Chapter 31

Chapter 31

“Ah!”

Everything had gone completely wrong. She hadn’t expected the other party to be so attached to his own country’s language.

Every now and then, there were headhunting targets who took great pride in their country. There was even a separate manual for reeling in people like that.

According to the reports, Choi Junho had never shown any such sentiment. That was where this disaster had come from.

Anna Christine, unwilling to let him go just like that, shouted in Korean.

“W-wait a moment!”

That, too, was intentional.

She knew people found clumsy Korean even cuter, so she’d prepared it as her secret weapon.

A beautiful woman taking an interest in your country’s culture and trying to learn it? It was a guaranteed point in her favor. And she was the most beautiful woman among beautiful women.

But all she got back was blatant disregard. He didn’t even look back.

A complete failure.

“……”

Watching Choi Junho’s receding figure, she bit down softly on her lip.

*

It was obviously a honey trap.

Korean came from behind me a beat late, but it was clumsy at that.

Even if I talked to her, I’d just wear myself out interpreting, so I pretended not to hear.

Now that I understood how much a Level 8 was worth, it was only natural that temptation would come at me from every direction. But that was just a means to be used. My goal had been the same single thing from the start.

I walked over to Jung Juho.

His face as he looked at me held both joy and complication.

“So you’re really Level 8 now. Congratulations. Your status is higher than mine now. Should I use honorifics with you, or what?”

His displeasure was plain to see. I also preferred that he treat me comfortably.

The way he didn’t fear me, showed his emotions honestly, and sometimes clutched at his hair—it was a sight I liked.

“It was only possible because you took good care of me all this time, Director. And once a Director, always a Director. Please keep treating me comfortably.”

“Then I won’t hold back. But this isn’t the end—it’s the beginning. You have things you want, and I’ll speak on your side too, but it won’t be easy.”

In practice, many Awakened worn down by the grueling negotiation process end up settling for a reasonable compromise.

Going abroad comes with restrictions, and negotiating with anyone else means starting the same process from scratch.

But I’m different.

As long as the other side knows they’re at a disadvantage, they’ll have no choice but to give me what I want. I can wait a thousand years to get it. Time is on my side.

All I have to do is make the government recognize who’s in charge, then take what I want.

“Even if I gain independent standing, I intend to remain with the National Guard Bureau.”

“Having you with us will be a great strength.”

Though I don’t know why he’s saying that through clenched teeth. Did he bite his tongue out of emotion?

In any case, we’re partners who can help each other. I don’t know why Jung Juho gets so stressed along the way, but for me, this is the best choice.

Jung Juho looked at the approaching Shinseong Guild figures and Jung Dahyun, then spoke.

“I’ll stall by meeting with the government people, so go say your hellos. Take your time. It’ll make them more anxious.”

“Yes.”

As I drew closer, Lee Sehee smiled and stepped forward briskly. Seeing Anna Christine a moment ago, I found myself thinking that even that calculating smile of hers was actually quite natural.

“Junho, congratulations. You’ve become a Level 8 that everyone knows now.”

“Thanks. I received a lot of help.”

“Oh, come on, this is nothing. This time we made it known that the Shinseong Guild and you have a close relationship, so we’re the ones who benefit.”

I liked Lee Sehee’s way of doing business—always looking to the future and never overreaching.

I also liked the Shinseong Guild research institute’s capacity to produce whatever you wanted, slick as that.

And they had potions that could fix a broken limb good as new, so next time I should put in an order for something else.

“May I introduce myself? They call me Baek Gunseo of Shinseong. I watched the measurement process—it was impressive. Truly remarkable.”

Baek Gunseo, who had been watching me quietly until then, stepped forward. A loyal retainer of the Shinseong Guild, famous for the solid skill he had built up over the years. I’d never clashed with him in my past life, but he had long maintained his reputation as the Shinseong Group’s blade.

A cautious man, quick with calculations, who kept his loyalties. But beneath that, he also possessed the boldness to throw away an image built over decades the moment profit demanded it.

And he was famous for having stood on the opposing side when Lee Sehee took control of the Shinseong Guild.

“Congratulations on Level 8.”

“Thank you.”

“The doors of the Shinseong Guild are always open. Even if you need my position, I’m willing to yield it gladly. How about it?”

