Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Comrades in Suffering
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[10:22 AM. Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vice Minister's Reception Room.]
Eileen had already departed for Room 1104, but there were still administrative procedures left unfinished.
Catherine Eve.
The closest aide to Eileen Benedict and secretary to the next head of the family.
Her presence was that of a top predator backed by the name Benedict itself.
The air inside the reception room was heavy, the tension thick enough to cut.
The vice minister swallowed dryly as he stared across the table.
There sat the blonde beauty Catherine, legs crossed arrogantly.
Behind her stood bodyguards in black suits emblazoned with the Benedict family crest.
Each one a C-rank Awakener or higher. Their overwhelming pressure nearly suffocated the vice minister.
'How does one family have so many Awakeners...'
Still, he had to say what needed saying.
"Um... Secretary. We've cooperated as much as possible with the entry procedures this time, but... the 'Sword of the Goddess' is a strategic weapon-class artifact. Bringing it in without prior declaration violates international law..."
Clink—
The vice minister flinched at the small sound of Catherine setting down her teacup.
"Vice Minister."
Catherine's voice was low and chilling.
"That's speaking from half-knowledge. International law... Fine. As you say, the Sword of the Goddess is a strategic weapon. But what is its true nature? This is an unparalleled opportunity for your country as well."
The vice minister's face twisted in confusion.
"Pardon?"
Catherine sighed in exasperation.
"What do you think it means that the young lady came here, even bringing the Sword of the Goddess with her?"
"Th-that is..."
'This fool is a vice minister from an advanced nation? Tsk...'
Unable to grasp it, Catherine had no choice but to spell it out for him.
"It's obvious. The Sword of the Goddess is ultimately a weapon for conquering gates. The young lady plans to launch a massive gate conquest operation spanning all of Asia, using Korea as her base."
Only then did the vice minister's eyes bulge wide.
"!!!"
If true, this was the scoop of all scoops.
Asia's gate conquest rate was disastrously low. Nations like Myanmar faced existential threats from gate breaks. Eileen was offering to resolve it.
Catherine's eyes gleamed.
"If that happens... where do you think all those gate byproducts will flow from first, Vice Minister?"
Gate byproducts meant money. Astronomical profits.
And all those byproducts would belong to the Hunter leading the conquests—Eileen.
Gulp—
The vice minister's swallow echoed in the quiet room.
Catherine drove the nail home.
"While our young lady stays in Korea, not a single administrative procedure should ruffle her feathers. Whether it's law, regulations, or people."
Catherine tossed a document envelope onto the table.
"!!! Th-this is...!"
"This is the price for the Korean government turning a blind eye to all 'minor issues' during the young lady's stay. Is it not enough?"
The vice minister's mind raced faster than ever.
$500 billion economic impact? No!
The Benedicts were famous for conservative business plans.
This meant at least $500 billion in ripple effects!
The vice minister quickly changed his tune.
"N-no, it's not! More than enough! No, overly generous! The Sword of the Goddess... Of course! Of course it belongs with Lady Eileen! Hahaha!"
A high-ranking Republic of Korea official groveled before a mere secretary's words.
This was the power of the Benedict family.
Catherine rose from her seat, satisfied.
"At least you're someone I can talk to. I was considering handing this to Japan if it dragged on."
The vice minister patted his pounding chest in relief.
He now held the ultimate card.
This guaranteed him the next Minister of Foreign Affairs position.
"Oh dear! Don't say such disappointing things! We'll ensure everything is smooth!!"
"Good. I'm counting on you."
As she walked, Ministry staff parted like the Red Sea, bowing their heads.
The majesty of a perfect predator.
But the moment she entered the car.
Wobble—
Catherine's expression twisted briefly, her legs trembling like aspen leaves.
"Ugh..."
"Secretary, are you alright?"
When the security team leader asked, Catherine feigned composure.
"It's nothing. I'm fine. Let's go. Where's next?"
"Yes. Visit to the Ordo Benedict Korea branch."
"The family branch... Run by someone not even direct lineage... Anyway, let's go. We have to make the formal visit."
"Yes, ma'am."
The secretary of the world's strongest family trembling from 'standing 14 hours on a bumpy plane watching trashy dramas.'
But she planned to take that secret to her grave.
[11:30 AM. Majang-dong Livestock Market]
A dozen black sedans pulled up at the market entrance.
As burly men in suits disembarked and lined up, the market noise died instantly.
The merchants instinctively knew.
'He's here.'
Kim Cheolsu emerged from the rear seat of the lead car.
