The Demon God Returns as a Max Level Player – Chapter 32

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Donghyun Kim tried to continue pondering with a groan, but unfortunately, another unwelcome guest intruded.

“You don’t have to worry! Lee Sungjoon is a very dangerous guy! The reason I was suspended and couldn’t provide you with information is because I fell for his wicked scheme! We have to get rid of him as soon as possible!”

“I’ll think about it carefully and make a decision.”

Donghyun Kim frowned, finally losing his patience.

However, Dongjun Kim, oblivious to Donghyun Kim’s change in mood, continued,

“But…!”

Donghyun Kim sighed inwardly.

‘…He can’t even understand what I’m saying.’

He wanted to sever ties with him immediately, but it wasn’t the right time.

The position of Director of the Returnee Management Department had limitless uses.

“I’ll take care of this headache-inducing matter, so you can just relax. No, wait. I told the 1st Personnel Team to prepare a grand party, so why don’t you go there and enjoy yourself?”

At the word “party” from Donghyun Kim, Dongjun Kim, who had been fuming with anger, coughed awkwardly.

“Ahem…”

He didn’t need to see what would happen next.

Although he tried to hide it, a wide smile spread across Dongjun Kim’s face.

“I’ll go, if only to acknowledge the efforts of those who prepared it.”

Dongjun Kim stood up abruptly and hurriedly left.

As Dongjun Kim completely disappeared from sight, Team Leader Jaehoon Im carefully spoke.

“How shall we handle this?”

He asked the question, but there was no reply.

However, Jaehoon Im didn’t react at all.

Rather, he remained silent as if it were natural.

“…”

People said that the reason Hwansung was able to secure a spot among the five major guilds was due to the immense financial power of the Myungye Group.

This was half true and half false.

Even with abundant funds, they wouldn’t have been able to reach their position without the abilities of their Guild Master, Donghyun Kim.

Donghyun Kim was what people commonly called a snake.

He was cautious in everything and acted after predicting the best and worst-case scenarios.

Therefore, for Jaehoon Im, Donghyun Kim falling into deep thought was a familiar sight.

One minute, five minutes, ten minutes passed with a heavy silence filling the room, and finally, Donghyun Kim’s lips parted.

“I don’t think we need to take the risk.”

In the succession fight, he couldn’t say he had an overwhelming advantage over his eldest brother, Dongwan Kim’s faction.

However, since he firmly held the Hunter business, the most important industry on Earth these days, he would be able to confidently secure victory soon.

He didn’t have to worry much about his other siblings either.

Although they each held positions in their respective fields, they were merely fulfilling their roles adequately.

None of them showed exceptional performance.

Compared to them, he, Hwansung, was steadily growing stronger by recruiting talented individuals.

‘In any case, I need Dongjun Kim’s help, incompetent as he is, to maintain this growth.’

Although the probability was low, if Dongjun Kim were suspended again and there were problems with recruiting talent, there could be complications in the otherwise smooth succession fight.

Taking shortcuts was good, but there was no reason to create unnecessary variables.

“Let’s get rid of Lee Sungjoon.”

Since he had a record of hunting an Earth Worm alone, his actual combat power could be considered A-rank.

He wouldn’t be an easy opponent, but not to the point where they couldn’t handle him.

Of course, considering the rapid growth rate of returnees, he would become quite troublesome with just a little more time.

Therefore, they had to eliminate him this time.

Donghyun Kim, continuing his contemplation, slowly spoke.

“Call the Shadow Brothers.”

Kijun Kim and Kiyeol Kim, villains known more by their alias, the Shadow Brothers, than their individual names.

Even if Sungjoon Lee was a talent who hunted an Earth Worm alone, he wouldn’t be able to handle two A-rank villains simultaneously.

Moreover, they were the Shadow Brothers.

Despite both being competent A-rank villains, there was a reason why they were called the Shadow Brothers.

‘Masters of coordinated attacks, honed over a long time.’

In fact, if Kijun Kim and Kiyeol Kim were serious about their coordinated attacks, even A+-rank Hunters would struggle against them.

This meant that they didn’t have to worry about losing, even if any variables arose during the fight with Sungjoon Lee.

Perhaps because it was a fight with a predetermined outcome, a sinister smile spread across Jaehoon Im’s lips as he nodded.

“Understood.”

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The warning and threat from Hwansung, one of the five major guilds, was not something to be taken lightly.

Moreover, they had even mentioned his family.

Fortunately, he had the backing of the Association, a sturdy shield and an excellent source of information.

