Chapter 74

Chapter 74

When Han Jeongmun heard that a commotion had broken out, he arrived at the scene and clicked his tongue.

There, he took in the sight of Choi Junho and the collapsed Ham Gukgi.

“Tch!”

One glance was enough to understand the situation.

“Take him away.”

At those words, the people who had been cautiously watching the room rushed in and carried Ham Gukgi off. Only then did Han Jeongmun turn his gaze to Choi Junho.

His first impression was of someone flashy on the outside—the kind of face you'd invite to a ceremony.

But the contents were another matter entirely: a man so high-handed he didn't even care about the President. He was evaluated as having the skill to back it up, but in Han Jeongmun's view, there was no one as arrogant as this arrogant brat.

Becoming a transcendent at such a young age, he must think there's nothing above him.

Is that kid really that strong? Just from appearances, he didn't look strong at all.

Inwardly, he was itching to knock some manners into him, but the reality was that this was someone with a backing so solid even the President had warned against him.

Suppressing his anger, Han Jeongmun introduced himself.

“I'm Han Jeongmun.”

“I'm Choi Junho.”

“……”

A brief silence settled over them.

Han Jeongmun, recalling what Choi Junho wanted, put forward a proposal.

“We'll conduct a full investigation and audit the company. Then we'll begin the re-selection process. How about we end it at that?”

“Are you speaking in earnest?”

“I am.”

This was the limit of what he could offer. From here, they could negotiate a few points back and forth.

Politics was the art of dialogue and compromise—if each side confirmed the other's thoughts, they could find a way to meet in the middle. That was what he had believed, but.

The words that came out of Choi Junho's mouth were completely different.

“That's quite different from my thinking.”

“Which part?”

“At the very least, you should have promised to claw back every last won the company pocketed and to punish everyone involved. Did you hear nothing from the President?”

“……”

“If it comes to this, I'll have no choice but to put the Mayor's name on the list of those who pocketed money too.”

“What did you just say……”

He normally maintained a dignified image, but Han Jeongmun had a temper of his own. Without that side to him, he wouldn't have become Mayor of Seoul, nor would he have pulled ahead of his rivals within the party.

As a leading presidential candidate, he had never once been treated like this.

The moment he was about to show his anger, his eyes met Choi Junho's. His breath caught in his throat, and he had no choice but to fold his anger away.

Those hollow eyes made him feel as if he were being stripped bare.

Choi Junho was treating him not as Han Jeongmun the Mayor of Seoul, but as Han Jeongmun the private individual.

‘He sees me like this? Me—a leading presidential candidate and the Mayor of Seoul?’

But that gaze was genuine. The moment he realized that his status, draped in its splendid curtain of benevolence, stirred not even a flicker of emotion in the other man, his mind snapped to attention.

Once you stripped away social standing and accumulated achievements, all that remained was the strong and the weak as human beings, nothing more.

What if Choi Junho decided to act here? Would Choi Junho actually be punished? The President was shielding him, and even the ruling-party leader was holding his breath at his presence. At most it would cause ‘some’ inconvenience—but even if he killed him, Choi Junho would suffer no great loss.

The moment he realized that, he understood what the President had meant.

It meant that since they couldn't be bound by the social prestige and the law they had built up, he should compromise nicely.

After a long silence, Han Jeongmun gave his answer.

“...I'm not involved.”

“Is that so. Then may I handle this my way?”

Now that he had come to know Choi Junho's true nature, those words had never sounded so terrifying.

“Is there anything we should cooperate on?”

“May I ask a favor?”

“Just say it.”

Han Jeongmun accepted Choi Junho's request—one that could fairly be called unreasonable—without protest.

“Give Choi Junho everything he wanted.”

Issuing the order, Han Jeongmun had aged several years in that short span of time.

*

The reason I was furious about the boxed meals was that they had turned a charity project into a profit-maximization scheme.

A charity project is a public relief effort. Naturally, since it serves a public purpose, profits should be minimized and as many people as possible should benefit.

