The mass disappearance of villains that occurred in Ansan.
The news of the disappearance of more than 50 villains was
announced when the people who had been kidnapped by the villain organization
“Big Ten,” which had been operating in Ansan, were released.
As soon as the report was received, government hunters and police,
including the villain task force, were dispatched and hunters from Seoul joined
the scene.
The analyst who saw the scene shook his head and exclaimed,
“I’ve seen many scenes, but I’ve never seen a disappearance scene this clean.”
The villains belonging to the Big Ten had been competing with
several multinational organizations located in Ansan. According to the analyst,
their level of danger was much higher than their level due to their extensive
combat experience.
Each and every one of them was a presence that was close to a
disaster for civilians. However, it was clear from the evidence left at the
scene that they had been massacred without even putting up proper resistance.
The names mentioned were also dazzling. Berserker,
Executioner, Puppeteer, Black Reaper, and other dangerous villains in South
Korea were mentioned.
However, when you look at their abilities and tendencies, it
was clear that they were not the culprits.
So a new name, Eraser, emerged. It was the emergence of a
giant villain that could shake the national power of South Korea.
Some of the truth behind what happened at the factory was
revealed when a support department hunter with the Replay Gift arrived.
“This, this is a one-sided massacre. Ahh!”
As she replayed the scene, she fainted with a scream.
Two hours later, as the person with the Replay Gift regained
her composure, she screamed in a pale voice.
“You, you must never confront them! Never!”
She explained that she had only seen a few moments. This was
something that only awakened individuals who had reached Level 8, the area that
dominated force, could do.
Replay added one more piece of information here.
The culprit was purely evil.
It was a one-sided act of violence committed by a being with
absolute power. Like a young child, innocently tearing apart the wings of a
moth, suddenly tearing off its body.
The analyst spoke in place of Replay, who could no longer
speak.
“Perhaps this attack on us was a kind of amusement for the
culprit and a warning for us. That’s why Replay was allowed to see the
situation on-site. They are saying that if we keep chasing after them, we will
become their prey.”
“I’ll make a note of it in the report. Thank you for your
hard work,” said Jung Da-hyun, who had been watching the scene.
She nodded her head with a firm expression.
The number of strong villains was increasing day by day.
That was why the momentum of the villains was getting
stronger.
She had come out of the Sacred Guild to eliminate the
villains.
However, the villains with powerful strength were playing
with this world as if it were their playground, mocking the people who lived
correctly and trampling on them.
“...”
If it was Choi Jun-ho, would he do things differently?
Unhesitating hands, firm standards. Would he have ignored the
warning left by the culprit?
Perhaps Da-hyun thought that if it were Choi Jun-ho, he could
have even caught the culprit.
She could not know where his unofficial Level 7 limit was.
Confidence that came from overwhelming power. His own firm
standards. Freedom that was not bound by the justice of the world.
That was the charm that Choi Jun-ho possessed.
On the other hand, she felt pathetic about herself. The
moment she realized the opponent was a Level 8 villain, she gave up the chase.
She justified it to herself with the excuse that she couldn’t
push the people gathered here into death.
“Sir.”
Jung Da-hyun woke up from her reverie at the analyst’s call.
“Finish the investigation and search for the bodies. And
start the manhunt for the villain that would be called ‘Eraser’. Gather any
evidence that can be related to him.”
“Yes.”
“And also report on anything related to the vice-mayor of
Ansan. That part is the most important.”
Evidence emerged during the investigation that the vice-mayor
of Ansan had stayed at the scene.
“Understood.”
***
Recently, I was finally reprimanded. I succeeded in arresting
Wang Ju-yeol and clearing out the villains involved, but there were overlapping
issues such as missing reports, independent actions, and the arrest of a
superior officer without proper evidence.
Originally, I could have received a heavier punishment, but
it was only one month of suspension.
It was a level of punishment that barely had any effect.
When I arrived early in the morning, Jung Da-hyun, who had
worked overnight the previous night, greeted me with a tired face.
“Mr. Jun-ho, did you rest well yesterday?”
“Yes, I slept well. How about you, Miss Da-hyun?”
“I had an emergency mission yesterday, so I couldn’t sleep
properly because of the investigation.”
“Then how about some soybean paste stew for lunch?”
“Soybean paste stew is my love.”
It was a moment when I learned that it’s good to have someone
at work with similar tastes.
