Burglarizing the Empty House (7)
The limousine carrying Magic Dragon Wei Gangning sped down Olympic Highway.
“……You wish to visit the main headquarters first for the Ghost Thunder investigation?”
Executive Director Jeong stared at the Magic Dragon with an expression of pure incomprehension.
The man—whose alias was far more famous than his real name—greatly preferred being addressed by that title.
“That is correct.”
“Is the Ghost Thunder somehow connected to the Party? Can you tell me what ties it has to our company?”
The Magic Dragon regarded Executive Director Jeong with a blank face for a long moment.
“It seems, Mr. Jeong, that while you concern yourself with external affairs, you should also tend to internal discipline.”
“……Saying it like that is rather unpleasant.”
“Have you truly not realized that the first place the Ghost Thunder was sighted was one of your own dungeons?”
“……!?”
For an instant, Executive Director Jeong wondered if there was something wrong with his Chinese.
“……I did receive a general report about that, but I dismissed it as completely groundless—”
“You really didn’t know.”
“…….”
He tried to play it off as if he weren’t flustered, but he couldn’t escape the Magic Dragon’s piercing gaze.
“I’m disappointed, Mr. Jeong. I thought you were sharper than this. I never expected such a gaping hole in your information network. As far as I know, the successor of the Mountain God had already obtained our entry records.”
“…….”
“Shouldn’t you be quicker on the uptake than that rookie? At this rate, I’ll have to reconsider whether we should pursue any major joint operations.”
Executive Director Jeong forcibly swallowed the rage that surged inside him.
In the past he would have laughed it off, but his son’s death was still too recent. Controlling his emotions proved far more difficult than expected.
“Haha. It was a joke. Just a joke.”
“……?”
Executive Director Jeong furrowed his brow, seriously wondering if the man was treating him like a toy.
But then—
“I threw out what I thought was a clever joke because it felt awkward meeting after so long… It seems my tone didn’t land the way I intended. My apologies.”
The Magic Dragon gave a slight nod to the secretary seated beside him.
The secretary quietly offered a wooden box.
“I heard late about the misfortune you suffered. Naturally, you would have been in no state to think clearly. On the contrary, if there had been no change in you at all, I would have been disappointed in your character, Mr. Jeong.”
“…….”
“I should have visited the funeral hall, but I regret that I could not. This is a condolence gift the Chairman instructed me to deliver to you.”
Executive Director Jeong still felt a lingering discomfort, yet the moment he accepted the wooden box, his anger vanished like smoke.
It felt different somehow.
“Open it.”
When Executive Director Jeong lifted the lid, a refreshing fragrance burst forth.
Four pills lay inside—one large and three small.
“National Seat, this is—!”
“The Great Rejuvenation Pill and the Small Rejuvenation Pills.”
The highest-grade elixir crafted at the millennium-old Shaolin Temple. Consumption triggers complete bodily rebirth and transformation.
◈ Type: Spiritual Medicine
◈ Origin: Proverb “All martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin”
The spiritual elixir crafted at the millennium-old Shaolin Temple. Consumption permanently increases magic power by 30%.
◈ Type: Spiritual Medicine
◈ Origin: Proverb “All martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin”
“You may take the Great Rejuvenation Pill yourself and distribute the Small Rejuvenation Pills to your trusted subordinates.”
Executive Director Jeong’s heart pounded violently.
The value of these pills was simply too great.
Especially the Great Rejuvenation Pill—it was said to restructure the body to match one’s skill tree and even readjust stats accordingly.
‘Every hunter has one or two stats they regret while growing. I’m no exception. Just this alone would bring tremendous results…!’
For Executive Director Jeong, whose growth had recently stalled, these were the perfect elixirs.
‘And if I recover Bennu’s Heart after this… I might even be able to aim for the top rankers.’
A bitter smile crept across Executive Director Jeong’s lips as he pictured Lee Hyun’s face.
“The National Seat’s grace is as vast as the sea.”
“Haha. This isn’t from me but from the Chairman. And the ‘real’ gift is still separate.”
The atmosphere had grown warm.
Executive Director Jeong’s already flushed face burned even redder.
“There’s something even greater than this?”
“Doesn’t the box seem rather large for just a few pills? Check the bottom.”
Executive Director Jeong hastily brushed aside the straw beneath the pills. A round band appeared underneath.
It was a crown-shaped circlet that radiated an unmistakably extraordinary aura.
Executive Director Jeong carefully lifted it out.
The shackles that the Jade Emperor and the Buddha placed on ■■■■ ■■■ along with ■■ ■■ to control him. It excels at regulating energy, clearing the mind, and drawing out latent power through inner and outer harmony.
◈ Type: Sacred Relic • Item
◈ Origin: Myth “Journey to the West”
Most functions are currently sealed for unknown reasons. Fulfill the hidden conditions to restore its power.
“Gingoa……? No way!”
Executive Director Jeong’s eyes flashed with greed.
