The Player that Can’t Level Up

Chapter 195: Attack (2)

The Caravan Guild and the Iron Guild are monitoring Korea very closely. Most Korean guilds have sided with them too. At first, we expected the Angela Guild would take over after the KPAs demise, but with what happened to Lee Sun-Ho I think the other Korean guilds had no choice but to submit to the powers that be.

Heo Sung-Hoon was explaining what he had learned in the outside world. Important figures within the gate were all listening attentively, including Gi-Gyu, El, Lou, Hal, Old Man Hwang, Hwang Chae-Il, Hart, and Botis.

Ugh The room was filled with mighty beings, so the physical and mental pressure made Sung-Hoon quite nervous. The creatures seemed oblivious to each others power, probably because they were used to it.

But it was a different story for Sung-Hoon.

I feel like Im suffocating. Sung-Hoon felt like he had been dropped in a high-level gate. He discreetly wiped the sweat bullets on his forehead and continued, Honestly, I believe destroying the Caravan Guild or the Iron Guild right now wouldnt change anything. The lives of the regular citizens havent changed much just because the KPA is gone. Im sorry to say this, but

Sung-Hoon glanced around nervously as he added, The population considers the players and the association a part of the ruling class. They wouldnt notice a difference even if the ruling class changed until the new ruler acts like a tyrant or makes a huge mistake. In fact, the non-players

Old Man Hwang interrupted and asked, Are you saying the people are actually happy with the change?

Yes, Sung-Hoon answered. After the Caravan Guild and the Iron Guild took over, the number of gate appearances and gate breaks has decreased significantly.

Is that actually possible? asked Old Man Hwang in confusion.

Sung-Hoon mumbled, Im not sure, but there is a rumor that the Caravan Guild either knows the conditions to open a gate or a method to decrease gate appearances.

Ha. Tsk. Old Man Hwang clicked his tongue.

Its actually possible. Hwang Chae-Il suggested as he turned toward Lou. Hwang Chae-Il explained, Andras has more secrets than you may believe. Think about how he planned to create a shell that could hold Satan and Lucifer. He is a class apart from other demons. So, him being able to control gate openings isnt completely out of the question.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Old Man Hwang mumbled, So Caravan Guild isnt the problem here. Our priority should be Andras.

Actually, the Caravan Guild is Andras, replied Hwang Chae-Il.

With a shrug, Lou announced, Well, whatever the situation, we know one thing. We must continue with our original plan and destroy them all.

Gi-Gyu smiled and agreed, True. Thats our plan.

With this, the meeting was over.

Gi-Gyu ordered, Now! Its time to prepare ourselves. This will be a little different from what we did in Yeoksam city. Since we cant make up a gate break this time, there will be an actual gate break.

Everyone had a fairly good idea of the overall plan. All they needed to do was prepare and attack.

Gi-Gyu turned toward Sung-Hoon and said, As for you, Sung-Hoon, you need to

Sung-Hoon glanced at Go Hyung-Chul and replied, Work with Go Hyung-Chul, right?

Yes. As you know, Go Hyung-Chul is a player paparazzo, so his ability to collect information is incredible. We cant trust him with our life, but since we have the same goal, we can rely on him for this one, Gi-Gyu answered.

Go Hyung-Chul was indeed working with them since he also wanted to destroy the Caravan Guild to learn more about Project Adam.

Gi-Gyu announced to everyone, You can all leave now. Please work hard till the end. Hwang Chae-Il, could you stay behind.

You want to talk about Lou. All right, replied Hwang Chae-Il.

Lou was a respected figure inside the gate. Gi-Gyu didnt know the hierarchy among his Egos, but whatever it might have been, he knew Lou and El were at the top of this system.

Everyone finally left. Sung-Hoon and Go Hyung-Chul would be collecting information till the last moment. They already had a good understanding of the branch they planned on destroying.

Gi-Gyu turned toward Hwang Chae-Il. Lou and El were still present in the room as well. Being a part of Gi-Gyu, their place would always be beside Gi-Gyu.

Glancing at Lou, still trapped in his child form, Gi-Gyu asked, Is there anything you can do?

***

Lous child-like body was an expression of his weakened state. His fight with Gi-Gyuin which he overdrew on his energy reservehad left his shell shaken, resulting in him receiving a penalty-like backlash. Since he couldnt use all of his abilities at the moment, it was feared that this might become Lous weakness.

There is a way, Hwang Chae-Il replied.

Oh! Lou exclaimed in excitement. He had been frustrated about his current state, so this news was welcoming.

So, what is it? Lou asked rudely, but Gi-Gyu couldn't blame him. After all, Lou had to be much older than Hwang Chae-Il.

Hwang Chae-Il answered, You can find your original body.

What? Lou frowned. This was clearly impossible, and Lou knew this very well. He knew exactly what had happened to his old body. Even Hwang Chae-Il knew this story.

Are you trying to pick a fight with me?! It seemed like Lou was about to fly into a rage.

But, Hwang Chae-Il continued, If this isnt possible, then there is another way.

Gi-Gyu began to wonder if Hwang Chae-Il didnt like Lou.

Your current body is made of Satans body. Satan was originally made of two forms, was he not? asked Hwang Chae-Il.

Thats right

Exactly. Thats why his body was incredibly fluid. The body was tailor-made to ensure Satan could easily exert his power. This was also why we could give you those wings and horns.

Lou nodded before yelling, But I didnt ask for this bodys details! Im telling you I dont want to live in a childs body! I never wanted this!

Does Lou have bad childhood memories or something?

Hwang Chae-Il smiled and replied, I understand, and thats why Im trying to explain the solution. Your current body is made of Satans body, but its not perfect because it only has bits and pieces of Satan.

