Jinhyuk reached the hotel which the Association had booked for him and Sumi . He entered the hotel and saw both Sophie and Sumi near the reception . He forwarded towards them . Sumi was busy talking with the receptionist when Jinhyuk went and placed a hand on her shoulder . She turned to see Jinhyuk and her eyes became brighter .
"You're back"
"Yeah"
"Where did you go ?"
"To clear some pests"
"Did you get to know something about the location ?"
"It's underground but the precise location is still missing"
"So , what will be our next action ?"
Jinhyuk looked around as he lowered his voice and said to both of them .
"Let's go up and talk . It's a bit crowded here"
They both agreed as they collected the keys of their rooms and headed towards their rooms . All three of them entered Jinhyuk's room as they captured three chairs . Jinhyuk leaned on the table as he said
"Now , we will have to decide the next course of action"
"I have an idea" said Sumi
"Okay , say it"
"You can use your senses to track the demonic humans and then we can go there"
"Not a bad idea but it has a little problem"
"What is it ?"
"My senses cover only a radius of 1km and this city is too big"
"Then ?"
"I guess this could work"
"What ?"
"I brought some clothes of the demonic humans from the ruins in Korea . I can track any member of the Demonic Human Association within my senses and use him to locate the place"
"That's a good idea"
"I have a suggestion" said Sophie
"Yeah ?" said Jinhyuk
"Why don't we consult with the top guild here and request assisstance ?"
"That could do but will it be alright ?"
"Don't worry . I know the Guildmaster of Maria Guild . She is someone I trust"
"I understand"
"Take a rest for today . I will take you both to her office tomorrow morning "
"Alright"
Sophie left the room and went out of the hotel . Sumi also got up . They booked two rooms , each for Jinhyuk and Sumi . Sophie was staying in another place as she came much before the both of them . Sumi went to her room as Jinhyuk closed the door . Jinhyuk closed it but didn't lock . He went and opened his bag to bring out fresh clothes as he went towards the bathroom .
He took a shower as he wore the new clothes and came out . He saw Sumi was in his room lying on his bed scrolling her phone . Jinhyuk kept the towel and walked towards the bed .
"You know , You have your own room . Right ?"
"Yeah"
"So , why are you here ?"
"I have a habit of sleeping beside you"
"So ?"
"Won't you let your sister stay with you ?"
"No"
"Why are you so mean ? Do you not remember that I took care of you when you were little ?"
-sigh- " Again , with those words . Fine , stay here"
"Hehehe"
Jinhyuk turned towards the door as he was about to leave the room . Sumi asked him
"Where are you going ?"
"Investigation"
Jinhyuk left the room . He went out of the hotel and searched for a empty place . Jinhyuk found such a place as he concentrated his mana on his feet and jumped . It was so high that even the tallest building seemed small . Jinhyuk levitated on the ground as he closed his eyes .
[Ding]
[Skill : Dragon Eyes (SS) activated]
Jinhyuk's eyes changed as everything from near to far became clearer in his eyes . He searched for any traces of omnious mana . He found atleast 30 people with eerie mana lingering around them . He pinned their exact location with his eyes as he vanished from his spot . Jinhyuk was now on air as he flew towards the person who he sensed having the most evil mana out of all the people present .
Jinhyuk didn't directly confront him . He hid his presence as he secretly followed the guy . The guy had sharp senses as he sensed that someone is following him . The guy entered a allyway which was darker than the streets . The man vanished as Jinhyuk came towards the place . Jinhyuk wasn't flinching or surprised as his night vision gave him a clear view . The man hid behind a pile of objects covering his mana as Jinhyuk entered the allyway . Jinhyuk went past the man even after knowing his location . The guy leaped in the air behind Jinhyuk as he was about to stab on Jinhyuk's chest but Jinhyuk turned and caught the guy in air . The guy started choking as Jinhyuk's grip became tighter .
"B-But How ?"
"You thought you could escape my senses even only being an A-Rank ?"
"Y-You should know your place"
"It's amusing how to desperately struggle while blabbering"
"W-What do you want ?"
"Information"
"H-Huh !?"
"Tell me everything you know"
"Do you really think I would say anything ?"
"Yes"
"Fool . Even if I wanted I can't . The blood worm will explode if I say anything"
"Oh ? The blood worm . I can fix that"
[Ding]
[Skill : Commander's Authority (EX) activated]
Jinhyuk's hand got covered in a green mana as the person lifted up in the air . Jinhyuk concentrated his mana on his right hand while maintaining his skill with left hand .
