Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 003
Chapter Title: Hostage
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Lee Jung-woo's command became law the instant it was declared.
"As you command."
Belial, the empire's chief of magic and cynical staff officer as well as the 2nd Legion Commander, raised his bony hand into the air.
From his fingertips, pitch-black mana began unraveling like threads—not merely an emission of energy.
It was the prelude to high-level magic that dismantled the laws of the world and overlaid new ones according to his will.
"O space of mortality, cast aside your ignorant order and be reborn under the great emperor's authority."
Belial's voice was low and cold, but its resonance overtook not just the apartment living room but the entire complex.
He unfurled a holographic blueprint of the apartment complex in midair and conducted it like an orchestra, his ten fingers dancing intricately.
Lee Se-ah watched the scene with bated breath.
She could clearly see the mana taking physical form, crawling across the floor, walls, and ceiling.
The black threads passed through the balcony window like arrows, weaving into a massive spiderweb around the complex's perimeter.
Wuuuuuum.
The sounds of the outside world faded away as if by magic.
Car horns, the murmur of crowds, distant sirens—all of it.
It felt as though thick soundproof glass walls had been layered between the home and the world, perfectly isolating them. Even the light passing through the windows refracted faintly.
Belial dispelled the magic circle and reported.
"Well done."
Jung-woo nodded in satisfaction from within his little kingdom.
The moment the immense power enveloped the entire complex, its first ripple exploded through the fastest and noisiest channel: internet broadcasts.
"...So, this KBC occupier, Lee Jung-woo, is likely an isolated criminal harboring resentment toward modern society... Hold on, everyone!"
YouTuber Go Se-gu adjusted his in-ear and shouted urgently.
His broadcast studio buzzed with staff rushing to check breaking news.
"Just now! Breaking news is flooding in! Residents of the Hansung Apartment complex in Suwon—videos and reports are pouring in! Can you believe this?!"
Go Se-gu raised his voice in excitement.
He pulled up the submitted video on screen.
"Look at this footage, everyone! Residents trying to enter their homes, but they're hitting some invisible wall—they can't move forward. They're just flailing in midair! One even got bounced back!"
He slammed the desk and roared at the camera.
"This guy's completely insane, right?! He declared war on KBC Broadcasting Station, and now he's taken thousands of Suwon citizens hostage in a transparent fortress! The chat's exploding!"
Unable to contain his excitement, Go Se-gu jumped from his seat.
"Everyone! This isn't something to just keyboard-warrior from your basements!"
"This is Fact Checker Go Se-gu! Heading straight to the heart of the incident! The front lines of truth—in Suwon!"
"Hit subscribe and notifications—don't miss my life-on-the-line live coverage!"
With a resolute expression, he clenched his fist at the camera, then signaled his staff.
Moments later, the feed cut to a holding screen: 'Heading to the scene. Please wait!'
The instant he was no longer on camera, the grim resolve melted from Go Se-gu's face like snow.
His lips split into a grin that reached his ears.
A suppressed laugh bubbled up in its place.
'Bone dragon, invisible barrier, civilian hostage crisis.'
He savored each keyword, murmuring contentedly.
'It's here... finally. My life's biggest jackpot!'
Perfect.
Just the keywords alone promised at least 100K new subs today, superchats exploding everywhere.
He clenched his fist in euphoric anticipation of his bank balance swelling.
"Grab the gear, fast! One minute late and the other vultures steal it all!"
There was no righteous fervor in his shout to the staff.
Only the raw greed of a views-starved hyena.
As the online frenzy boiled over and the crisis went public, the national powers were already mobilizing.
National Crisis Management Center, underground bunker.
Dozens of large screens endlessly replayed KBC terrorism news, SNS reactions, and footage of the unidentified flying object streaking across Seoul's skies.
"What the hell is all this?"
President Park Jung-hoon asked, chewing his dry lips.
Beside him stood the National Security Office Director, Defense Minister, and urgently summoned Awakener Association President Ma Jin-tae, all with grim expressions.
Chief of Staff Oh Se-young reported.
"Immediately after the KBC terrorism and Bone Dragon sighting, the entity moved to the Hansung Apartment complex in Suwon. Moments ago, all communications and surveillance signals in that area cut out completely. It's like that space was carved right out of the map."
"Identity confirmed?"
"Lee Jung-woo. Age 25. Resident of the complex."
"Awakener rank?"
Everyone in the room swallowed hard at the analyst's report.
Lee Jung-woo's profile. In the awakener rank field: one stark word.
Association President Ma Jin-tae bellowed.
"Impossible! Data error. A non-awakener doing this?!"
"Triple-cross-verified, sir. No registration history, no mana signature. Perfect non-awakener."
The room fell into stunned silence.
The decade-old awakener system was uprooted in an instant. A general muttered.
