The ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM
Chapter 88: GU SUNG HO

Chapter 88: GU SUNG HO

Chen Yu’s lips curled into a smirk at Gu Chaewon’s defiant words. Prove it, she’d said—her eyes like shards of ice, unyielding. He chuckled softly, a low, confident laugh that echoed through the twisted, eerie silence of the anomaly zone.

"Alright then," he said, his tone teasing yet dangerous. "If that’s how you want to play... let’s play, Miss Gu."

Chaewon’s pupils contracted slightly at the way he addressed her. He knows my name, she thought, mind racing. Knows who I am... But only influential figures know I’m the Gu Group’s heiress. That means he’s not ordinary—and judging by his power, he’s definitely not simple. I must inform Grandpa about him. He’s... the first man who’s ever made me feel like this.

Before she could collect herself, a guttural roar broke the moment. From the darkness of the warped forest, a hoard of ten massive orcs emerged, their green skin glistening with sweat and malice, each carrying a brutal weapon dripping with fresh blood from previous prey. The ground shook under their combined steps.

Chaewon’s eyes went wide in shock. Her hands trembled as she instinctively stepped back. "No... no, this is impossible! Young man—run! There’s no need for you to throw your life away. They’re too strong!" Her voice, for the first time, cracked with genuine fear.

Chen Yu’s gaze never left hers. He leaped high into the air, cloak billowing like a dark storm cloud. "Too strong?" he repeated with a soft laugh that sent chills down her spine. "They’re nothing."

The air around him shimmered as if space itself bent to his will. "My name is Chen Yu," he declared, voice echoing with terrifying calm, "and I will be your master."

Void energy exploded outward from him, a sphere of inky darkness devouring the air. The orcs roared, charging, but before they could even swing, reality twisted. They froze mid-motion, eyes bulging, then disintegrated—flesh, bone, armor—into countless specks of black ash that the wind scattered through the forest.

In the silence that followed, even the air felt heavier.

Chen Yu landed softly, the ground barely crunching under his feet. He exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing as he thought, It still consumes a lot of energy... but it’s worth it.

Gu Chaewon’s heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst. She tried to keep her face cold, but the shock broke through—her lips parted, breath ragged. He wiped them out... so easily. They weren’t A-rank monsters at all—they were far stronger. What rank is he?

Chen Yu looked directly into her wide eyes. "So, Miss Gu..." he asked, voice quiet but sharp as a blade, "do you still think I’m not powerful enough?"

Chaewon’s face twitched. She quickly rearranged her expression into her usual frosty calm. "I... need to discuss this with my grandfather," she said, voice firm despite the lingering tremor. "Let’s leave this place first."

Outside the anomaly zone, the air was lighter but tense. The warped trees and bloody scent gave way to the sharp, fresh wind of southern China. The late afternoon sun glinted off shattered ruins of buildings overtaken by Neo-Terra’s chaotic landscape.

Chaewon took a deep breath. "I’ll go to our headquarters tomorrow," she said briskly, straightening her posture to regain her regal bearing. "I’ll inform you afterward if I choose to accept you as my master."

Chen Yu cocked his head. "Why tomorrow? Why not now?"

Her eyes narrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. "Because we’re in southern China," she answered icily, "and Gu Group’s headquarters are in the north. I’ll need to take a private jet—and I require rest before any further discussions."

He sighed dramatically. "That’s inconvenient."

Before she could retort, Chen Yu stepped forward and, with lightning reflexes, pulled her into his arms. She let out a startled gasp as the world blurred around them.

"Wha—what are you doing?!" she protested, squirming slightly in his grip.

"Calm down," Chen Yu murmured, eyes glinting with amusement. "Look around."

A second later, the distorted forest disappeared. The next instant, they stood on a pristine marble path leading to an opulent glass building that stretched into the sky—the headquarters of Gu Group. The Gu family crest shone proudly above the main entrance, golden in the afternoon sun.

Chaewon’s eyes widened. "How... how is this possible?! We were just in the south—how are we here?!" She spun, staring up at the familiar, imposing building.

Chen Yu smirked slightly, still holding her close. "Teleportation," he said coolly. "It’s the only way to bring you here instantly."

A faint blush dusted Chaewon’s cheeks. "Then... why did you have to hold me so close?" she demanded, her tone caught between indignation and embarrassment.

Chen Yu’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he lied smoothly, "It’s the only way to teleport someone else with me. Direct contact is required." Not exactly true, he thought wryly, but she doesn’t need to know that.

Chaewon shook her head, trying to hide her flustered expression under her calm mask. He’s strong... beyond anything I imagined. His abilities don’t match any challenger rank I know of. I need to see Grandpa. I need answers.