...Though it is a bit funny that I, of all people—once the Blood Lord—am thinking something like this.

I suppose it's because I spent so long being hunted that I got serious about food.

Even if my thinking seems hypocritical, if it lets as many people as possible benefit, then I figure that's good too.

If the boxed meal price had been around two thousand won, I'd have let it slide.

But six thousand won, honestly, crossed the line.

“I'm sorry for causing you trouble because of me.”

“It's no trouble at all. If anything, I'm grateful that you allowed me to accompany you.”

“Not at all. Having you along puts me at ease, Director.”

On the way to the boxed meal company, I joined up with the audit team that Cheon Myeongguk had brought.

It was something I could have handled alone, but he said he'd step in personally, so I was simply grateful.

“We'll thoroughly investigate whether there was bribery involved in the company selection, and we'll begin a financial audit of the civic group. You only need to look at the boxed meal company, Transcendent.”

“Understood.”

The inspection was carried out as a surprise raid. For an audit team of consummate professionals, digging through the records of a small factory was child's play.

What we found was a facility left in total disarray, with hygiene at its absolute worst.

Cheon Myeongguk and the audit team members all furrowed their brows.

What are you all reacting like that for?

There's even someone who ate two boxed meals made in a factory like this in a single day.

That someone is me. Honestly, I hadn't given much thought to the hygiene. So there are places that keep things clean after all.

“The embezzlement is certain, isn't it?”

“Yes.”

“How much do you think they pocketed?”

“The amount will need to be calculated. However, when measured against the production cost of the boxed meals, it's clear they took a substantial cut.”

I'd thought they were skimming small change, but apparently they'd pocketed a considerable sum this way.

We'll need to verify the exact figures, but if we trace where the money flowed, I suspect we'll find a big fish at the center.

“For now, the crime is certain.”

“...It is.”

Hm, Cheon Myeongguk's gaze is bothering me.

Anyone watching would think I came to the factory to slaughter everyone.

If I'd intended to go all out without holding back, I'd have already made my move.

“You don't need to worry so much. I'm just going to see the owner here. I'm curious what he's thinking.”

“I do hope he has some sense in his head.”

As if to make a mockery of Cheon Myeongguk's words, the factory door flew open and a bellow loud enough to make the whole factory ring out echoed through the space.

“Who are you people! Who gave you permission to barge into my factory!”

The one who stepped inside was a gaunt man in his early forties with prominent cheekbones. Looking like he had a temper, he glared at the audit staff and strode up to me and Cheon Myeongguk.

“Who are you to come in here! Do you know who I am?”

Anyone watching would think we were the ones trespassing.

No, come to think of it, we actually were trespassing.

Anyway, seeing him shout like that, it was clear he had some backing.

I've got the President's backing too, though. If you count backing, aren't I the strongest?

I was curious just who he was relying on to act like this.

“Who is it?”

“Assemblyman Choi Hyojik is my father-in-law!”

Sorry, but that's the first time I've heard that name.

But I've got Cheon Myeongguk right beside me to explain diligently.

“Who is he?”

“A third-term ruling-party Assemblyman. He belongs to the Mayor of Seoul's faction.”

“Then would the Mayor be involved too?”

“If he is, it will be minimal.”

“That's something we'll find out once we investigate.”

I said, looking at the factory owner who was still huffing and puffing.

“This one doesn't look like he'll reflect on anything even after he's dragged away.”

“……”

Cheon Myeongguk affirmed with his silence. I took it to mean he'd accept whatever action I took. That means he's trusting me, right? Then I should respond in kind.

“First, I understand what you're worried about, Director. You're thinking that if I keep intervening like this, there'll be no end to it, aren't you?”

“...Haha!”

“I won't kill him. Don't worry.”

I drew Nuri and swung it at the factory owner, who was still screaming at the top of his lungs. The Force blade sliced off the factory owner's arms and legs.

“Aaaagh!”

