Queen (1)
Special Inspector Team 3 Leader Raymond arrived at the airport.
He was a Murim expert, but he didn't use the martial artist-exclusive screening lane.
He looked utterly ordinary on the surface—and in truth, he had never taken the BST.
Not every martial artist took the BST.
There were Murim folk who possessed the skill to pass but skipped it for various reasons. In Raymond's case, it was purely to keep himself hidden.
On paper, he was a civilian, here on business. His ID and documents showed no issues, so the entry stamp came down with a solid thunk.
As he cleared security and headed for the exit, a cheer of "Whoa!" erupted from nearby.
He glanced over. A woman was striding through the martial artist lane.
Beep.
The metal detector went off, but she passed right through without a hitch.
Her fantastical figure and beauty—too striking to hide behind sunglasses—turned heads. A massive sword was strapped to her back.
It was Queen. By coincidence, she had arrived around the same time as Raymond.
Like Jang Cheon, she held a World Murim Alliance weapon carry permit.
As she removed her sunglasses at the checkpoint, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"It's a celebrity!"
Someone's shout drew even more people.
"Who? Where?"
"Whoa, she's gorgeous!"
As someone pulled out their phone for a photo, another voice cut in.
"She's not a celebrity, so no photos, please."
The man blocking the shot was Ben, impeccably suited in white. His polite words carried an undeniable authority that brooked no argument.
The young man pocketed his phone and bowed his head.
"Sorry. Someone said she was a celeb."
He'd known she wasn't— no celebrity lugged around a sword that size.
She was just too stunning not to snap a pic for his SNS. Regret gnawed at him inwardly, but Ben smiled.
"Truth be told, she's far more beautiful than any celebrity."
The young man nodded earnestly.
Ben cleared the martial artist lane too. He was a Murim master himself. It was why he could climb to the Himalayas' peak in just a suit to meet Queen.
Dozens watched the pair leave the arrivals hall. Her mere silhouette was enough to stir hearts among everyone there.
Raymond blended into the crowd, observed her, then walked out.
A welcome party waited. Twenty or so people held name signs and placards up front—including Actor.
Actor's sign bore a code only they would recognize.
Raymond approached.
"Actor?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Pleasure. Team 3 Leader Raymond."
Raymond was remarkably gentlemanly. Actor had expected the special inspector leader to be overbearing, but this was the opposite.
Of course, he didn't buy it as the man's true face.
No genuinely gentle soul rose to special inspector—let alone team leader.
"Shall we?"
"Yes."
They boarded the car in the parking lot.
"Saw a stunning beauty right on arrival. Traveled the world, seen plenty of stunners, but she's in a league of her own."
"That impressive?"
Raymond nodded, gazing out the window.
"Korea—off to a great first impression."
Raymond never touched on business.
Actor knew better. This casual chat was prelude to a sudden probe. Stay sharp.
Small talk about women, but no openings here. The interrogation had already begun.
"And S-BLOCK sends their regrets."
Jang Cheon handled backlog on his laptop.
Complex charts, Excel sheets crammed with numbers. Approval reports and proposals awaiting final sign-off.
His body was in Korea, but the work spanned the globe.
Much of it was Night's final approvals. He had authority to handle solo, but Night always sought sign-off.
Thanks to that, Jang Cheon's business acumen had sharpened considerably.
He read methodically, deciding one by one. Like much of the world, these seemed daunting until they weren't—manageable with the right mindset.
Still, he relied heavily on Night and Bishop.
He wrapped up several items mid-call with Bishop.
"Tell them we'll look for another chance. And sorry."
"Got it. They get it—your homecoming after so long."
"Wrapping up now?"
"Oh, and the tournament profits went to Rook."
"Everything smooth?"
"Yes, progressing well."
"Tell him to stay safe."
"Will do."
As he finished, Park Gwang-cheol called.
"Busy?"
"What's up?"
"Passing by, thought of you. Got something to ask. Drink if you're free?"
"Where?"
"Near the residence."
"Come up."
