"Wow..."

Cheongdamgaok, the safe house.

This place was a luxurious single-family house in Cheongdam-dong, and true to its status as the highest-grade safe house owned by the Union, everything about it was incredible.

The three-story house might even surpass the Kaiser Cheongdam in terms of size and quality.

"And they even have management staff waiting nearby to respond within minutes of a call..."

Suho had only heard about this place, but seeing it in person was beyond his imagination.

Everything was beyond expectation.

But, he couldn’t let his astonishment show in front of Nam Hae-won, so he acted naturally.

"You can choose a comfortable room to stay in, and for the laboratory, you’ll use the one on the third floor. For materials needed for your research, you can order them through a shopping service."

"Thank you!"

Suho had already received information about the house on his phone, so he knew its layout well.

After sending Nam Hae-won a guide for the guest house, Suho got ready to head to the Nexus headquarters.

Now that he had secured Nam Hae-won, it was time to handle some business with Nexus.

But just then, his phone rang.

It was Jo Jin-hwi.

Suho couldn’t help but chuckle when he saw Jo Jin-hwi’s name on the screen.

"Perfect timing."

He had been planning to contact Jo Jin-hwi soon anyway, and here he was calling first. The man really had a knack for timing.

Suho happily answered the call.

"Hello?"

• "Hunter Ahn, what are you up to?"

"I was just about to head to Nexus."

• "Why Nexus?"

"Actually, there’s something I wanted to tell you, and this is a good opportunity."

• "To me?"

"Yes, I had an encounter earlier today..."

Suho briefly explained the situation with Nam Hae-won and the Changshik Gang.

Jo Jin-hwi listened casually at first but soon adjusted his posture, placing the phone on his shoulder and typing on his laptop.

"I see."

• "Wow..."

A pure exclamation of admiration.

It was understandable.

Suho had gone into the heart of a gangster's den, knocked out thugs, and dismantled the entire organization. Who wouldn’t be impressed?

Especially considering it had all taken place in one of Seoul’s most notorious slums, Yeongdeungpo.

After finishing his typing, Jo Jin-hwi leaned back in his chair and spoke.

• "By the way, based on what you're telling me, it seems like you want this incident to be covered in the media. What focus should we take?"

"The incompetence of the police and the Great Hunter's Association should be the focus. Nam Hae-won kept reaching out for help, but both organizations ignored him."

• "The police, sure, but the Great Hunter's Association too?"

Jo Jin-hwi asked with some surprise.

It made sense for him to be confused.

The police had no direct connection with Suho, but the Great Hunter’s Association was the very organization Suho was about to join.

But Suho brushed it off, speaking nonchalantly.

"I have no reason to cover for the organization I’m joining. If something is wrong, it should be criticized. That way, they’ll learn not to do it again."

• "Haha, well, government organizations won’t change just because they’re criticized, but it’s definitely something we can stir up. If that’s your aim..."

"What do you mean?"

• "Publishing just one or two short articles about this incident won’t have much impact. So, how about we make it a special feature? We’ll start by showcasing the reality of Yeongdeungpo’s slums, highlighting the Changshik Gang, which has been consuming the area. Then, when we find out that the gang was dismantled, we’ll reveal Suho’s involvement. We’ll grab attention that way."

Suho laughed.

Jo Jin-hwi really knew how to read the situation.

This was exactly the kind of media coverage Suho was aiming for, but asking for it outright would be a bit awkward.

Fortunately, Jo Jin-hwi, with his sharp sense, knew exactly what Suho wanted.

"You’re making it sound like I planned this from the start," Suho said humbly.

• "Oh, you’re always so modest. A modest guy like you called me even before tackling the Tower of Challenges?"

"Haha, that’s true."

• "Alright, I’ll try building up some momentum. A special feature in parts 3 to 4 should get some reactions. I’ll contact you once the draft is ready."

"I’d really appreciate that. Oh, and by the way, I forgot to mention—because of this incident, I plan to assist with the rehabilitation of the drug victims affected by the Changshik Gang."

• "Oh, that’ll give us even more material. And it’ll improve Nexus’s image as well. Was this your plan too?"

"Haha, it’s just that Nexus is a guild I trust, so I wanted to help."

• "Haha, I got it, I got it. But now that I have some free time, I was thinking of having a meal with you, but looks like things are getting busy again."

"We’ll have dinner another time. Actually, I think I’ll have a housewarming soon."

• "Huh? So sudden? I’m going to miss the smell of people around here. It was nice having some human presence..."

"Did you really get a chance to enjoy it? You barely even showed your face."

• "Haha, I guess you’re right. Alright, where is your new place?"

"Close to your place, actually. It’s not far, so feel free to drop by later."

