Han Dae Sung Returned From Hell - Chapter 23

# 23

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I knew without looking that the two flames were runes of soul count reduction and expansion, respectively.

But what about the golden brilliance?

‘It would be best to check other items first.’

Before finding out the identity of the mysterious light, I decided that it was urgent to check the information on the item that I came here for.

“Collection.”

Daesung focused his gaze on the two flames and muttered briefly.

Then, the flames on the far left floated and gathered on the middle finger of Daesung’s right hand.

When the fire subsided, a black ring with a purple crystal was placed on Daesung’s middle finger.

[Reward Information]

Name: Soul Count

Category: Artifact

‘This is a unique treasure that only the Demon King possesses. The rune stone attached to the ring absorbs the soul of the dead and turns them into a ghost.’

Special Skill 1 [Imprisonment]: When the designated target dies, the target’s soul can be imprisoned in an artifact.

Special Skill 2 [Resurrection]: You can resurrect an imprisoned soul as a command soldier.

Special Skill 3 [Memory Sharing]: You can observe some of the memories of the designated command.

[Amount of currently imprisoned souls: 0 / 20]

If the Demon God was the strongest in Hell as a single entity, the Demon King is the one who ruled one of the thrones of Hell with overwhelming numbers through a reduction in the number of souls.

As can be seen from the viewing information, one artifact had as many as three skills potential.

Of course, I did not expect the power of the skill.

The command soldier summoned by Daeseong, not the Ghost King, was very weak.

Also, the amount of souls that can be imprisoned is not very large.

Although it was a bright dog apricot, there was nothing like it for the original purpose of ‘collecting corpses’ and ‘securing information’.

‘But I guess twenty is too few.’

Of course, there was no way to compensate for this shortcoming.

The flame in the center died down and a second reward was created.

What was created this time was not a reward in the form of any item.

A letter written with the word “death” was engraved on the floor, sizzling fire.

Rune of expansion.

Daesung held out his right hand, which was wearing a soul number, in the direction where the text was engraved.

[Would you like to engrave the ‘Rune of Expansion’ into the soul cell? Yes / No]

Daesung just nodded without saying a word.

Soon, the rune of expansion became a flame again, burning, and was absorbed into the purple crystal.

The light flowing from the crystal further increased the brightness.

[Current amount of imprisoned souls: 0 / 100]

The acceptance limit has increased exactly five times.

It doesn’t matter how much it costs since it will only be used for disposing of corpses anyway, but wouldn’t it be wise to take what you can with you?

‘The purpose of coming here has been achieved.’

If you add up the time of crossing the River of the Dead and the time of knocking down the obelisk, wouldn’t it be a little less than 30 minutes?

Slowly, I started to become concerned about the corpse left in the remote alley.

but.

‘Whatever I can get, I hold onto even the dust.’

Daesung’s eyes were fixed on the third and final golden brilliance.

I don’t know what that is.

However, there is no way the system hit a strange trap regarding compensation.

Daesung, who was able to survive hell thanks to the blessings of the system, never doubted that fact.

[Some demonic beasts shudder at the evil energy flowing from the light.]

[The demonic beasts of Pandemonium ask the Absolute to be cautious!]

“Do I have any obligation to follow what you say?”

The demon beasts felt that it was scary, but Daeseong didn’t feel anything strange.

He commanded, looking at the flames.

Collection.

phut-!

Then the light exploded.

The scattered light was broken into particles and concentrated on the back of Daesung’s left hand.

yet.

“This?”

Daesung raised his eyes.

There was something like a mark engraved on the back of my hand.

No, at first glance, it looked more like just a scar drawn diagonally.

The mark was a mark, but the simple design and the location on the back of the hand made it look like a ‘part’ of a tattoo.

It was then.

Dang –

I thought I heard a bell, but suddenly my son-in-law was illuminated by light.

“What again?”

Daesung frowned, covering the dazzling light with his hand.

Before I knew it, a hologram message surrounded by a gold band appeared before my eyes.