Park Gwang-cheol arrived soon after, champagne in hand. Pricey stuff.
"Don't rag on me for splurging. Just wanted a good drink with you—special occasion."
"Thanks."
They poured glasses. Jang Cheon rarely touched champagne, but after ages, it hit right.
"Tasty."
"Told you. Picked it special."
"Something good happen?"
"Sales up, snagged those recruits I wanted."
His face beamed. A far cry from their first meeting.
"Hwa-ran doing well?"
"Studying these days."
"What?"
"Wants to go to college."
He grumbled, but he liked it—had even encouraged her.
"Lee Yeon?"
"Probably fine."
"Probably?"
"Too busy to see her."
"Park Enter's star. Take care."
Jang Cheon chuckled. If Park knew she was knee-deep in world-shaking drama, he'd bite his tongue.
"Hwa-ran's probably with Lee Yeon now. Came together."
"Right, what'd you want to ask?"
"Guardian Camp called again. Deal or no?"
"Pass."
No need now Actor was onside. With their organization ties exposed, CEO Lee Dong-hyeok was a target.
"Got it."
Park eyed Jang Cheon, gauging. Mimicking his signature "okay."
He'd always wanted to nail it—that crisp, refreshing punch. Fell short. He sulked inwardly.
"Guardian aside, what about SGC?"
Jang Cheon floated it casually.
"Great, but pricey."
"Worth it?"
"Hmm, maybe."
Jang Cheon nodded.
"Safety first. Try small-scale, scale up."
"Will think on it."
Purely for Park's sake. Night's firms were solid—SGC a flagship, full force behind it.
"Heading out."
"Okay!"
Park practiced down the hall.
"Okay, okay? Okay! Ooo-kay!"
Crisp and clean, like Jang Cheon.
Even this way, he yearned to emulate him.
"SGC posted a job."
Lee Yeon peeked at Kwon Hyeok-su's monitor.
"As expected—top-tier perks!"
Salary higher, benefits better. Swallows hard worthy.
"Apply as experienced?"
"What if word leaks?"
"Where? Our firm?"
"Yeah. Small world—news flies."
"They're pushing Korea hard; no interview gossip. And if it leaks, I'm gone."
"Serious?"
"Yeah."
Always preaching caution, yet boldest here.
"Loyalty? Sure. But we deserve better gigs first."
"Really applying?"
"Mulling."
His gravity pulled her in. Only one she confided in here.
Team 3 sans him? Unthinkable.
"You go, we go. Together, Lee Yeon."
She wanted that most—joked opposite.
"May the Force be with you."
"No Force needed! Just courage for 'send'!"
As they bantered, Hwa-ran arrived.
"Lee Yeon."
"Sis?"
Hwa-ran smiled at Kwon.
"Mind if your team slacks a bit?"
"For you, Hwa-ran? Clock out now."
"Haha, coffee time suffices."
"Thanks, boss."
He chin-nodded the monitor: think it over. She nodded.
They sipped at the first-floor lobby cafe.
"Still swamped?"
"Same routine. Record, rest, repeat. Oh, and..."
She hesitated, grinned sheepishly.
"Studying. College entrance."
"Whoaaa! Sis, badass!"
"Nah. Your doing."
"Me?"
"Saw you brave the BST—inspired me. Thanks."
"You cheered me through it."
"Cheer me too."
"Duh!"
"Studying's rough—forget it turning away."
"Study facing away then. Oops, boss's pun slipped."
"Confess and forgiven."
"Hahaha."
They laughed together.
Then two entered the cafe.
Incredibly, Queen and Ben. They'd booked the residence—knowing Jang Cheon was here.
Not coincidence. But publicly, strangers.
If suspicion arose, it'd seem natural: same lodgings, casual acquaintance.
Ben spotted Lee Yeon, whispered to Queen.
"That's the woman."
Explanation enough—Ben had mentioned Jang Cheon's pretty Korean contact.
Queen eyed her.
Freshly minted martial artist meets Real Championship victor.
The two women crossed paths in the residence's first-floor cafe.