The Demon God Returns as a Max Level Player – Chapter 54

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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“Huh…”

An ambiguous sound, somewhere between a groan and a sigh, escaped Yoon Min-soo’s lips. Who was his disciple, Song Seung-jun?

He possessed skills comparable to mid-to-high-ranking S+ rank hunters. And this Song Seung-jun had just said he might need to use 90% of his power.

Yoon Min-soo asked in astonishment, “Are you saying Hunter Lee Seong-joon, who returned to Earth only two months ago, has already reached S+ rank?”

“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes, so I’m certain.”

A chuckle escaped Yoon Min-soo’s lips.

“Huh…”

While returnees were known for their rapid growth, this was beyond common sense.

“It seems… a new wind is blowing.”

For nearly a decade, nothing had happened to shake up the guild rankings. He’d thought the hunter scene had stabilized after all this time, but it turned out to be the calm before the storm. But there was no need for undue concern.

‘Nuri has my disciple, Seung-jun.’

Even Song Seung-jun’s current skills were just the tip of the iceberg. This wasn’t just a master’s bias. Song Seung-jun was a true genius.

‘A true genius, with talent surpassing even mine, a Sword Master.’

While Lee Seong-joon’s growth was extraordinary, as a returnee, he would eventually hit the same wall he’d encountered in the other world.

‘…Even I, hailed as the strongest, am in that state.’

But his disciple, Song Seung-jun, was different. He would continue to push forward.

‘And eventually, he’ll reach the legendary realm of Grand Sword Master, a level I couldn’t attain.’

Therefore, he was certain.

‘In the end, it will be our Nuri who claims first place.’ A confident smile spread across Yoon Min-soo’s face.

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At the same time, in the Baekho Guild’s conference room, Oh Kyung-hyun’s elated voice echoed.

“Hahaha!”

It was only natural. Favorable articles flooded the media after Lee Seong-joon’s victory in the raid gate, and the name Baekho was on everyone’s lips.

Baekho Guild’s stock price was skyrocketing. But what truly pleased Oh Kyung-hyun was something else.

“Kim Dong-hyun, that snake, actually made such a blunder!”

Kim Dong-hyun had been visibly shaken by the news of Lee Dong-ju’s death. Losing his usual composure, he’d overstepped his bounds, ultimately bowing his head in a public apology.

He’d gone there expecting to finally escape last place, only to lose face instead. The thought of Kim Dong-hyun fuming and ranting brought a smile to Oh Kyung-hyun’s face.

“Hunter Lee Seong-joon… I wondered why Go Tae-hyun cherished him so much. Now I know.”

Taking first place over Nuri’s Song Seung-jun spoke volumes about his skills as a hunter. But he wasn’t just a skilled fighter. His political acumen and eloquence were also impressive.

He’d not only skillfully used his position and the situation to create justification for himself, but also accurately pointed out Kim Dong-hyun’s rudeness, using it as leverage.

“A treasure, a true treasure.”

While he’d managed to contact and contract Lee Seong-joon earlier than others, he couldn’t be complacent.

‘I need to build rapport and strengthen our relationship before others try to get a piece of the action.’

His gaze shifted to Park Seung-min, the Baekho Guild’s chief financial officer, who was sitting nearby.

“Did you look into the Spirit’s Tears that Hunter Lee Seong-joon requested?”

“Yes, I did, but…”

“Is there a problem?”

“The seller wants the entire 300 billion won payment in cash, specifically US dollars.”

300 billion won was a significant sum, but not beyond Baekho Guild’s financial capabilities. However, paying in cash was a different story.

Even for large corporations with flexible funds, paying 300 billion won in a lump sum wasn’t easy. Especially for a private company like Baekho Guild, which relied on constant capital flow, a decrease in cash reserves would undoubtedly create problems.

Oh Kyung-hyun frowned.

“Are there no other sellers?”

“As you know, it’s used to treat Mana Syndrome, and it’s so rare that the market supply is extremely limited. The seller is taking advantage of that. That’s why I’m asking…,” Park Seung-min said cautiously, gauging Oh Kyung-hyun’s reaction.

