Chapter 411: Special (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 411: Special (2)
The day finally came to depart for China for the mission.
The Chinese Black Market, which boasted the largest scale in Asia.
As the operation was to annihilate the shadowy forces that controlled it, the risk level was of the highest order.
That was why, before leaving, I briefly explained the mission details and its dangers to Jeong-hee.
Couldn't I have just left in secret and returned in one piece?
Normally, I would have done just that so my family wouldn't worry too much while they waited… but honestly, I couldn't guarantee that everyone would come back from this mission without a single scratch.
After all, our opponent was Hexagram.
A massive organization with the ambition to swallow the world, though I didn't know how serious they truly were.
When I confessed this, Jeong-hee became visibly anxious.
“That mission… do you all really have to go?”
At a loss for words, I quietly turned my head to look at Shin Yu-jeong.
The human heart is a truly fickle thing.
Her, and the others too.
I chose them not only because they were overflowing with charm as potential partners, but also because their talents were outstanding.
No matter how capable you are, there are always things you can't accomplish alone.
My plan had been to help their talents blossom, transforming them into people I could entrust my back to for when that time came.
“To be honest, I wish Yu-jeong wasn't coming along either…”
I guess I can't help being who I am.
I had decided to live a new life, vowing not to form deep emotional bonds with anyone and to only maintain casual, give-and-take relationships. But contrary to that promise, I had once again grown far too attached.
So attached that the mere thought of them getting hurt, or even dying, made my whole body tremble.
Contrary to my original intentions, I wanted to keep them somewhere safe.
But that was nothing more than my own selfish desire.
Shin Yu-jeong, receiving both my and Jeong-hee's gazes, frowned and pointed her index finger at me.
“I'm only going because he's going.”
Seriously?
She blamed me as naturally as breathing.
“Do-jin…?”
Jeong-hee's pitiful gaze shifted to me.
Ah.
I have a real weak spot for this.
Maybe because I've never really felt much motherly love in my life, I'm a total softie in that department.
Across two lifetimes, Seo Jeong-hee was the person who made me feel the most maternal affection.
Is that why? I feel like I'd grant her any wish, as long as it wasn't too much of a burden on me.
But this time, it couldn't be helped.
“I'm sorry. I have a reason I absolutely must go.”
My relationship with them had already reached a point where we couldn't live under the same sky.
There was no way those bastards would leave me alone after I'd so thoroughly exposed their identities.
“We're already entangled one way or another. If I don't go, they'll come for me first.”
And I had no intention of letting them be, either.
They might think I threw the first punch, but we were the ones who got hit first.
Weren't they the ones who whispered poison into another man's wife's ear—I don't know what lies they used—and made it impossible for a family to stay whole?
Though that relationship was now in the past, as long as I was alive and breathing, the fact that it was a sin would never change.
To me, family was a precious sanctuary I had to protect until the very end, even if South Korea, no, the entire world were to end.
They were the ones who had trespassed over that boundary.
So, I had no choice but to shatter their sanctuary in return.
It goes without saying, but I didn't include these details in my explanation to Jeong-hee.
I just gave her a slightly edited version.
“If I don't erase them first, my family and I will be in danger.”
“Fam…ily?”
The two of them reacted to the word 'family.'
Why were they acting so surprised?
“We're already family, aren't we?”
To Shin Yu-jeong, I'm a husband and a father.
To Jeong-hee, I'm a husband and a son-in-law.
The relationships are a tangled mess, but… if this isn't family, what is?
The corners of Jeong-hee's and Shin Yu-jeong's lips trembled, uncontrollably curling upward.
“Yes… that's right. We're family.”
“Hmph, I guess so. Though we're a little different from a normal family…?”
I delivered the final blow to them, who seemed deeply moved.
“I can throw away everything I have. But there's just one thing I'll never abandon.”
I meant it.
The one conviction that would never change, even if my body were swapped dozens, or hundreds of times.
“I will not abandon my family. No matter what happens, never.”
“Do-jin…”
“You really…”
Watching the two of them, so moved they looked like they might burst into tears at any moment, I cheered inwardly.
Affection points, secured.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The total number of A-rank Hunters heading to China was around seventy.
Their departure for the mission was carried out in extreme secrecy.
A light disguise to avoid recognition was essential.
Some personnel left using fake passports provided by the government, while others departed for neighboring countries to enter China via a roundabout route.
“Heeh… it's like we're filming a spy movie.”
Im Na-eun let out a cry of pure, childlike admiration at this.
She's such a strange character.
She doesn't have a single crease, the kind of hardship everyone has at least one of.
I'd guessed she was the daughter of a well-off family… but maybe she's from a more incredible family than I thought.
Anyway.
“Yeah, it is pretty incredible.”
