Chapter 435
Chapter 435
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 435
Chapter Title: Harley's Modern Diary (2)
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"All sorted here!"
"We've already wasted too much time, so let's get started right away. The guests ready?"
"Yes, PD. They're all set and waiting."
The interrupted shoot resumed after the sudden incident.
Just moments ago, the atmosphere had been utterly ruined, but apparently some agreement had been reached between the higher-ups on both sides, and orders came down directly to proceed.
Of course, this was an unwelcome development for the uninvited guests who'd shown up in person, but unfortunately, there was nothing they could do about it.
Especially since...
"Hm, looks like you're finally ready for a calm chat!"
They were in no position to worry about anything else right now.
"Ugh..."
"......"
The returnee celebrities who'd barged in so confidently were now forcibly escorted outside the set against their will.
They groaned from whatever hits they'd taken, glanced at each other cautiously, then met Harley's gaze and sheepishly lowered their heads.
It was clear they'd already lost their nerve.
"A chat...? Is there even anything left for us to talk about?"
Only one person stared straight at him even after coming this far.
Everyone except Cheon Seolhyang, the leader of the group.
...Why is a monster like that siding with the Blood Alliance?
Of course, appearances aside, her mind wasn't at peace.
Having reached such a high realm herself, she'd vividly felt the gap between them during that brief clash earlier.
If that man had been serious...
They'd all be cold corpses by now.
It was only natural that the returnees, so used to the logic of power, were now watching Manager Ha's every move.
They'd minimized using their energy to avoid collateral damage, but the other side had done the same, hadn't they?
Even if we've grown rusty from working in entertainment and away from real combat...
It started with an action actor who'd reached the entry of the Aura Realm blocking a punch with just his palm.
Grabbed by the wrist and slammed to the ground, he was neutralized by a single stomp.
His protective aura, timed perfectly, shattered in one blow.
The rest followed suit.
The broadcaster who'd hunted countless dragons as a dragon slayer.
The model who'd fought on the front lines as a battle mage.
One by one, they were subdued before they could even show their stuff.
Even with buffs from the party's divine priestess singer.
In the end, only the strongest, Cheon Seolhyang, remained.
But even she, using her flexible sword coiled like a belt, soon gave up all resistance.
After several clashes, she had to finally admit what she'd been ignoring.
No matter what she did, she couldn't beat this man.
...Who would've thought a Transcendent would be working as a mere manager.
The pressure she'd only felt facing the Returnee Association Chairman during her Guardian days.
She hadn't expected to feel it again here.
She knew Phantom was a Transcendent too, but figured he wouldn't bother showing up personally for some rookie idol.
"Why not? Nothing beats a good talk for clearing up misunderstandings! We've already bonded with some light physical conversation, so now it's time for a serious chat, don't you think?"
His carefree voice drifted into her preoccupied ears.
Light?
Bonded...?
The attitude treating the recent commotion like nothing.
Those who'd averted their eyes in fear now stared at him in disbelief.
But Harley was sincere.
If he hadn't been, they wouldn't be sitting there so intact.
Well, they probably calculated that much before causing this mess.
They knew the Blood Alliance was dangerous, that Phantom could kill them anytime he wanted.
Yet they'd come boldly anyway, betting this side couldn't resort to harsh measures.
That's what makes it such a headache.
Killing them for disrupting the plan would end the idol project on the spot.
Not just that— all the image rehab they'd worked so hard on would go up in smoke.
The Ability Management Bureau and Guardians would brand them as villains again and shun them completely.
Assassination's out too. Even without evidence, suspicion alone is fatal. Brainwashing or turning them into vampires? Same problem.
It was an unavoidable limit once they'd declared they'd step into the light.
Shady dealings could be swept under the rug without witnesses, but with so many eyes here, they had to handle it above board.
Well, their feelings are understandable, I suppose.
The Blood Alliance had existed for over 15 years.
The hardliners who'd run it like the mafia had only been gone less than a year.
From their perspective, it looked like heinous criminals whitewashing themselves with a bit of volunteering to infiltrate society.
Even expecting the Blood Alliance to behave, stepping into a situation where one wrong move could cost their lives? That's bold.
Whether from their sense of justice as former Guardians, responsibility as the strong, or love for the entertainment world they'd called home.
They'd come here with their own convictions, so he couldn't treat them lightly.
"Alright, down to business. Did you order the bomb planted in our car?"
Of course, that was only if it wasn't connected to the bombing.
This level of disruption he could overlook, but the bomb was a clear line crossed.
They'd clearly meant to kill, and innocents could've died too.
"...What?"
"Bomb? What are you talking about?!"
Harley's honed senses dissected their shocked reactions down to the last detail.
Not just surface responses.
Energy flows in their bodies, pupil contraction, temperature shifts, hormone surges, blood flow, muscle tension.
No living being could hide from the eyes of one who'd touched divinity through pure biological potential.
Robots, undead, spirits—non-living things aside.
They really had no idea.
All five were innocent.
But was it coincidence their visit overlapped with the bombing?
Hmm...
Harley stroked his chin as they protested it was nonsense.
His mind raced through possibilities.
