his fists tightly.

Hmm Sung-Hoon looked out the window and said in confusion, Where are we going? This isnt the way to the association building.

Do you think you know everything about the association? You think youre a surveillance department agent? You know nothing, so just keep your mouth shut, replied Yeo Sung-Gu coldly.

Gi-Gyu couldn't help smirking at the agents behavior.

Sung-Hoon works in the association too, making him this agents colleague. Yet Yeo Sung-Gu is treating Sung-Hoon so rudely.

Gi-Gyu unclenched his fists and leaned back comfortably. Noticing the change in Gi-Gyus energy, Sung-Hoon asked, Are you all right?

Not really, Gi-Gyu answered quietly. There was a simple term for what was going on: Farce. He has seen such stuff on the news, but he never expected to play a part in one.

When the car stopped, Yeo Sung-Gu opened the door and announced, Please exit the car. The agent wasnt talking to Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon.

The yellow sports car driver answered, Weve arrived, Ahjussi?

Yes, Yeo Sung-Gu answered with a smile.

Hehehe! Hey, you guys should get out too, the one who picked the fight with Gi-Gyu leered and said to Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon. Then, he turned toward the agent and asked, You called plenty of men here, right?

Yes, Ive called enough to take care of these two. And just in case, I even invited a special gentleman here. When Yeo Sung-Gu explained respectfully, the sports car driver shrugged and replied, Oh, come on. Ahjussi, you overdid it. These jerks arent that strong.

The four men exited the car, followed by Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon. Gi-Gyu saw that they were standing in front of an abandoned factory. They thought they were being driven to the association building, but instead, they arrived at an abandoned factory in the outskirts of Seoul.[1] The surrounding area was so isolated and quiet that even murder could easily go unnoticed.

And that was most likely why Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon were brought here.

Sung-Hoon murmured in genuine displeasure, This is unbelievable. He had no idea this kind of corruption dirtied his workplace, the association.

Well, I suppose a fish can rot from the tail up, Gi-Gyu replied with a bitter smile. When the sports car driver saw Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon whispering leisurely, he shouted in annoyance, What the hell are you guys yapping about? Just get inside!

Yeo Sung-Gu, standing nearby, mumbled, Im sorry about this. Perhaps he still had a little conscience left inside him, but he didnt do anything more to right the wrong. Atop that, Gi-Gyu couldnt feel any genuine remorse from the agent. Yeo Sung-Gu was obviously in cahoots with the four men. This agent was bringing shame to the association name.

Sung-Hoon asked quietly, What are you planning to do?

Is there even a solution to this situation? When Gi-Gyu asked, Sung-Hoon tilted his head in contemplation and replied, I dont know. But what if we cant handle whats waiting for us inside?

Then we better run, shouldnt we? Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon chatted lazily. With a smirk, Gi-Gyu continued, Based on what I can feel from the inside of the factory, I dont think we have anything to worry about. Besides, I have you with me, Sung-Hoon.

Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon followed the men obediently. Gi-Gyu had assessed the players that were about to surround them, so he suggested, We better take care of the corrupt men here and now. Men like them can never elevate our society, so It would be better to get rid of them now so they cant do any more damage. And Sung-Hoon, you might get a bonus if we take care of the corruption within the association.

With a determined nod, Sung-Hoon followed Gi-Gyu into the building.

***

Before Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon could enter the building, several men in black suits searched them; Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon didnt resist. The men took away Sung-Hoons spear, but they didnt find anything on Gi-Gyu. More specifically, they couldnt find anything on him.

After the body search was completed, the men led Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon inside the factory. The place was filled with players, and Gi-Gyu could even feel someone with significant power hiding in the shadows.

One of the men in black suits ordered, Give me the dash cam memory card from your car. When the man raised his hand toward Gi-Gyu, Gi-Gyu took it out from his pocket and replied, You mean this?

This memory card had the footage of what had happened earlier, so Gi-Gyu took it when he was taken to the police station.

Gi-Gyu added, But I dont want to!

You bastard! the man in the black suit swore as he took a step forward to take the memory card away from Gi-Gyus hand. But instead, he ended up stumbling as Gi-Gyu dodged him with incredible speed.

The strongest player among the thugs present murmured, I guess we have a strong one here. Recognizing the man, Sung-Hoon tensed a little. But Gi-Gyu didnt turn toward Sung-Hoon to ask. Instead, he looked at the player and asked, You belong to the Phoenix Guild too?

The powerful player murmured, What a rude young man you are.

It wouldnt take a genius to realize that everyone in this factory belonged to the Phoenix Guild. What confused Gi-Gyu was how much sway the strategy department director held inside the guild. How could a single director command so many members for his personal use? On top of that, what they were doing right now was illegal. The director position was undoubtedly a powerful one. However, Gi-Gyu was still having a hard time believing he could send so many powerful members just to cover up his sons misdeed.

The culprit of this situation hid behind the black-suited players and yelled suddenly, Idiot! Youre standing in front of the Phoenix Guilds ranker, Choi Won-Jae!

Gi-Gyu couldnt help smiling as he watched the prodigal son. Didnt he brag earlier that he was also a player? So why was he hiding behind the ranker like a coward?

With a smirk on his face, Gi-Gyu mocked the ranker, How can you call yourself a ranker when you obey an idiot like that? You must be so embarrassed for yourself.

...

Youre supposed to be a proud ranker, yet you spend your days wiping these bastards asses?

Ugh Choi Won-Jaes face turned rigid in anger. Gi-Gyu usually didnt enjoy swearing, but he didnt exactly live a sheltered life. While working as a guide, he learned how to swear. But he learned the worst cuss words while working his various part-time jobs before becoming a player.

When Gi-Gyu criticized him mercilessly, Choi Won-Jaes face turned red. Still trying to sound calm, the ranker offered, If you give us that memory card and let the Young MasteI mean, this gentleman you assaulted earlier beat you until he feels better, we will let you live.

Choi Jae-Won talked like he was making a generous offer.

Young Master? So there is more to this than I thought, huh?

The rankers slip of the tongue allowed Gi-Gyu to learn a bit more about this situation. Looking worried, Sung-Hoon whispered to Gi-Gyu, You know that Choi Won-Jae is a pretty powerful ranker, right?

Dont worry. After reassuring Sung-Hoon, Gi-Gyu looked at Choi Won-Jae again and asked, And what if I refuse to give you my memory card?

Then youll leave in a body bag. With this threat, Choi Won-Jae began to move. Following his lead, the other Phoenix Guild members formed a circle around Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon. They were trying to prevent Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon from escaping the factory. It seemed like the men here had no intention of letting them live.

Haa I may be a novice driver, but all I did was try to get home, Gi-Gyu murmured in frustration.

I apologize, Sung-Hoon replied as if everything was his fault.

No, there is no need for you to apologize, Sung-Hoon, announced Gi-Gyu as he began stretching his neck.

-Will you be okay?

Lou asked.

Of course.

-But you need to remember that they are still humans.

Gi-Gyu grinned at Lous warning as he turned the Ego into a sword. He muttered, They arent human. Theyre nothing more than garbage.

Noticing the sword that appeared out of nowhere, the Phoenix Guild members exclaimed, W-where did that sword come from?

It must be a rare item!

Right before everyones eyes, a red and a white sword appeared in Gi-Gyus hands.

1. Seoul is the capital city of Korea.