The Absolute Power of the Abyss
Japan (5)
The underground bunker of the Japanese Ministry of Defense. "I-is that even possible?" Prime Minister Kenji’s eyes trembled. The footage transmitted from the reconnaissance satellite was projected onto the massive screen. The problem was that the footage was anything but ordinary. Of course, Hunter Cheon Yooshin was never an ordinary hunter to begin with. For instance, he was the hunter who had single-handedly dealt with the B-class monster, Apocalyptor. But this was going too far. A human made of mere flesh and blood summoning a meteor shower?
In truth, Prime Minister Kenji had intended to invalidate every promise he and Japan had made to him, provided this situation was resolved safely. From the perspective of Japan, which had always been a superpower to the small and weak nation of South Korea, it was only natural. But after seeing the footage, he realized something. The ability of this hunter, Cheon Yooshin, was not meant for dealing with monsters.
Prime Minister Kenji imagined it for a moment. What if the meteor shower that slaughtered the ants were to fall right in the middle of downtown Tokyo? Cheon Yooshin had a history of blocking a nuclear strike. Therefore, even a nuke wouldn't work on him. If that were the case...
He gulped, his throat dry. 'It cannot be stopped.' He had reached the conclusion that the superpower of Japan could not handle a single individual. Was that even possible? One might be skeptical, but what more explanation was needed in the face of the clear footage sent by the reconnaissance satellite? His hands trembled slightly.
That was when it happened.
"Mr. Prime Minister, the President of South Korea has requested an emergency call."
"Connect it."
The expression of South Korean President Cha Insoo, who appeared on the screen, was unexpectedly calm.
-Mr. Prime Minister, you must have been watching the situation just now.
Kenji nodded obediently.
-Congratulations. The monster that was ravaging your country's territory has finally been brought down.
Prime Minister Kenji’s face turned sour. If he couldn't sense the ulterior motive of President Cha, who was calling him right now, he wouldn't be fit to sit in the Prime Minister's seat. In other words...
-I know you must be busy with the recovery efforts, but I am calling you out of necessity to remind you once again of the matters your country promised.
Finally, the main point. Prime Minister Kenji’s face stiffened. President Cha’s words were polite and courteous, but the meaning contained within was clear. 'We have killed the B-class monster as you wanted. Now it is your turn to fulfill our requirements.'
Prime Minister Kenji swallowed hard. 'Damn it.' Countless thoughts were colliding in his head. The desire to invalidate the promises was fighting against the frustration of having to accept a massive, unstoppable tide.
-Mr. Prime Minister.
President Cha, who had called for him, remained silent for a moment. Why? Kenji felt an uncomfortable sensation, as if his own thoughts were being read. President Cha’s voice became firm.
-I hope there won't be any such unfortunate incident where you fail to keep your promise...
"We will keep it!" Prime Minister Kenji shouted, spitting out saliva. "Do you think I, the head of a nation, would not keep my word? What do you take us, Japan, for to say such things!"
-Hahaha, I was just worried because there have been several precedents in the past.
'How dare he...!' Kenji’s mouth tasted bitter at the smug expression and tone. That had been the exact expression and tone he had used while dealing with President Cha until now. It was only natural. Japan had always been the superpower, and South Korea had always been the underdog. History is the future of the past. It had always been that way. But this moment was different.
-The power we possess is uncontrollable. As you know very well, Mr. Prime Minister.
"Haa... We will definitely keep the promise we made. So, I will hang up now."
As Prime Minister Kenji finished his sentence, he signaled to his secretary. Confirming that the video call had been disconnected, Kenji looked at the cabinet members watching him. Everyone was silent, like they had swallowed a bug. They were the top experts in their respective fields, but in this situation, they had no choice but to be dragged along.
A deep sigh escaped Prime Minister Kenji’s lips. He couldn't blame them. He was the same.
"Proceed with the demands they made."
"Mr. Prime Minister!" Hiroshi’s eyes widened.
"We have to keep it. It’s a promise we made." Kenji said powerlessly.
"Now, our country’s gate response capability will be the lowest in the international community."
The capable hunters had all entered the B-class gate and died. The atmosphere became even heavier at Prime Minister Kenji’s words.
"So we must follow their demands. There might be more gates that we cannot handle."
Just then, the door opened carefully, and the secretary entered.
"Uhm, Mr. Prime Minister."
"......?"
Prime Minister Kenji looked at the secretary. The secretary hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.
"Well, a call is being connected with Hunter Cheon Yooshin."
At that moment, Prime Minister Kenji’s eyes widened.
"...Who did you say?"
"It is Hunter Cheon Yooshin. He says he wants to speak with you, Prime Minister..."
At that moment, Prime Minister Kenji jumped up from his seat. The chair slid back, making a sharp noise.
"N-no, why is that person calling me?"
He and Cheon Yooshin weren't even acquaintances. Hiroshi intervened.
"Are you sure? Hunter Cheon Yooshin?"
Then the secretary said, looking somewhat aggrieved.
"It is true. We couldn't believe it either, so we checked several times."
"Hoo... Connect it."
"Understood."
When the secretary pressed the button next to him, the call connected as a voice call, unlike before.
-Is it connected? Hello? Can you hear me? Knock knock?
A light tone transmitted through the voice. Since it was Korean, he couldn't understand the meaning, but he couldn't miss how incredibly light the tone was.
"What is he saying?"
The interpreter standing next to him spoke up.