Despite his youth, the de facto power in DH Group's secretary office, nicknamed 'Pitch-Black Sunglasses.'
Rumors said even the head secretary couldn't boss him around.
"You've arrived!"
The market association chairman rushed out barefoot.
"Everyone's worked hard."
Kim Cheolsu nodded curtly and strode inside.
His gaze was as resolute as a soldier heading to battle.
He stopped in front of the market's premier 50-year-old butcher shop, famed for handling meat best.
"The goods."
At his curt question, the owner sweated profusely, pulling a hunk from the freezer depths.
"Here. Slaughtered fresh this dawn. Prime cut from Double-Horn Number Nine. Best in all Majang-dong."
Kim Cheolsu donned gloves and inspected the marbling sharply.
"...Color's dull. Marbling pattern's B-grade."
"Eek! N-no! It can't be! We did our absolute best for the finest...!"
"Under DH's name, there's no 'best effort.' Only 'the best.'"
The merchants froze at his icy rebuke.
He made a call.
"Launch the chopper. Going straight to Hwangsung. Clear the slaughter line."
The merchants were aghast.
Flying a helicopter and halting the ranch line for a few pounds of meat?
'This guy's insane, right?'
But to Kim Cheolsu, it was natural.
Miss Yoo Jihyun's plan had to be perfect. It couldn't fail over meat quality.
Details made everything smooth.
As he headed for the chopper, he instructed his aide.
"Oh, and contact the importer. King crab, 3kg+ only. Tell them one broken leg means they're out of distribution."
Why Yoo Daeho assigned Kim Cheolsu to Yoo Jihyun.
She couldn't wield the group's power, but he could.
Yet DH Group's capital and intel were fully mobilized for 'ingredient procurement.'
Yoo Daeho would lose his mind if he knew.
[6:38 PM. In front of Woojin's apartment elevator]
As sunset fell.
Two shadows fell in Woojin's apartment lobby.
One was Catherine, fresh from subjugating the Foreign Ministry.
In her hands: three oversized immigrant suitcases bigger than her, stuffed with Eileen's 'attachment pillow' and luxury clothes.
She looked exactly like a foreigner immigrating to Korea.
The other: Kim Cheolsu, who mobilized a helicopter for delivery.
Stacked in his hands like a tower: premium Hanwoo gift sets and king crab boxes.
He looked exactly like a housewarming guest.
The elevator doors opened.
Ding—
In the cramped elevator, the two stood side by side.
DH Group's secretary 'Kim Cheolsu' and Benedict family aide 'Catherine Eve.'
Two elites dubbed shadows of the world's top powers met in a one-pyeong apartment elevator in Gyeonggi Province, Korea.
Silence fell.
"......"
"......"
Kim Cheolsu spoke first.
"...Hello. I'm Kim Cheolsu, executive secretary for DH Group."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Catherine Eve, secretary for the Benedicts."
Short greeting. But the probing beneath was fierce.
Kim Cheolsu's eyes drifted to Catherine's legs.
Shiver—
They trembled faintly.
Kim Cheolsu inwardly admired.
'As expected of the Benedict chief secretary. Never sat once until her legs shake like that. Must've stood at least two days straight. Impressive...'
Conversely, Catherine eyed Kim Cheolsu's face.
Hollow eyes, deep dark circles, sallow skin.
Catherine admired too.
'As expected of DH's executive secretary. Pulled all-nighters guarding Yoo Jihyun in the new environment. How many days without sleep? At least three...'
The two felt deep kinship in each other's gazes.
It transcended nationality and affiliation: 'When the boss is a handful, the underlings suffer.' A universal truth.
Rustle.
Kim Cheolsu balanced the crab box one-handed and pulled something from his pocket.
"Have this. Red ginseng concentrate. Great for energy. Korean traditional."
Swoosh—
Catherine wedged the suitcase handles under her arm and drew something from hers.
"Take this. High-potency magnesium from the US. Amazing for dark circles and eye twitches. USA traditional."
Click—
They nodded and silently swapped supplements.
"No straw needed. Just tear and suck."
Catherine nodded with an 'impressive' look.
"Thanks."
Slurp—
Gulp—
The elevator filled only with the resolute sucking of supplements.
Moments later, floor 11.
"You first."
"No, ladies first."
The two secretaries showed perfect courtesy.
But their destination was hellfire Room 1104.
Kim Cheolsu straightened his tie resolutely and asked.
"Phew... Mind sharing the inside situation?"
"We're the reporters, not the reported."
Catherine adjusted her attire.
"As expected... Have to clash head-on again."
