D.I.O

Chapter 228

You dont know the basics of negotiation, do you? Do I look like an idiot? Did you think you could do whatever you wanted to me?

Seyoungs voice oozed with killing intent, making the man in the front passenger seat flinch. The man was a military veteran who had gone through his fair share of battles, but Seyoung was a being who exceeded all the standards he had ever experienced.

Moreover, the man wasnt even a Master, and he had no real sense of what kind of existence Seyoung was.

Hmm. Well, this distance should suffice.

After saying this, the man turned on a small TV installed in the car. On the screen, Hye-ran could be seen tied to a chair with a stiff expression.

The large table beside her displayed a feast of delicacies, and a huge man was chomping away and eating the vast spread of food. This man was Kenichi Shinoda, an executive of a yakuza group closely linked to right-wing organizations.

Oh, I havent finished eating yet, but youve already connected. Why are you in such a hurry?

Im sincerely sorry, sir.

When he saw the pale-faced man lower his head, Genichi smiled. The pale-faced man wished they had traveled a little farther before connecting Seyoung to his boss. Even at this moment, the black sedan was quickly moving away from their hideout. Since the kidnappers had removed all the tracking devices attached to Hye-ran, it was impossible to locate her, no matter how famous and skilled the members of the Heaven above the Heavens were.

No, no, you shouldnt apologize. Well, anyway, nice to meet you, Arthur. To be able to talk face to face with such an esteemed member of the Heaven above the Heavens.

Are you okay, Mother?

Yes. Im so sorry, son. I didnt think things through.

No, mother, I will pick you up soon, so take it easy. Take a deep breath.

Although she was the mother of an amazing Irregular genius, Hye-ran was just an ordinary middle-aged woman. She didnt possess superior brain power or superhuman physical abilities, and at her advanced age, she needed to be taken care of at all times. Moreover, Hye-ran had only recently entered the final stage of leukemia and was even judged as terminally ill. Although she was nearly fully cured thanks to the Noblesses help and power, Seyoung constantly remained mindful and concerned about her health.

Hahaha, I can tell youre a great filial son.

What is your objective? Are you trying to get me to seek asylum?

If the goal was to change Seyoungs nationality, this abduction was the worst move possible.

It wasnt like the Japanese government needed a quick fix; they required Arthurs steady aid to help Japan confront its enemies persistent attacks. As such, the extreme method of kidnapping someone he loved and intimidating Seyoung into action was the worst option for recruiting him. Didnt the Japanese government already try its hand by drugging and seducing him? The Japanese government had calculated that they couldnt afford to anger Seyoung, so they had chosen a roundabout, primitive tactic to seduce him through other means.

Genichi laughed after hearing Seyoungs question.

Hahaha. I dont need the help of someone from an inferior race. Our Great Japanese Empire has many talented people, and we can defend Japan by ourselves.

Then what do you want? If its money youre after-

Genichi cut Seyoung off and laughed.

Hahaha! How long are you going to pretend you dont know? Do you think were all foolish since we put you on a pedestal, shower you with praise, and call you a genius?

A delighted smile spread across Kenichis face. Then, as he glared at the screen, Kenichi growled.

Tell me what power and authority you received from the Noblesse, what you had to trade for those things, and the qualifications one needs to become a member of the Heaven above the Heavens.

What what kind of idiotic question is that.

Seyoungs face hardened. He realized that he was in the worst type of situation imaginable.

It would have been far better if the other side wanted money. Arthur had already amassed quite a fortune, and if he could save his mother, he wouldnt have thought twice about giving it all up.

For his mothers sake, Arthur would even be willing to betray South Korea and be exiled to Japan. It would hurt to forsake his country, but his mother, Hye-ran, was everything to him.

Besides, even if he were to defect, it wasnt like he would attack Korea. In the end, regardless of national affiliation, he would save peoples lives and work for humanity.

Alas, Arthur was being asked to give something that didnt exist the situation he found himself in was serious.

According to my research, you were originally a simple college student. You showed signs of brilliance at times, but for the most part, you werent considered a genius, just another normal guy who attended classes and had to work a part-time job every day to make ends meet. Yet, right before DIO starts its service, you acquired a significant amount of money from an unknown source.

This was true. When Arthur entered college, he was just another ordinary student who was intelligent and sincere but not to the point of being a genius.

