"Landlord (2)":
Ten Evils (십악).
Depending on Yoo Jung-hyuk's iteration of life, the list and rankings change, but in the world of Annihilation Method, there are ten major villains who consistently take the spotlight.
Gong Pil-du, the armed lord of Chungmuro, was one of those Ten Evils.
So, if you've read Annihilation Method to the end (which, admittedly, only I have), there's no way you wouldn't know Gong Pil-du.
[Green Zone 56/70]
Of course, the scale of the "room" he owns is on a whole different level. A room so massive its size is hard to estimate.
This entire area is Gong Pil-du's "Green Zone."
Let's start by following the textbook approach.
I stepped in front of Lee Gil-young, shielding him, and spoke up.
"Why are you collecting coins? Chungmuro Station is public property."
"Haha, it was—until eight days ago. Not anymore."
For an average person, 500 coins isn't a small sum.
But demanding 500 coins just for stepping onto their land… they're basically thieves.
"Fine, I'll pay. But I'll give it to him directly."
"What?"
"You're not Gong Pil-du, are you?"
He's talking like he is Gong Pil-du, but this guy is just an extra from the "Landlords' Association."
Where are you, Gong Pil-du?
I quickly scanned the area. Not that guy, not that one either… If I were Gong Pil-du, where would I be?
"Haha, you're a funny guy. Hey, are you messing with—"
"Mr. Gong Pil-du? Where are you? Come collect your toll."
I ignored him and walked forward.
[You have trespassed on private property!]
Turrets rose and aimed straight at me, but I didn't stop.
To be honest, if those turrets started firing, I wouldn't be safe. But I had to show guts here—only then would Gong Pil-du take me seriously.
"That's far enough. Take one more step and I'll kill you."
Finally, Gong Pil-du moved.
A bench stacked with daily necessities. A middle-aged man reading a magazine on it looked my way.
Just as described in the novel.
A slight potbelly and half-bald head. This was the man known as Gong Pil-du, head of the "Landlords' Association."
"You're a new face, but quite bold."
"It's bad enough I have to pay money—why should I grovel on top of that?"
[Character 'Gong Pil-du' has taken an interest in you.]
I swear, villains are always interested in me. Kim Nam-woon was like that too.
"You're a smooth talker. But don't get too cocky."
Clack. The turrets loaded with magic rounds. Damn bastard.
Gong Pil-du smiled like an average neighborhood uncle—but I knew better. He was far from average.
[Activating exclusive skill: 'Character List'!]
Name: Gong Pil-du
Age: 48
Constellation: Defense Master
Exclusive Traits: Landlord (Rare), Land Tycoon (Rare)
Exclusive Skills:
[Private Property Lv.3]
[Patience Lv.1]
[Profit & Loss Analysis Lv.2]
[Leadership Lv.2]
[Agitation Lv.1]
[Weapon Mastery Lv.1]
Stigma: [Armed Zone Lv.3]
Overall Stats:
[Health Lv.9]
[Strength Lv.11]
[Agility Lv.10]
[Magic Power Lv.19]
Overall Evaluation: Gong Pil-du is the head of the Chungmuro Landlords' Association. His skill "Private Property" synergizes with the stigma "Armed Zone" to give him overwhelming power in large-scale battles. It is recommended not to make him your enemy.
Currently using Starter Pack.
Currently applying Growth Package.
There are many powerful people in the world, but few are as stable in their power as landlords or land tycoons. Gong Pil-du had both traits. No wonder he later earned the title "Armed Lord."
Reading this info really makes it sink in.
Not only does he have double rare traits—his magic level is already at 19.
No wonder he earned a seat among the Ten Evils later.
"So, what business brings you here? Doesn't look like you came just to pay a fine."
Sharp as expected.
I hesitated for a moment.
Should I negotiate—or try to overpower Gong Pil-du?
If I went all out from the start, it might be possible. But Gong Pil-du's "Armed Zone" was no joke. If I tried to take him down, I'd have to be ready to take a hit from the turrets.
Damn. I've got coins earmarked elsewhere, so I can't even boost my stats right now.
"Just a word of caution—don't try anything stupid."
Gong Pil-du smiled and looked past me. The armed forces of the Landlords' Association had already surrounded Lee Hyun-sung's group. This guy doesn't miss a thing.
