[What's life anyway, just living as it comes]
[What's life anyway, just living as it comes]
"Hmm, this sounds like it's going to be a long story. It's not really the place to talk, so let's head to my house first."
Team Leader Jo nodded. It seemed he was willing to have a conversation.
If he had tried to evade or use force rashly, things would have gotten complicated, but fortunately, his personality didn't seem bad.
Choi Ak took out his phone and made a call to someone. Judging by the content, it seemed he was calling his wife at home.
"Ah, it's me. I'm coming home with some guests. Get ready to receive them. Please."
After a few "uh-huhs," the call ended quickly. Seeing that, Team Leader Jo was reminded again of the fact that he was married.
"Is that your wife?"
"She's my wife, the prettiest woman in the world."
"Must be nice. I was married too, but I got divorced. We had too many differences of opinion because I became a Force User."
"We're newlyweds, so. Even a thousand years from now, we'll still be newlyweds."
"Haha! Any newlywed couple would say the same."
They continued the conversation with mundane topics. They arrived at Choi Ak's house by taxi. It was a two-story detached house with a yard. The location was great, and it was a house that anyone could tell was worth hundreds of millions of won.
"Nice house."
"My wife bought it all. The building for the chicken shop I run is also in my wife's name."
At the mention of him being a building owner, Team Leader Jo, as well as Chang-in and Mi-yeon, were surprised. Well, that would explain why there was no rent, allowing for that quality of chicken at that price. If you look at the famous restaurants on TV, a significant number of them are run by the building owners themselves.
The four of them entered the house. As they pressed the password for the front door and went in, Choi Ak's wife, Sion, came trotting over to greet them.
"I'm home."
"Welcome. I prepared a little something since you said guests were coming. Are they staying for a meal, by any chance?"
"I don't know about that yet, but it won't be that long. Thanks for doing this."
They had expected a woman who would be his wife to appear. But the person who actually came out was a small girl who looked like an elementary school student.
"Excuse me, is that your daughter? No, but her age..."
"She's my wife."
"..................."
An uncomfortable silence stretched on for a long time.
Team Leader Jo said nothing, and Chang-in and Mi-yeon glared at Choi Ak as if they were looking at something truly 'the worst,' just like his name. The look in their eyes meant something like, 'You dirty pedo bastard.'
"Even if she looks like that, she's older than me."
"What?!"
"No, that can't be..."
"She suffered from an illness when she was young, that's why. Her hair was bleached because of the medicine, and although she was barely cured, her body, which hadn't grown during that time, didn't grow back, so she just looks like this."
"Ah........ I'm sorry. We asked something we shouldn't have."
"It's fine. Ah, please call me Sion."
Sion lied without even batting an eye. Though it was true that Sion was older than Choi Ak.
Team Leader Jo looked closely at Sion's hair.
"It's a bit rude to stare at someone else's wife like that."
"Ah, I apologize. Sometimes, among Force Users, there are cases where their hair gets bleached due to high Force aptitude."
"My wife is not a Force User."
"I apologize if I made you uncomfortable."
Sion made coffee for the number of people and brought it out. It wasn't instant coffee, but drip coffee made by grinding the beans and pouring water over them. Perhaps because the beans were good and her brewing skills were excellent, Lee Mi-yeon, who drank the coffee, widened her eyes and expressed the taste without holding back.
"Ah, the coffee is delicious. Seeing as you grind the beans yourself, you must like coffee?"
"Yes, I like it, and my husband likes it too, so I go out of my way to buy high-quality beans."
Sion held out her hand in a V-sign, striking a pose as if showing off to Choi Ak. He quietly stroked Sion's hair.
Even if there were issues with her appearance, they looked like a lovey-dovey newlywed couple. If you just looked at them, at best, they looked like a father and daughter.
"Now, let's get to the main point. What did you come here for?"
Choi Ak took a sip of coffee and proceeded with the conversation. The purpose of their visit was something Choi Ak didn't particularly like.
"We know about what Choi Ak-ssi did at the Chuncheon highway rest area, and what you did during the Yeongdeungpo department store incident."
"So?"
"First of all, I want to ask why you are hiding such power."
"Because I don't want to. What's the point of having power? There are tons of idiot bastards who want to use it for their own gain. I hate seeing all those human trash trying to do whatever the fuck they want, so I'm just trying to live quietly while running a chicken shop."
"For someone who says that, didn't you cause quite a stir with the Raccoon Man incident?"
"If I really wanted to cause a stir, I would have shown my face. Right now, in this room, is there anyone else who knows about me?"
"That is true, but........"
"So, I'd like it if you just left me alone."
There are people who are Force Users but live ordinary lives without using their abilities. A close example is the case of Baek-ri's younger sister.
