At this moment, Lee Se-hee and Jung Da-hyun had the same
expression.
Those were the eyes I saw the most when I was the Blood
Master. It was like they were looking at a madman.
“Non-arrest privilege...”
“Mr. Jun-ho, isn’t non-arrest privilege granted only to
members of the National Assembly?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Immunity from arrest, how beautiful those words alone were.
“There were so many inconveniences while working as a
government hunter and arresting villains. The team leader here helped me with
some of them, but--- ah, never mind. There were too many restrictions, and I
felt like I needed a way to protect myself if I made a mistake.”
“Immunity from arrest isn’t anything special, but it’s not
going to be easy, because giving it to a Level 8 superhuman is like giving them
a legal license to kill.”
Lee Se-hee shook her head.
“It would have been easier if you pursued personal gain.
Money is money, honor is honor. But immunity from arrest privilege...”
“Will it be difficult?”
“The art of negotiation is push and pull. It’s not impossible
if the circumstances are conducive. If Mr. Jun-ho is worth a lot and the
government is in a hurry.”
The simplest method came to mind, but I erased it.
Meanwhile, Lee Se-hee, who had been lost in thought, spoke
up.
“Maybe it’s a good thing that Mr. Jun-ho became a government
hunter. Maybe the immunity from arrest is also a key point.”
“Why?”
“Mr. Jun-ho is not exactly normal, right? Both in terms of
thinking and skills.”
“Exactly.”
I had a lot of things I wanted to say in retort, but Jung
Da-hyun’s fierce response next to me prevented me from doing so.
“Rather, because you belong to a government organization, it
was possible to stop at excessive suppression. If you were affiliated with a
guild, there would have been numerous clashes. Perhaps you might have been
detained? The NSA, as well as the capable figure of Director Jung Ju-ho, was
protecting you as much as possible.”
It seems like Jung Ju-ho’s plea about his hair thinning
because of me was true, after all. Actually, his hair was already thin to begin
with, and I hadn’t noticed the difference, but it seemed like I was rubbing
salt on the wound, so I stayed quiet.
“So, if you want to belong within a government organization
with authority, your current position is not a bad right now, but you can’t
just stay still.”
“Level 8.”
“Yes. Powerful authority and being a low-level government
official are incompatible. You have to make a choice. Either stay quiet and
keep the authority at a distance or reveal yourself and demand what you want
confidently.”
Things were starting to make sense.
Our eyes met and Lee Se-hee gave me a refreshing smile.
“Part of me wants to get you to quit your job as a government
hunter and bring you into the guild using the best treatment, but I’m afraid
you would just suddenly crush my head.”
“I don’t crush heads just because.”
“It’s scarier because I can’t figure out your criteria.”
Lee Se-hee said, pursing her lips.
“The Red Snake in this operation is a superhuman past his
prime. Even if they pretend otherwise, the government is wary due to their
possession of a Level 8 superhuman ability. The fact that the Red Snake can act
with impunity is also due to the absence of a successor and the government’s
alignment with their motives. But if a young superhuman in his twenties shows
up right now, then it’s obvious who the government will choose."
“It means I should take the initiative.”
“Yes. Act as if you have no strong attachment to being a
government hunter.”
“Why?”
“Because then your value will skyrocket. The government will
try to understand Mr. Jun-ho’s conditions and negotiate. Non-arrest privilege?
Depending on how desperate the government is, it could be possible.”
With that, Lee Se-hee said that my appearance would draw the
attention of the whole world.
“Even if it’s not the government, there are multiple options.
You can join a large guild, go solo, or even choose to go abroad as a last
resort. There are many things you can do if you don’t cling to non-arrest privileges.”
“Thanks for the advice. It’s definitely something I wouldn’t
have thought of.”
It was the kind of advice that only Lee Se-hee, who was well
versed in government and guild interests and the politics of many countries
around the world, could give.
“I’m glad you find it helpful. If I may offer further
assistance, please invite the Sacred Guild as an observing organization during
the Level 8 assessment. Since Yoon-hee is also a member of the guild, we can
provide the background support.”
“That way, I can also gain the background of a potential
ally.”
“Please consider this as a small favor.”
Lee Se-hee said with a bright smile. As I didn’t have any
negative thoughts, I nodded in agreement.
After finishing the meeting, I stepped outside. It was a
highly beneficial time, even though it was recommended by Jung Da-hyun and not
something I thought of myself.
Utilizing my abilities appropriately to gain maximum
benefits. Whether it was the method of treating after subduing villains or
this, Lee Se-hee’s advice left a deep impression on me.