Of course, Sungjoon Lee, who had endured all sorts of hardships in the Thousand Continents, wouldn’t be foolish enough not to use this advantage.

Therefore, as he walked, he called Kang-hyun Jo and told him about his conversation with Jaehoon Im.

-Waiting in front of his house… I’m sorry. I should have concealed the information more thoroughly. It was my mistake.

Of course, it wasn’t Gang-hyun Jo’s mistake.

It was natural for those blinded by jealousy to come after him; it was just something that was bound to happen.

‘I actually thought it was strange that other guilds hadn’t approached me until now…’

Gang-hyun Jo and the Association had been working hard behind the scenes.

“No, I haven’t been harmed, so I don’t think you need to apologize.”

Now wasn’t the time to assign blame.

He had to thoroughly understand the Hwansung Guild.

Sungjoon Lee’s eyes narrowed.

“Can you tell me a little about Hwansung?”

-We haven’t found any concrete evidence yet, so we can only keep an eye on them, but Hwansung… Donghyun Kim is a dangerous person.

“I’d like to know more specifically.”

-He uses any means necessary to recruit Hunters he deems talented. The first method he uses is offering a contract fee that exceeds the industry’s highest. Of course, if it stopped there, he wouldn’t be classified as dangerous.

Gang-hyun Jo gulped audibly over the phone and continued.

-If the offer is refused, he kidnaps and threatens acquaintances… And although it’s still a rumor, I’ve also heard that he hires villains to carry out contract killings if they refuse to the very end.

Sungjoon Lee frowned.

‘I wasn’t mistaken.’

He acted innocent on the surface, but if Sungjoon continued to refuse silently like this, he would do anything.

Fortunately, Sungjoon Lee wasn’t the only one who sensed this ominous feeling.

-I’ll discuss it with the Vice President and arrange for some members of the Enforcement Team to be assigned as special bodyguards for your family.

As expected, having the Association and Gang-hyun Jo as his backing was a good decision.

He pinpointed exactly what he needed and provided it without having to ask.

“Thank you again.”

-Don’t mention it. Rather, we’re the ones who are grateful. You chose our Association over the enormous offer from Hwansung.

His attitude was also admirable.

He recognized gratitude and treated him accordingly.

A faint smile was playing on Sungjoon Lee’s lips when,

-Anyway, I’ll report this to the Vice President right away.

“Yes, I’ll be waiting for your update.”

About ten minutes after the call ended, his smartphone vibrated, notifying him of a new message.

Buzz-

Sungjoon Lee immediately checked the message, as it was the update he had been waiting for.

‘This should put my mind at ease for a while.’

The Enforcement Team 2, one of the Association’s top combat units, had been assigned as his family’s dedicated bodyguards for three months.

‘I’ve bought enough time.’

No, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he had bought more time than he had expected.

However, since it concerned his family’s safety, he had no intention of being complacent.

‘I’ll take every precaution.’

He would become stronger as quickly as possible.

Strong enough that Hwansung would never again dare to mention anything related to his family.

Just then, a gate emitting a red aura came into view at the edge of his sight.

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Four days later.

Roar!

Sungjoon Lee, standing amidst a pack of red wolves charging towards him, started to move.

Whoosh!

With every swipe, Sungjoon Lee’s figure smoothly brushed past the wolves, their heads exploding like watermelons.

The number of wolves, initially around five, began to dwindle rapidly.

Finally, the last one remained.

Crack!

“Kuwang-!”

As his fist crushed the wolf’s head, a cheerful sound rang in his ears.

Ding!

For three days, Sungjoon Lee had devoted all his time, except for minimal rest, to hunting.

The results were outstanding.

He had leveled up four times, reaching level 40.

He had achieved in just four days what normally took an average of 40 days, over a month.

This was possible thanks to the excellent hunting grounds provided by the Association under the pretense of safety inspections and Sungjoon Lee’s incredibly fast hunting speed, far surpassing common sense.

It was an achievement made possible by the perfect synergy.

However, there was something else that made Sungjoon Lee even happier.

A smile naturally appeared on Sungjoon Lee’s lips.

‘I’ve finally reached it.’

2nd class advancement. Through this ability, often referred to as the power of the system, he could rapidly become stronger.

The difference in combat power between Hunters before and after their 2nd class advancement was clear.

‘It’s like instantly jumping up a rank.’

Considering that Hunters usually had to level up dozens of times to increase their rank, this was truly tremendous growth.

And simply put, it meant that he could achieve rapid growth, his current top priority.

With no reason to hesitate, Sungjoon Lee immediately nodded and expressed his intention.

‘Y.’

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