"But you are an unregistered Force User, aren't you? That's tax evasion."
"...........Ah, damn it."
In the end, that topic came up. There are roughly three choices for a Force User. Becoming a government affiliate, becoming a corporate affiliate, or lastly, paying more taxes and living as an ordinary citizen.
Honestly, if an ordinary person awakens as a Force User, taxes aren't a problem. Because they can earn a considerable income just by doing manual labor through physical enhancement with their ability.
The story would be different for a student, though.
"So, are you telling me to go register, have my face plastered everywhere, do all the grunt work the government tells me to do, and as someone who was discharged this year and is a newlywed, tell me to be on 24-hour standby, prepare for Dimensional Rifts, and bust my ass?"
"That's not..."
"I think I've done enough for my country by serving 2 years in the military. Fuck, they worked me like a dog while paying me 200,000 won. If I had received just 50,000 won in travel expenses every time I went out to work, I could have started my own shop with my own money."
Personally, Choi Ak thinks this country is okay. That is, provided you have money.
Before he met Sion, in the days when he had no money, he didn't use his abilities to earn money even when he was struggling. Because if he got caught, it would get noisy, and the government would definitely interfere with every little thing, telling him to do this or that.
It's not limited to this country. Depending on where you are, only the treatment differs, but the result is no different.
He likes individuals, but he is a person who hates organizations.
"The way the country is run is for idiots, so why would I feel like doing anything for the country?"
"Then what do you think about the suffering ordinary citizens?"
"What do I care? Whether people I don't know die or not."
Looking into Choi Ak's eyes, Team Leader Jo thought he was more twisted than he had imagined. From the beginning, as a Master-class Force User, he had expected that they would each have firmly held beliefs, but for a hero who had saved people, this was beyond his expectations.
Hearing his words, Mi-yeon felt a surge of emotion and was about to say something, but Team Leader Jo stopped her. You shouldn't act rashly and provoke him.
"However, as long as I live off the country's money, I have no choice but to report the information I've found. If that happens, Choi Ak-ssi's existence will be known, and not only the government but also corporations won't leave you alone. A Master-class Force User is an existence of which there are only eight in the world."
In Korea, there is [Thousand Swords] Lee Gyeong-jin, in Japan, there is Hiei Hibiki, nicknamed [Shuten-doji], and in China, there is Yong Hwa-jeong, the [Fist Dragon Empress], among the 8 Master-class Force Users.
There are many countries without Master-class Force Users, but as of now, there is no country that possesses more than two. In the midst of this, Choi Ak, who is presumed to be such a powerhouse, has appeared.
There is no loss in having many in the world. Especially if it's a Master-class Force User. Even now, there are countries aiming for them, wondering if they can win over Force Users from other countries.
"To be honest, there are radical people in both the government and corporations. Choi Ak-ssi might be fine, but there might be people who would harm your wife........"
The moment he said that, the atmosphere turned icy.
It felt as if the background had instantly changed to the polar region, and a chill climbed up their spines, giving them goosebumps. The source of the changed atmosphere was none other than Choi Ak.
His narrowed eyes and fierce gaze held clear killing intent.
A fickle killing intent, thinking about what to do with them right in front of him.
"Ah, should I just kill everyone and bury you to shut you up?"
He said it lightly, but no one could move from their spot. Even Lee Mi-yeon, the strongest Force User among them, could only tremble in front of the killing intent that was strangling her heart.
It was as if the muscles in their entire bodies were paralyzed, and they couldn't move. Even their breathing was stifled, as if their diaphragms had stiffened, and they couldn't even twitch.
Their lives were in the hands of the man in front of them.
"Take it easy."
Thud, Sion playfully poked Choi Ak's side. Then, the killing intent that had made the atmosphere icy melted away like snow.
"You've always had a problem with being too radical."
"But it's simple if I just kill you to shut you up, right?"
"You can't kill people just because it's a hassle."
Hearing Sion's words, Choi Ak let out a long sigh.
Actually, if he wanted to destroy the evidence, he could do it as much as he wanted. If Choi Ak took action, he could dispose of the bodies without leaving a single bone fragment, and since Sion was there, he could create an alibi, and even fabricate the fact that they hadn't visited, or that they had left after visiting.
Killing is simple. Fabricating evidence is also simple. But he was going the hard way on purpose. For Choi Ak, Sion is his final limiter.
"I don't want my identity to be exposed. If I have to pay taxes, I can, but since I could get caught because of that, it's better not to pay in the end."
"Then how about doing this?"
Team Leader Jo put forward a compromise.
"The number of Dimensional Rift occurrences is currently on an increasing trend every year. The Enemy Species appearing are also gradually increasing in level, and if things go wrong, a Medium Octagon-class, which appeared in the United States, might appear in Korea."