However, unbeknownst to even himself, Arthur was a rare talent in the universe, a one-in-a-quintillion Irregular, and Tan, an elder member of the Noblesse and a transcendent being, recognized Arthurs uniqueness and contracted him on the spot. In exchange for treating Hye-rans incurable disease, Tan made Arthur join DIO.

Yes, I formed a contract with the Noblesse. They offered to heal my mother as long as I reached Level 20.

Oho~ Is that so? It is purely your ability that has made you a member of the Heaven above the Heavens, huh?

Yes.

Seyoung nodded. Though Seyoung was speaking the truth, Genichi laughed after hearing the Masters response.

Dont make me laugh. Do you think it makes sense that two members of the Heaven above the Heavens are in Korea? Does it seem right that none officially exists in Japan or any other country? Moreover, all three members are under 30 years old!

His argument, which Kenichi spoke while guffawing, was already a hot topic heavily discussed in all corners of the world. In particular, many Japanese netizens argued that the existence of the only known Heaven above the Heavens was a conspiracy by the Korean government. Moreover, many believed it was a lie to state that Korea had the most Masters out of any country.

Of course, the objections from Korean netizens were apparent.

Why would our government do such things? Does it even have the ability?

However, conspiracy theories persisted. It wasnt because people were naturally conspiracy theorists, but the strangeness of the situation. To further put this into perspective, world-renown scholars, doctors, and athletes barely reached Level 10. This made it all the more improbable that two particular users could reach the highest levels within the game when they didnt exhibit any special qualities before DIOs launch. People just couldnt wrap their heads around this incomprehensible result.

But thats the reality. I got used to DIOs system and leveled up with my skills and abilities. If you ask me if that makes sense, then Id answer that it does to me because thats the truth. I was just able to do what other people couldnt.

Oh, such an eloquent tongue you have there. Then why are there two guys like you in Korea?

As Kenichi took a sip from a cup of sake, Seyoung replied.

Theres no particular reason. Its just probability.

Probability?

Yes. Do you think there would be a special answer if you asked someone who won the lottery with a single ticket how they did it?

So, youre comparing yourself to a winning lottery ticket. Korea just got extremely lucky to have two such lottery tickets?

Yes.

This was the truth. Even though his mother was being held hostage, and the whole situation was nerve-racking, Seyoung explained the situation as calmly as possible. However, Kenichi burst into laughter once more.

Youre telling me theres no particular reason youre a Heaven above the Heavens member just because youre a genius, right? Fufu! Hahaha! Youre talking nonsense because you need to give me a plausible answer!

It is true.

Ah, yes, fine. Okay. It appears youre unwilling to tell me the truth since Ive been so accommodating, right?

Kenichi winked. At his signal, a man came into view behind him carrying a sledgehammer.

Dont.

Through their conversation, Seyoung could tell that the person he was speaking with was from some backwater underworld. Considering that the man was Japanese, there was a high probability that he was an old-fashioned yakuza. His slow movements and manner of speaking made it seem like he had experienced murder countless times before, and these traits oozed with a sense of killing intent.

First, well crush your mothers right hand.

Dont!

Rattle!

As Seyoung roared aloud, the man driving the car stiffened and caused the vehicle to shake. However, Genichis smile broadened as if he was getting rather excited.

Do it.

Yes, boss.

Dont!

Crack!

Kyak!

Hye-rans tied-up body flinched, but her hand wasnt crushed or anything of the sort. This was because the sledgehammer strayed slightly from her hand and hit the desk beside her.

Okay, this is your last chance. Tell me how one can become a member of the Heaven above the Heavens.

Theres no other way! The chance is open to everyone! If you work and train hard-!

Seyoung screamed in frustration. He was a superhuman genius, but he didnt know how to deal or negotiate with a deranged hostage taker.

Arthur had lived a good and clean life, so he didnt know how to cope with this situation.

S-Seyoung.

Oh, lady, after pretending to be quite calm, do you now understand the severity of this situation?

As Hye-ran opened her mouth, Genichi raised his hand to stop his henchman from lifting his sledgehammer once more. Genichi hoped that Hye-ran, terrified of the predicament that she was in, would urge Seyoung to speak the truth.

Yet, unexpectedly, Hye-ran spoke in a calm tone.