When not working outside the office, I usually handle
paperwork related to other departments, and it was very easy to handle this
task.
In the end, reviewing documents was about determining whether
there were any abnormalities. One could distinguish between what was problematic
and what was not by using their intuition. Sometimes problematic documents came
up, but when they didn’t, the work was finished in no time.
“Did you enjoy your vacation yesterday?”
While enjoying lunch, I answered obediently to Jung Da-hyun’s
question.
“Yes, it wasn’t bad because I met some friends. I went to
visit a friend’s younger brother who was very sick.”
“Oh...”
“Don’t look at me like that. Although it’s a rare disease, it
seems to be well under control.”
“That’s really fortunate.”
“My friend would have been comforted to know that you were
concerned, Miss Da-hyun.”
“Yes.”
Although I was curious about why Jung Da-hyun asked, I didn’t
ask her because of her serious expression.
Humans were animals that continuously think and reflect
repeatedly. Thinking was good because it could lead to discovering answers and
finding new directions.
Anyway.
Something big happened in Ansan.
Although I successfully removed the bodies, it was outrageous
that the perpetrator was still at large.
It was a fairly grandiose name.
South Korea was in an uproar over the possibility that a
Level 8 villain had appeared.
People around were filled with concerns about what kind of
political changes the appearance of the perpetrator might bring.
At such times, it was tricky to admit that Big Ten had been
cleaned up.
If I could only say that the villain was actually a
government hunter or a normal person, this commotion might calm down a bit.
It would be a great loss if I had to work overtime and
prepare for this unnecessarily.
That being said, I couldn’t reveal it now. I had decided to
remain silent to protect my freedom to walk around confidently in broad
daylight.
Even though I had come back to my senses now, my family was
still a sore point. I wanted to comfort them for the pain they had endured
because of me and help them to feel better.
“Instead of getting into trouble, why don’t you focus on
what you’re doing and work hard? Then Mom and Dad will be happy, won’t they?”
Yoon-hee said, but I still thought it’s not enough.
This was true for both my parents and my younger sister who
was pretending to be carefree in front of me.
Tomorrow, Yoon-hee was going to take the test for the Sacred
Guild.
As the largest guild in Korea, the Sacred Guild required a
three-stage offline evaluation to take the test. She had to pass everything and
then take the practical test tomorrow.
I thought that she would pass.
However, I didn’t feel like just waiting for her to come back
from the test. I wanted to prepare something to wish her luck.
Then I remembered something I saw on the internet.
People also make chocolates for Valentine’s Day.
What if I made a gift to wish her success in the test?
Determined, I stopped by the store to buy the necessary
supplies while Yoon-hee went out to do the final check.
***
Tests always came with tension. If the tension was too high,
people might not be able to perform at their best and make mistakes.
However, in the final check-up process today, Choi Yoon-hee
didn’t feel any tension at all.
It’s not because she felt vague difficulty or bleakness about
the test. She felt like she had an easy task to accomplish, even though the
test was tomorrow.
Is this...complacency?
She didn’t expect to have this kind of thought about the test
for the Sacred Guild.
She wondered if I was being complacent, but when she thought
about it calmly, she realized it wasn’t. Underlying it was the memory of
relying on her older brother until now.
Even if he ended up having many enemies, I’m confident of
his abilities.
There might be a loose screw in his head, but at least she
was certain of his abilities.
She still wondered why he became a government hunter, but if
he’s satisfied with it, there’s nothing more to say.
She wished he would take care more of himself. In that
regard, she was glad that Jung Da-hyun was there to take care of him.
Since they’re both working together, I wish they both
could do well.
Jung Da-hyun was one of Korea’s most talented people.
Although the controversy surrounding her appearance in the
Sacred Guild had decreased somewhat, her beauty, skills, and charm were all
top-notch, making her more popular than most girl groups.
On the other hand, her brother, who seemed to have a loose
screw, was...
She regretted comparing him to Jung Da-hyun.
His skills are good, so if he just gets his act together,
he could have potential.
Thinking that far, she realized she was looking too far ahead
and snickered.
The next thought was about getting out of being unemployed.
Choi Yoon-hee, who had stayed up late packing, returned home,
where she was greeted by a sweet scent that was different from usual.
“I’m back.”
“Oh, you’re back?”
“What are you doing?”
