Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Washington's Strings
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Do-hyun's words made the room's atmosphere freeze solid.
CIA Director. FBI Director. Immigration Director.
They were all uniquely positioned figures in the federal government, each wielding power in their own distinct way.
'Politicians, in the end.'
Frontline agents or mid-level executives might be different, but at the director level, no one rose to the top without playing politics.
"I hear the CIA tried to gather evidence that I was the Genocider in Korea. There are even tips that they were told to fabricate evidence, but I want to believe that isn't true. The FBI was ordered to pin the Washington serial killings on me. And Immigration was considering revoking my Honor Visa."
As Do-hyun continued, the directors' faces drained of color.
It was all true.
Blatant illegal acts, and the fact that they were at the behest of Senator Parks—who had committed crimes against children—made it even worse.
This wasn't something they'd get away with by just being fired. They could rot in prison for years.
But.
"I understand your positions. You all did it out of concern for America, right?"
"??"
The three looked at Do-hyun in confusion.
"What you did came from a place of worry for America, so I don't want to make a big deal out of it. In return, I need your help for America's sake. Can you grant me that favor?"
"Anything! Just say the word!"
True to form as politicians, all three quickly grasped Do-hyun's intent and responded eagerly.
"First, give me access to the CIA database."
The CIA Director hesitated, then nodded.
"I'll issue you the highest clearance ID for CREST—the CIA Records Search Tool."
Do-hyun's eyes turned icy.
"This is a request for America's sake, yet it feels like you don't grasp my sincerity. Or is your devotion to America only that shallow?"
"Tr-Triton access? But that's...?"
CREST was the CIA's public database.
Triton, on the other hand, contained the agency's highest classified data, accessible only to a select few. It was called Triton due to its triple-layered security.
"You don't need to grant access to all three layers—that's beyond even you. Just A Layer access will do."
The CIA Director swallowed hard.
Granting an outsider like Do-hyun access to A Layer was risking his neck.
But.
"...U-understood. I'll make it happen somehow."
Do-hyun inwardly cheered.
'I can hone my Psychic Hacking skill proficiency later to breach B and C Layers.'
The value of information went without saying.
Do-hyun knew little about America's specific circumstances, so this was crucial—and now he was essentially getting CIA intel for free.
"As for Immigration..."
"I heard you're heading to California! I'll speak to the California Immigration office and ensure they give Kim the hero's treatment you deserve!"
"That's not it. When someone gets a visa Gold Card or higher, Immigration assigns staff to help with settling in for a period. Can you procure a specific person for that?"
"Of course! Just tell me who you want!"
"What if it's not an Immigration employee? Might require pulling some strings."
"I'll-I'll make it happen!!"
"Her name is Nora Cecil."
"Elegant name. Sounds perfect for supporting Kim just from hearing it. Just tell me who she is and where..."
"No idea where she is now. But the Federal Bureau of Prisons should make her easy to find."
"...A Bureau of Prisons employee?"
The Immigration Director tilted his head.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) managed inmates.
"No, she's currently incarcerated."
That's when the Immigration Director realized why "Nora Cecil" sounded familiar.
"Dollar Princess Nora!"
The financial criminal who had toyed with Wall Street!
She'd been sentenced to 572 years and was serving time.
'I need a capable hand.'
He had a lot ahead of him. He needed someone to handle the miscellaneous tasks.
Nora's talents were legendary: after America's fall, amid the chaos of North America's dark age when gangsters and Outer God followers overran the land, she'd turned the minor gang Armageddon into a mega-cartel controlling over half of ruined America.
"Director, please coordinate with the Bureau of Prisons."
"I'll... try."
Pulling someone with over 500 years wouldn't be easy, but that was the Immigration Director's problem.
Finally, the FBI.
The FBI Director glared at Do-hyun differently from the others.
"I did nothing wrong. Kim, you are the Genocider, and you are the Washington serial killer, aren't you?"
The FBI hadn't specifically pressured Do-hyun on Senator Parks's orders.
They'd just done their jobs.
If anything, they'd been unfairly saddled with Parks's mess.
"Don't misunderstand. I know how devoted the FBI is to America. Here's my request to you."
Do-hyun twisted his lips into a smirk.
"Keep chasing me diligently from now on. The harder the FBI works, the more my sincerity for America will shine. Ah, Roder, was it? He was quite enthusiastic. Assign him as my dedicated investigator. Please."
