The Detention Center (2)
James, the Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, questioned his staff who managed the Hunter Department.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Hmm. What is the probability that this is a lie?"
"It cannot be a lie. This is intelligence that came directly from an agent we have planted."
James’s eyes narrowed. "Am I the only one who doesn't get this? Are you telling me a Yellow Magic Stone came out of that tiny land?"
"It seems they were lucky."
"A Yellow Magic Stone, which doesn't come out easily even after we clear so many dungeons... came out of that tiny place..."
Director James was genuinely curious. According to the information currently collected by the United States, there are not many countries that possess Yellow Magic Stones. Russia, China, and the United States. Now, South Korea had added its name to that list as well.
"What a waste."
Although the U.S. already possessed several, they were always thirsty for more. Then, a question suddenly occurred to him.
"But how did they get the Yellow Magic Stone? In that tiny country, of all places."
"Have you perhaps heard the name Cheon Yooshin?"
"Who knows? Do I need to know even the hunters of such a small country?"
"It is said that he cleared a D-class gate."
James nodded slightly. "He was lucky."
D-class gates appear with high frequency even within the United States. However, true to the name of the United States, they were in a state of clearing D-class gates slowly but safely through thorough training and equipment support. In other words, a D-class gate to the U.S. is the same as an E-class gate to other countries. As a result, the number of Yellow Magic Stones currently held by the U.S. is seven. Unofficially, of course. But James had no choice but to widen his eyes at the adjutant's next words.
"According to what I hear, he cleared it alone."
"...What? Alone? Are you trying to tell me he cleared an uncleared gate by himself?"
"Yes. That is correct. They say a hunter named Cheon Yooshin finished the clearing all by himself."
"Is that even possible? Isn't this just some hero-making project in Korea?"
Even within the U.S., there are only a few A-class hunters who can clear a D-class gate alone. Yet, such a hunter exists in a mere small country? It was hard-to-believe information.
The adjutant shook his head. "That is not the case. It is certain information."
Director James’s eyes narrowed.
"Hmm..."
Knowing that this was James’s habit, the adjutant kept his mouth shut for a moment. How much time had passed?
"...What is that hunter's rank?"
"He is E-rank."
"What? E-rank?"
An absurd expression appeared on James’s face.
"Yes. I am certain."
"Haha... What on earth is happening in that tiny country? A hunter who cleared a D-class uncleared gate alone is only E-rank? Then our hunters would have nothing to say even if they were all F-rank."
"We are cautiously speculating that perhaps there was some kind of fortuitous encounter after his initial rank measurement."
"He is truly a hunter I want to see once."
For some reason, James wanted to see that curious hunter. If it was okay, it would be good to offer him naturalization. The United States always has its doors open to capable talent. However.
"I think that might be a bit difficult."
The adjutant said with an apologetic expression.
"Hm? Is something the matter?"
If he wanted, he could use his title as Director of Homeland Security to have a private meeting with the President of the United States. If someone like him wanted to see a hunter from a small land, he would see him. But it’s difficult? Dare he?
"He is currently in a detention center."
Have I been overworked lately? Where?
"...A detention center? You don't mean a jail, do you?"
However, the aide disappointed James’s expectations and said firmly.
"That is correct. He assaulted an incumbent member of the National Assembly at a hearing that the entire nation was watching, and he has been put into a detention center."
"..."
A heavy silence settled between James and the adjutant for a moment. And then.
"Pwahahahaha! That’s one hell of a guy."
James laughed, clutching his stomach. He laughed so hard that tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He didn't know how long it had been since he had laughed like this. Assaulting a member of the National Assembly? And at a hearing, no less? Had such a thing ever happened in American history? No, had there ever been such a precedent globally? An E-rank hunter clearing a D-class uncleared gate alone. And beating someone up at a hearing. A member of the National Assembly at that.
"I really want to see his face once."
He was truly curious about what kind of hunter he was.
***
Section Chief Lee Eunsoo turned his gaze out the window. It was drizzling outside.
"Chief, shall we deploy our legal counsel?"
Team Leader Park Haesu asked cautiously. Section Chief Lee Eunsoo shook his head.
"If we step in for no reason, we might get caught in a backlash. People will ask if we're just protecting our own. Besides, even if our legal counsel steps in, there won't be a chance of winning. The entire nation has already seen the evidence video."
"Haa... Then what should we do? We can't just sit by and watch like this."
Team Leader Park Haesu thought all of this was his fault. He should have actively stopped him when he said he would attend the hearing. No, he should have sat next to him on the day of the hearing to calm him down. If that didn't work, he should have taken the beating instead of the assemblyman. He should have done something. But the water had already been spilled. There was no time to regret what had passed. Handling the situation was the priority.
"Do you have any good ideas?"
Team Leader Park Haesu explained the alternative he had prepared before coming in here.
"Hunter Cheon Yooshin, who is still at a young age, could be cited for temporary mental and physical weakness due to extreme stress regarding the hearing..."
Section Chief Lee Eunsoo shook his head.