This... smelled like crap.
As she approached the dining table, she could see what her
older brother had prepared.
“A good luck present for you passing.”
On the day before the exam, Yoon-hee received an invitation
from her brother for a large-sized piece of Yeot. (T/N:
traditional Korean taffy).
The feeling... wasn’t particularly good.
***
After giving Yoon-hee a good luck present and dropping her
off at the exam site the next day, I headed to the Sacred Group headquarters
nearby.
“How may I assist you?”
As I approached the front desk, a well-dressed woman smiled
and asked.
“I’m here to meet Director Lee Se-hee.”
“Do you have an appointment with the director?”
“No, I don’t.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s difficult to contact her if there’s no
prior appointment.”
“Just tell her that Choi Joon-ho is here.”
“I’m sorry. There are so many people who ask for that, you
see.”
“I see.”
“Yes, I’m sorry again.”
I faced an unexpected difficulty. I had thought about asking
Jung Da-hyun for Lee Se-hee’s number, but I hadn’t bothered to ask because not
all goodbyes in the world were beautiful. Considering how the former left the
Sacred Guild.
Should I go back and find out her contact information today?
As I pondered, I saw a familiar face coming into the
building.
“Hey, there.”
“...!”
The person who saw me seemed surprised and quickly looked
around before hurrying over to me. It was the bodyguard that he had seen before
at the National Security Agency.
“Why have you come here?”
“I came to see the head of operations.”
“Why?”
“It’s personal.”
The bodyguard’s expression hardened, either because I didn’t
reveal the reason, or because he was scared.
Was it because I broke both his arms last time?
I tried to smile to ease the tension, but his expression only
worsened. Disappointed, I waited quietly for his response, and he spoke
cautiously.
“I’ll report to the head of operations.”
“Please do.”
He approached the front desk employee and spoke to her, and I
could hear that a meeting had been scheduled for 30 minutes later with a much
more polite expression.
We took the exclusive elevator and arrived at the 35th floor
in no time. When the door opened and I stepped outside, I saw Lee Se-hee
wearing simple makeup and round glasses, unlike last time.
“Welcome, Mr. Jun-ho.”
“I’m sorry for coming here so suddenly.”
Lee Se-hee sighed deeply at my apology.
“Please let me know in advance next time. You have to give me
time to prepare. I can’t meet people like this usually.”
I was not sure what’s different from usual.
When my inner thoughts came out, Lee Se-hee smiled and handed
me her business card.
As I put it in my pocket, Lee Se-hee looked at me with bright
eyes.
“So, what brings you to see me? Did you suddenly feel sorry
for how we left things the last time we met?”
“That’s not it.”
“Please feel free to speak informally to me. I’m the same age
as Dahyun.”
I was still talking with Jeong Da-hyun using formal speech,
but in this situation where I came to make a request, it was only polite to
listen to the other person.
“I want to make a deal.”
“What kind of deal?”
“A friend’s younger sibling is sick. I want to admit them to
Sacred Hospital.”
“...Sacred Hospital is controlled by my father. It may take
some time.”
“I’m not asking for it to be free. I’ve prepared an urgent
fee.”
I took out the Shavel Tiger heart that I had prepared in
advance.
“That’s...”
Lee Se-hee’s eyes widened.
It was the Shavel Tiger heart with a Level 6 danger level. It
looked like a blue gem and was a useful energy source in itself. It was not
easy to obtain something that had a level 6 Force.
I began to inject Force into the heart.
Zap! Crackling!
The chaotic Force that had been moving inside the heart began
to surge. I untangled the threads of Force that were hanging on the tips of my
fingers and neatly organized the Force that was standing in the heart, so that
it could be fully utilized.
To give an analogy, it was like reorganizing the twists and
turns of a flowing river into a straight line.
When the intense and boiling force had completely stabilized,
the heart became a blue gem. It was a processing technique that I had learned
in my previous life, when I was a villain worse than a credit defaulter and had
to eat and live.
“I’ll take a look at that.”
Lee Se-hee looked anxious and reached out her hand, but I
pulled back slightly.
“Wait a minute! How did you do that? And what’s with that processing
method? Why are you pulling back? Please show it me.”
Lee Se-hee grabbed my arm and pleaded like a child who had
just had her candy stolen.
Now is time to get the alchemyst without a job. Thanks for the chapter.
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