These Bastards Are Crossing the Line
Inside Team Leader Park Hae-soo’s office, a heavy silence filled the air. Even the city noise flowing in from outside the window felt distant. Cheon Yooshin and Team Leader Park Hae-soo sat facing each other across the table. Their gazes collided in the air before drifting apart.
"You said you had something to tell me?" Park Hae-soo opened his mouth cautiously.
Cheon Yooshin spoke as if it were nothing. "It’s about the gate raid. I’ll just do it alone."
Park Hae-soo’s eyes widened. "Pardon? What do you mean by that..."
"Looking at how things are going, it doesn't seem like the Hunter Raid Team is all that welcoming of me, either."
Struck at the heart, Park Hae-soo was left speechless. Complex thoughts raced through his mind. Objectively speaking, Cheon Yooshin was nothing more than a stone that had rolled in from nowhere. But from the perspective of the entire Hunter Management Department, he was like gold. However, reality was different. Within the Hunter Raid Team, there were already those who didn't look upon him favorably. Should he call it the establishment, or perhaps an already solidified power dynamic?
Cheon Yooshin recalled the recent company dinner. In their gazes toward him, there was goodwill, but at the same time, a sharp sense of wariness was hidden. In a way, it was natural. A stranger was trying to join the team, so probing was a natural step. One of the two had to bend. Either the establishment had to bend, or he had to bend. But he had no intention of meeting their standards.
"Even if I join the raid with them, I’ll be doing the fighting alone anyway, right? Didn't you hear about it from Team 2?"
"W-well, that is true." Park Hae-soo forced a smile. But never before had they operated two attack squads within a single team. Wouldn't that be inefficient? Come to think of it... if one looked only at efficiency, it was correct to divide them into Captain Baek Woo-hyun’s attack squad and Cheon Yooshin’s solo attack squad. No, actually, it was better for Cheon Yooshin to raid alone. But this was only in the short term. In the long term, it was obvious that Cheon Yooshin’s solo attack squad would achieve results that were overwhelmingly superior to the other squads. Naturally, the other squads, pushed aside by a one-man attack squad, would inevitably be steeped in a sense of defeat. Furthermore, they might even quit the Hunter Management Department.
That was why Park Hae-soo had secretly hoped Cheon Yooshin would come to his team and lead them, but...
"I, we are internally discussing..."
It was then. A yellow object shining like gold rested on Cheon Yooshin’s hand.
"Th-that is?" Park Hae-soo’s eyes rounded.
It was a Yellow Magic Stone. It was the very material classified as a national strategic resource, of which there were only a few in the world, and which couldn't be obtained even with money!!
Currently, the countries possessing Yellow Magic Stones were the United States, Russia, and China. However, they did not reveal the Yellow Magic Stones to the public. It was an open secret that they were secretly researching them through magic stone research institutes owned by each country. And there was a rumor floating around that, uniquely, not a government, but a single American hunter possessed an item made of a Yellow Magic Stone. Regardless of the truth, the thorough secrecy maintained by the US Hunter Management Bureau added credibility to that rumor.
This alone was enough. Therefore, the Hunter Management Department had also designated the fact that Cheon Yooshin had obtained a Yellow Magic Stone as a top-secret matter. Even within the Hunter Management Department, few knew about it. They had sworn those who entered the gate with Cheon Yooshin at the time to secrecy. Of course, there was no such thing as a perfect secret. Rumors that Cheon Yooshin had obtained a Yellow Magic Stone had circulated on the internet. But the Hunter Management Department only expressed an official position that it was groundless. Well, what if it was revealed later that they had lied? They could just brush it off by saying it was for the public good. But he was showing it to him?
"Please dispose of this for me."
"A-are you serious?"
Why on earth was he doing it through the Hunter Management Department? He was curious. About his intentions. Was he testing him?
Contrary to Park Hae-soo’s thoughts, Cheon Yooshin was thinking:
'It’s annoying. Just because.'
It was just because it was annoying. Yooshin didn't even know how much was in his bank account. Just by going in and out of gates, he earned tens of millions, hundreds of millions. So, he wasn't bothered by mere money...
"The market price is known to be around 100 billion won for now, but that’s just the market price. It’s a material where the seller inevitably becomes the absolute 'gap' (superior). Just trading a Yellow Magic Stone can allow one to secure economic and political gains."
"Wait a minute. Not 10 billion, but 100 billion?" Yooshin blinked. He had thought at most around 10 billion, but 100 billion? At the market price of the Yellow Magic Stone that transcended imagination, Yooshin stopped talking for a moment.
