Eastern Hunters and the Black Market's Surrender
Afterward, Lisa provided detailed information on the Japanese and Chinese hunters who had entered the country.
Gathering this kind of intel couldn't have been easy, but the fact that she'd kept collecting it even while going into hiding showed she was no pushover.
"I did run away, but I wasn't completely defenseless about it. The ones who stabbed me in the back this time—I'd been watching them closely from the start because something felt off. But this time, the situation just went south. Right after Charlotte's death, amid all the chaos... that's when they made their move."
Lisa quietly explained her circumstances, leaving me momentarily speechless.
Her steady gaze felt like it was blaming me.
No, it's not really my fault, I thought. But still.
"Who was it that bolted without handling the aftermath after Charlotte died?"
"...I wasn't in great shape myself back then... And besides, I didn't exactly owe them a report in the first place..."
"......"
I shut my mouth under her silent glare.
Come to think of it, maybe it is a little my fault...
"Anyway, no point dwelling on the past. Back to the main topic... Let's start with the Japanese hunters."
Lisa let out a soft breath and continued.
"The ones from Japan you need to watch out for most are two in particular. Both SA-rank hunters."
"Oh? Two SA-ranks came in?"
"Yes. And they're twins."
"Twin brothers who are both hunters? And both SA-rank? That's impressive."
I murmured in quiet admiration, and Lisa nodded calmly as she went on.
"They're commonly known as the 'Yamamoto brothers.' It's rare enough for twins to both become hunters, but for them to both reach SA-rank? They're famous not just in Japan but here too..."
"Never heard of them."
"...Of course. What was I expecting from you?"
"...What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing at all."
She sighed as if giving up, then pressed on with her explanation.
"Anyway, they're pretty famous hunters. Big shots, you could say. They're well-known in the public eye, but in the shadows? They're even bigger players."
"...And the Association just lets guys like that waltz in openly?"
"Officially, they're here to raid the Seoul Great Labyrinth. What can the Association do? The government and Association don't meddle much in the underworld to begin with."
"Why not?"
"Call it an unspoken rule. Even the big shots have their dirty little secrets."
"...I see."
I nodded slowly at her explanation.
I'd known since my human days that politicians and Association bigwigs weren't exactly saints.
Assuming the underworld had dirt on them—which they probably did—that explained why the government and Association steered clear.
"...So from Japan, just those two to watch out for?"
"Yes. They brought some S-ranks too, but the real threats to you and your wife right now are those two."
As she spoke, Lisa glanced sideways at Snow.
Snow, sitting quietly beside me and listening intently, tilted her head at the look.
"Something to say?"
"...No. It's just my first time seeing an SS-rank this close up... On second thought, neither you nor she has much to worry about. Especially not her—and you took down Charlotte."
Lisa's face, which had been tense before, now looked far more relaxed, as if a weight had lifted.
I watched her for a moment, pondering.
SA-rank hunters... two of them. In this form, it'd be tough.
I didn't think I'd lose even in a straight fight.
But as a human? Yeah, that'd be pushing it.
Even with Weakling Extermination backing me up, SA-ranks had limits to how much it could carry.
If it came to fighting those two, I'd definitely need to revert to my true form.
...Though Snow could probably handle them in human form without breaking a sweat.
I glanced at Snow.
She met my eyes, arms crossed in her usual impassive expression, head tilted curiously.
I shook my head with a faint smile.
Lucky to have such a reliable wife.
With both of us going all out in our true forms, no individual in the country could stop us right now.
"Japan's manageable, then. What about China?"
After a brief pause, I spoke up.
"...Right. China’s still out there."
Lisa's response to my casual question was cautious—nothing like her tone about Japan.
I was starting to wonder why when she hesitated, then sighed and continued.
"Truth is, China’s the bigger problem."
"Why? More SA-ranks?"
"...I’d almost prefer that."
"...An SS-rank’s involved."
Lisa didn't confirm or deny.
She just pressed her lips tight and fell silent.
Her reaction confirmed my guess.
"An SS-rank, huh... Has to be that infamous Wang Feng, right?"
"...Yes. The mad tyrant himself."
I stroked my chin as she nodded gravely.
"...I haven't heard anything about Wang Feng entering the country. A guy like that would be headline news."
"...Luckily, he didn't come personally. The Chinese hunters here are one SA-rank and a few S-ranks."
"Hmm... But you're saying it's still trouble."
"Yes. That SA-rank has deep ties to Wang Feng. One of his direct subordinates—or sworn brothers, really."
Lisa sighed softly as she laid it out.
"Name's Zhang Wei. SA-rank. His raw power might not match the Yamamoto brothers, but the danger level? Way higher. Messing with him means tangling with Wang Feng eventually."
"...I get it. Untouchable without consequences."
Lisa nodded in silent agreement.
I crossed my arms, thinking.
