Eating Out (3)
By the time Cheol-woo leisurely finished his meal, the counterterrorism team burst into the restaurant. Thinking he was about to be arrested, he politely clasped his hands and extended them forward—only for the cops' attitudes to feel off. They absolutely refused to point their guns this way or even make eye contact. They shuffled over awkwardly, confirmed, "Are you perhaps David Min?" and then just turned away without checking ID.
Was this the power of the Secret Intelligence Agency? Cheol-woo was floored.
"Um... David Min, sir... We're truly sorry, but this isn't about provoking you or suspecting any criminal activity. We're just wondering if we could ask for your additional statement since the employee's account alone might not give us a full picture of the incident—"
"Ah. Sure thing."
But this backing felt too strong. It was starting to get a bit overwhelming.
Stepping outside with the counterterrorism team, Cheol-woo was met with quite the sight. Blue drug was spilling endlessly from a truck trunk, alongside massive hauls of other narcotics. These guys had everything.
"Thank you for your cooperation in the arrests... and eliminations. Could we count on your help in future investigations or captures involving ability users or addicts?"
"Handle it yourselves unless it's some nation-defining crisis. This was just me dealing with assholes picking a fight."
Another subtle hand outstretched for favors—Cheol-woo shot it down flat. Were ability users a dime a dozen? Even at 10% of the population, that meant over 2 million in Australia alone, and if just 1% caused trouble, that was still 20,000. Calling him every time? No way in hell.
Once you started helping, they'd keep asking. Gratitude would turn to entitlement, and one skipped favor later, resentment would brew. He could see that future clear as day.
"Understood. Rest assured, nothing from today will be recorded anywhere, David Min."
"Wait, no statements or anything? Isn't this self-defense?"
"Oh, n-no, absolutely not. We'll just say you weren't here today, David Min. But if you insist, we can process it as self-defense..."
"Nah, erase the record and I'm grateful. Let's do that."
They were groveling a tad excessively? As Cheol-woo wrapped up with the police, a nagging unease lingered—like he'd just pulled rank. Was this the taste of power? Not bad, actually.
"Cheol-woo, you done?"
"Yeah. Round two?"
"P-pardon? Round two?"
After devouring that much, more food? Mi-young's eyes went wide. Impressive appetites aside, how did their stomachs handle pulverizing people like that? Insane digestive systems.
"Team Leader Kim Mi-young, feel free to head back if you're full."
"N-no... I'll tag along..."
She swallowed her complaint and trailed after the siblings. No way was she returning to the motel alone after seeing those druggie robbers.
"Cheol-woo, you see the US situation?"
"Nah, too lazy. Why?"
"Check it out. Total chaos."
Fresh from a shower, Yuri reeked of shampoo as she shoved her phone at him. Curious, he scrolled—US news flooded the feed. Australia's national emergency broadcast had gone global, triggering parasite hosts everywhere to freak out.
The deputy director had said the US was fucked, but this was serious. The parasite-ridden federal government and military had cut all external comms, hunkering down after seizing the East Coast. Meanwhile, states aware of the parasites were mobilizing forces for a push eastward.
"Headache for them. Federal level means tons of loyal citizens and troops."
"Idiots. Cutting internet just 'cause parasites say so? Ugh."
"Let's check SNS too."
SNS offered richer, rawer intel than news—gritty videos capturing the chaos. Trending hard: mercenaries dominating battlefields. Ability users hurling cars barehanded or smashing mutant skulls with fists. #Gifted videos kept popping up endlessly.
"Way more ability users than I thought..."
"Laws'll change soon? Sis-level power's straight monster territory."
"What the hell, you punk."
The world had shifted. With mutants rampant, parasites lurking, and ability users sprouting like weeds, laws wouldn't stay the same. New ability user regulations were coming worldwide.
"Korea, Japan, China look bad too. Europe's near wartime... Huh? Why no UK news?"
Yuri puzzled over the lack of UK hits amid global flood post-Australia's reveal.
Mi-young timidly chimed in. "Uh... maybe it's already fallen? If media's wiped out, no reports..."
"Ah."
Plausible. No media, no news. He'd subconsciously dismissed a developed nation collapsing in days.
"Korea's holding; why UK first?"
"Last UK article..."
Tap—Yuri scrolled and clicked.
- A rift opened over London, yet UK's blue drug mutation rate stays under 0.5%, making it one of few safe havens.
- Authorities dodged clear explanations, citing masks and air systems—until today's press conference revealed the blue drug neutralizer.
- UK Health Ministry: Pre-rift, disguised as 'COVID 5th shots,' they immunized the nation against blue drug effects.
- UN and EU blast secrecy; UK defends: "Couldn't disclose until we had enough for all citizens."
This? Cheol-woo and Yuri locked eyes—same thought.
Every nation but UK/Australia suffered blue drug fallout from rifts, birthing ability users. Flip side: Neutralizer eliminates mutants and ability users. Or at least, they stay oblivious.
"No ability users, so parasites overrun them?"
"Makes sense. Australia nearly fell without you."
"Yeah."
Blocked mutants, got screwed by parasites. Other nations swapped spec-ops aid offers—no one mentioned UK. Truly fucked—pity, but self-inflicted.
Bzzz—Cheol-woo's phone vibrated. Jason.
"Yes, Deputy Director."
"Congrats, Director. You didn't call just for that, right?"
Ding—construction plans arrived.
Whoa, legit. Impressed, Cheol-woo flipped through—then froze on one: the abandoned radar base. Perfect among the trio.