They gazed at each other with pity.
"Good luck."
"You too."
The two secretaries opened the door to 1104, where their charges awaited.
After Woojin left, World War II raged inside.
Eileen clutched the Sword of the Goddess, shouting.
"Hey! Come out! Let's settle this today!"
Yoo Jihyun drew Gale Roll, facing her down.
"Ha! Think I'm scared!? Let's go! Go! Time to sort the pecking order for good!!"
Confirming the scene, the two secretaries exchanged looks.
Then deep sighs.
They rushed in simultaneously, yelling.
"Ladies! Not here, you'll cause a huge mess!!"
Still, the ever-peaceful(?) 1104.
After the storm passed.
1104 barely reached a truce.
A time bomb peace, unsure when it'd blow.
Apartment playground bench.
Two figures sat side by side, gazing at the night sky.
Kim Cheolsu and Catherine.
"Phew... Somehow made it through today."
"Sigh... Agreed. What to do? And it's only day one for me..."
Kim Cheolsu said sincerely.
"We're doomed, Ms. Catherine."
"Yeah."
"......"
"......"
Silence, then sudden laughter.
Pfft.
Puhaha.
Not particularly funny.
Just having someone who understood their plight was reason enough.
Kim Cheolsu handed Catherine warm vending machine coffee.
"Here. Got the sweet one. Korean mix coffee okay?"
"Ah... Thank you."
Catherine cupped the paper cup, feeling the warmth.
It was toasty.
Over 30 hours of tension and fatigue began to melt.
"The young lady... isn't usually that emotional."
Catherine spoke first, like an excuse.
"She's cool-headed, perfect, always rational. But when Kim Woojin gets involved... she turns childish."
"Same with ours."
Kim Cheolsu smiled bitterly, sipping coffee.
"Called a 'walking portrait' in the group for her iciness... But apron on, cooking for someone? First time since I started serving."
They eyed each other.
No words needed.
They knew how amazing their bosses were—and how foolish they became in love.
"You've had it rough, Secretary Kim."
"You too, Secretary Catherine. Legs any better?"
Kim Cheolsu's gaze went to her heels, still faintly quivering.
Catherine chuckled.
"Your ginseng's helping. Looks like your dark circles faded too."
"USA-made hits different."
A subtle vibe passed between their gazes.
Camaraderie, sympathy, perhaps more.
The one person who understood this grueling aide life stood before them.
"Um..."
"Uh..."
They spoke together, paused.
Kim Cheolsu scratched his neck awkwardly.
"We'll run into each other often, so... could I get your number? For schedule sharing."
Pure excuse, of course.
Catherine knew.
She feigned haughtiness but smiled inescapably, pulling her phone.
"Can't refuse business cooperation."
Phones touched.
In that brief exchange, fingertips brushed.
"Well, head in. They might call."
"Yes. See you tomorrow, Secretary Kim."
They rose from the bench, toward the entrance.
Awkward silence in the elevator.
Kim Cheolsu politely stood by the buttons.
"What floor? Back to 11?"
"No. To my quarters. 10th floor, please."
"Huh?"
His hand froze.
"10th?"
"Yes."
Kim Cheolsu puzzled but pressed 10.
Ding—
Stopped at 10. Both stepped out together.
Walked the hall. Same stride, same direction.
Kim Cheolsu's steps halted at 1003.
Catherine's at 1004.
Reaching for the door locks, they turned simultaneously.
"......"
"......"
Silence. Kim Cheolsu asked in a shaky voice.
"Ms. Catherine... you too?"
Catherine's eyes widened.
"Secretary Kim? Thought you were going back to 11..."
Quick realization. Right below 1104, where Yoo Jihyun and Eileen lived.
Optimal spot to rush upstairs in emergencies.
Of course they'd claim these spots.
DH Group and Benedict capital bought the adjacent 10th-floor units.
"Ah..."
Kim Cheolsu scratched his head.
Normally awkward.
But why? He couldn't stop grinning.
Same for Catherine.
She half-lifted the door cover, smiled brightly at him.
Under the hallway sensor light, her smile shone fresher than before.
"Work buddy next door. Not bad. See you later."
Beep—
Catherine waved lightly, entered 1004. Kim Cheolsu stared blankly at the closed door.
Thump—
His heart pounded heavily.
1104 was a battlefield, but the 10th-floor hall blew warm winds.
"...Not bad, huh."
On a December day when chill blanketed the streets. For Kim Cheolsu, 10 years as a lone secretary in endless winter barrenness, a slightly early warm spring arrived.