Someone manipulating them, or framing them if the terror succeeded.
"Hmmm, so that bombing has nothing to do with you guys?"
"Of course not! Wait, there really was a bomb terror?"
Either way, a massive headache.
Things were already tangled enough—how long to investigate and catch the culprits?
"Fine, here's what we'll do!"
So no more agonizing.
Since it happened in the light, handle it in the light.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A man stepped out the front door of the building and stretched grandly.
"Ahh—! Let's see, this buys us some time at least."
Muscular build, sunglasses, suit—clearly no ordinary guy.
Manager Ha—Harley—had left Ricoris to the other managers and driven here himself.
Two birds with one stone. That woman might even persuade these guys to behave.
He nodded in satisfaction as the building sign gleamed in the sunlight behind him.
-Korean Returnee Association Seoul South Branch
One of the Guardian headquarters symbolizing Korean public safety alongside the police.
Even the national Ability Management Bureau sought their cooperation first for supernatural issues, making them top-tier for handling ability crimes in Korea.
This bomb terror is blatant ability crime. Naturally, the Guardians should step in, right?
No matter what anyone said, 'Lunatic Entertainment' was a legally established Korean company, and Ricoris its artist.
Vampires or not, with a magic bomb used, Guardians had a duty to get involved.
I even asked Branch Chief Yoon Jiyoon, who's cooperating with us.
Bonus: Handing off the returnee celebs under the guise of investigating terror links.
Yoon Jiyoon, also Cheon Seolhyang's senior, could persuade them while keeping them in check.
Knowing our power better than anyone, she'd act decisively to prevent unrest.
Just in case, I reported it officially to the Ability Management Bureau's Crime Investigation Division. We pay taxes on time—gotta protect our rights.
Before Hwahwal and Phantom, these orgs had clung to inefficient humanitarian policies amid worsening security.
No matter how cunning the culprits, dodging both at once wouldn't be easy.
Even if not caught, they'd be cornered...
And when that tail shows...
Fierce light flashed behind his sunglasses.
His tongue flicked out between grinning lips, licking sharp white fangs.
"Ahem. Good! Time to prep on our end too!"
Harley strode off purposefully.
More urgent matters now—manager duties on hold.
Blood Alliance could handle Ricoris.
Him doing it was the odd part anyway.
"Let's see."
He pulled out his smartphone and checked an email.
Andrew Weaver's report, arrived while dealing with the Association.
Prepped ahead of orders, even more detailed than expected.
"Kahahat! Might as well pick up our new employees!"
Strike while the iron's hot.
With the list for expanding intel in hand, no hesitation.
Why's the file named 'Kill List' though?
He tilted his head briefly, then shrugged.
Andrew's foreign—probably mixed up with 'roster'.
The list, steeped in one person's grudge that no one else could die alone, glowed quietly in the reaper's hand.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Harley, active as a manager in Korea, wasn't his usual massive size.
His height, easily over 2.3 meters, shrank below 2 meters; his bulging muscles scaled down accordingly.
After that Southeast Asia fiasco, his old look was too identifiable, so he'd adjusted.
No suits for that build anyway.
Tattoos covering his body, including face, were hidden beneath the skin.
Thus stripped of all uniqueness, just a big guy in a suit...
Kiiig—
"Jeez, a guest calls and no one comes out?"
He peered through the gap after ripping open the thick metal-sealed entrance barehanded.
"Kyaaak! M-Monster!"
A shrill woman's scream echoed inside, but he ignored it, widening the gap and shoving his face in.
"Whew, stinks. Bad for your health too—ventilate or something. Sealing the door like this traps the air."
Justifying it as for their own good, he pried it wider.
Metal twisted loudly, but soundproof barriers kept the noise local.
"Hm, you must be Hugin?"
Stepping past the now-useless barrier meant to block intruders, Harley scanned the room.
The windowless basement, lit only by fluorescent lights, brimmed with over ten large monitors and humming computers.
Impressive. Definitely talented.
Glancing over the screens, he nodded approvingly.
Then eyed the trembling woman slumped on the floor...
"Gahk!"
Snatched the throat of a man sneaking up from behind.
"So you're Munin."
The man stabbed frantically at Harley's arm with his knife, but such skill couldn't pierce his skin.
"Let go of him!"
The woman, fear forgotten, glared sharply and swung invisible threads.
"Kek!"
But yanked by the threads, she ended up subdued alongside the man.
Hugin and Munin, the duo making waves in the underworld lately.
Harley smiled contentedly at his prizes.
Top-tier talents on Andrew's list, operating as "Odin's Eye" info brokers.
So hidden, it took the full Hesferon network plus the list to track them.
Snagging elites like this? Pure satisfaction.
Oh right, physically grabbing them isn't the end.
Realizing his slip, he gently set them down.
"Kuhahaha! My bad! Came to make you a sweet offer..."
"......?"
"O-Offer?"
"Yeah, yeah. You'll love it. Best deal out there."
Ignoring the terror in their gripped hands' eyes, he pitched enthusiastically.
He'd come purely for peaceful recruitment, after all.
By the way...
His scouting success rate was currently 100%.