“If it’s alright with you… could you ask Hunter Lee Seong-joon if he could request a different item?”

Despite the thorough explanation, Oh Kyung-hyun’s response was cold.

“Are you asking me to go back on my word?”

“But… if 300 billion won in cash assets is withdrawn at once, our Baekho Guild will face financial difficulties this year.”

Park Seung-min tried his best to persuade him, but Oh Kyung-hyun’s expression remained unchanged. However, he wasn’t blindly pushing forward.

“Don’t worry about that. Since it was a contract I made personally, I’ll cover it with my own funds.”

“…Are you sure?”

300 billion won was a huge amount, a significant expense even for an SS+ rank hunter like Oh Kyung-hyun. It could impact his personal finances. But he had to secure the Spirit’s Tears to build trust.

‘Hunter Lee Seong-joon will be the one to reshape the power dynamics of Korea.’

His instincts as a businessman and an SS+ rank hunter were screaming at him. Some might dismiss it as mere intuition.

But Oh Kyung-hyun had benefited greatly from his instincts throughout his hunter career and the founding of Baekho Guild. He had to demonstrate his trustworthiness by providing the Spirit’s Tears and solidify his relationship with Hunter Lee Seong-joon.

“I’m fine, so proceed.”

Despite Oh Kyung-hyun’s firm words, Park Seung-min hesitated, a worried expression on his face. He wasn’t concerned about Oh Kyung-hyun’s finances.

“If your wife finds out, she won’t let this go.”

“…”

Oh Kyung-hyun’s usually confident face paled.

“Two years ago, you spent 100 billion won of your own money on artifacts as gifts for guild members returning from a gate raid, and you ended up sleeping in the hallway…”

Park Seung-min reminded him of the unpleasant memory. But Oh Kyung-hyun wasn’t one to back down. This was something he had to do now.

“Chief Park, you got married late last year, right?”

“Yes.”

“As a senior with six years of marriage experience, let me give you some advice. It’s always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.”

Oh Kyung-hyun winked, and Park Seung-min nodded with a deeply moved expression.

“Thank you for your invaluable advice. I’ll keep it close to my heart.”

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The battle with Eliorus had taken its toll, forcing Lee Seong-joon to rest at home for three days after the raid. While it wasn’t a long time, it felt like a significant break for someone who constantly hunted and trained.

‘Tsk…’

Fortunately, he hadn’t suffered any real losses. In fact, he’d gained immensely.

‘My level increased significantly in the raid gate.’

From 60 to 68, a gain of eight levels.

‘An unexpected harvest.’

After his second class advancement at level 60, the required experience points had increased drastically. Even Yoon Min-soo, Korea’s strongest hunter, needed at least two months, and globally renowned rankers needed a month to gain a single level.

Even Lee Seong-joon wouldn’t have achieved this level gain in four days of hunting for ten hours a day in ordinary gates. So, the level-up alone was a considerable gain.

But what truly brought him satisfaction was something else. With a smile, Lee Seong-joon unlocked the wooden box on his lap.

‘Spirit’s Tears.’

The reward for securing first place in the raid gate, and the cure for his mother’s Mana Syndrome.

‘I finally have it…’

Even with wealth, a comfortable home, and a happy life, there had always been a shadow in his heart: his mother’s illness. She tried to hide it, not wanting to burden the family, but it wasn’t easy for her.

Even with constant treatment and care, the excruciating pain, a symptom of Mana Syndrome, would return. And the pain, which could strike at any time, was described as a searing agony. He’d witnessed his mother collapsing in pain countless times, both during his adolescence and adulthood.

Back then, he could only watch helplessly. But not anymore.

‘I can cure her.’

Lee Seong-joon rushed out of his room and knocked on his parents’ bedroom door.

-Knock knock

“Yes?”

It was 1 PM, normally a time when everyone would be out, but it was the weekend, so he heard his parents’ voices before the door opened.

“Son, what’s wrong?”

As Kim Ji-young tilted her head and asked, Lee Seong-joon smiled brightly and presented the wooden box.

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