Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Episode 33. Lair Theme Park (2)
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Simon Abkarian's secretary, Jean-Luc Wenger, was a superhuman in his late eighties.
His hair had turned completely white. Jean-Luc let out a sigh. The wrinkles around his mouth deepened.
"And you wrote down the address and sent it just like that?"
This elderly superhuman was always worried about his master, Simon, the representative of Overmen Without Borders (OWB).
"What's the problem?"
"I've heard that man called the 'Demon Hunter' is incredibly strong. Overwhelmingly so, even among unofficial rankers."
"That's what they say."
Simon Abkarian was an ambitious man. Even now in his forties, he pursued strength like a child and wielded his tongue like an old politician.
Having risen as France's savior through wartime merits in his youth, and becoming OWB's representative, those traits had only intensified.
"Someday, the Federation will be right in the palm of my hand, won't it?"
A few years ago, Simon's drunken voice echoed in his ears.
"Didn't BM say he was even stronger than himself? A powerhouse like that living without revealing his identity must have some circumstances."
"Circumstances?"
"The kind you can't talk about. Like a catastrophe-level demon who betrayed his comrades, or another returner."
"Come on, Jean-Luc."
"Simon! BM is a very transparent person. He shares responsibilities without chasing personal gain—a true power player."
"I know that much. What he said isn't a lie."
"Even so, leaving a first impression like that? It'll come back to bite you."
It was a jab at his insolent attitude.
Simon shook his head.
"Who do you think I am, Wenger?"
"......"
"I'm the representative of OWB. The Federation's VVIP. Gallia's hero."
His voice dripped with authority.
"A man like me demands your address, and what does BM give? A proxy's address. So whose first impression is the problem here?"
Simon flashed a sly grin.
"Anyway, first impressions don't matter. BM called him an 'individual.'"
"That's true."
"So what if he's exceptional? He's still just one man. No matter how skilled he is, does he think he can push his agenda against the Celestial Assembly, OWB, and the Federation?"
"......"
"I can't understand BM and Li Hua's reactions. Worshipping some nameless guy like that. Well, those fools are just brute strength idiots. They don't know where blindly following leads."
Having survived battlefields for decades since the New Genesis, the old man couldn't pinpoint the truth in this situation. It was because an unprecedented figure had appeared, with no historical precedent.
But he had his instincts.
"Maybe it's not that."
The Demon Hunter.
BM described him as 'immeasurable.' Yet he showed no self-interested moves and belonged to no organization.
Great power is given to those who desire much. Thus, the powerful always crave more. His existence defied that logic entirely—a contradiction.
Alarm bells rang in Jean-Luc's mind. The old man sensed something ominous.
"Jean-Luc, you're wise, but you worry too much. Ah, Cro's here just in time."
A crow spirit flapped in. A note was still tied to its ankle.
A furrow creased Simon's brow.
The unfolded note bore an address.
And scrawled over it in red was a crude X.
Simon grinned exaggeratedly in admiration. Then he licked his upper lip with the tip of his tongue.
"Look at this! What manners."
He could tolerate refusal, but not dismissal. Ambitious men were always like that.
Emotionally stirred, Simon scribbled another note.
The content read as follows.
[Last Chance]
[Little Red Door, 60 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France]
I'm giving you one last chance.
Get over here.
"There you go, Cro. Off you fly."
"Your A-set meal is here."
Curry, grilled chicken, and noodles were placed on the table.
"Shall we wipe our hands?"
While Bom and Winter wiped their hands with wet wipes, Yoo Ji-tae cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and placed them on Winter's small plate. Winter, who had been excited since entering the theme park, now held chopsticks one in each hand and dismantled the chicken.
"Hey, what's that? Bom, where are Yeoreum and Gaeul?"
"Oh, they both had some work to do."
"That kid... her name is Winter, right?"
"Yes."
"Whoa. I had a feeling. Genes are genes, huh? She's such a pretty girl. Uh-heh-heh!"
Myeong Yong-ha's laugh reminded him of someone. Professor Myeong Jong laughed heartily, rumbling and rolling his eyes at Winter playfully.
Winter, looking at Myeong Jong, scrunched her eyes and turned back to her chicken.
"Ha-ha! Dad, you can't do that."
"Oh?"
"Look."
Then Myeong Yong-ha clicked his tongue cutely, trying to charm her.
But Winter just frowned again.
"You're embarrassing yourself, dear."
"Sorry......"
"You too, Father-in-law. The kid's scared."
"Ugh, did I...?"
Only after a scolding from his wife did the father and son restrain themselves.
Finally, Myeong Yong-ha gave Yoo Ji-tae a subtle glance.
"Do you recognize me?"
"Of course."
"Heh-heh, I never imagined meeting you here."
Myeong Yong-ha's family consisted of Professor Myeong Jong, Myeong Yong-ha himself, his wife, and two sons. The woman in the straw hat looked healthy. Unlike when he'd seen her at the Spring of Life, she wasn't coughing.
In past loops, she should have died, but this time she lived. The regressor had saved her.
But he just thought, So that's how it is, and felt nothing more.
He turned his gaze. A child with vacant eyes was staring at Winter.
Myeong Yong-ha's son. Myeong Jun-il, was it?
The boy barely touched his food, unable to look away from Winter.
"......?"