“Thanks to Ms. Da-hyun. It was very informative.”
“I’m glad it was helpful. If it’s not too much trouble, can I
ask you for one more favor?”
“Sure.”
“Next time we meet, please feel free to call me informally.”
“...”
“Just call me Da, Da-hyun, like this.”
Wasn’t it uncomfortable to use informal language?
Not knowing the meaning behind it, I looked at Jung Da-hyun’s
face, and what I saw in her eyes was a surprised expression, as if she had said
something unintentionally.
“It’s just that I treat Se-hee so casually, but I’m so formal
when it comes to you, so it might seem like I look stiff. There’s no other
meaning. Well then, I’ll be going now. See you tomorrow.”
Jung Da-hyun disappeared without giving me a chance to
respond.
***
“After capturing the Berserker and Puppeteer, I will proceed
with the level assessment.”
My words did not particularly surprise Jung Ju-ho.
“... Is it because of the Red Snake?”
“There’s no need to hide anymore, and I want to be treated
fairly, according to my abilities.”
“If it’s about treatment, I’ll try to accommodate it as much
as possible. What do you want?”
Considering Lee Se-hee’s reaction when I mentioned the
non-arrest privilege, I decided not to tell about it to Jung Ju-ho, sensing
that it might burst his bubble.
“I will reveal it after my level assessment.”
“You’re making me even more curious. Well, you’re truly an
odd one. At your age, most people go crazy over money or women, but not you.
I’m already getting a headache thinking about what to give you. Well, I guess
it’s the negotiators who will have to deal with this dilemma. I’ll enjoy
watching it.”
Would he still smile when the non-arrest privilege was
revealed?
Hmm, honestly, I still didn’t understand why Lee Se-hee or
Jung Da-hyun were surprised. It seemed like the perfect privilege for me.
Anyway, I decided not to reveal it because Jung Ju-ho’s
reaction might be serious.
The role of the reserve team in capturing the Berserker and
Puppeteer was simple.
They would take turns setting up an encirclement network in
conjunction with the existing Villain Response Team, and they would take over
if the main force took a major hit or had an anomaly.
Their operational areas were southern Gyeonggi and Incheon.
Initially, they moved back and forth between the two areas,
but after establishing the encirclement, they slowly converged in Incheon, and
a week later, they succeeded in pushing the two villains into the Namdong
District.
No, it would be correct to say that the two moved in that
direction on their own.
“The Berserker and Puppeteer have appeared.”
“The main force encounters the Puppeteer! The battle has
begun.”
The Puppeteer was a Level 7 villain known more for his
immortality than his combat prowess.
The main stage of this battle was the confrontation between
Kim Yong-hwan and the Berserker. But could he fight properly with his arm
broken like that? It’s not an easy injury to recover from.
After a while, news of their clash also came up.
[If
you’re not reading this at wyrdtranslations.blogspot.com, then you’re reading
it at some aggregate site. Try to read it at the translator’s site to help them.]
“Minister Kim Yong-hwan has encountered the Berserker! The
battle has begun.”
“Stay in your positions. Wait for the results before moving.
And Choi Jun-ho.”
Jung Ju-ho, who was giving instructions, called me
separately.
“Yes?”
“You’re a black agent, so I’ll give you the authority to move
individually. Assess the situation and act accordingly. Why do you look at me
like that?”
“I just felt it’s unexpected.”
“Because if I were to spare you, the sacrifice would be
greater. Feel free to go wild. Just bring me their heads.”
“Understood.”
For now, I chose to hold my position.
“Aren’t you going?”
“I think I’ll only be a hindrance at the moment, so I’ll
observe the situation and act accordingly.”
“...I thought you’d be the first to move, thinking you
wouldn’t miss anything. Surprising.”
Instead of replying, I just smiled.
Jung Ju-ho knew that my target was the Berserker. Now that
Kim Yong-hwan was there, he thought the Berserker was going to be defeated.
But if it’s the Berserker I knew, the outcome of this
confrontation would be different from what they expected.
It wasn’t long before the situation started to change.
***
Finally facing the Berserker, Kim Young-hwan didn’t doubt his
defeat for a second.
This Level 7 madman was not his opponent in the first place.
The injury to his hand was annoying, but it was a minor factor.
You son of a bitch, I’ll kill you once the mission is
over.
He burned with anger at Choi Jun-ho for casually talking shit
to him.
He had already killed him thousands of times in his
imagination.
However, the moment he clashed swords with the Berserker for
the first time, he couldn’t help but stop those thoughts. The Force that
surpassed his imagination penetrated his arm along with the sword.
As a result, it burst open the wounds that had barely healed.
