Level -99 Archmage

Chapter 35. Perfect Clearance

The world is divided into two categories. The strong and the weak. The Incapables and cables. Han Min-oh was strong and privileged. After all, he was born as the second son of the Han-Yeon Group. How many  people in South Korea would not know about the Han-Yeon Group? It is one of the top 10 conglomerates in Korea, leading businesses that are inseparable from the private sector, including hotels, department stores, entertainment, various food products, and alcoholic beverages.

However, they were also a symbol of absolute power, passed down through three generations over more than fifty years. They wielded familiarity as a weapon, yet were regarded as the most formidable bloodline across both politics and business. The Second Son of Han-Yeon Group A person anyone would envy, a “Heavenly Dragon” by birth. But Han Min-oh’s life was not as easy as one might think. Han Shin. The exceptional firstborn in every aspect. Because of his older brother, Han Shin. Han Shin was like a son of the gods. There was nothing he couldn’t do if he set his mind to it. He learned things dozens of times faster than others. Even calling him a genius was an understatement. And not only that. He was intelligent and had an exceptional ability to read people’s emotions. Han Min-oh… was different.

‘I worked myself to death, but I could never catch up to him.’

Han Min-oh was always compared to Han Shin. Could he have the same genius? Did he have some special talent? For a brief moment in childhood, people had their eyes on him. But in the end… nothing. Not even a single thing. Not only did he lack any remarkable talent, but he was utterly ordinary, a mere mediocrity.

‘…But it was fine. If my brother led the company, the Han-Yeon Group would surely become the most prestigious name in Korea.’

Yes, it was fine. After all, the rightful successor to the group was Han Shin, his older brother. With Han Shin’s abilities, the Han-Yeon Group would undoubtedly rise to greater heights.

— “I have no interest in the company.”

…The problem was Han Shin’s attitude. The Day Everything Changed When Han Shin was ten years old, he declared his disinterest in inheriting the Han-Yeon Group. Since then, both their maternal and paternal families tried everything to change his mind. Eventually, after relentless persuasion, Han Shin made a proclamation.

— “If anyone among the bodyguards can defeat me in a fight, I will consider taking an interest in the company.”

A fight.  Anyone, it didn’t matter, just face him. He meant it literally. He was challenging them to a physical showdown. A representative bodyguard stepped forward, but he lasted no more than three seconds before being knocked out. A veteran bodyguard, carefully selected and trained in all martial arts, was effortlessly defeated by a mere ten-year-old who had only learned combat for three months. Despite the difference in size, the outcome was overwhelming.

‘…My brother’s true talent lies in his body.’

It wasn’t just fighting. After that, Han Shin faced off against countless masters. And soon, everyone realized, when it came to physical prowess, Han Shin was not just exceptional. He was a transcendent, a monster. National representatives? Gold medalists? World record holders?

If Han Shin had ever competed publicly, every record in the world would have been rewritten. The only reason the world remained unaware was that the Han-Yeon Group had taken measures to contain any leaks.

‘I have everything, yet I have nothing.’

To outsiders, Han Min-oh appeared to be a man who had it all. But in truth, he had nothing.

— “Tsk. If only you were a little more competent.”

His father’s gaze was filled with contempt. Han Min-oh wasn’t even a broken component in Han Shin’s machine. Everyone only had eyes for Han Shin. After that, Han Min-oh chose to withdraw from the public eye. A Long-Overdue Return

“Your body does not belong to you alone. How many times must I tell you?”

“Having bodyguards is useless baggage.”

“They are not ordinary bodyguards. They are hand-picked ‘monster hunters.’”

“I have no interest.”

“Shin!”

Han Shin remained expressionless even in front of the head of Han-Yeon Group. Han Min-oh had always envied that composure.

“If I had died in the Abyss…”

Would Han Shin have even cared? Han Min-oh imagined what would happen after his death. His brother, his father, his family, none of them would have reacted much. Especially Han Shin. He had always looked at Han Min-oh as if he were an insect. A weak, incompetent fool. Someone even less than a worm. That signature gaze of his… had always terrified Han Min-oh. Whenever he stood before Han Shin, he couldn’t even open his mouth. He would shrink back, lowering his head.

‘Damn it.’

He had survived death itself. Was it really too much to ask for a simple “Are you okay?”. Something within him boiled over. As if possessed, Han Min-oh suddenly lifted his head and shouted.

“Father! Brother! I’m back!”

“…?”

“……”

At last, the two of them turned their gazes toward him. His father’s eyes read, “What is this brat up to?” Han Shin’s face, as always, remained emotionless. But even that was a significant change. Until now, he had always looked at Han Min-oh with utter disgust, as if ashamed to share the same bloodline.

“Why did you summon me?”

“…It’s about your security.”

His father, the chairman of Han-Yeon Group, nodded as he spoke. Han Min-oh asked again.

“Is this because of the Abyss?”

“Yes. Until the situation stabilizes, you will stay in a ‘safe house’ with bodyguards.”

“Has the government still not decided on a course of action?”