When Winter looked back, he startled and hurriedly stuffed bread into his mouth.
It was just like Winter staring at him before.
"...Looks like you had your second child."
"Ah, yes. This is Jun-hyeok. A son."
"Congratulations."
Myeong Yong-ha then focused on feeding his child without further words.
"Ahh, ow, it's spicy. Ahh...!"
"......!"
Instead, when Professor Myeong Jong fanned his hand dramatically at the spice, Winter showed interest in him. The Yoo family didn't register pain from spicy food, so Winter found his reaction novel.
Winter smiled brightly and fanned with her tiny hand. Flowers bloomed on Professor Myeong Jong's face.
"Why are you copying me?"
"......!"
"Is it spicy for you too? Huh? Uh-heh-heh-heh!"
Then Myeong Yong-ha's son cautiously mimicked Winter, flapping his hand.
The mealtime passed like that.
As dessert ice cream arrived after the meal, Myeong Yong-ha subtly approached Yoo Ji-tae. He wanted to talk privately for a moment.
There were benches outside the cafeteria. The two men stood there.
"It's nothing much. I just wanted to express my gratitude."
"Gratitude?"
"Yes, yes. Do you know about me, Ji-tae?"
"Of course."
"Ha-ha. This might be awkward, but actually......"
He spoke calmly about past events.
His wife exposed to the Ancient Seed virus.
The worsening symptoms as childbirth approached.
Meeting Yoo Ji-tae then. And the remedy from BM.
He didn't know exactly which ingredient worked, but that didn't matter—he was grateful anyway.
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you."
Korea's top superhuman.
One of the world's greatest mages.
The Druid of Regeneration, Myeong Yong-ha, bowed at a perfect right angle to Yoo Ji-tae.
"It's fine."
"Truly, you are my benefactor."
"Lift your head. The kids are watching."
Yoo Ji-tae's kindness had been a mere whim. He was certain Myeong Yong-ha's wife wouldn't alter the future. He'd given it as compensation for devouring the mushrooms he'd cultivated.
The pained expression from past loops from Myeong Yong-ha flashed briefly, but he still felt no particular emotion.
"Thanks to you, we're thinking of a third. Ha-ha!"
"Good news."
This time, he wondered if he'd have a daughter.
"That's why."
Myeong Yong-ha's voice lowered.
"Do you have any other aliases for your activities?"
"No."
"Are you registered with the Federation?"
"No."
"No official activities, then."
"Something like that."
"......"
His gaze deepened.
"Ji-tae, ah, that's your real name, right?"
"Yes."
"I pride myself on my eye for superhumans. So, I'd like to make a proposal."
Myeong Yong-ha's expression was more serious than necessary.
Yoo Ji-tae immediately knew what his 'proposal' was.
"Among world rankers, there are friends who gathered to drive demons out of the world."
"......"
"Well, now half of it's just hanging out."
Ha-ha. Myeong Yong-ha chuckled awkwardly before turning serious again.
"There are quite a few famous superhumans. We hold gatherings now and then to build bonds, exchange, that sort of thing. It's not well-known, so I can't name members......"
"And?"
"If you're okay with it, would you join one of our gatherings?"
Instead of mentioning the organization, he invited him to the 'gathering.'
Regrettably, this wasn't pure intent.
If he went, Celestial Assembly members would first judge if Yoo Ji-tae was evil. Then, after vetting, they'd recruit him.
As in previous loops.
"Thanks, but I'm good."
"Ah, there are lots of good superhumans there. I vouch for it on my name."
"Not interested in superhuman socializing."
"I see......"
A disappointed tone.
But his eyes still sparkled with vigor.
Myeong Yong-ha didn't give up.
"If my proposal was too sudden, take your time to think. The world's unpredictable. We should unite while we can."
"I have my reasons."
"...It's not a grand affair. Just come once. You're a good person, aren't you, Ji-tae?"
"Why do you think that?"
Well......
Myeong Yong-ha shut his mouth mid-sentence.
Yoo Ji-tae being good was proven by Yoo Bom. A girl embodying great nature itself. A protector of such a child couldn't be evil.
...That strong conviction guided his judgment.
"Please don't take too much interest in me."
"Ji-tae......"
Before he could continue, Yoo Ji-tae cut him off.
"I don't think highly of the Celestial Assembly."
Myeong Yong-ha's eyes widened in surprise.
He hadn't expected the organization's name to come from his mouth.
But the superhuman before him was immeasurably strong.
His calculations shifted quickly.
Myeong Yong-ha changed his approach.
"...So you're hostile to the gatherings, Ji-tae."
His voice dropped lower.
The affable, good-natured superhuman was gone.
Cautious and composed. It was a soldier's face.
But the regressor answered impassively.
"A hundred people have a hundred thoughts. An organization's banner can't replace personal convictions."
Even those gathered under the mission to protect humanity didn't all protect it.
"...Do you perhaps find me untrustworthy?"
He shook his head.
"I can trust you."
But there were those he couldn't.
Simon's crow 'Cro' flew in. But it couldn't peck at the window as usual. It tried to headbutt it, but there was a dull thud. Jean-Luc Wenger doubted his eyes. Red liquid splattered, staining the window.
Soon, the door-opening elder looked around in horror.
"......!"
The crow's neck was snapped.
Its beak clutched a note.