"Or, there is a way for our government to purchase it." Team Leader Park Hae-soo was coveting the Yellow Magic Stone that was emitting a golden light. One could melt the magic stone to make an item. One could use it for research. Naturally, one shouldn't do that, but it could also be utilized as an energy source like oil, or in the semiconductor field. Also, if a hunter absorbs a Yellow Magic Stone, they become even stronger. For example, magic power is amplified, or magic skills become stronger. Furthermore, the power of the magic stone strengthens the body, so strength and agility stats also increase drastically. So, someone like Captain Baek Woo-hyun... no. I feel sorry for Captain Baek Woo-hyun, but using a Yellow Magic Stone on him is too much of a waste. In any case, a Yellow Magic Stone is a very precious resource where just possessing it becomes power.
Cheon Yooshin repeated tossing the Yellow Magic Stone and catching it.
"H-Hunter! You shouldn't handle it so carelessly!"
"Well, it’s just a rock, and besides, it’s mine, isn't it?"
"A-at least still..."
The owner of the magic stone was Cheon Yooshin, so why was Park Hae-soo the one unable to settle down?
It was then.
"Do you still need an internal meeting? If that’s the case, I’ll just leave the Hunter Management Department."
Actually, he had no intention of leaving. The only advantage of the Hunter Management Department. It was that they held the exclusive right to all un-raided gates. And Yooshin had the ability to raid un-raided gates. Yooshin also needed the Hunter Management Department. Already, public opinion was plastering the media with stimulating content about the revival of the Hunter Management Department.
"Phew... I understand. Still, this is not a matter I can decide on my own. May I consult with our section chief first and then give you an answer?"
Cheon Yooshin, who stared at him for a moment, nodded and smiled. And then.
Whoosh!
"Whoops!"
At a completely unexpected timing, Cheon Yooshin tossed the Yellow Magic Stone, and Park Hae-soo threw his whole body to catch it. As if he were holding a newborn baby preciously in his arms.
"H-Hunter!"
Cheon Yooshin had already risen from his seat.
"Well, talk to that person called the section chief well. Well, if you don't grant my request, well, I’ll just sell that off."
But it was annoying. However, Park Hae-soo, who did not know Cheon Yooshin’s inner thoughts, nodded his head hurriedly and guarded the Yellow Magic Stone in his arms with his whole body as if he wouldn't let it be taken away.
"Ah! And I’m going on a vacation."
"Pardon? No..."
What vacation? No, how long has it been since he joined? But Yooshin, who easily ignored that much, waved his hand and left Team Leader Park Hae-soo’s office.
#
Section Chief Lee Eun-soo’s fingertips trembled slightly. The Yellow Magic Stone held in his hand, wearing white gloves, emitted a golden light and twinkled.
"Hahahaha... Is this that Yellow Magic Stone?"
A tremor of disbelief was buried in Section Chief Lee Eun-soo’s voice. He was even utilizing a magnifying glass to examine the Yellow Magic Stone.
"Yes! That’s correct. It came out of an un-raided D-class gate."
"It’s truly unbelievable. That a Yellow Magic Stone has come into the hands of our Hunter Management Department."
Lee Eun-soo had considered it just a distant story when he heard the news that Hunter Cheon Yooshin had obtained this precious item. Naturally, he had thought Cheon Yooshin himself would dispose of or use it directly. But to think he would hand over the right to dispose of it to them.
Yellow Magic Stone. The authority to be able to dispose of a Yellow Magic Stone was not something to be viewed simply. Trading a Yellow Magic Stone that emitted a brilliant golden light meant that it could bring about tremendous economic and political interests.
"Perhaps he didn't seem to mind much even if we purchased it on our side."
At Park Hae-soo’s words, Lee Eun-soo shook his head.
"No, this might perhaps be a test for us."
"A test?"
Lee Eun-soo, who had already put his hands behind his back, walked toward the window.
"Yes. A test for us. A test of whether we can be trusted in the future."
W-was it that? Park Hae-soo’s expression became mysterious.
"Therefore, we must absolutely not acquire this Yellow Magic Stone arbitrarily."
"Then do you have the intention to sell it to a domestic guild or company?"
Lee Eun-soo shook his head.
"No."
"Then how..."
"I’m thinking of entrusting it to the National Magic Stone Research Institute."
"...The research institute?" Doubt was buried in Park Hae-soo’s voice.
"Yes, we entrust it there. To be exact, shall I call it a rental?"
Park Hae-soo tilted his head.
"The market price of a Yellow Magic Stone is over 100 billion won. Wouldn't it be better to just sell it?"
Lee Eun-soo shook his head.
"That’s not it. Team Leader Park, you also know well that a premium is attached to the Yellow Magic Stone itself, right? It’s too much of a waste to give up ownership by receiving 100 billion won like this. My thought is that it’s better to lend it to the research institute in a rental format and receive a regular amount."
"Then wouldn't it be better to lend it to a private group?"
At Park Hae-soo’s words, Lee Eun-soo smirked.
"Do you trust private groups?"
"No." Park Hae-soo said firmly.