Acting covertly for a mission is a very good thing.
Of course.
“…That's only if any of this actually works.”
“Hm? What did you say?”
“Nothing, just talking to myself.”
The efforts of everyone here, including myself, were commendable.
But unfortunately, these efforts would end up being a meaningless swing and a miss.
“I wonder how much she'll hand over.”
They have Han Ju-hee.
An accomplice to the enemy who can grasp our side's details with great precision and pass them on.
I suspected all of our current movements had already reached their ears.
However, the plan for a preemptive strike hadn't gone completely up in smoke.
“Life never goes according to plan, after all.”
The list of A-rank Hunters heading to China, their entry dates, the mission briefing schedule, the operation date, and so on.
She could give them as much as she wanted.
My plan was to wait until Han Ju-hee had passed on all that information, then change the operation on the fly.
I had enough influence.
I had a give-and-take relationship with the Saintess of the Vatican, so I could certainly draw out her cooperation.
As for Korea, with my current influence, I could elicit a certain degree of support.
And if some of them acted out and refused to listen, I'd just have to knock some sense into them until they did.
Japan… was, in fact, the weakest of all the nations participating in the operation.
Do you know what's most pathetic about being powerless?
It's that their words carry no weight.
The moment the Vatican and Korea joined forces to push for a change in plans, Japan would have no choice but to agree, whether they liked it or not.
Just as I was mentally reviewing the plan that only I knew about, I heard my teammates talking.
“Isn't it about time for us to depart?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“…But why aren't Seo-yeon-sunbae and Ju-yeon-un…nie here yet?”
Shin Yu-jeong voiced her question, struggling to force out the word "unnie" for Ju-yeon.
Now that she mentioned it, that was true.
There wasn't much time left until departure. Where on earth were they?
“Should I call them?”
I nodded in response to Na-eun's question.
“Go ahead.”
“Okay, one second.”
Just as Na-eun took out her smartphone to make the call.
“Hey guys, sorry. Are we a little late?”
Everyone turned their heads at the sound of Ju-yeon's voice from behind.
And then we saw it.
Ju-yeon approaching with an awkward laugh, and Seo-yeon trudging along with a gloomy expression.
And between them, walking with her signature red hair fluttering, was another person.
Han Ju-hee.
While I was still dazed, Ju-yeon arrived beside us and spoke awkwardly.
“Uh… sorry. I think our departure plans might have to change a bit.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Han Ju-hee stepped forward and greeted our team.
“It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Seo-yeon's mother.”
“Woah…”
“I-It's Hunter Han Ju-hee…”
“I think I must still be dreaming…?”
Our team members were completely star-struck by the presence of an S-rank Hunter up close.
I was just as stunned.
After shaking hands one by one with the team members, who were all acting like her biggest fans, she finally stood before me.
“Hello.”
“…Yes, hello.”
“I'm joining the operation a bit late, so I ended up sandwiched between my younger sister and my daughter.”
“……!”
Something completely unexpected had happened.
I knew she would interfere with this mission in some way, but I never imagined she would participate directly.
The biggest reason for this variable… was probably Seo-yeon.
After a brief handshake, she offered an apology to the team.
“I'm sorry for jumping in so suddenly.”
“I-It's okay!”
“We're actually happy about it!”
“Elena feels the same!”
The team members waved their hands frantically, spouting only the words she wanted to hear.
Watching them, all I could do was sigh.
What am I going to do?
This really messes up my plans.
It wasn't a completely unforeseen situation.
But it was definitely the worst-case scenario I had hoped wouldn't happen.
Having instantly won over the team, she turned to me and asked.
“I'd like to change our departure plans a little… is that alright?”
This was less a question and more a threat, or perhaps a demand.
Our original plan was a university club trip.
We were supposed to arrive in China crammed together in economy class, even acting all excited like it was our first time on a plane.
Now, that was impossible.
Unlike us, Han Ju-hee wasn't someone who could hide her presence with a simple disguise.
“If it's Hunter Han Ju-hee's will, then we must follow.”
“Thank you.”
With a slight, sarcastic curl of her lip, she offered her thanks before turning to the team.
“I've prepared a private jet. We'll be using that to enter the country.”
“Whoa…!”
“Wow, a private jet!”
“A private jet… If Elena becomes an S-rank Hunter, can I take a private jet to go home too…?”
The team members burst out with all sorts of cheers and exclamations of awe.
They're so happy they could die.
“…I think I'm going to die, too.”
My teammates, overjoyed and welcoming Han Ju-hee's sudden participation.
And among them, me, the only one glaring at her with displeasure, not welcoming her at all.
“Fucking lonely, aren't I…”
I felt like a one-eyed man in a world of the two-eyed.