"He is checking if it's connected. You can speak now. I will interpret from here on."
Prime Minister Kenji cleared his throat for a moment and said.
"It is an honor to speak with you like this, Yooshin-gun. But what is the reason for requesting this call?"
It wouldn't be bad to build a good connection with a hunter named Cheon Yooshin while he was at it. It might even be a good opportunity.
-Ah, it’s nothing special. I have a favor to ask.
He called the Prime Minister himself for something not special? He wanted to hang up right away, but he had to endure it. He wanted to deny it, but as of now, he was the one in the weaker position. Prime Minister Kenji said with an adult, benevolent smile.
"Hahaha, I see. What is the favor you want to ask?"
-It’s really nothing special, but please collect the carcass of the Giant Queen Ant.
"...Collect, you say?"
No, he contacted the Prime Minister himself to ask for something like that? This is too much!
"Things like that can be requested to the Hunter Management Department..."
-Hey, how can I request something like this to the Hunter Management Department? It has to be someone like the Prime Minister so that if something goes wrong later, I won't have to hold anyone accountable.
"Cough, cough..."
How could he be so rude? Who is holding whom accountable? Was this something a mere individual should say to a Prime Minister responsible for a whole country? The cabinet members listening to the call coughed. But that was all. No one voiced their dissatisfaction out loud.
-Then I’ll assume you’ll take care of it, and I’ll head back to Korea? Pack the carcass well and send it to Korea.
"A-ah, no..."
Beep, beep, beep, beep...
Prime Minister Kenji’s mouth hung open for a moment. Well, there was nothing to get close to or anything. Hahaha...
***
Kim Jeonghyeon gulped as he looked at Baek Junhoo in front of him. A perfectly pressed suit, a watch worth tens of millions of won, and even a disciplined posture. He possessed the dignity that only those who had walked the path of a king since birth could have.
'To think that the Vice Chairman of Ohsung Group would personally pay a visit.'
He had indeed put forward his requirements strongly. That great Executive Director Oh was sitting next to him, looking so tense he couldn't even sit properly, but was standing instead.
The words of President Cheon Yooshin crossed the mind of Kim Jeonghyeon, who had been slightly hesitant.
'I will make this the strongest company on earth, so just follow me. So don't be intimidated by anyone.'
At his words, Kim Jeonghyeon’s shoulders, which had been hunched, straightened wide. A glint appeared in Baek Junhoo’s eyes, not missing that sight.
'So he’s not an ordinary guy.'
"I would like to know the reason you came to find me."
Kim Jeonghyeon opened the conversation, and Baek Junhoo took it.
"I heard you made an interesting proposal to our side."
Kim Jeonghyeon felt overwhelmed by his presence, enough to make him want to surrender the moment he heard his voice. However.
'Calm down, Kim Jeonghyeon. You are a person of the strongest company on earth from now on. Ohsung Group is just...'
Kim Jeonghyeon bit his lip slightly and said.
"Yes. That is correct. We can't just live by ourselves because we are good, right? Shouldn't we coexist?"
'What am I saying?'
At those words, Baek Junhoo’s brow furrowed imperceptibly.
"Does that mean you are saying our Ohsung Group is inferior to the company you are working for, Cheonnuri?"
"Isn't that so?"
"......"
The atmosphere turned cold. Kim Jeonghyeon’s calves were trembling under the table. Extreme tension. Kim Jeonghyeon kept his mouth shut, and Baek Junhoo tapped the table several times with his fingers as if lost in thought.
"Hey! Demanding a 20% increase in the existing magic stone supply payment, there is no such case in this industry! Is business a joke to you?"
Just then, Executive Director Oh intervened with his eyes wide.
"I have never treated it as a joke. Don't you operate that way too, Executive Director Oh? I had such an experience when I worked at Cheomdan Happy Industry. It hasn't been long, so you must remember it well, right?"
The presence of Baek Junhoo and Executive Director Oh were different. Naturally, strength was added to Kim Jeonghyeon’s voice.
"Th-that is..."
Executive Director Oh made a troubled expression as if he were speechless.
"That’s enough."
Executive Director Oh is his person. So, he had given him some discretion to do whatever he wanted within a tolerable level in the middle. He had no intention of arguing about that. How much money could that be?
"Are you going to stick to that proposal you made last time?"
To Baek Junhoo’s question, Kim Jeonghyeon replied.
"Yes. It is our company’s policy."
Of course, the President never gave permission. Or is it the same as giving permission? Since he delegated full authority to him.
Baek Junhoo, who stood up from his seat, smiled.
"Then let’s consider the negotiation as if it never happened."
Kim Jeonghyeon also stood up awkwardly.
"Y-yes, let’s do that."
As Baek Junhoo and Executive Director Oh left the office like that, Kim Jeonghyeon slumped into his chair.
'Did I do the right thing?'
Something didn't feel right.
***
Endless clouds were spread out outside the window of the plane personally provided by the Japanese government. However, Yooshin couldn't pay attention to such a sight. A new skill obtained while hitting level 45. Yooshin had learned countless skills in the Abyss. However.
'This is a skill I didn't even obtain in the Abyss.'
He had never heard any demon say that such a skill existed. Not even Marcas, the King of Demons.
Yooshin raised his hand and drew a line in the air. Then, a space was created there as if it had been cut with a knife. Darkness could be seen through the thin gap. Yooshin took a deep breath. He looked tense, unlike himself. When he reached his hand inside, Cheon Yooshin’s figure disappeared.