He said it like a joke, but tossed it out to test my intentions. It wasn’t a manner of speaking I much cared for, but seeing Lee Sehee watching nervously, I let it slide.

“Anything I want, you mean?”

“Saying it like that makes you sound frightening. As long as it isn’t my neck, I’m willing. How about it?”

“The Shinseong Guild is a good place. Good enough that I’d trust my younger sister to it.”

“Other major guilds boast great size as well, but the Shinseong Group, with roots in South Korea for over half a century, is the pillar that holds up this nation. Your sister will be satisfied, and you will be too if you join.”

Was it a mask or sincerity?

Why would a man like this have opposed Lee Sehee?

I wanted to pry into his real intentions, but the mood could turn awkward, so I decided not to poke a sleeping dog. If he had ulterior motives, I could simply remove him quietly later.

“Let’s leave it here for today. Give it some thought. If you’d like, I could ask the Chairman and arrange a blind date for you with Sehee.”

“In front of the person herself, Uncle?”

“Where else would you find a groom like this? At times like this, it’s best to play along with this uncle’s foolishness as if you can’t help it.”

“I keep telling you it’s not like that. Junho, see you next time.”

“Yeah.”

Lee Sehee and Baek Gunseo left, and only Jung Dahyun remained. There was a lightness in the eyes looking at me.

“Congratulations. I was impressed by the measurement process.”

“How was it?”

“It was new. And I realized that how far you’ve reached, and what you usually showed, was the natural process of someone at that height. I learned a lot. Thank you.”

“Just keep doing well from now on. Keep watching from my side. I’ll be staying at the National Guard Bureau.”

“That’s a relief. I thought you might leave far away.”

“The Director treats me well. Though my hair might be in some danger?”

Jung Dahyun let out a laugh at my words. Maybe because I’d decided to treat her comfortably, she felt a bit more at ease.

“Crushing the enemy—that seems like you. Suppressing them without a scratch must have been really hard, wasn’t it?”

“…It was the hardest fight I’ve ever been in.”

I wanted to crack open the head of whoever designed this measurement system. Can’t I, actually? I’d like to know what they were thinking.

“I understand. I’ve been like that lately when dealing with villains too.”

“How so?”

“I give one warning and go straight to force. It’s more effective that way.”

Public service Hunters on the front lines had apparently become more aggressive about villain arrests than before.

“That’s a good thing.”

“Thanks to you, Junho. You made us realize what the truly important value is.”

Huh? All I ever said was that villains are bad.

I was curious what that value was, but Jung Dahyun didn’t say more.

“Next time we meet, I won’t be your superior.”

“Is that so?”

“Every Level 8 transcendent receives Grade 1 official treatment. In terms of rank, that means even the Director isn’t your superior.”

So that’s why Jung Juho had told me my status had risen.

Each year the seniority accumulates, and upon contract renewal, it rises to Minister-level treatment, apparently.

“So, about that.”

“Yeah?”

“Next time we meet, I’ll call you oppa.”

“Oppa?”

“Yes.”

A completely unexpected form of address. The same word Yunhee used, but it rang differently.

“Well then, I’ll go. I’ll be rooting for your negotiation. Junho oppa.”

Jung Dahyun bowed her head and left. A short while later, at Jung Juho’s call, I took my seat for the negotiation with the government officials.

*

“I’m Cheon Myeongguk, Director of the Awakened Security Office.”

The Director of the Awakened Security Office is one of the three highest Awakened-related positions in South Korea.

Cheon Myeongguk came from a vice-master position at the Reaper Guild, racked up countless hunting achievements in his youth along with overseas joint hunts, served as Policy Director of the National Guild Association, and three months ago was appointed Director of the Awakened Security Office.

He was the very definition of smooth charisma, a capable operator who navigated interests between government and guilds, and relations with foreign nations, with ease.

I knew the name too. But not in a good way.

The reason being that this man was the one who, back when I was the Blood Lord, engineered the grand compromise between government, guilds, and citizens—the very thing that made the relentless hunt for me possible.

Even after stepping down as Director of the Awakened Security Office, he served as an advisor to the National Guild Association and made brilliant contributions to building the villain-tracking system.

All of it made to catch me.

So in my past life, he was one of the people I most wanted to kill.

That grudge belongs to my past life, of course.

Not mine—the Blood Lord’s.

