Chapter 378
Chapter 378
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 378
Chapter Title: Kang Taesan (2)
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"We've actually been talking for a bit now. We only started officially dating recently, but I figured I should let you know ahead of time."
"I've heard so much about you from Taesan. He says you're basically like brothers? It's really enviable how much you two trust each other."
We moved to a nearby café and exchanged light chit-chat along with various other conversations.
Kang Taesan, a public servant at the Ability Management Bureau—a government agency—and Park Miyoung, who worked an ordinary office job at a regular company.
Their connection started when Taesan went to the building where her company was located for a field investigation.
"Suddenly, there was an Ability crime on the floor below, and everyone was terrified. Then my guy came in and calmed everyone down—it was so cool!"
"Ahaha, you're embarrassing me. It wasn't really a big deal. It was just a bit noisy, but no major damage or casualties. Just a simple theft."
From that chance encounter, they naturally started exchanging contacts, and with Park Miyoung's proactive approach, they ended up dating recently.
'He was always complaining about having no time to rest and being worked to death, but even then, he was getting everything done.'
Who would've thought that guy would be the first to succeed in romance.
From my position as someone who'd been with Kang Taesan since childhood, it felt a bit odd.
I looked anew at my friend, who had a beauty by his side and was grinning mischievously.
Even in his fatigued state, his rugged, masculine features and well-trained physique stood out.
Though he bore the name of the Crime Investigation Division, considering his main duties as a non-Awakened leaned administrative, his self-discipline was impeccable.
'Usually, field ops pair agents like him with two Awakened investigators. It varies by case scale, though.'
Awakened with relevant abilities were essential for Ability-related crimes, so it was unavoidable.
Of course, agents weren't just sidekicks to Awakened investigators.
From on-site forensics and scheduling to securing locations, gathering suspects, and analyzing intel—nothing happened without their expert touch.
When needed, they even consulted experts like 'Black Wizard An Seongjin,' leashed by Hans. They weren't ordinary folk to be dismissed.
'And their salaries reflect that. Honestly, prime marriage material.'
My gaze shifted to Park Miyoung, smiling with her arm linked in Taesan's.
A cute puppy-faced beauty a few years older than us same-age folks.
Her petite frame mismatched her impressive figure, and I instantly understood why Taesan's smile reached his ears.
'But...'
I chatted casually with a smile while cautiously observing Park Miyoung.
Her lively reactions showed eager agreement with the speaker, sociable enough to loosen even a taciturn person's tongue. Her natural smile disarmed even the wary.
The picture of an ideal conversationalist.
'...Something feels off.'
Yes, too ideal—like watching a perfectly scripted play.
Maybe that's just her personality, but my intuition, sharpened by awakening divinity and sensing worldly karma, screamed it wasn't so simple.
'Tch, this doesn't sit right.'
My one true friend, like a brother, introducing his first girlfriend.
Suspecting her was impolite, but ignoring it wasn't an option.
Kang Taesan and his grandmother were Han Seonghyeon's last remaining ties.
'I hope it's just my imagination.'
To confirm, I needed to shake off this unease quickly.
Multitasking daily life, analyzing her discreetly while conversing normally was trivial.
"So then that guy said..."
"Hey! We agreed not to talk about that..."
"Oh my! Really? My sweetie..."
My carefree self bantered trivially while my analytical self coldly assessed. Surroundings slowed as if time stretched.
⚔ ANALYSIS RESULT ⚔ <Park Miyoung (alias)> - Affiliation unknown. Older than she appears. Hiding true feelings and lying. Received instructions from someone before coming here. Main Traits: Extraordinary acting skills, cool-headed judgment, excellent mental prowess, average physical abilities Trust Level: 11% The unthinkable result appeared plainly.
Rock-bottom trust and scant details.
At this level, betrayal was virtually guaranteed.
'...As I suspected.'
I maintained composure, smiling without a flicker.
Without knowing her goal, tipping my hand was unwise.
Just in case, I Analyzed Kang Taesan too.
⚔ ANALYSIS RESULT ⚔ <Kang Taesan> - Ability Management Bureau, Crime Investigation Division. Joined with stellar grades through relentless effort and unyielding will. Harbors deep hatred for Ability crimes after losing those he revered like parents. Excited to introduce his first girlfriend to his friend. Still hungry despite eating a whole chicken. Main Traits: Unbreakable conviction, tenacious resolve, devoted familial love, excellent combat talent, extraordinary mental prowess, superb physical abilities Trust Level: 94% '...No anomalies in the skill. So she's the fake—from name to age, job, and intentions.'