He stayed in Washington a while longer.
His fame from the Washington exploits hadn't faded yet, so he handled the flood of interviews and built some connections.
Frankly, it was a hassle, but important enough that he couldn't skip it.
'Once Nora arrives, most of these chores will lighten up.'
Do-hyun looked forward to meeting Nora.
He'd never met her in person, but she was infamous.
'She half-conquered America during the 'nation's' fall and North America's chaotic era. Handling her won't be easy.'
But taming notorious dangerous figures like her? That was Do-hyun's specialty.
'Korean villains got boring. A new face should be refreshing.'
A few more days passed, and as he wrapped up in Washington to head to California, an unexpected call came.
"A donation?"
"...I'm sorry to ask this on first meeting, Kim. There are many struggling orphanages near Washington in Baltimore. Could you lend even a small hand?"
Do-hyun crossed his arms.
'Different culture from Korea.'
Korea had a negative view of donations, but in America and the West, the rich were expected to give back. Much of society ran on donations—not just the wealthy, but even middle-class folks made it routine when they could afford it.
"My donation will go directly to the orphans, right?"
"Yes, I promise."
No trace of 'greed' from her meant the woman before him was genuine.
As he'd said before, Do-hyun didn't hate those living such 'romantic' lives.
"Fine. I'll donate a million dollars for Baltimore's orphans."
"A-a million dollars?"
The outrageous sum flustered her.
'Pocket change compared to what I'll make ahead.'
"But on one condition: don't publicize my donation."
"Why...?"
She asked in bewilderment.
Big donors usually flaunted their good deeds.
"Personal principle: don't exploit kids or adults' hardships."
She looked impressed.
"...This is awkward, but can I ask one more favor?"
"What is it?"
"Could you visit the orphanage...? The kids idolize the man who saved America and want to see you. Ah, n-no! Just a thought—no pressure. Sorry for bringing it up!"
She seemed apologetic just for asking.
But.
"Sure. I'll visit."
"...Pardon?"
"Same condition, though. No photos, videos, or promo. Just see the kids privately."
At Do-hyun's request, she stared blankly.
'Is Kim... an angel?'
Celebrities visiting orphanages wasn't rare.
But most were for PR. True volunteers were few.
Many just lined up kids for photos and left—some even visibly recoiled at contact.
Kim was different.
He was genuinely playing with the children.
"Alright! Attention everyone! This is the Hero Punch of Justice!"
"Woooow!!! Kim!! Kim!!!"
"Hey now? You think villains will fall to such tiny voices?!"
"Woooooooooow────!!!!"
No one had ever played with the kids so sincerely!
Baltimore was notoriously rough even by U.S. standards. Orphanage life was brutal.
But today, thanks to Do-hyun, the kids wore the world's happiest smiles.
"Thank you."
Cathy, the director who'd called Do-hyun, teared up.
"No big deal. I'm used to playing with kids."
"Oh, married? Thought you were single."
"Haha, single as they come."
Truth was, around the middle loops.
When Do-hyun was utterly broken.
Having given up on saving the world, he'd met a woman, shared intimacy, even had a child.
'Not exactly happy times.'
It was one of his most painful loops.
Still, that experience made him utterly despise exploiting or harming kids.
'It's those memories that keep me from abandoning world salvation now.'
A scruffy little girl approached.
"Nancy, what's wrong...?"
"I have something to tell Kim!"
The director glanced at Do-hyun, who smiled and nodded.
"What is it?"
"...Don't go to California. A terrible disaster is coming to California soon."
Do-hyun let out a soft ho.
'Prophet Awakener.'
Checking her, it wasn't high-level.
C-grade at best?
Still, her prophecy was spot-on.
'A massive disaster is hitting California soon.'
"Don't worry. No matter the disaster, I'll handle it."
Do-hyun ruffled the girl's hair.
She timidly glanced up, then spoke.
"Then... can Kim save the world?"
Do-hyun paused, then nodded.
"Of course. Even after failures, I'll never give up. I'll save this world for kids like you to be happy."
He headed to California.
This time by commercial flight, landing at LAX.
'Been a while.'
Do-hyun had immigrated young and lived in California.
'...Feels way different from back then.'
Da-da-da-da-da!!
Gunfire erupted in the airport. Submachine guns.
Countless bullets flew at Do-hyun.
'Welcome, California!!'