A hologram of a different type from the messages from hell engulfed in intense flames that I always saw.

[…you… have… obtained… the grudge… that was… before. 1 / 3]

Every part of the sentence was erased, as if someone had erased it with an eraser.

What he knew for sure was that there were two more marks he had obtained.

“You wasted your time.”

Although I wasn’t interested.

I thought it was something beneficial, but I couldn’t help but be annoyed by the fact that it was just a puzzle piece that I didn’t understand.

After completing the collection of reward items, Daesung immediately returned to reality.

***

Many people were crowded into a large shelter set up near Gwanak-gu Office.

They were citizens who hurriedly hid themselves to avoid the gate fracture that suddenly occurred in the food alley of Nangok-dong.

They had been spending their time as if they were dead just an hour ago, but now they were slowly leaving the shelter under the guidance of the staff.

“Did you see the live broadcast?”

“Wow, that was no joke.”

“The cubs of the local hunting team were eaten completely raw.”

“But who is he?”

Today, quite a bit of time has passed since monsters poured out and hunters showed great activity.

The public is no longer surprised by the existence of monsters or hunters.

Nevertheless, the topic of citizens escaping the shelter was centered on an unidentified hunter.

An unknown hero who appears unknowingly and sweeps away a horde of goblins all by himself!

The hero’s fierceness captured in the video of an Internet broadcast BJ instantly created a stir tonight.

‘What should I do?’

Just one person.

Seong Chan-ho, the only one who knows the identity of the hero, expresses his disapproval.

‘This guy is really annoying.’

He swallowed dryly while watching the video uploaded to the video site.

The person captured blurry on the screen was undoubtedly Daesung.

People couldn’t even see Daesung’s appearance because the hunters were running wild, adding news after news, and the crowd was blocking the screen.

‘If this guy goes and gets judged, he’ll definitely get a B grade. Oh no, maybe if I do well at Grade A….’

That was the conviction I had as the head of the sales team of a large clan.

‘But this guy isn’t hurt anywhere, is he?’

Even though I knew it was unnecessary, I couldn’t help but feel that worry.

Just as I was about to take out my cell phone and call Daesung.

Beep-!

As soon as Seong Chan-ho saw the name ‘Director Lee’ on the screen, he reflexively answered the phone.

“Yes, Chief.”

[Are you home?]

“No, it’s still outside.”

[okay? Then, hang up for a moment and check that I sent you a link via chat. Let’s look at it and talk about it.]

“Even if it wasn’t like that, I was just looking at it until I got a call from the manager.”

[oh? Then we can talk quickly.]

Director Lee paused for a moment and then got straight to the point.

[Let’s inquire about him, find out his personal information, and then recruit him to our clan.]

“….”

It was a clean, straight ball with no fat left out, but Seong Chan-ho just sighed inwardly as if he knew that would happen.

[It looks exactly the same without measuring it. He is a talented person who will hit the ground if he is intercepted by others. Don’t you think so?]

“What if it has already been intercepted by other people?”

Even though he knew it was impossible, Seong Chan-ho asked that question.

[Oh, really? Actually, if it’s that much of a treasure, other guys would have already covered it with saliva and everything.]

“It’s highly likely, right? “About 99 percent?”

[You mean it’s not 100%?]

“….”

[If we have a 1% chance of hitting a player, it’s a blessing. [Team Leader Seong, please don’t tire each other out for no reason and quickly answer whether it’s yes or no.]

Regardless of his opinion, it looks like Manager Lee will do whatever it takes to recruit Daesung.

“If I say no, they will say something to me.”

[That’s accurate.]

“No, but Manager. 99% isn’t 99% for nothing. What are you going to do if he really is a hunter belonging to another clan?…” [

Are you going to lie down on your stomach because there’s a goalkeeper in front of you?]

If you collect the hair that fell out to match that guy’s badass personality, you will get black cotton candy.

But this time, I can’t fit in with that group. Seong Chan-ho decided to draw the right line.