Wang Feng's sworn brother enters the country. Goal: seize the underworld. Worst case, Wang Feng's pulling strings directly.
Against an SS-rank's ambitions, Lisa alone stood no chance.
If it was just SA-ranks, she could leverage blackmail or beg the government and Association. But an SS-rank? Useless.
Governments and Associations were powerless against national disasters like that.
Without equal power, the weak always lost.
"...Doesn't really concern us, though."
I concluded after a moment.
Lisa, who'd been waiting patiently, let out a quiet sigh.
"Easier said than done... But if you took down Charlotte, I guess it's fine for you..."
She glanced at Snow again.
"And with your wife here, even Wang Feng couldn't touch you."
Staring at Snow with an odd glint, Lisa rubbed her forehead.
"...From a global perspective, it'd be a tragedy if one of the four—wait, three? No, four SS-ranks died. But oh well. To survive, we have to kill."
She sounded almost regretful, then her eyes sparkled as she turned to me.
"I won't even think about failure—that'd insult you and her. So I'll just figure out your reward."
"Ho... Got something in mind?"
"Honestly, no idea. With your power, you can take whatever you want... Hmm... How about me?"
"......"
"Buy one get one free: me, plus Uncle Yeonseong and the biggest Black Market in the underworld. Tempted?"
She leaned in playfully, and I averted my eyes.
Snow was staring blankly.
I looked away properly.
"Pass."
"Aww... Too bad."
She clicked her tongue disappointedly, and I sighed softly.
I always wondered what went on in this woman's head.
"Not entirely a joke, though. I still can't figure out what to offer my benefactors... The most valuable thing I have is the Black Market itself. My life doesn't compare."
"So you are the most valuable?"
Snow spoke up suddenly, startling Lisa, who then flashed a meaningful smile.
"No, I'm just an accessory. The real prize is the Black Market. In front of it, my life means little..."
Grinning mischievously, she added playfully.
"Thinking ahead, handing ownership to you two might not be bad. Being an S-rank ruling the shadows from the spotlight? I'm hitting my limits."
Lisa's expression sobered.
The playfulness vanished as she looked straight at us, serious.
"So, one more time: if you handle this, take me... take the Black Market."
She bowed deeply, utterly earnest.
The words were the same as before, but the weight was worlds apart.
No trace of her usual teasing—just pure sincerity.
I watched her quietly, weighing the pros and cons in an instant.
Gains versus losses.
It didn't take long.
"Handing over ownership means total submission, right?"
"...Yes. As long as it doesn't harm the Black Market, I'll follow your lead."
"Hmm. What if my decisions do harm it?"
"...I'm no powerhouse S-rank, but I'd resist with everything. As I said, the Black Market's worth more than my life."
Her unyielding gaze drew a smile from me.
"Interesting."
"......"
"One question. You said it's more precious than your life—why run this time? Shouldn't you have stayed and defended it?"
"Because of you."
"...You were waiting for me? No fear I might not help?"
"I'd have figured something out then."
Her smooth, unwavering reply left me speechless for a beat.
A faint smile played on her lips as she watched me.
"...You talk a good game."
"Weaklings need a trick or two to survive."
"Since when was an S-rank a weakling?"
"Compared to real powerhouses like you two? Absolutely."
"......"
Her effortless retorts left me no choice but to stay quiet.
She played the ditz around me, but up close like this, she was unmistakably a leader.
Her experience as a human outstripped mine as a mere powerful monster.
"...If I accept, what do I have to do? Any obligations?"
"No. Too risky to leave it all to you... I'd probably keep running things like now."
"Just a figurehead, then?"
"Not quite. Call it the 'power' needed to survive."
Her cheeky grin drew a dry chuckle from me.
Cheeky.
Standing there begging a favor, yet so bold—right in my face.
Part of me found it arrogant; another, refreshing.
Like discovering a hidden charm.
Calling herself weak yet unbowed before the strong—I liked it.
My mind was made up already, but this tipped the scales further.
"Fine. I accept."
Her face lit up instantly.
The subtle tension melted into a radiant smile.
I watched her, then spoke.
"I was going to leave operations to you anyway. We're busy enough."
"Music to my ears."
"No plans to ruin the Black Market. Not stupid enough to break a new toy."
"Phew, that's a relief. Don't wanna die just yet..."
"But remember one thing."
I lowered my voice, locking eyes with her.
She flinched under my steady stare.
"Don't defy me. Don't harm me. Abandon any thought of rebellion."
"...But..."
"No arguments."
I cut her off.
"I won't hurt the Black Market. But if you cross me, your priority isn't it—it's me."
"......"
"Got it?"
She trembled as I added quietly.
Her shaken eyes stayed fixed on me until I looked away.
Finally free, she exhaled raggedly.
"...Yes. Understood."
Her delayed response confirmed the mental dominance had taken hold.
Basic safeguard secured.
I glanced at Snow; she nodded silently, clearly pleased.
Good.