Thrashing on the floor like a bug as it sprayed blood, the man looked like he was in exactly the right state.

I gave a slight nod. Just like Vice Mayor Ham Gukgi earlier, I hadn't killed the factory owner either. This is how we adjust to each other.

“Let's see how the judgment of the law plays out.”

If I watch it once and don't like it, I can step in then.

*

When Choi Hyojik heard the news about his son-in-law, he shot up from his seat and shouted.

“They did that to my son-in-law and think they'll get away with it! That bastard Choi Junho!”

His son-in-law's arms and legs had been severed, and he'd only barely survived in critical condition. They'd reattached the limbs, but the word was that he'd need a long rehabilitation before he could manage a normal life—and at that, his vision went red.

He absolutely could not let this go.

He felt he wouldn't be satisfied until he struck Choi Junho a blow by whatever means necessary.

But before he could put anything into action, Cheon Myeongguk visited his office first.

“The President wishes for you to exercise restraint, Assemblyman.”

“My son-in-law's arms and legs were cut off! My daughter called me in tears! And you're telling me to just lie down like a damn fool and take it?”

“That's why you should have done things in moderation. You did more than you should have, and this is the result.”

Choi Hyojik's facial muscles twitched and trembled.

“Even if you're a Blue House power player, spouting such nonsense……”

“Do you think I came here without any information?”

“……”

The moment he heard that cold voice, Choi Hyojik snapped to his senses. The man before him was the Director of the Awakened Security Office, one of the President's closest confidants, and the one who had caused this incident was a transcendent.

He'd heard the factory was raided before his son-in-law's limbs were severed.

If the investigation had proceeded quickly and the money had been traced, there was a high chance they'd figured out where the central body was.

If they knew it wasn't just him but deeper waters involved, then he would be the one cut away.

“The fact that your son-in-law didn't die is also due to the President's arrangements. He touched state funds and caught the eye of Transcendent Choi Junho—losing only his arms and legs means the damage was minimized. Given Transcendent Choi Junho's temperament, he would have stormed the National Assembly right then and cut off the Assemblyman's arms and legs.”

“……”

“I trust you will exercise restraint. I'll take my leave now.”

Cheon Myeongguk, walking outside, heard the sound of someone collapsing heavily into a seat and smiled bitterly.

This matter had somehow been contained and wrapped up without growing large, but there was always the risk of it blowing up again at any time.

And the one who had to clean it all up was himself.

He suddenly felt a pang in his stomach.

“I wish the Administration would be established soon and Jung Juhо would take over.”

That would cut his workload in half, so he prayed that time would come quickly.

Meanwhile, having returned to the Blue House, he reported to the President at once.

The President, who had been gazing out the window, turned around with a satisfied expression.

“At this rate, we ended it with far less damage than we anticipated. Good work, Director Cheon.”

“I only did as you instructed. However, Mayor Han Jeongmun and Assemblyman Choi Hyojik will be considerably displeased.”

“Choi Hyojik—is he dipping into the welfare budget because he's got nothing to pocket? If it had been at a reasonably acceptable level, none of this would have happened. Send the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs to Ji Changyong. Make sure Choi Hyojik is dropped from the next nomination. As for Han Jeongmun... we'll watch him for now.”

“Yes.”

The President's voice, casually discarding even a third-term senior lawmaker, was cold.

“……”

“I know. Making a decision like this will stir discontent within the ruling party. But read this. Your mind will change.”

What the President held out was a report on monsters that had come in from countries around the world.

“You said last time that we weren't properly recognized on the Awakened Power Ranking, didn't you? There was a reason for it.”

“Th-this is……”

Cheon Myeongguk's eyes widened as he took the documents. What was written inside concerned a newly appeared Harmful-class Level 8 monster.

It was a monster of a similar grade to Nuri, who had appeared in South Korea not long ago, and the summary stated that it was far stronger than the Harmful-class Level 8 monsters that had appeared before and wielded a gift.