“It seems they intend to keep their involvement minimal.”

The world was in chaos. Monsters immune to all modern weaponry had emerged. A living hell called the Abyss had suddenly descended upon reality. Since every human had now awakened to new powers, the government chose to minimize intervention, shifting the burden onto civilians. After all, they too had to ensure their own survival in this unprecedented crisis. Every man for himself. A world where everyone had to find their own way to live was coming. For the Han-Yeon Group, the best they could do was to hire powerful awakened individuals as personal bodyguards and ensure round-the-clock protection. The heads of other major corporations had also secured “safe houses” where they were being protected along with their families.

“You…”

That was when it happened. For the first time, Han Shin opened his mouth. Then, he strode forward with long steps.

Rip!

“……!!”

With his bare hands, he tore Han Min-oh’s clothes apart. Han Min-oh was so shocked that he was at a loss for words. He had no idea why Han Shin was suddenly acting like this.

“B-Brother, what are you doing?”

“You… Did you survive the Abyss?”

“…Yes.”

Han Min-oh barely managed to confirm. Then, Han Shin swept his gaze over Han Min-oh’s body and spoke.

“Both arms and all ten fingers were severed and then reattached.”

“……”

Though the scars were faint, if one looked closely, they were still visible. With a careful examination, one could deduce what had happened. But Han Shin’s next words were far more shocking.

“Both arms were torn off with immense force, and the fingers were severed all at once by something sharp. To heal with only this level of scarring, at least a ‘High-grade Elixir’ would have been necessary. Who gave you a ‘High-grade Elixir’…?”

“…I met a Demon Merchant.”

“You made a deal with a merchant?”

“That bastard tried to kill me.”

“Well, from their perspective, you would have been worthless. So, all these wounds were inflicted by the Demon Merchant. But then, how did you survive?”

“There was a benefactor who saved me.”

“Who?”

For the first time in his life, Han Shin was truly interested in Han Min-oh.

But he was genuinely curious.

‘This guy had no chance of surviving the Abyss. And yet, he did.’

From Han Shin’s perspective, Han Min-oh was someone who should have died in the Abyss. There was no way a worthless human could have survived against a Demon Merchant. Someone could have saved Han Min-oh, but the idea of using a “High-grade Elixir” to heal him was simply incomprehensible. Obtaining a High-grade Elixir required an enormous price. To invest that much in Han Min-oh, someone with no talent, a weak will, and no perseverance was something that, by Han Shin’s standards, should never have happened. At last, Han Min-oh spoke.

“I have no obligation to answer.”

“……”

A bold response. Han Shin was slightly surprised.

‘He’s changed.’

Han Min-oh had changed. He was someone who had barely been able to meet his gaze since childhood. But now, Han Min-oh was glaring at him as if challenging him. It felt like his very nature had shifted. Perhaps overcoming the crisis of death had made him braver. Perhaps the High-grade Elixir had triggered some change in his body. But something about it felt unsettling.

‘It doesn’t seem like just a High-grade Elixir…’

A sudden thought crossed his mind, maybe it wasn’t just the High-grade Elixir. Who would have invested so much in someone as insignificant as Han Min-oh? His curiosity was piqued.

‘Even so, a bird without wings cannot fly.’

But that was all. Just as drawing lines on a pumpkin doesn’t turn it into a watermelon, even if Han Min-oh had changed, he was still Han Min-oh. Unlike him, Han Min-oh was a bird born without wings. No matter how much he colored himself or ran with all his might, he would never be able to fly. A glimmer of hope was premature. A fleeting possibility would only lead to a greater despair in the end.

Ding!

At that moment, a ringing sound was followed by an influx of messages.

『‘Dungeon Abyss’ has ended!』

『Congratulations! All Dungeon Abysses summoned in ‘South Korea’ have been cleared.』

『‘South Korea’ is the only country to achieve a ‘Perfect Clear’!』

『A ‘Gold Box’ will be awarded to all citizens of South Korea!』

『In recognition of this feat, Abysses will not appear anywhere in South Korea for one day.』

『Please enjoy this time!』

* * *

“……”

Han Shin furrowed his brows. Someone had accomplished the “Perfect Clear”, something he had deemed impossible. Even the creators of the Abyss were in awe, which spoke volumes. For them to decide not to spawn Abysses in the entire country, even for just one day, Knowing how arrogant they were, Han Shin couldn’t relax his expression.

‘…Who the hell are you?’

It was the first time he had ever tasted such defeat. The one who had stolen his plans and killed “Water God.” Han Shin was desperate to uncover that person’s identity. The moment all the dungeons were cleared, Returning home, Park Chan-woo collapsed from exhaustion.

“Ughhhh….”

A groan escaped his lips. He couldn’t even move a finger. Having raided thirteen dungeons non-stop, it was only natural. Yet, a faint smile spread across Park Chan-woo’s lips. In front of him, an endless stream of messages was floating.

“This is insane….”

The rewards from achieving a Perfect Clear were so overwhelmingly incredible that he could hardly believe it.