"If not an awakener, how do we even process this? It's not the same kind of person...?"
"Necromancers don't usually roll with dragons, right? Summoned stuff's just a few skeletons, no?"
The fear of the unknown weighed heavily on the room.
Right after the stifling meeting, Ma Jin-tae rode his private elevator to the top-floor emergency ops room of the Awakener Association, face set like stone.
Waiting were entities tougher than the president: Korea's true power players, the top hunters.
The room's air was already icy before he arrived.
First to arrive, staring at the central screen with a hardened face: Korea's sole SS-rank hunter, Hwarang Guild Master Choi Kang-hyuk.
In his no-nonsense combat gear, his unshakeable gaze fixed on the situation.
"Still no intel on the barrier interior?"
A Hwarang team leader behind him shook their head.
"Yes. Our A-rank mentalist tried mental probing, but extreme neural feedback left them comatose. Described it as... a living fortress wall."
Choi Kang-hyuk's voice sank.
"Thousands of civilians might as well be hostages..."
Then the door opened, and a man sauntered in with a totally different vibe.
Casual stride, pricey leather jacket.
His bored eyes turned to Choi Kang-hyuk.
S-rank top dog, forever in Choi's shadow: Black Forest Guild Master Seo Jun.
"Well, well, our mighty SS-rank hero's already here fretting over the nation."
Seo Jun plopped into the seat beside him, crossing his legs.
Faint cigarette scent wafted from the jacket.
"A-rank hits it and goes coma? True justice demands sacrifice, huh?"
Choi Kang-hyuk's voice dropped low.
"Watch your mouth, Seo Jun."
"What'd I say wrong?"
Seo Jun smirked, popping his gum loudly.
True to his slum roots, he worshipped money and power, dismissing Choi's actions as cheap hypocrisy.
"Kid's in a coma, right? Charging in blind just crippled an A-rank. Covering hospital bills?"
"..."
"Throwing core guild assets for one scrap of info? Looks like waste to merchants like us."
"Oh, sorry. Noble sacrifice? Righteous challenge?"
Ice-cold tension crackled between them.
Then sharp, confident heels echoed from the hall.
The door opened, intense perfume preceding a woman.
Body-hugging blue dress, catlike piercing eyes, striking features.
Genesis Guild's young S-rank: Han Yu-ra.
Choi's face tightened subtly; Seo let out a low whistle mixing admiration and mockery.
"Whew, princess has arrived. What's the pricey outfit today?"
Han Yu-ra ignored their spat, eyeing the screen with intrigued smile.
"Enough, both of you. It's not about flexing strength—it's how we exploit this unknown barrier. Not your average villain or monster. A brand-new variable. How we play it could shake up the whole board."
Her ambition drew a sip from the tea of a silent elder in the corner.
Traditional garb evoking a dobok, S-rank Beidou Guild Master Wang Ho-cheol.
"Tsk tsk, young one's greed runs hot. Disaster or opportunity? Rash moves without knowing?"
Han Yu-ra shot back.
"Caution and incompetence are different, Guild Master."
"What?!"
Wang's brow twitched.
He glared disapprovingly.
"Better to build strength quietly like my So-yeon than chase greed like you."
"Heard she beat your guild's ace in the rankings again."
Mockery curled Han Yu-ra's lips.
She tilted her chin.
"Bragging about your precious granddaughter even in guild meeting? Keep public and private separate, elder."
"You...!"
Wang's face flushed.
Han pressed on.
"Not Beidou's heir, but your granddaughter So-yeon won—so you wanted to boast here. Got it."
The heated guild master standoff chilled instantly as the door opened and Ma Jin-tae entered.
He swept their childish bickering with disdain, yanking his tie loose in frustration.
"All here. Just came from briefing upstairs."
"Government's official stance set, President?"
Choi Kang-hyuk spoke first.
"Nothing to do. Don't provoke, try talking—standard line."
As Seo snorted derisively, Han Yu-ra's eyes gleamed like a predator spotting prey.
Ma Jin-tae caught his breath, then dropped the bomb.
"One more key detail. That guy, Lee Jung-woo? Records say non-awakener."
The room froze colder than ever.
Even Seo Jun's casual gum-chewing jaw halted.
Shock painted the faces of Korea's top guild masters.
Choi Kang-hyuk broke the silence, leaping up.
"Can't wait. Follow Association and government if you want. Hwarang acts independently. Civilian safety first."
"Goal: analyze barrier properties, scout infiltration. I'll command the field myself."
Hwarang guild members lining one wall rose in unison, saluting with absolute trust and resolve in their eyes.
Seo Jun muttered a low sneer at the sight.
"Fucking annoying prick."
Han Yu-ra watched with keen interest; Wang shook his head in disapproval.
Choi had left, but the tension lingered.
If anything, their clashing desires sharpened into focus.