Hwang Chae-Il continued, So all you need to do is collect and bring me more of Satans body. You will no longer suffer such a penalty once you have Satans complete physical form. Until then, there is, unfortunately, nothing we can do, so be prudent when using a large amount of your power. Thats all you can do. As for your current state, it should return to normal in time.

Tsk! Lou was annoyed.

But Gi-Gyu felt they were given a fair solution. Mr. Hwang Chae-Il.

Yes, Master, replied Hwang Chae-Il.

You dont have to call me Master. Please dont be so formal; it makes me uncomfortable, Gi-Gyu requested.

Of course. Hwang Chae-Il nodded.

Gi-Gyu smiled and promised, I swear, Ill bring him back. Im sure hes safe.

Gi-Gyu was referring to Hwang Chae-Ils son, Min-Su. Whenever Hwang Chae-Il looked at Gi-Gyu, it seemed like he wanted to say something. Gi-Gyu suspected that it was about Min-Sus safety.

Hwang Chae-Il nodded and thanked Gi-Gyu.

Meanwhile, Lou wasnt paying any attention to the conversation. He mumbled to himself, I like this. So all I need to do is take back what I gave those bastards? Im already excited at the prospect of hunting them all down.

Lou was smiling, but everyone in the room could feel his fury.

***

Haa I cant believe we were given such a demeaning job like monitoring, a member of the Caravan Guild grumbled. This player was once a part of a small guild, but the Caravan Guild had scouted him when he became a ranker. The money and the benefits offered were so tempting that he had accepted without question. Here in the new guild, he had received much training.

Accompanied by other guild members with similar levels, he was currently monitoring a small neighborhood. Their job was to monitor the magic flow in the area and report back. It was indeed a menial job for a ranker.

But of course, they werent full-fledged rankers yet. They were all from small guilds where their potential turned them into big stars. However, here, in the big league, they were considered novice rankers. And these players, they had barely reached this far.

Another player, usually reticent, replied, Dont be so discontent. This is a good gig for us. Hunting in the gates or the Tower can be very dangerous, and it still would never pay this well.

I guess youre right, the first player agreed grudgingly.

The quiet player was right. Compared to those risking their lives in the Tower and the gates, they were getting paid much more. Some of these players werent even proper rankers, so they just needed to be thankful that they received such high salaries for an easy job like this.

The group's newest member asked, So why are we monitoring this place?

What? Didnt you go through the training before coming here? asked the first man who had first complained.

This monitoring job was given only to those who had undergone rigorous training, but the newbie seemed to have skipped that step. The first player thought this was odd, but he ignored it.

The newest member explained, Yes. They told me they were short-staffed, so I should get the training out here.

Hmm

Another member shrugged and spoke up, Well, that makes sense. You know how many players are being dispatched to the monitoring positions lately. Remember that one time they detected an odd magic flow? They found nothing even after dispatching numerous players, but they doubled down and dispatched more players for this job.

Thats true. The first player nodded. As if he were teaching a child, he finally answered the newbies question, Youre gonna be floored when you hear what this place is.

Pardon? the newbie asked. The first player was purposefully trying to scare the newbie.

The first player announced, You know the most wanted player, right? His house is located in this area.

The most wanted player?!

They were referring to Kim Gi-Gyu.

The newbie asked, But why would they dispatch so many players to the area with that guys house? Its just his house, right?

I know, right? This is Kim Gi-Gyus house. So why should we have to monitor it? I mean The Caravan Guild is a powerful group. It should have been able to destroy him and his house by now! So why is his house considered so important? the first man grumbled.

Finally, the man who had been here the longest spoke, Dont say things like that. I think there is something inside that place. Ive heard that the Caravan Guild sent a team there, and

The player spoke like he was telling a horror story. None of them returned.

What?

They were all at our level. Some of them were even stronger than us, yet none could escape the house. Maybe there is a barrier of some kind? Anyway, thats why we are doing this right now.

Thats crazy, the first man whispered. I mean Is there a gate inside that place or something? This doesnt make any sense.

Who knows? If youre so curious, go inside and take a look.

The first man couldnt answer. He tried his best, but he couldn't hide his fear. After a short silence, he commented, Ugh Anyway, dont you think it would be amazing if we could find Kim Gi-Gyu while monitoring his house? I heard hes close to being a high-ranker now. If we capture him, we can retire.

Hey, didnt you hear what happened? That group that tried to take down Kim Gi-Gyu on the 51st floor was massacred.

Thats probably because they didnt do it right.

Hey! shouted the newbie.

The other players asked in surprise, Whats wrong?!

Doesnt it look strange over there?

Where?

The novice player belonged to the sensor category, which made him more sensitive to energy changes compared to the others who were fighters. When the others looked at where the newbie was pointing, they became confused.

What do you mean?

That spot has no more magic, the novice player replied.

What?

Im telling you that the energy I could feel from over there has disappeared!

An awkward silence fell before the team leader asked, What are you talking about? I cant feel anything from there.

The newbie became upset, as no one believed him. But somethings not right there!

Hey! Wait! The leader suddenly realized something. He whispered, Are we supposed to be a group of five?

Normally, all the units were made of four players. Yet, at the moment

There were five of them standing. Except for the newbie, the rest knew each other very well.

Suddenly, the leader found his thoughts lagging. To be precise, he couldnt think because his head was on the floor.

Slice.

Idiots. Took you long enough.

...!

The players stared at the player holding a red dagger. His ability to blend in was so incredible that the others, who were rankers, didnt even notice anything wrong. But now that he had shown himself, it was obvious he didnt belong here.

Enemy! a real team member shouted.

Did you figure that out just now? the spy, Go Hyung-Chul, mumbled and moved his dagger again. He grumbled in annoyance as he muttered, Why are rankers so weak nowadays? Do they just pick them out randomly?