It was a sacred relic—one that had never been discovered before. The very symbol of Sun Wukong from Journey to the West!
“Haha. As you can see, it is exactly that. The very Gingoa that Xuanzang placed on Sun Wukong.”
“……!!”
“Gingoa is commonly known as a restraint. But that only applies to divine beings. For mortals like us, it is an extremely useful sacred relic.”
Thump. Thump. Thump—
Executive Director Jeong’s heart raced even faster than when he had received the Great and Small Rejuvenation Pills.
“Wear it whenever you need it. You will see tremendous effects.”
Executive Director Jeong’s eyes were completely entranced by the circlet’s dazzling golden hue.
“I heard that Journey to the West has yet to be properly uncovered even in the Great Nation… Are you truly willing to give something this precious to me?”
“It simply means the Chairman places enormous expectations on you, Mr. Jeong.”
The Magic Dragon’s lips twisted.
“The Chairman sees Korea as the most crucial bridgehead for the Great Nation’s expansion across the world. And you, Mr. Jeong, are the key partner for that very purpose.”
Executive Director Jeong, face filled with emotion, clasped his left hand over his right fist in a respectful Chinese-style bow.
“I am truly grateful. I don’t know how to repay this kindness… It seems I only ever receive favors from the National Seat.”
“Haha. Didn’t I say it was the Chairman’s gift?”
“Since the National Seat has always looked after us so well, isn’t that why the Chairman shows such favor?”
“I’m glad you understand my heart, even a little.”
Click!
Unable to hide his excitement, Executive Director Jeong closed the lid of the wooden box.
“I will keep these for an auspicious day.”
“A wise decision. Timing and fortune are important, after all.”
Executive Director Jeong handed the box to his secretary and changed the subject.
“It’s excellent that we understand each other so deeply. However, if the National Seat personally visits our headquarters, it will undoubtedly draw a lot of attention. Will that be all right?”
The Magic Dragon and Pingsin had entered the country disguised as tourists. Naturally, standing out was not ideal.
“I’m not particularly worried about the NIS. The same goes for the DIC now that General Lee Gun-san is gone. They’re nothing but deflated paper tigers now.”
Executive Director Jeong nodded.
The Magic Dragon’s lips twisted again.
“But the Mountain God is terrifying. She is a monster who sits in place and gazes upon the entire world.”
“That is precisely why I mention it.”
“We have made plenty of preparations for that as well.”
Executive Director Jeong did not ask what those preparations were. He knew he would not receive an answer.
“Just drop us off in the middle of Gangnam. We will handle the rest.”
For a brief moment, Executive Director Jeong wondered if it was truly safe to unleash these killing machines upon the world, but—
‘They aren’t amateurs. They’ll manage.’
Before he knew it, the limousine was turning toward Gangnam-daero.
“We’re almost there. Ah, and one more thing.”
“Please speak. I’m listening.”
“Our committee’s intelligence officer has confirmed that the place where the Ghost Thunder was first sighted was actually the last dungeon your son raided.”
“……!?”
Executive Director Jeong’s eyes widened.
“There are few true coincidences in this world. And even if there is one, something is usually hidden behind it.”
“…….”
“It wouldn’t hurt to look into it.”
“……So that’s why you asked for this?”
Executive Director Jeong handed over a thick envelope.
“We’ve arrived. Consider it similar in nature.”
The Magic Dragon accepted the envelope and disappeared from the limousine.
Inside the now-empty spacious vehicle, only Executive Director Jeong remained.
A brief, heavy silence fell.
Then—
“……So that’s how it is.”
Executive Director Jeong’s eyes flashed.
“Return to the company.”
The limousine began moving again.
* * *
The Magic Dragon watched the limousine disappear down Gangnam-daero.
“Will Executive Director Jeong move as intended?”
“Of course not. He’s as cunning as a snake. He’s probably already suspecting that the Gingoa is a trap.”
“Then…?”
“But he’s just as greedy, so he’ll move eventually. No matter how pathetic, a son is still a son. If he shakes up White Burn, something is bound to surface.”
A cold smile hung on the Magic Dragon’s lips.
“We simply move in accordance with his actions.”
The Magic Dragon planned to shake White Burn from within first.
Executive Director Jeong and Lim Won-young—the two central axes—were perfect targets.
If they discovered a link to the Ghost Thunder?
Excellent. They would snatch it immediately.
And if the Ghost Thunder had no connection to White Burn?
It didn’t matter. They would continue supporting Executive Director Jeong and expand their influence inside White Burn.
It was a fight in which the Central Hero Committee had nothing to lose.
‘In any case, what Chairman Peng wants is the expansion of our sphere of influence in Korea and the rediscovery of the lost Journey to the West, isn’t it?’
Offering the precious sacred relic known as Gingoa was nothing more than bait to catch the hidden Sa Oh-jeong.
The Chairman had guessed there must be some connection between Sa Oh-jeong’s disappearance and the appearance of the Ghost Thunder.