I smiled and raised both hands.
"Let's calm down. Tenants visiting landlords—pretty obvious why, right?"
"You want a room?"
"Yes. Please allow me and my party to stay in your Green Zone."
It was absolutely necessary.
To safely clear the third scenario, I had to stay in Gong Pil-du's Green Zone.
But, as expected, his answer came swift and firm.
"No. We don't accept outsiders in the Association. Maybe if you pay 500 coins per person, per day, I'll consider it."
500 coins per day? What is this, some kind of coin subscription service? He's worse than the dokkaebi merchants.
"That's too much—but I'll trade you information."
"What kind of information?"
"About Yoo Jung-hyuk."
Yoo Jung-hyuk. Just the name made the landlords' faces change.
"Yoo Jung-hyuk? The guy who caused all that chaos a while ago..."
"You bastard! What's your connection to him?"
"Pil-du! This guy's definitely suspicious!"
Good—got a reaction.
I figured Yoo Jung-hyuk had already clashed with the Landlords' Association.
Still, something felt off.
According to the original plot, Yoo Jung-hyuk in his third regression should be fighting tooth and nail with the Association right now—but where the hell is he?
Gong Pil-du gave me a suspicious look.
"What's your relationship with Yoo Jung-hyuk?"
"We're comrades. Lived and died together."
"...Lived and died—but not together?"
"Let's just say we're close."
"And why should I believe you?"
"If you don't, fine. It's no loss to you, right?"
I tossed the words out casually.
Gong Pil-du wouldn't be able to ignore this offer.
Because right now, Yoo Jung-hyuk is the only person threatening Gong Pil-du's authority in Chungmuro.
[Character 'Gong Pil-du' activates 「Profit & Loss Analysis Lv.2」]
"What do you mean, no loss?"
…Huh?
"How do I know you're not a scammer? Don't underestimate experience. In my experience, it's always guys like you who skip out on rent and run off."
Ouch. That was too spot-on. Still, I couldn't let myself lose the upper hand here.
"If you don't believe me, that's fine. You're the one missing out."
Gong Pil-du's expression grew conflicted. I didn't hesitate—I turned and walked away. It was crucial not to show any regret. That way, he'd be the one with regrets.
"Wait a second."
Knew it.
"You still haven't paid your trespassing fine. Where do you think you're going?"
...Or maybe not. Damn it. I turned around with a forced smile.
"How much was it again? 100 coins?"
"No, you and that kid—together, it's 1,000 coins."
A vein bulged on my forehead.
Does this guy think 1,000 coins is like handing over a single dollar bill…?
"That's way too much."
Even a dokkaebi has never ripped me off for that much. There's no way I'm giving 1,000 coins to a bastard like Gong Pildu.
Gong Pildu laughed.
"Then you're disqualified as a tenant. Die."
Instinctively, I pushed away the men around me and dashed toward where my companions were. The first gunshot rang out with a loud bang, and Lee Hyunseong, holding a steel shield, had already stepped in to block my path.
How reliable.
"…Reader."
But even Lee Hyunseong, with both his strength and stamina nearly at level 14, sounded extremely tense.
His trembling arm muscles made it clear.
With his current stats—without his second stigma having bloomed—there's no way he could withstand that turret's rapid fire.
On top of that, we didn't have Jung Heewon here. If we took this fight head-on, at least one of us was going to die.
"Mr. Gong Pildu, hold on a moment."
I wasn't about to fight a losing battle.
"What now?"
"It would be wise not to fight us right now."
"Why?"
Let someone else take the loss.
"Because if you do, you'll die here."
Gong Pildu's expression stiffened. Even without me spelling it out, he'd just realized it too.
The presence of someone coming down the escalator to B1 level.
With that kind of overwhelming aura, it'd be weird not to notice.
"My dearest companion is on his way."
Yoo Joonghyuk.
Who would've thought I'd be this happy to see that damn regressor bastard?
"Master, it's him! He's the one who pretended to be your companion!"
Lee Jihye pointed at me with a shrill voice. And beside her walked the star of his own drama, our protagonist, staring daggers at me with a fierce gaze.
Very dramatic.
[Character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' is greatly agitated.]
[Exclusive skill, 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' Stage 2 is activating!]
A wave of dizziness swept over me, and I began to hear his thoughts.