“I’m Choi Junho, Grade 9 public service Hunter of the National Guard Bureau Special Team, Villain Task Force.”

“I know you well. I’ve been hearing about you, Transcendent Choi Junho, for a long time.”

“It’s an honor.”

“I’d long considered you a pillar who would one day support South Korea. Though I ended up underestimating a Level 8 transcendent. Haha!”

He flattered me appropriately while subtly scanning me with his eyes.

“I heard from Director Jung here, but I’d like to hear your intentions directly, Transcendent Choi Junho. Do you intend to join the government?”

“Yes. But I want treatment to match.”

I told him I wanted a good relationship with the government as a National Guard Bureau Hunter, but that I was keeping paths open in multiple directions.

Lee Sehee had coached me that this would put me at an advantage.

“You’re saying the words we fear most. The government intends to show as much sincerity as possible. Since your thinking is positive, we should be able to find common ground. I have high expectations.”

“So do I.”

As I nodded, Jung Juho spoke.

“Why don’t we start by explaining the benefits granted to a Level 8 transcendent?”

“That we should. To begin with, a transcendent receives Grade 1 official treatment in the first year, but seniority rises every year. Their actual standing in the national hierarchy is equivalent to a Minister, and……”

Various tax benefits, state-guest treatment when visiting foreign countries, participation in managing Awakened-related budgets, priority access to government-affiliated armaments, and so on were mentioned.

There was none of the astronomical salaries and the special favors major guilds offered, but if you didn’t have much attachment to money, this wasn’t a bad deal either.

In fact, Lee Sehee had told me how the government side would approach, and most of it matched.

“How does it sound?”

“I like it.”

“Then……”

“If you’ll grant just two conditions, I’ll accept your offer, Director.”

“Go ahead.”

Did he think I’d nearly come around? Cheon Myeongguk’s expression brightened. Then again, maybe to him these were nothing, while only I found them difficult.

After a glance at Jung Juho quietly watching from the side, I brought up what I’d wanted from long ago.

“I want to receive immunity from prosecution and immunity from arrest.”

“H-hold on!”

Jung Juho cried out in surprise, but this was what I’d wanted from the start.

Cheon Myeongguk also seemed caught off guard, his expression hardening. I had no intention of dragging my past-life grudge into this, but seeing his face put me in a better mood. Refreshing.

“You may take your time and give me an answer. It doesn’t have to be today.”

“……”

“Or can you give me an answer right now?”

In the end, Cheon Myeongguk squeezed his eyes shut.

“I need to consult with others. Please give me time.”

“I’ll wait.”

I’d only said what I’d wanted from the beginning, but it looked like I was tormenting him.

I really wasn’t trying to, though.

In any case, the ball was now in Cheon Myeongguk’s court.

After exchanging parting greetings and rising from my seat, Jung Juho followed after me.

“What are you thinking? Immunity from arrest? Immunity from prosecution? Are you trying to destroy this country?”

“I decided I needed them.”

“Just ask for perks like old man Kim Younghwan does. They came here knowing everything about you—you think they’ll accept it if you ask for that?”

“If I want it badly enough, they’ll accept it.”

“…Come to think of it, they are in a hurry right now. Did you calculate that far?”

I just wanted it from the start. Immunity from prosecution looked good too, so I threw it in on the spot.

So this is what a deal is. I liked that I was the one making the demands.

“You’re a real demon. Director Cheon Myeongguk is a true operator, and you shut him up just like that. His head must be about to explode right now.”

“If he’s a capable operator, he’ll grant it.”

“They’re the ones who need you, so they’ll move. But what are you going to do once you get all that?”

“Nothing.”

Authority is something you hold onto until a use comes along.

And you can never have too many privileges.

I hadn’t said much, but Jung Juho went pale.

“Junho, I’m asking this sincerely—if I ever do something you don’t like, please tell me right there. Don’t act on it. No, if you don’t like the National Guard Bureau, just say so. There’s a good place called the Foreign Cooperation Management Bureau. Its Director has a good personality too. You saw him trust you with the last operation, right? He trusts people completely, and he’s patient enough to endure his wife nagging him for twenty years. He’s been holding onto his dwindling hair for twenty years through sheer stubborn grit. If you decide, it’s possible anytime. Got it? Huh?”