‘I’m curious what kind of force is lurking behind it. I hope it’s powerful enough to dare touch our committee. Otherwise, this would all be too boring.’
The Magic Dragon was certain of the great Chinese nation’s victory.
“What about Team 2?”
“They successfully infiltrated Ulleungdo at 7:11 a.m. yesterday. A report arrived an hour ago stating they have begun the operation.”
“Make sure their movements are not detected. The core of this diversionary operation is to focus the Mountain God and all of Korea’s attention on us, thereby concealing the Ulleungdo plan.”
“Understood. I will instruct them to double-check everything.”
The Magic Dragon opened the envelope Executive Director Jeong had given him.
Inside was a folder labeled Z-Team Personnel Files.
It contained personal information on fifteen team members, including the deceased Team Leader Jeong. Executive Director Jeong had taken the files directly from the company’s HR department.
The Magic Dragon distributed the documents to his agents and said,
“These are all individuals whose movements overlap with the dungeon where the Ghost Thunder was first sighted. Begin tailing them immediately. Report at once if anything suspicious is discovered.”
As everyone nodded, the secretary asked,
“Who will you be taking, Director?”
“I,”
The Magic Dragon tapped the last remaining document with his index finger.
“will take this one. I’m curious whether it’s the bastard I know.”
Lee Hyun’s photo was attached to it.
* * *
“What are you doing?”
“……Huh?”
“I asked what you’re doing.”
Eom Gi-seon, who had urgently pulled Kim Min-jung into his arms fearing she might get hurt, tilted his head in confusion.
He had expected the greatsword fragment embedded in his back to hurt, yet he felt nothing.
Instead, Kim Min-jung was staring at him with a look of utter disdain.
When he checked, white smoke was rising from the pistol now in Kim Min-jung’s hand.
She must have shot it down in that instant.
Eom Gi-seon let out a sigh of relief upon confirming she was unharmed.
And then—
“Hey, did you hear that?”
“I heard. Thought you bit your tongue off.”
“Sowwy! It’s dangewous!”
“Sowwy! I’ww save you!”
“Sowwy!”
“Sowwy!!”
“…….”
The mockery flying in from every direction snapped him back to reality.
His colleagues at the training ground were teasing him with playful jabs.
“Aren’t you going to let go now?”
“S-sorry!”
Not to mention Kim Min-jung’s voice had grown even colder.
Eom Gi-seon hastily released her.
“Sowwy! Sowwy!”
“Sowwy! Sowwy sowwy sowwy sowwy!”
“……Shut up, you bastards! Can’t you be quiet!”
“Sowwy! Don’t cuss!”
“Sowwy! Can’t be quiet!”
Even when he yelled at them belatedly, they refused to stop.
“These bastards really…!”
Eom Gi-seon’s face flushed bright red as if it would burst. The hand gripping his broken greatsword trembled.
“Deputy Eom Gi-seon.”
Lee Hyun approached him.
Eom Gi-seon calmed his boiling emotions.
The fierce battle they had just fought flashed through his mind.
An overwhelming defeat that left no room for excuses.
Yet he didn’t want to end the fight so easily.
“It’s not over yet. The sword was old, that’s all. Let’s put the match on hold until I get a new one—”
“I’ll spar with you anytime you want. In return, officially join the team.”
Eom Gi-seon crossed his arms with a sullen expression.
“I’m already a member of Z-Team, aren’t I?”
“Not just in name. I mean properly participate in raids from now on. I’ll give you all the fights you could ever want.”
“…….”
“Battles against the strong. A razor-thin frontline where your life hangs in the balance. Isn’t that why you left the American forces—to experience those things properly?”
“……!”
“I’ll let you experience it until you’re sick of it. So join.”
Through their spar, Lee Hyun had seen exactly what Eom Gi-seon truly desired.
Sometimes a single sword strike carried more meaning than ten thousand words.
Eom Gi-seon was an addict.
Addicted to the feeling of surviving real battles…
Perhaps that was why Kim Min-jung had grown tired of him and left.
‘I need to accelerate the formation of my team. And recover my strength as quickly as possible.’
Just moments ago, a message had arrived from Lieutenant General Lee Gun-san.
- Bomb. It’s starting to roll.
The “bomb” was their private code for Chairman Peng.
‘Chairman Peng and the committee have begun to move. The ones who entered Korea must be Pingsin, imitating Cheongroe.’
During his probation period, Lee Hyun had shared many long conversations with Lee Gun-san.
About how they would move from now on.
About how to utilize the identity of the Ghost Thunder.
Even after four years, the two men still shared the same goal.
‘Hide ourselves as much as possible, pretending we have nothing to do with it, and slowly devour them one by one. Then, when the opportunity comes—’
The masterminds who destroyed Cheongroe.
The ones who had thrown Lee Hyun into the abyss.
‘We devour Seo Chang-woo and Chairman Peng as well.’
To achieve that, he needed to move.
Very, very busily…