"Ah, gotta hit the bathroom."
"Sure. Feeling peckish, though. Dessert okay for you, noona? Want another honey bread?"
"Oh? One enough for you? Might as well order one of each."
"...Should we? Then..."
I rose and headed to the restroom, face hardening at their affectionate voices behind me.
Kang Taesan, family since elementary school, was remarkable.
Unlike ordinary me, he excelled in studies and sports, never bullied for his parents' absence.
He stuck by reclusive me post-accident, slaving to join the Bureau to uncover it—a genius among geniuses.
'But...'
Han's peaceful life owed most to him.
Without Taesan, it would've shattered before Avatar.
'...Daring to touch that?'
He symbolized my battered humanity's remnants.
The one who knew my past best, our sole direct link, reason I desperately clung to morality.
Thinking it tarnished by foul intent boiled my blood.
Swoosh—
In the stall, I pulled a burner phone from Subspace Storage via the Akasha System.
Not my public contacts, but for underworld dealings—used far more.
'Let's see who these bastards are.'
I sent terse orders to Jin Soran, Heinz 2nd's proxy, then stowed the phone.
Washing at the sink, I stared at my reflection—especially my coldly gleaming eyes.
The Blood Alliance, vampire-led, long dominated Korea's shadows.
They restrained unchecked expansion to avoid scrutiny, but indirect sway sufficed for control.
"Oh, back? Ordered a bunch. After days of overtime, I'm starving no matter how much I eat."
"What, like I don't know you eat a ton."
"Right? Sigh, what to do with my gluttonous Taesan."
"Uhaha! High metabolism..."
And I, its lord, knew every shadow's secret.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Good seeing you after so long. Let's meet like this more often. Get some fresh air."
"Had fun today. Hit me up anytime, Seonghyeon. Got a cute junior who'd suit you—I'll introduce next time."
"Ahaha, I'm good. Prefer natural meetings for now."
"Sheesh, you'll end up single forever."
"Leave it. Barely mid-twenties."
"Hmm... Fair enough. Anyway, holler if you change your mind. Drive safe."
Night deepened, ending our meet naturally.
I bid the pair farewell and headed to my parked car.
I guessed why Taesan called: introduce his first girl, but more to spark new ties for his shut-in friend.
'Probably asked her to set me up too.'
Unneeded for my global... interdimensional activities and women ties.
'Though not romantic.'
Smacking my lips, I slid into my new foreign car's driver's seat, checking my phone.
A message from one such woman.
"...Let's see."
About an hour since ordering the probe.
Slim intel provided anyway—all fake.
'Good, thorough work.'
Elites prioritized Heinz's commands regardless—expected.
Stoic-faced, I read the report.
"...Ha! Right, that bunch."
Grasping the full picture, I closed my eyes.
Planning next moves.
Fingers drummed the wheel.
'Not much planning needed.'
Soon, eyes open, I started the engine, easing accelerator.
The luxury car sliced night shadows.
Judgment for irking me was singular, reason irrelevant.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Korea saw violent crime plummet thanks to unofficial transcendents Hwahoe Tal and Phantom, plus the Blood Alliance's vigilantism.
But they targeted only society-threatening felonies—not all crime.
Human desires persist; criminals endure.
Like a criminal conservation law, suppressing one swells another.
Hardened felons shifted to hard-to-prove scams, threats, embezzlement.
"How's it going?"
Some entrenched elites exploited this.
Daeryong Group chairman's office—Korea biz rank 30.
The suited, bespectacled elder spoke flatly; the strategy chief bowed with tablet.
"Recruitment smooth. Chains tangled to evade traces; ready to sever tails on demand."
Embracing radicals fearful of hunters was easy.
Money and destruction satisfied them.
Temporary weapons sufficed for ops.
Serial minor misfortunes hobbled rivals enough.
'If domestic ops risky, export them.'
Means-end agnostic from inception.
Maximize profit via all tools—true business.
Chairman smirked, adjusting gold frames; report continued: laundering, graft, final item.
"...Planting our people in agencies proceeding sequentially via Cheonjong Construction. No issues."
"Mm, no rush there—solidify. Could be daggers later."
As report wrapped, chief glanced at tablet—eyes twitched.
Sudden anomaly, no warning.
"...Chairman, breaking news. Cheonjong Construction..."
They didn't know.
The shadow king ruling Korea's underworld bared fangs over their "minor" deed.