“It goes against industry conventions.”

[If we pick on every single thing, we can’t do business. Since the responsibility is mine and the clan is responsible for the costs, Team Leader Seong should do whatever it takes, even if it’s just to contact him.]

Seong Chan-ho closed his mouth and remained silent.

Although he tried to play it cool and hide the fact that the talent on screen was his best friend…

honestly, he couldn’t deny that he didn’t feel the same way as Director Lee.

Although the < Soul > clan he belonged to was a large domestic clan, it was by no means the top in the industry.

Because it was located at the very end of the top 10 large clans.

If you mess up just a little bit, you will be kicked out of that ranking.

I also understood Director Lee’s persistence.

And Seong Chan-ho did not want the name value of his workplace to drop.

Daesung is strong. That’s clear.

If you go to the association, get a proper evaluation, and then get an A grade, it will be a huge help to the < Soul > clan.

Although they are not as good as S-class hunters, A-class hunters also have great scarcity value in Korea.

But….

‘Don’t act like you want, Seong Chan-ho.’

Seong Chan-ho strongly encouraged himself.

According to Director Lee’s wishes, it may not be that difficult to appeal to Dae-seong’s acquaintance and bring him into the clan.

And it wasn’t a particularly bad story for Daesung.

Listening to what Director Lee said, it is clear that once hired, they will provide exceptional treatment.

But isn’t that too selfish?

Not only has Daesung not yet listened to his own wishes, but he is not even aware of the fact that he has awakened.

I recently came out of a coma and haven’t even fully adjusted to the crazy world going on.

You introduce that guy to this manager on your own?

I couldn’t bear to do that.

Not long ago, when I went to visit Daesung in hospital, I got so excited that I brought up the story of Gate Seeker.

Seong Chan-ho was still regretting his careless behavior.

‘I don’t want to be a nuisance to that guy.’

First of all, it is not too late to ask Daesung what he wants without Director Lee knowing and then proceed with the work.

That’s the correct order.

[Team leader last name? Why are you suddenly silent? Where are you now?]

“Near Gwanak-gu Office.”

[what? Why are you there?]

“No, whatever. “It was there that I had a meeting with my friend.”

[So are you in a shelter now?]

“I just got out and am on my way back home.”

Right then.

Director Lee’s voice began to grow excited.

[So, Team Leader Seong was also there at the scene? Hey, why are you saying that now? how is it? Was there anything you could salvage?]

“….”

Seong Chan-ho chuckled as he was greeted by the cool night breeze.

“There was none.”

***

Same time.

After leaving the Pantheon and returning to reality, Daesung first looked around.

There was no one in the pitch-black alley, as if they had been swallowed up by shadows.

‘Did you say goblin?’

Among the confused citizens, I heard the name Goblin come out of someone’s mouth.

I don’t know what they are doing.

I don’t even know how those guys happened to pop up in 10 years of lack of confidence.

I’m not even interested.

However, I could tell that people were afraid of them and that after they appeared, people on the streets suddenly disappeared.

‘I’m fine.’

Daesung reached into the garbage can where the hood woman’s body was dumped.

“huh?”

Then, suddenly, I noticed something strange when I saw the arm stretched out in front of me.

He apparently left the Pantheon wearing the protection of evil insects.

But now, instead of wearing plate armor, he was wearing the street clothes he had been wearing when he left the house earlier.

‘I said that the system has definitely been implemented?’

I don’t really have any regrets about that armor.

Still, wouldn’t you feel bad if the item you got after a lot of hard work disappears everywhere?

‘What the fuck?’

Daesung, feeling irritated for no reason, tapped his right arm.

Kang Kang-

“Hmm?”

Usually, when you touch fabric clothes, you don’t hear a clicking sound.

However, Daesung soon guessed what this meant and ate it.

‘It looks like the exterior will be revealed when you return to reality.’

Unlike the Dagger of Judgment, which was a weapon, the Protection of Evil Insects, which was an armor, was transparent even when worn in reality.

