A Swift Investigation into the Park Minho Attack
The investigation into the Park Minho attack was concluded at lightning speed.
Information and evidence gathered at the scene were compiled.
The report was written according to the official format and approved within a single day, without a single delay.
The Counter-Abnormal Bureau, after all, was ultimately limited to being a government agency.
Normally, such cases should take at least a week to resolve.
But that wasn't the case here.
The Park Minho attack was approved for closure before a full day had passed.
This was an unprecedentedly fast process.
It didn't end there.
“Summon all the vice directors from the main office.”
Commissioner Choi Jiung's stern command rang out.
Jeon Hyeyeon then proceeded with the briefing in the meeting room where most of the vice directors from the main office were present.
“...This is odd.”
Normally, she loved to speak with playful flair, but right now her posture was slightly rigid.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Choi Jiung, all three division chiefs, and the vice directors from both the Counter-Abnormal Bureau and the Surveillance Bureau.
Her shoulders were tense, and she wanted to rotate her arms to ease the stiffness.
She had to hold it in.
What else could she do?
Before her report had even finished, voices erupted from various parts of the conference hall.
“The Chinese Superhuman Bureau! Those bastards!”
“They must issue an official statement immediately!”
“We almost lost one of our most promising hunters!”
Explosive voices boomed across the room.
Whoosh—
A volcanic reaction filled the space.
How much criticism had the Counter-Abnormal Bureau endured because of the Seongho defection scandal!
Now the Chinese Superhuman Bureau was stirring trouble again.
This was tantamount to throwing down a gauntlet at the Counter-Abnormal Bureau.
Amid the heated, explosive atmosphere of the meeting, a few attendees looked puzzled.
“How did a B-class hunter even enter a C-class gate?”
“Park Minho hunter was just promoted to C-class, wasn't he?”
“A C-class hunter defeated several others who were using mana release?”
“Is this even possible?”
From the beginning to the end, the report shattered every bit of common sense.
How had Chinese hunters disguised their ranks?
And how had Minho defeated them?
Traces left behind in the gate clearly proved that the Chinese hunters had been users of mana release.
It was incomprehensible how Minho had overcome such formidable opponents.
That said, no one dared to voice any questions.
The real issue was how to resolve this situation.
“Is Turang definitely involved?”
Commissioner Choi Jiung's question carried no intent to mock.
Everyone present knew that.
“The word Turang appeared in Park Minho hunter's body cam footage.”
“A single word isn't enough to draw a definitive conclusion.”
Hidden disappointment was audible in Commissioner Choi Jiung's voice.
Turang was a hunting dog raised by the Chinese Superhuman Bureau.
Though rumors swirled about it, it rarely left a trail, making it an organization feared and watched by several nations.
The United States' Delta Force.
Even Britain's prestigious Gentlemen Agency had its limits.
Turang's actions came dangerously close to those of a terrorist group.
Normally, government-led hunter organizations didn't cross such lines.
“It was smart to announce it as a Ranger mission.”
“Thank you.”
“What do you think the Chinese government will do in response?”
“They'll deny everything outright.”
“Is there any way for us to push our position?”
“We can delay deployment to the Great Rift.”
The massive gate that appeared alongside the Great Cataclysm.
Commonly known as the Great Rift, it was a genuine threat to the foundation of humanity.
One of them was located in Manchu on the Korean Peninsula.
Each East Asian government periodically dispatched their own hunters to the Great Rift.
To exterminate outer monsters and regularly gather internal intelligence.
“Deployment to the Great Rift falls outside the Commissioner's authority.”
Surveillance Bureau Director Won Taek's voice rose sharply.
Commissioner Choi Jiung waved a hand to calm him.
“How much effect will that have?”
“We can secure an understanding that we won't interfere with Park Minho hunter for the time being.”
“Let's proceed along those lines. I'll get approval from the Blue House.”
“Hm.”
The division chiefs swallowed their sighs.
“I never imagined they would actually accept that idea.”
“Commissioner Choi Jiung is genuinely committed to this matter.”
The main office vice directors were equally tense.
The Counter-Abnormal Bureau rarely wielded much influence over the political sphere, despite its importance and power.
This attitude aligned with Commissioner Choi Jiung's long-term leadership style.
How far would the Counter-Abnormal Bureau's influence extend if it truly exerted its full strength?
Everyone in the meeting busily calculated outcomes in their heads.
Only one person remained unmoved.
Director Jeong Seungil nodded as if the fierce reaction was only natural.
“Remember this. Park Minho hunter is the first Ranger.”
“Yes.”
“Under no circumstances should Park Minho hunter defect to another country.”
“Understood.”
“Surveillance Bureau Director Won Taek.”
“Yes.”
“The protection of Park Minho hunter. How is that going?”
“Currently, we are protecting only his family at his own request.”
“Assign a permanent B-class hunter for protection.”
“Understood.”
The Counter-Abnormal Bureau always suffered from manpower shortages.
Drawing even one B-class hunter was no small matter.
Everyone knew it, yet Director Won Taek did not protest.
The Chinese Superhuman Bureau would not simply back down.
This time luck had been on their side, but there was no guarantee it would hold for the next encounter.
“Personnel Bureau Director Gong Minwoo.”
“Yes.”
“All the gates Park Minho hunter won. Re-evaluate them and reassign the appropriate personnel.”