• "Got it, I’ll visit."

Suho ended the call and happily hopped into his car.

Vroom!

His car headed for the Nexus headquarters.

At the Nexus Headquarters

"The Changshik Gang?"

"Yes, their name is Golden Maiden Hand, and they are a criminal gang operating in Yeongdeungpo."

Suho explained to Bae Dong-hyeok about Nam Hae-won and the Changshik Gang.

The main reason he was telling Bae Dong-hyeok was to bring Nam Hae-won into Nexus and officially recruit him as a Banshee member.

The second reason was to involve Nexus in assisting the drug victims of the Changshik Gang, thus improving Nexus’s public image.

"Good intentions are useless if no one acknowledges them."

In life, working like a bear is fine, but the more successful path is being a fox who knows how to show off their efforts.

Suho wanted Nexus to be that kind of fox—a trusted and loved one by the public.

As he mentioned Jo Jin-hwi’s special article, Bae Dong-hyeok chuckled.

"Haha, seems like you’ve got it all planned out, Hunter. Of course, if you're laying the groundwork like this, we should definitely support you. It’d be foolish not to. If you give us the list, we’ll take care of it."

"Thanks."

"But are you really going to make the neutralizers yourself? That’s not an easy task."

"It’s fine. Nam Hae-won is already working on it, and soon he’ll have a decent neutralizer. So..."

"Ah, of course. As long as the performance is solid, we’ll buy all of it and use it to help people."

"Thanks."

Bae Dong-hyeok gave his approval.

Suho knew that soon Nam Hae-won would create an excellent neutralizer.

Nam Hae-won had already been using his personal trait to create neutralizers and detoxify himself.

Suho had requested Nexus to buy those neutralizers so that Nam Hae-won could benefit significantly.

"It’s a win-win situation where I don’t even need to spend my own money."

Bae Dong-hyeok spoke up again.

"By the way, it seems like Jo Jin-hwi picked the perfect timing. From what you’re saying, it sounds like the article will come out after you’ve joined the Great Hunter’s Association. That’s perfect timing for the spotlight on you."

"I wasn’t planning on that, but it does look like that’s how it’ll play out."

"Haha, in that case, once the article comes out, the Great Hunter’s Association will owe you one."

It was true.

The article would criticize the police and the association as a whole, and if Suho’s accomplishments were highlighted, the association could use that opportunity to improve their image.

Suho shook Bae Dong-hyeok’s hand with a smile and left the headquarters.

Before heading back to Cheongdamgaok, he activated his skill.

[Entering Dimensional Pocket House.]

Inside the Dimensional Pocket, chaos awaited.

"What a mess."

Everywhere there were signs of destruction.

Im Changshik had gone wild, unable to endure his withdrawal symptoms.

Bloodstains were smeared on the walls and floors, where he had scratched or headbutted in a desperate frenzy.

Suho saw Im Changshik crouched in the corner, a shattered syringe still clenched in his hand.

"Nice effect."

The timing had been perfect.

If he had appeared earlier, Im Changshik might have attacked him.

Suho retrieved several Illusion syringes from his inventory and placed them before the man.

He then used Recovery on him.

[Recovery activated.]

White light enveloped him.

Im Changshik flinched before slowly lifting his head.

"Ugh...?"

"Stop pretending. Get a grip."

"!!"

Im Changshik’s eyes widened as he recognized Suho. He charged at him.

With the effects of Recovery neutralizing some of the drug’s influence, Im Changshik’s sanity returned quickly.

But Suho kicked him hard and pinned him down.

Even though he was pinned, Im Changshik was still furious.

"You bastard! Get me out of here! Please, let me out! I’ll do anything, anything! Please! Please!"

"Still not sober, huh? It’s only been a day, right? You sure have a lot of energy. You’ve already used up the drug I left for you."

"You bastard! Please, let me out!"

"No."

Suho kicked him again, breaking his shoulder.

The pain made Im Changshik scream, and when Suho kicked him in the head, he collapsed unconscious.

"How many victims are there, and how much pain did they endure? After just a day, you think you can get off easy? Not a chance."

With the life draining out of him like a fresh fish, Suho decided it was time to leave.

He exited the Dimensional Pocket and headed back to Cheongdamgaok.

But as soon as he arrived at Cheongdamgaok, he heard footsteps.

"Hunter!"

Nam Hae-won came rushing downstairs from the upper floor.

Suho asked, "What’s wrong?"

"I did it! I made it!"

"Made what?"

"The neutralizer!"

"What?"

Suho couldn’t believe it. He had only been gone for two hours. How had Nam Hae-won already made a neutralizer?

Suho stared at the neutralizer with an astonished expression.