“Grooaaah!”
Even if that wasn’t the case, the Berserker’s skill was on a
different level.
The world had misunderstood the Berserker.
“Re, reorganization...”
“The old snake’s got his head in the sand.”
Berserker tenaciously bit into Kim Yong-hwan, who was trying
to retreat, and started overpowering him. At first, Kim Yong-hwan resisted
tightly, but after about a hundred strikes, his injuries worsened dramatically,
and he eventually lost his grip on the sword.
“How petty. Is this the Red Snake that used to spread its
wings in South Korea?”
“Berserker, you were hiding your true strength!”
“Everyone has a trick up their sleeve. Even the Red Snake has
upped his game several notches during our exchange.”
Kim Yong-hwan gritted his teeth. Berserker’s skill surpassed
his expectations, but if it weren’t for the clash that had happened a few days
ago, he wouldn’t have been so miserably defeated.
“Choi Jun-ho, if it weren’t for that bastard!”
Knowing that he was already talkative due to his declining
strength, Kim Yong-hwan hid the fact of his injuries and used recovery
medicine. However, the persistent Force of the opponent, who dug in so
tenaciously, slowed down his recovery.
Berserker, who was listening, glimmered with his eyes.
“Choi Jun-ho? Are you talking about the Head Breaker?”
“Die!”
Kim Yong-hwan rushed forward, clutching his sword with his
relatively undamaged left hand, but Berserker easily deflected him. When he had
reached Level 8 and was endlessly seeking to fully utilize his strength, the
old superhuman hadn’t been much of a threat.
Soon, a powerful sword strike, far more formidable than
before, swept over Kim Yong-hwan.
“Wait, wait a moment!”
Kim Yong-hwan, completely overwhelmed, desperately tried to
speak, but Berserker’s sword didn’t stop.
Crack!
If it was a hole in his side, it could be a medal of victory.
However, Kim Yong-hwan’s throat was cut instead.
As the headless corpse fell, the Berserker murmured calmly .
“It is a triviality unworthy of a glorious death.”
The old, decrepit man had no shining talent. One would think
that a Level 8 superhuman would be more inspiring, but it was just wishful
thinking.
With Kim Yong-hwan dead, the siege was quickly broken.
After a while, the Puppeteer revealed himself to the
Berserker.
“Amazing. Even though he’s old, you still manage to kill the
Red Snake.”
“It wasn’t a big deal. It’s overrated.”
“Hehe, only you would say such things. Now, shall we go catch
the Head Breaker?”
The Berserker shook his head.
“In order to savor the thrill, I must also be prepared. I
will treat my injuries and then go.”
The Head Breaker, rumored to be Level 7.
Curiosity about him filled the Berserker’s mind instead.
How did a Level 7 inflict injuries on Kim Yong-hwan?
Although it turned into a trivial competition because of
that, his anticipation for the Head Breaker was boundless.
“Well then, I shall go and witness the spectacle.”
“Is that corpse useless?”
“After its prime has long passed, reinforcing it would only
make it break quickly. Young and fresh bodies or well-trained ones are better.
Like you.”
In response to the Puppeteer’s quick glance, the Berserker
replied calmly.
“If you want to die, come at me.”
“Kekeke, I can’t do that. I don’t want to die yet. The
joining date for the League is approaching, so I have to collect as many dolls
as possible until then. You go and do your own thing.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to the southern part of Gyeonggi Province. Those
fools from the large guilds are still hunting. I have to make them pay the
price for being blinded by money. Kekeke!”
The Puppeteer looked at the list of hunting teams the puppets
had compiled, then turned to leave.
Berserker, watching, tended to his wound and left.
***
When I arrived, Kim Yong-hwan was already dead.
“He couldn’t even escape and just died. I thought I could
finish him off with my own hands.”
I never had any intention of saving Kim Yong-hwan. His head
was already blown off when I arrived. It would be less painful than dying by my
hand. This was already a blessed death for him.
After sorting through the bodies, I stopped to track down the
Berserker.
The location tracker I gave to Yoon-hee was sending a signal.
“......”
I focused on the Force contained in the location tracker
Yoon-hee possessed.
It would be difficult to determine the exact location with a
regular location tracker, but what I gave her was special.
A slight pain tingled in my temple, and along with the
sensation of my entire body trembling, the Force covered my eyes. A Gift that
allowed me to perceive where my Force was present.
Clairvoyance.
I could see Yoon-hee with the location tracker.
And the puppets swarming around her. Yoon-hee was in danger.
I immediately headed to where Yoon-hee was.
The pupeteer just signed his death warant.
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