Jung Juho sometimes overreacts. When I receive the privileges and resolve various incidents, the person who’ll handle it most cleanly is Jung Juho and no one else.

“I’ll be sticking with the National Guard Bureau to the end, so I ask for your continued guidance.”

“I don’t want to!”

Jung Juho rejoiced with an anguished cry.

*

“He’s my brother, but he really is something else.”

Yunhee shook her head after congratulating me on reaching Level 8 and hearing what I’d demanded.

“Why?”

“If they grant all that, it’s a total lawless zone. Who’s going to be able to stop you, oppa?”

“Do you think I’d abuse it?”

It was only meant for beating down the villains that were visible. Of course, the scope of what I considered a villain and what society defined as one might differ somewhat.

“Anyway, amazing. Amazing.”

“They’ll accept it.”

“Then that’s good, isn’t it? I’m on your side, oppa.”

“Any nuisances?”

“Mm, they’re starting to pop up, I think.”

People were apparently contacting her from unknown numbers.

They hadn’t come to me, though. My smartphone only had my parents, Yunhee, Jung Dahyun, and Lee Sehee. Ah, recently I’d added Berserker too.

The one who contacts me most is also Berserker.

“Also, it’s going to get annoying for Mom and Dad. How about bringing them to Seoul?”

“I’d love that. But will Mom and Dad come?”

“We’ll have to persuade them.”

The first thing I thought of when I hit Level 8 was bringing my parents from the countryside to Seoul.

Yunhee brought up a practical problem.

“What about money? We can’t live here.”

“I don’t have any.”

“I don’t either. But loans should go through fine, right? Want to max one out?”

“……”

Silence hung between us. Money—something that had never once been an inconvenience in my last life was now surfacing as a new one. Maybe I should hunt a monster.

Or else……

“Should I ask Lee Sehee?”

“What, is that place a bank?!”

Yunhee cried out, dumbfounded.

Still, I had a feeling she’d lend it to me if I asked.

*

Three days later, Jung Juho guided Cheon Myeongguk to the conference room after his visit to the National Guard Bureau, then summoned Choi Junho.

Cheon Myeongguk wore the same troubled expression as on the first day.

“…To be frank, there’s a great deal of debate. Quite a few people voiced concerns, especially after reviewing Choi Junho-nim’s record.”

“Concerns about what, exactly?”

“Forgive me for saying this, but there were numerous cases of excessive suppression.”

“Yes.”

Jung Juho agreed inwardly. The government side was doing its job properly.

What sent a chill down his spine was that Choi Junho himself treated the warnings he’d received for excessive suppression as medals of honor earned from running around hunting villains.

“It’s true the government has concerns about this. After all, if immunity from prosecution and immunity from arrest are granted……”

He trailed off, but there was no mistaking what he was worried about. The government had assessed it correctly. Just imagining what Choi Junho would do with immunity from prosecution and immunity from arrest made his hair stand on end.

If he himself were the Director of the Awakened Security Office tasked with controlling Choi Junho, he would have resigned on the spot.

It was a sharp jab, but Choi Junho remained unruffled.

“It’s gotten better lately.”

“Pardon?”

“If you looked into it, you’d know—the number of excessive suppression cases was only high in the beginning. You must have confirmed it’s dropped considerably as of late.”

Bringing up how things had improved over the past month, when his career as a public service Hunter was barely over half a year old. At that shamelessness, Jung Juho clicked his tongue inwardly.

Cheon Myeongguk shook his head as well.

“The sample size is far too small. It’s hard to call that a decrease.”

“In reality, the villains went to prison in perfectly fine condition.”

“For reasons unknown, their insides were utterly ravaged.”

Villains who fell into Choi Junho’s hands were beaten so thoroughly they could never pull villain stunts again, then thrown into prison.

The problem was that only their exteriors looked fine.

That concern was entirely valid.

Jung Juho figured Choi Junho had been backed into a corner. Yet the man’s expression hadn’t changed at all. Did he have something up his sleeve?

The answer that followed was a sight to behold.

“I haven’t been able to control my strength until now.”

“Your… strength?”

“Yes. And I’ve received plenty of warnings, so I know—as long as the arrested villain’s shell is intact, they don’t make a big deal of it. I’ll be more careful about the outer packaging from now on. Try trusting me.”

“……”

At that shamelessness beyond imagination, Jung Juho’s mouth fell open.