He knew that even now, spies from other countries were working in the Hunter Management Department by disguising their identities. In such a situation, wouldn't there be spies in private groups and private guilds? In that case, it was better to entrust it to the national level. Especially since the National Magic Stone Research Institute’s iron-clad security was truly world-class. And the moment the National Magic Stone Research Institute knew of the existence of the Yellow Magic Stone, they would approach endlessly. To hand the Yellow Magic Stone over to them. But he had no intention of handing it over for free.
Lee Eun-soo’s eyes shone.
"The work we have to do is to make a deal with the research institute. Shouldn't we receive a pretty decent rental fee?"
"What level are you thinking of?"
"Hmm, shouldn't we receive 5 billion won every month?"
"5 billion won? Will the research institute accept that? It’s the price to obtain one in 2 years."
A smile spread across Lee Eun-soo’s lips.
"Then why don't you tell them to obtain it? It’s not that they can't obtain a Yellow Magic Stone because they don't have money. It’s that they can't obtain it because there is no Yellow Magic Stone. Besides, they also know the value of this magic stone better than anyone else. They will never be able to refuse. Hehehe."
#
"Truly, living a long life, such a thing happens." Yoo In-sook’s face was slightly excited. Cheon Jin-ah, who was next to her, was the same.
"Wow, it feels like it’s been really years since we went on a trip!"
Cheon Yooshin, sitting in the passenger seat, smirked. They were currently on a trip. A trip leaving for Gangwon-do. Today’s plan was a normal trip where they would pitch a tent in a valley, catch fish, and eat barbecue in the evening. Even for such a normal trip, Mom and his younger sister were happy, and smiles never left their faces.
"You know Oppa is a bit busy these days, right? Let’s be satisfied with Gangwon-do today, and next time, let’s go to the US and England."
"Wow! That’s a promise! Is it for real!?"
"Ah, geez. Have you ever seen me lie?"
"Hehehe, no! Ah. But who is this person?" Cheon Jin-ah’s gaze turned toward the person sitting in the driver’s seat.
"If you ask me to speak, I am Imp..."
Yooshin quickly cut off his words.
"It’s Im Poong. Im Poong."
"Ah, so it’s Mr. Im Poong."
His identity was none other than Imp. He had taken the driver’s seat on behalf of Yooshin, who didn't have a driver’s license. Of course, Imp also didn't have a license at first, but according to Yooshin’s special order, he had obtained it at high speed under Team Leader Park Hae-soo’s special training. Anyway.
"Yooshin-ah. Still, he looks like he has some age, so isn't it wrong to call him by his name like that?"
Imp’s apparent age was early to mid-30s. So, Mom’s reaction was also natural.
"No. He’s 1 year younger than me. It’s because he has an aged face. An aged face. Hey Im Poong, isn't that right?"
Imp was tense for a moment. His eyes moved rapidly left and right, and cold sweat flowed down his back. Wh-what should I react? Is my name Im Poong? Am I one year younger? Why? However.
"Hehehe. That’s correct! Master, no, Hyung-nim! Whatever Hyung-nim says is correct!"
At the excessively servile appearance, Cheon Yooshin was flustered. Yoo In-sook and Cheon Jin-ah also alternated their gazes between Yooshin and Imp with suspicious eyes at the excessive behavior. Yooshin forced a smile and said.
"Ah! He’s acting again. Mom, he’s a bit strange. Since his dream is to be an actor, he always does impromptu acting. He’s doing it again now. Hahaha."
"Ah, I see." Yoo In-sook nodded her head as if she understood only then. Imp also realized Yooshin’s meaning and quickly chimed in.
"That’s correct! I’m always practicing acting. The one just now was a loyal servant role who becomes a dog if told to become a dog! How was it?"
Cheon Jin-ah gave a thumbs up.
"Wow! Awesome! It was totally real? I thought again that he was a person with a strange head!"
Only then did Yooshin heave a sigh of relief. But that was only for a moment. Cheon Yooshin’s face hardened.
'What is that?'
A heavy dump truck was visible. The problem was that it was racing toward the car he was riding in at a terrifying speed, ignoring the lane on the opposite side. Was it a coincidence? No. An unknown sense of crisis pierced Cheon Yooshin’s entire body like a needle. And a black sedan appeared next to it. The window rolled down, and someone’s upper body came out. The moment the object in his hand twinkled, Yooshin shouted at Imp.
"Turn the wheel!"
But it was already too late. Something collided strongly with the car Cheon Yooshin was riding in, the front windshield.
Crash!
Gasp!
"Y-Yooshin-ah!"
With the sound of something breaking, the screams of Yoo In-sook and Cheon Jin-ah filled the inside of the car. Because even a three-year-old baby could know the fact that it would collide with that dump truck soon. However, apart from that, Yooshin could hear a system sound.
Mana has been sealed.
These bastards are crossing the line?