[Ding]
[Skill : Eye Of Gluttony (SSS) activated]
Jinhyuk found the exact location of the worm inside the body . He forwarded his right hand and pierced the guy's body in that location . It took him about 5 seconds to locate the blood worm and pull it out . The man fell on the ground as he grasped for air . His body became pale due to the blood loss . Jinhyuk destroyed the worm and started healing the man . The man was completely healed in a matter of seconds as he sat up .
Jinhyuk was sitting beside the man as he got up in surprise . Jinhyuk's eyes were cold and scary .
"Now , speak up"
"Y-Yes" said the man as he bowed on the ground
"The Demonic Humans are controlled under the directions of the Apostle of the Demon King "
"Apostle , huh !? I remember someone else mentioning it before"
"The Apostle are people who receive the blessings and power from the Demon King . They can be called part-demons as their blood transforms after receiving the blessing"
"What is their speciality ?"
"They are extraordinarily strong as they have the Demon Kings powers . They can be identified by a crest which appears anywhere on their body as they receive the powers"
"Interesting . Now , where is your base here ?"
"Our base is located in the depths of the city . No one can find it out if not one of us "
"You don't know the location ?"
"I know but don't know at the same time"
"What's that supposed to mean ?"
"During the time when we are called the bracelets on our arms activates a spell which directly teleports us inside the hall"
"That's tricky"
"That's all I know . Please spare me"
"Hold on . Do you know about the recent sacrifice ?"
"Y-Yes , it is a girl who is said to have a large amount of mana inside her"
'What ? As far as I know , Minji isn't a hunter'
'Its impossible for her to possess mana . This is just getting more complicated'
"Alright , you can go"
"T-Thank you"
The man got up in his feet and started running towards the exit . Jinhyuk let him go as he obtained valuable information from him and he had a feeling that this guy will be useful in the future . Jinhyuk returned to the hotel room . It was now past midnight . They came to Spain in the evening and now he was really tired . Jinhyuk went to the bathroom as he took a shower before going to bed .
Sumi was sleeping soundly as she didn't notice Jinhyuk . He quietly went and slid under the wraps and went off to sleep .
-NEXT DAY-
Jinhyuk woke up later than Sumi as Jinhyuk didn't see her in his room . She had gone to her own room after waking up . Jinhyuk headed for the washroom to fresh up . He did his chores as he exited his room . It was now 8:00 A.M. and it was still 1 hour before Sophie's arrival . Jinhyuk went to his sister's room as he knocked . The door opened as a bright and usual Sumi came out and clinged on Jinhyuk . He just smiled a little as they headed down for breakfast .
-1 HOUR LATER-
Sophie arrived as both the siblings were in the lobby waiting for her .
"Good Morning , Jinhyuk"
"Morning"
"Good Morning , Sumi Unnie"
"Good Morning , Sophie"
They all headed towards Sophie's car as they seated . Sophie pressed the accelerator towards the main city .
"Sophie listen . I captured a demonic human member last night and interrogated him"
"What ?"
"That's right . I still couldn't find the location as they seem to have a special mechanism to prevent their members from knowing"
"And ?"
"Its complicated . Apparently , the one leading here is an 'Apostle' "
"Apostle ? What's that ?"
"The people who received power from the Demon King . They have a special crest and from what I heard he is stronger than Steven"
"What ?"
"That's why we need to plan ourselves more thorougly"
Sophie stopped her car as they had reached their location . Jinhyuk and Sumi stepped out as they stood in front of a building with a sign in the top which labelled 'Maria Guild HQ' . All of them entered the building as they headed towards the reception desk . Sophie leaned on the counter as she asked the receptionist .
"Is Maria here ?"
"Oh , Ms . Sophie . She is in her office . I see you have got guests"
"Yes , this man here is Sung Jinhyuk and the person next is Sung Sumi "
"S-Sung Jinhyuk ? The Strongest Hunter ?"
"That's right"
The receptionist got up as she bowed and greeted them with respect .
"W-Welcome Mr . Sung"
"Thanks" said Jinhyuk
"Now , can we go ?" asked Sophie
"Y-Yes , right this way"
All of them headed towards the Guildmaster's Office . Sophie knocked on the door and a 'Come in' was heard . She opened the door as all of them entered the room . There stood a woman with a complexion darker than average and a tall figure . She was facing the window as she was sipping from her cup of tea . She turned back as observed all three of them . Her gaze stopped on Sophie as a excited expression covered her face .