「How… already?」
I smiled brightly and waved at him.
"Hi, Joonghyuk."
「…」
"Been well? You look great."
「…」
Lee Jihye and Gong Pildu looked between Yoo Joonghyuk and me in disbelief. As if it were impossible that the two of us were actually companions. A thick tension began to fill the air.
"These people don't believe we're companions. Mind backing me up?"
But I know Yoo Joonghyuk.
This bastard may kill people like it's nothing, but he always keeps his promises.
[Several constellations are focusing on character 'Yoo Joonghyuk's' response.]
[The constellation, 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is watching 'Yoo Joonghyuk's' integrity.]
Especially with constellations watching like this.
「…」
Yoo Joonghyuk, who had been staring at me silently, finally opened his mouth—but I beat him to it.
"Oh, and it'd be great if they'd let us use the restroom too!"
Yoo Joonghyuk finally drew his sword.
Shortly after, we were safely down at the Line 3 platform, having used the restroom too—all thanks to our regressor companion.
I smiled.
"Good to see you, asshole."
"…You're still alive, huh."
To be clear, Yoo Joonghyuk never actually called me his companion. He just quietly pointed his sword at Gong Pildu in response.
Thankfully, Gong Pildu, not wanting a confrontation, let us go while grinding his teeth.
"Were you hoping I'd die?"
"Didn't care either way."
Some companion.
Seeing that arrogant face again only pissed me off more. I wanted to punch him in the jaw right then and there—but I couldn't.
[Exclusive skill, 'Character List' is activating!]
[Too much information exists for this character. Converting to 'Summary List'.]
Let's go full version.
[Character 'Yoo Joonghyuk's' information converted to 'Full Version'.]
Name: Yoo Joonghyuk
Age: 28
Backer Star: ???
Exclusive Traits: Regressor <3rd round> (Mythical), Pro Gamer (Rare)
Exclusive Skills: [Eye of the Sage Lv.8], [Close Combat Lv.8], [Advanced Weapon Mastery Lv.5], [Self-Defense Aura Lv.5], [Mental Barrier Lv.5], [Crowd Control Lv.5], [Inference Lv.5], [Detect Lies Lv.4]...(truncated)
Stigma: [Regression Lv.3]
Total Stats: [Stamina Lv.24], [Strength Lv.24], [Agility Lv.25], [Magic Power Lv.23]
Overall Evaluation: (Too lengthy to load)
It didn't seem like much when reading the novel, but seeing it in person, I could really grasp how extraordinary this bastard is.
We've just barely entered the third scenario, and his total physical stats already exceed 70. That's insane.
Damn protagonist buff.
"Got something more to say?"
But what bothered me more was that he seemed to be growing even faster than he did in the original 3rd regression.
Rapid growth means he's taking on significant risks… What kind of crazy plan is this guy up to?
Something feels off. I'll have to investigate later…
"I asked if you had more to say."
"Nah, I was just glaring because you're annoying."
「…You've got guts, I'll give you that.」
Guts, my ass.
Drenched in your own middle-school delusions.
「Still, arrogance isn't a virtue. Should I just kill him now?」
"I'm joking."
I quickly put on a smile.
Yoo Joonghyuk turned his head, disinterested.
[The constellation, 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is disappointed in you.]
Not like I was planning to beat up Yoo Joonghyuk just yet.
For the countless scenarios ahead, he's absolutely essential.
Even if we're not real companions, he's worth using down to the bone.
…Why does telling the truth feel so much like a pathetic excuse?
"Looks like you've gathered some companions."
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at me, then at the people behind me, with an expressionless gaze.
[Character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' is slightly disappointed in you.]
…What? Why?
The answer came immediately.
[Character 'Yoo Joonghyuk' activates 'Eye of the Sage Lv.8'!]
「I left you with Lee Hyunseong, and that's all you managed to get out of him?」
Honestly, I was at a loss for words.
It's true—Lee Hyunseong would've grown better with Yoo Joonghyuk.
Still… you bastard.
I'm just an ordinary reader who got lucky and learned the future.
「Disappointing.」
Hearing his thoughts hurt more than if he'd said it aloud.
But then Yoo Joonghyuk, who had been scanning the group, suddenly stopped.
For the first time, his expression flickered with confusion.
「…What is that?」
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