“Understood.”
It was a matter that could spark fairness complaints if revealed by other guilds.
Commissioner Choi Jiung declared with firm resolve.
“I will take full responsibility for this.”
“Yes.”
“Since this is a serious matter, all departments should maintain close coordination.”
The enormous Counter-Abnormal Bureau.
Had begun to move for the sake of a single person—Park Minho.
The vice directors and above who attended the meeting instinctively sensed the shift.
After the meeting that felt like a storm ended,
“Director Jeong, could I have a private word with you?”
Commissioner Choi Jiung singled out one person.
“Yes, of course.”
Two people remained in the vast conference room.
Commissioner Choi Jiung took a deep breath before speaking.
“Senior.”
“This is an official position, Commissioner.”
“In this ridiculous situation, I don't feel like arguing over trivial matters, so just listen. Senior.”
“...”
Commissioner Choi Jiung's voice, stripped of all playfulness.
Director Jeong Seungil reluctantly parted his lips, his expression uncomfortable.
“There must be a reason for this.”
“Listen, I don't want this matter to simply be swept under the rug.”
Hidden within Choi Jiung's tone was raw anger that had not surfaced during the entire meeting.
In a position where one no longer wears the mask of refined emotions,
unpolished, pure fury burned in his eyes.
“Are you trying to snatch away a bright future from our territory?”
Bang!
“Damn bastards. You need to be taught a lesson!”
“What do you want to do?”
“Let's publicize this matter.”
“The Commissioner makes the decisions, and he alone bears the responsibility.”
In contrast to Commissioner Choi Jiung, who was venting his anger, Director Jeong Seungil maintained a completely emotionless demeanor.
Choi Jiung didn't pay much attention to the lack of response from his senior.
That was just how he was.
“I'll use my name, so remember that.”
“My name?”
“Not the Director of the Counter-Abnormal Bureau. The hero of the Republic of Korea.”
Director Jeong Seungil deliberately stayed away from politics and the press.
An SS-class hunter who was one of the few in the world.
A living legend who, during the Great Cataclysm, had performed deeds comparable to the Twelve Heroes!
Both the political and business sectors had always treaded carefully around him.
Yet
Director Jeong Seungil had no particular interest in politics.
Because he prioritized the sense of duty to save people, he chose to remain at the Counter-Abnormal Bureau instead of climbing higher.
Choi Jiung declared he would leverage the image of “the hero of the Republic of Korea.”
“You said you would use my name someday.”
“That's right. This is exactly why we're here.”
Strong light flickered in the depths of Choi Jiung's eyes.
“They say you might become the second SS-class. In that case, no matter what happens, they won't be able to take you away.”
“It's merely a possibility.”
“You don't casually make such bold statements, Senior.”
Strength returned to Choi Jiung's grip.
“Even if not. If not now, then when? When will I feed them a lesson from the Chinese Superhuman Bureau brats?”
“I understand. If that's your wish, I will follow.”
“It was all because you blew wind into my ear, calling me an SS-class talent.”
Choi Jiung, muttering to himself as if regretting it, left the conference hall.
***
The Counter-Abnormal Bureau immediately launched a counteroffensive.
[Terrorist act occurred in the gate!]
[Turang? China's suspicious secret!]
[Secret organization raised by the Chinese Superhuman Bureau—fiction or truth?]
[Director Jeong Seungil pleads for help due to excessive Chinese hunter recruitment!]
Information hot off the press was released to reporters who never stopped chasing stories.
“Stop!”
“Counter-Abnormal Bureau Audit Division!”
“There! Move one finger and I'll cut off that arm!”
Rapid strikes were launched against Chinese Superhuman Bureau branches in Korea, including the restaurant where Seongho had met a Chinese Superhuman Bureau contact.
The Counter-Abnormal Bureau, poisoned by the Seongho defection scandal,
used the Turang 1st Division incident that targeted Minho's life as a sharp blade to swing wildly.
Commissioner Choi Jiung headed straight to the Blue House.
“Mr. President. This time, I recommend a strong stance.”
“It seems Director Jeong shares the same view.”
“Selecting Park Minho hunter was the hero of the Republic of Korea's doing.”
President Huh reached for his teacup.
The reason the title “hero of the Republic of Korea” had been used.
If he didn't know, he had no right to sit in this chair.
“What do you think, Commissioner Choi Jiung?”
The subject had been omitted, but it was impossible not to understand who was being referred to.
“I've known Director Jeong for about forty years.”
“That's right. Even as a boy, he fought monsters.”
“The first time an SS-class talent has been recognized—publicly and privately.”
“Is that so?”
President Huh took a slow sip of tea.
“Good. All government departments will not hesitate to cooperate on this matter.”
“Thank you, Mr. President.”
The only evidence was the word “Turang” caught on the body cam.
It was not enough to officially pressure the Chinese government.
Normally, unofficial channels would be used to negotiate, but this time it was different.
[Korean government demands official explanation from Chinese Superhuman Bureau!]
[Emergency in the East Asian hunter market!]
[Cooling signal in Korea-China relations?]
[What is China's true reason for wanting Park Minho hunter?]
Official statements issued under the President's approval.
The aftermath of the Park Minho attack spread throughout the political and business sectors, creating huge ripples across Korean society.