"Nonsense. That might work at other times, but it will never work in this situation. The prosecution and the political circles won't let this slide easily this time. No, they might even consider it a good opportunity. They would want to break the wings of the Hunter Management Department, which is trying to soar again."
"Th-then what should we do?"
Section Chief Lee Eunsoo tapped the table with his fingers and fell into thought for a moment.
"In my opinion, just sitting by and watching might be the right answer."
"Yes? No, what do you mean by that?"
He was saying that sitting by and watching was the right answer when the Hunter Management Department should be actively expressing its position? To Park Haesu, who was flustered, Section Chief Lee Eunsoo opened his mouth.
"Team Leader Park, you know well that private guilds are keeping a low profile these days, right?"
"Of course. Just thinking about the Sudden Gate where the trolls popped out last time..."
Thinking about it again, if it weren't for Hunter Cheon Yooshin, there would have been massive casualties. It wasn't enough to treat Cheon Yooshin, who prevented that, as a hero, yet he was currently locked up in a detention center. If he had been treated like that, he would have immediately naturalized to another country. But Yooshin had unexpectedly put on the handcuffs obediently and entered the detention center quietly. Why did he do that? Thinking about it again, he couldn't understand. Anyway. Section Chief Lee Eunsoo continued.
"So, we just have to wait."
No, why did he keep saying things he couldn't understand? As if Lee Eunsoo knew his inner thoughts, he smirked.
"Team Leader Park, you know that the appearance rate of uncleared gates, especially D-class ones, has risen overwhelmingly compared to before, right?"
"Yes. I actually checked to see if such a phenomenon was happening in other countries as well. The frequency has certainly increased compared to before."
If uncleared gates used to occur 4 to 5 times a month, now about 20 of them were appearing, which is 4 times that amount. Other countries were already on high alert regarding this phenomenon. It was no longer a secret that in South America, they couldn't clear the gates, so half of their territory had turned into a den of monsters.
"Ah! Perhaps?"
Park Haesu’s eyes widened as if he had realized his intention.
"Yes. Have you finally realized it?"
"But private guilds are also on edge these days because they haven't been allocated uncleared gates. They are probably more desperate to secure uncleared gates."
"If it were 4 to 5 as usual, it might be possible. If they could only receive the amount of gates they could handle. But. How many guilds can clear D-class gates? As far as I know, only 3 guilds can do it, but am I mistaken?"
"You are correct."
Only the guilds ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the country can clear D-class gates independently. It takes several days to clear a D-class gate once. In the end, it is virtually impossible for 3 guilds to cover all the uncleared gates. Other than that, the guilds can barely handle E-class ones.
Lee Eunsoo’s eyes deepened.
"Suppose, for a moment. If there is a hunter who can clear D-class gates that are popping up here and there, what would you do?"
"I would naturally request him."
"That’s it. That’s why just staying still is helping him."
Again, that also seemed right?
"Ah! Instead, there is something we must do. Give a detailed explanation to Hunter Cheon Yooshin’s family. That alone will be enough for us."
He had forgotten. Even if Hunter Cheon Yooshin is one thing, the people who would be most worried right now are his family.
"That will be the most difficult task."
"He won't be in the detention center for long. So tell them not to be too anxious."
"Haa... I understand."
Park Haesu let out a long sigh.
***
Time passed quickly. It had already been 5 days since Cheon Yooshin was imprisoned in the detention center. All Cheon Yooshin did was eat, play, and sleep all day. Like a newborn baby, eating, playing, and sleeping—that was everything. His face was even plumper than before he entered the detention center. Detention center life was no different from healing.
Yooshin stretched and muttered.
"Ugh... This is great~!"
Come to think of it, he had never properly enjoyed a rest. In the Abyss, it was survival and struggle, that was everything. Since returning here, events had occurred one after another, so he hadn't even been able to rest properly.
"I wish I could rest for just one more month."
Then, a female announcer's voice rang out from the TV.
[This is a breaking news report. A moment ago, a Sudden Gate appeared in downtown Seoul without warning. Monsters called Minotaurs have poured out of this gate and are attacking citizens indiscriminately.]
Huh? A Sudden Gate?
Yooshin’s eyes turned to the TV. The news screen switched to the congested scene around the Sudden Gate.
[As you can see, the damage situation is at a serious level. Military hunters have been dispatched urgently to stop the Minotaurs, but they are insufficient to control the situation.]
The announcer’s voice trembled.
[A particularly concerning point is that this gate opened in the middle of the city. Because of this, a powerful response like large-scale bombing is impossible.]
After catching her breath for a moment, the announcer opened her mouth.
[Meanwhile, it is difficult to expect support from private guilds that can respond to this situation. It is known that most guilds are already focusing all their capabilities on clearing uncleared gates, making additional support difficult.]
The announcer’s face filled the screen again.
[The government has currently convened an emergency countermeasure meeting to overcome this situation. We will continue to keep a close eye on the situation and report on it. Thank you for watching.]
The news on the TV switched to commercials before he knew it.
Hmm... A Sudden Gate, huh.
Cheon Yooshin, who had been thinking about something for a moment, lay down on the floor and yawned.
"What do I care? I'm just going to sleep."