‘You better keep wearing it.’

Did you know that a lion does his best to catch a rabbit?

Considering what he has to do from now on, it would be better that way.

Rattling –

Daesung opened the lid of the trash can upwards.

The body of the hooded woman was neatly abandoned inside.

There are no eyes yet to see.

Daesung looked at the soul reservoir placed on his right middle finger.

Like the protection from evil insects, the artifact, Soul Count Reduction, became transparent, so it looked like there was nothing on the finger.

However, as I felt the touch on my middle finger, it was clear that the soul count reduction had also been implemented safely.

“Imprisoned.”

That moment.

Gooooo-!

The Hood woman’s body was completely reduced to ash and powder and disappeared.

Even though I couldn’t see it with my eyes, I could feel the purple crystal on the ring vibrating slightly.

The soul confinement cell sucked up everything that came out of the body of the dead, leaving nothing behind.

Even the traces of the woman’s blood and fallen flesh scattered at the entrance to the alley.

After a while.

The scene became clean as if nothing had happened.

“Summon command soldier.”

[Please select the soul to be resurrected as a spirit. 1. < Earthling 1 >]

If the number of souls is not a being that can be identified by name, the category is grouped with the name of the race.

Daesung resurrected a hooded woman named Earthling 1 as a spirit.

Jet-black smoke rose eerily from the middle finger wearing the ring.

The black smoke spread into the air like ink mixed with water and soon began to take the shape of a human.

Then finally.

Tuk!

Oh, the

dead spirit, whose whole body was rotten and rotten, was sprawled out on the floor and vomited out a cool breeze.

The thing could only be recognized as a human figure, but the appearance of the hooded woman was nowhere to be seen.

‘The spirit is just an empty shell that only moves. In reality, I am the one who possesses the soul.’

And by resonating with that soul, you can get a glimpse of the memories the spirit had during his lifetime.

The method to resonate with the soul was extremely simple.

Ugh-

Huh?

Daesung took a step towards the commander and grabbed his chin.

“Who are you?”

He pressed his face towards the ghost’s empty eyelids.

“The bastard who instigated me from behind.”

Right then.

Grumble-!

Blue sparks flew between the two crossed gazes.

It wasn’t some kind of cartoon metaphor, but a literal line of flame appeared.

The memories of the evil spirit flowed into Daesung’s head through a line.

-Did you call me?

– -Oh yeah. Sooyoung. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to make some trouble for you. –

Inside an office in a building.

The scene of a good-looking man calling out to a hooded woman and giving orders unfolded like a panorama.

The man’s name is Kang Hyeon-do.

He was the leader of the Sinheungdong faction.

The memories Daesung sees are unfolding from the first-person perspective of the woman in the hood.

명령을 받은 그녀가 건물 입구를 나선 뒤 담배를 입에 물더니

-개새끼. Anyway, leave all the annoying work to me. – He

turned his head back and complained.

Thanks to this, Daesung was able to clearly understand the exterior of the building.

The exterior itself was not much different from the private loan sharks’ office that had been overthrown not long ago.

Daesung carefully imprinted other possible clues into his mind.

Detailed addresses of buildings recorded in memory of the surrounding landscape, etc.

Every single thing.

‘The CCTV in the building is all a replica.’

Daesung, who learned his lesson that he will no longer leave behind any mistakes, even checked the building’s CCTV status.

Some more time passes.

-You’re crazy, you’re crazy! That bastard is a monster! How could I do something like that…! –

With a sound of breathing, the first-person view shook dizzyingly.

And finally, the battle unfolded in darkness as the bricks crashed into my face and the landscape quickly bent to the side.

It was her final memory of the moment she died.

After securing the necessary information, Daeseong took his gaze away from the commander.

The route to the headquarters of the Sinheungdong faction could be clearly seen through the memories I had just seen.

“We’ll be there in 3 minutes.”

now.

All that remains is to exterminate the bastards who disturbed the sleeping beast.