Countries that had formulated countermeasures based on South Korea's briefing had succeeded in stopping it without major damage, but countries that had not believed or had dismissed it had suffered enormous damage.

The proof was that the number of Level 8 transcendents who had died in this incident was a full three.

The United States mobilized two transcendents and succeeded in the hunt, while China blocked it by mobilizing high-level Awakened—Level 7s and Level 6s—in large numbers.

“We stopped a monster like that with Choi Junho alone.”

“……”

“Now you understand why the UPN doesn't believe the results of Choi Junho's solo hunt, don't you? Even I wouldn't have believed it if I'd received intelligence that someone had hunted it solo from China. But we know this is the truth. That's how far beyond imagination Choi Junho's value is. This is why we have no choice but to strain ourselves to keep the connection alive.”

“Seeing it in numbers, I understand just how remarkable this is.”

“The others should know it too, but they cling to the prejudice that he's young and doesn't look strong—tch, tch. The other side is using that to run a public-opinion war, and all Yeouido has is a bunch of fools.”

Cheon Myeongguk, who had received reports that the number of people declaring themselves Choi Junho's fans was growing exponentially, agreed.

“At this rate, the UPN might start making noise……”

“Do we need to care about that? If they pick a fight and get smashed, they brought it on themselves. The damage lands on them, not us.”

He didn't seem to think for even a moment that Choi Junho would lose.

Well, he supposed his own thoughts were the same.

...Still, somehow the President seems to be turning more and more into Choi Junho too.

It was slightly concerning, but he understood the sentiment.

He hoped Choi Junho would go to Tokyo soon.

*

In a forest space filled with a dense poison fog, the corpses of dead villains lay scattered about, and at the center stood Berserker.

Before him, the Harmful-class Level 7 Poison Snake lay collapsed.

This monster, which could spew a tremendous volume of Poison Breath capable of poisoning hundreds at once, was known as the hardest to hunt among the Harmful-class Level 7 creatures.

Berserker had succeeded in hunting it alone.

“Kuk! Kukuku! KHAHAHAHA!”

Even after inhaling the poison fog to his heart's content, Berserker felt nothing, and he threw his head back and burst into mad laughter.

He had finally opened the new gift, Immunity to All Poisons.

With the strongest gift, said to be the stuff of legend, now in his grasp, Berserker felt a world-shattering, unprecedented power swirling inside him.

This was the moment of the star. Enveloped in ecstasy, Berserker savored the moment as his body gave a faint tremor.

With killing intent filling both eyes and a desolate expression on his face, he revealed the murderous design he had been hiding.

“Choi Junho. Now it's your turn.”

Without wiping that killing intent from his face, Berserker pulled out his smartphone and sent messages. It was a declaration of war.

Me (Berserker) — It's your turn now.

Me (Berserker) — I'll come for you soon.

All the hardships he had suffered at Choi Junho's hands.

Remembering every moment he had been treated mercilessly by that bastard, he swore revenge.

But.

The moment he recalled the two times his heart had been shattered, he felt the fighting spirit that had surged to his fingertips fade.

Berserker changed his mind and decided to take a step back.

“Not yet. I don't know that bastard's full strength yet. So I need to be careful. First, I make the gift completely mine. Then I go find him.”

Me (Berserker) — This message has been deleted.

Me (Berserker) — This message has been deleted.

He had just hurriedly deleted all the messages when—

But Choi Junho was faster. Before he could delete them, the number markers had already disappeared. It meant Choi Junho had read them.

Then the messages began pouring in.

Choi Junho — I saw all of it.

Choi Junho — But why'd you delete it?

Choi Junho — Weren't you saying let's fight?

Choi Junho — No way you'd just say let's fight.

Choi Junho — Don't tell me you opened Immunity to All Poisons?

Choi Junho — Where are you?

Choi Junho — I'm coming right now.

“Urgh, urgh!”

Sweat beads formed on Berserker's forehead as his rage simmered under control.