The Hunters (2)
When the US military temporarily withdrew from Yongsan, they would naturally have left behind a minimal guard force to prevent weapon smuggling. Taking all their equipment would have been impossible due to time and transportation constraints, and it made no strategic sense anyway. At that point, the US military's strategic goal was still North Korea, not the Gates.
One of those left-behind soldiers was probably Lopez. Whatever Lopez did to his other comrades, the odds were high they'd all turned into ghouls. And he'd likely used them as labor to smuggle out the weapons. It wasn't surprising that the US military had caught wind of it and come charging in.
But Ju Kang-rim couldn't shake one question: 'Why the US military?'
'Did they only just realize the weapons were being smuggled?'
Ju Kang-rim and Yoo Wol-ryeong had slipped out early and were hiding in a villa next to the hotel. The US military moved in as if they already knew the location, reaching their floor in seconds.
Watching them, Ju Kang-rim muttered, “Han Min-seong's employer wasn't our military—it was the US forces.”
“Why do you say that?”
“They probably planted a tracker on Han Min-seong. No way they wouldn't, if they didn't know where he'd smuggle the weapons... But why the US military?”
Ju Kang-rim had assumed the ROK military was using Han Min-seong to pilfer something from the US base. Shady dealings between allies weren't unusual—they were commonplace. But the US military hiring mercenaries to smuggle their own base's goods? That was no small matter. It meant something controversial enough to spark internal debate had come in.
'No way... is it really a nuke briefcase or something?'
Ju Kang-rim's mind grew complicated, but he had no desire to drag diplomacy and politics into his already tangled head full of grim reaper business. Yet the brain of Gerald's former adjutant, who had served as Humanity Resistance Force Supreme Commander's aide, wouldn't shut off easily.
'Could be a nuke briefcase. Smuggling one into central Seoul without Korea knowing could cause an uproar. But...'
Ju Kang-rim's instincts told him it wasn't that simple. Then, a thought struck him about Lopez. Lopez had been diverting goods on orders from an immortal 'elder.' And Han Min-seong had been commissioned by some 'higher-up' to steal them from Lopez.
'It's not nukes. Immortals are involved.'
Ju Kang-rim clicked his tongue. This wasn't mere national intrigue. Immortals were puppeteering pawns from the shadows.
'Then the 'higher-up' behind Han Min-seong is...'
Something flashed in Ju Kang-rim's mind. He felt he knew who was behind Han Min-seong. No—it had to be that person.
“Gerald.”
Han Min-seong would soon join Gerald's ranks. This mission had been a test for him.
“Gerald was behind Han Min-seong. They must've come after learning he'd been taken out, trying to handle it quietly. Damn it. This isn't just a weapons smuggling case. It's immortal versus immortal.”
“Gerald—the immortal you mentioned?”
Tatata-tatata.
At that moment, helicopters buzzed loudly at low altitude before a man leaped down. Over 10 meters up, yet he landed with a thud, expression unchanged, and started walking.
Tall and sturdy, a blond, grim-faced middle-aged man with a scar slashing across his face. Unforgettable even in passing.
Ju Kang-rim recognized him instantly. “Clint McCallen... one of Gerald's officers. Major general now.”
“Special individual?”
“Special? He's one of Gerald's closest aides. Basically his right-hand man.”
The problem was, given how long he'd stuck with Clint, the guy was likely immortal too. Yoo Wol-ryeong exchanged quiet glances with Ju Kang-rim, both crouched low.
“What do we do?”
“Huh? What do you mean, what?”
“Immortals don't show themselves often. Especially not when grim reapers possess bodies. With just those guard forces around him...”
Yoo Wol-ryeong glanced at the armed helicopters blanketing the sky, the armored vehicles clogging the roads, and the fully geared US troops.
“It might be possible to take him out.”
“...You serious?”
“I don't enjoy jokes.”
Ju Kang-rim stared at the calmly gazing Yoo Wol-ryeong, his face twisting in disbelief. Punch through that army to kill humanity's top dog's right-hand man?
Yoo Wol-ryeong checked her revolver's chamber and muttered, “Life's one shot.”
Gambling brain, this one. Treating Clint like some SSS-grade gacha pull. No clue how strong Yoo Wol-ryeong was, but Ju Kang-rim hated gambling. Plus, immortals lined up beyond Clint. No point wasting energy here and drawing heat.
Then, an idea hit Ju Kang-rim. He gripped Yoo Wol-ryeong's revolver, pushing it down, and whispered, “Better than pointless gambling. I think there's a smarter way.”
***
Clint was inspecting the hotel room. A pile of rotting corpses and one badly burned body lay inside. Soldiers grimaced at the stench, but Clint ignored them, approaching Han Min-seong's corpse to check its state.
Severe burns, fractures