Gathering her composure, she stepped out of his arms. "Follow me," she said, her voice regaining its ice as she led him toward the massive glass doors of the Gu Group headquarters. "I’ll take you to meet the head of the family."

And with that, the two disappeared into the towering building—one calm yet scheming, the other cold yet shaken—each knowing that their fates had now become dangerously intertwined.

Top Floor – Outside the CEO’s Office

The elevator chimed softly as it reached the top floor of the Gu Group’s headquarters. The doors slid open with a hiss, revealing an opulent corridor lined with polished marble and gold-accented doors. At the far end, the massive double doors of the CEO’s office loomed, guarded by two silent men in black suits.

Gu Chaewon walked with determined steps, Chen Yu following casually behind. As they reached the doors, she turned sharply to face him, eyes cool.

"Wait here," she said crisply, placing a hand on the door handle. "Let me speak to him first. Once I’ve explained, I’ll call you in."

Chen Yu raised an eyebrow, a lazy smile tugging at his lips. "Miss Gu sure doesn’t know how to respect her savior," he drawled, folding his arms.

Chaewon’s eyes narrowed, her composure unwavering despite the faint flush on her cheeks. "Not everyone is allowed in here," she said firmly. "Especially strangers."

She turned on her heel, pushing open the doors with a soft click.

Inside the CEO’s Office

The office was a vast chamber of understated luxury, bathed in warm sunlight pouring through floor-to-ceiling windows. Shelves lined with ancient texts and priceless artifacts framed the walls, and a grand mahogany desk sat near the window, behind which an elderly man in a sharp suit was reading documents.

As the doors opened, Gu Sung Ho looked up, his stern face instantly softening into a warm smile. Deep lines etched by years of struggle seemed to ease as he beheld his granddaughter.

"Oh! My precious Chaewon is finally here," he said, his voice tinged with delighted surprise. "You haven’t visited me in so long—I was beginning to wonder if you still remembered your old grandfather."

Chaewon rolled her eyes, a hint of affection breaking through her icy mask. "Stop exaggerating, Grandfather. It’s only been three days since we last met," she said, voice clipped but betraying a sliver of exasperated fondness.

Gu Sung Ho chuckled, the sound deep and resonant, like rolling thunder. "Three days are still a long time when you’re as old as I am," he teased, eyes crinkling at the corners.

Chaewon stepped forward, her expression turning serious as she met his gaze. "Grandfather," she began, voice low and intense, "I have something very important to tell you."

Gu Sung Ho’s smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet concern. "What is it?" he asked, leaning forward slightly, his hands clasped on the desk.

She drew a deep breath, steel in her eyes. "I think... I think I’ve found a way to save you—and the Gu Group—from the crisis."

Her grandfather’s eyes widened in surprise. He shook his head slowly, voice gentle but firm. "Chaewon... you are strong, but you’re still young. There are forces out there far beyond your current strength. I won’t risk your life, not even if you are an A-rank challenger."

Chaewon clenched her fists, her determination flaring. "Grandfather, I’m not talking about myself."

She raised her eyes, filled with a glint of hope, and began recounting everything—every detail of the anomaly zone, the orc’s terrifying strength, and the man who stood like a storm between her and certain death.

Gu Sung Ho’s fingers tapped lightly on the polished surface of his desk as his granddaughter finished recounting her encounter. His sharp eyes, dimmed only slightly by age, glimmered with intrigue and caution.

"This... Chen Yu," he said slowly, the name rolling off his tongue with a weight of consideration. He paused, deep in thought. Then, he nodded once, decisively.

"Call him in," he told Chaewon, his voice carrying the unspoken authority of a man who’d commanded boardrooms and survived countless corporate storms.

Chaewon turned on her heel and pulled the heavy door open. "Come in," she said simply, her voice betraying a faint tension even as she maintained her usual icy poise.

Chen Yu stepped through the doorway with casual ease, hands in his pockets, eyes taking in the lavish office with mild interest. The moment he crossed the threshold, Gu Sung Ho’s eyes locked onto him—and widened almost imperceptibly.

So young... yet the aura around him... the old man thought. And that face... isn’t he the rumored founder behind the Challenger Association’s explosive growth? Why would someone like him be with my granddaughter?

Suppressing his swirling thoughts, Gu Sung Ho schooled his expression into practiced calm. He rose slightly from his chair in a show of rare respect.

"Mr. Chen Yu," he said formally, gesturing to the plush chair across from his desk. "Please, have a seat."

Chen Yu gave a small, polite nod, his eyes never leaving the old man’s sharp gaze as he stepped forward and lowered himself into the seat with unhurried grace.

A tense silence settled in the room—one thick with unspoken questions and veiled curiosity—before the conversation truly began.