"Sophie ?" [Guildmaster Of Maria Guild , Maria Isabella (S-Rank)]
"Yeah , it's me"
"Long time no see . How are you ?"
"I'm fine . I heard you are doing great work these days"
"Come on , its not as impressive as being one of the strongest S-Ranks"
"Alright , let me introduce you to these people . This person here is Sung Jinhyuk and the person next to him is Sung Sumi "
"Sung Jinhyuk ?"
"Yeah"
"The new hunter who defeated Steven and became the Strongest ?"
"Correct"
"You are friends with him ?"
"Sort of"
"Impressive"
"Let's keep this chit-chat for later . We came here to discuss something very important"
"Certainly , let's sit and talk"
They all sat on the sofa placed on one side of the room as they were served tea . All of them took a cup and drank a sip before beginning to talk .
"Alright , what is it that you want ?" said Maria
"We came here to investigate about the Demonic Humans" said Jinhyuk
"Those people are a pain as always . I tried every way to track them but was unsuccessful"
"Even you ?"
"Yes , they caused quite a ruckus in our city to collect their so called 'sacrifices' "
"This is quite the trouble . I also came here because my friends cousin is kidnapped by them"
"So , what do you plan to do ?"
"Tracking them is the main problem . I guess I have to search the town to find the location"
"The whole city ?"
"Yes but it will take time . I have to think of another method"
"Actually , I have one"
"What ?"
"Yes"
Maria pressed a bell as a maid entered the room . She signalled her to bring a special item from the treasury . The maid left but came back after not more than 5 minutes later . She carried a box which was a bracelet covered in a glass case . The mana releasing from the bracelet was so intense that even Sumi and Seol-ah were able to see it clearly . The maid placed the artifact on the table . Maria looked at Jinhyuk and said
"This is an item discovered in one of their hidouts "
"What is this ?"
"We don't know what this is . Even appraisal didn't work . We only know that this is some kind of artifact"
"Appraisal didn't work , huh…."
"Yes , we appointed the appraiser who can appraise even S-Rank weapons but it was still no use"
"Can I take a look ?"
"Certainly"
[Ding]
[Skill : Commander's Authority (EX)] activated
Jinhyuk opened the glass case and picked up the artifact . The artifact floated in front of everyone as Jinhyuk looked at it carefully .
[Ding]
[Skill : Eye Of Gluttony (SSS) activated]
[Ding]
[Item Info :]
[Summoning Ring]
[Rank : A]
[Summons the person to a specific locations]
[Status : Enchanted (Concealment (S))
[No. Of Uses Available : 8524]
' A Summoning Artifact !?'
'Interesting . This is probably the item used by the Apostle to summon everyone during the meeting'
"This is an artifact . That's correct"
"So , were you able to appraise it ?"
"Yes , this is a summoning artifact"
"Summoning Artifact" the three except Jinhyuk said together
"That's right . This item was probably used by the Demonic Humans to gather at a specific location because this bracelet has the ability to teleport the person wearing it"
"Teleport ? That's supposed to be a high-level magic"
"But these people managed to provide these to everyone"
"Jinhyuk , I have a question" said Sumi
"Hm ? Yes , Sis "
"Are you implying that this item can help us detect the location ?"
"Indeed"
"How ?"
"Good Question . Here's my idea. First, I will teleport using this ring to the base , then I will look for a suitable location and return to take the both of you"
"That's a good plan"
"This concludes that how we should enter. Now , what should we do after entering"
"That's right"
Jinhyuk took out three outfits similar to demonic humans and three red masks from his inventory and placed them on the table .
"We will wear these outfits to sneak into their hideout . Then , I will start the fight at a certain point of time . Seol-ah send a signal to Maria and Maria will follow the location to bring as many hunters as possible to the location . Sis , in that moment , take Minji and run"
"Sounds like a plan"
"Listen . Do not engage in uneccessary combat"
"Why ?"
"Because its important . The Apostle is not a opponent you both can handle"
"Then , what are we supposed to help with ?"
"Defeat and Kill as many Demonic Humans as possible from normal followers to executive rank officials"
"Roger"
"Maria , I hope you understood and gather A-Rank hunters and if possible at least one S-Rank other than you"
Jinhyuk got up and went near the window . His reflection was seen on it . The left eye was glowing brighter than last time as it gave a divine feeling.
"It's time for the Demonic Humans to 'DIE' "