Actually, that was an exaggeration. The maximum grade of Enemy Species that has appeared in Korea so far is about Medium Heptagon-class. There has never been an Enemy Species higher than that, although there have been cases in Japan or China. It means Korea is a relatively safe country.
"If an Enemy Species appears that we cannot handle on our own, I would like you to take care of it."
"Who is that. Lee Gyeong-jin, was it? He's there too. Our country is a country that possesses a Master-class Force User, so why are you like this?"
"Because the more trump cards you have, the better. If you promise just that, we will keep our mouths shut."
"Are you in a position to do that?"
What Choi Ak is asking is, 'Do you, a mere team leader, have the qualifications to hide the truth about a Master-class Force User?' For the public good, reporting to superiors would be the better choice.
"It's my personal judgment."
"Hmm........."
Choi Ak looked at Sion. At that, Sion nodded in agreement.
"I don't think it's bad."
"Then fine."
Finally, Choi Ak also nodded. A secret known only to the people in this room, the Raccoon Man alliance, was formed. To use another analogy, it would be something like the Guardians of Korea.
"By the way, I don't know about you, but I don't know if the two people next to you will keep their mouths shut properly."
"It's fine. They are people I cherish, so they won't go around talking."
"I keep my promises strictly. As long as you don't break the promise first, I won't harm you, and if you request support, I'll step up and solve it."
However.
"The moment you break the promise, whoever broke it, it's the funeral day for all three of you. I'll kill you all and dump you in the middle of the ocean. Even if you run to the other side of the earth, I'll catch and kill you. If you want to avoid it, try running to the moon. Then I'll give up because your effort is commendable."
It wasn't a bluff or anything. Judging by the chilling killing intent climbing up their backs, it was the truth. If Choi Ak were to be revealed to others due to their leaks, he would come to kill them, whether intentional or not.
"Understood. Then, since it would be rude to stay long at a newlywed couple's house, we will be going now."
"I'll let you know my contact information later."
"Ah, that's fine. We already know Choi Ak-ssi's mobile phone number during our investigation."
"If you call that number, it'll be tracked. I'm saying I'll give you a different number."
Choi Ak glanced at Sion. When it comes to electronic devices, she is an existence that no one on this earth can follow. Inside her small head, she has computing power that is several times superior to a supercomputer.
Creating a number that can't be tracked is simple.
"Then let's see each other next time, Choi Ak-ssi."
"I'd prefer not to see you as much as possible."
The first meeting was a bit rough, but the button was fastened somehow. Having achieved his small goal, Team Leader Jo let out a sigh.
Team Leader Jo and his group, who had left Choi Ak and Sion's house, only let out a sigh on their way back to the 67th Branch. Like prey in front of a predator. No, like something absolute that comes fairly to everyone, that thing that had been right in front of their noses was still overwhelming enough to make them break into a cold sweat even when thinking about it again.
Lee Mi-yeon, who had barely regained her composure, spat out irritably.
"What is it?! What on earth is that person!"
"Ugh...... I guess Master-class Force Users are all that weird......"
"You can't reach the Master-class if you aren't crazy in one way or another. It's not strange even if his personality is like that."
However, Choi Ak's personality was more heterogeneous than the personalities of other Masters. Korea's Master User [Thousand Swords] Lee Gyeong-jin has a rigid and upright personality. If you put it badly, you could say he is inflexible and stubborn, but he is a person who knows how to say that what is wrong is wrong.
Thanks to that personality, he is free from political circles. Since there probably isn't a single member of the National Assembly without corruption, if they were to make a mistake and get caught, it would be exposed as it is, and their political life would end.
The realm of a Master cannot be reached without such a peculiar personality. Because the will that comes from such a personality becomes the driving force that leads them.
"More than that, what do you think about Sion-ssi, who was next to Choi Ak-ssi?"
"Yes? Isn't she just someone who looks like a child?"
Although her appearance was like a lovely young girl, she was a full-fledged adult woman. Other than that, I didn't think she was that unusual. Even setting aside her face, which had few emotional expressions.
"He could have chosen for himself, but he went out of his way to ask for her opinion with his wife right next to him. Maybe because they are newlyweds, they seem to have a good relationship. In other words......."
"A doting husband?"
"Something like that. If you go with a gift set sometimes and score points, it will be helpful later."
"If you buy a gift set, I'll go. The coffee there was delicious."
Chang-in agreed playfully. It was a joke to relieve the tension that still remained.
At that joke, Lee Mi-yeon, whose tension was also relieved, grumbled in a low voice and expressed her dissatisfaction.
"But no matter how I think about it, he's a really strange person. Saying he'll kill people so easily. His personality is dirty, too. His eyes are fierce. If it were Sion-ssi, even with that appearance, she could have met a better man, so why did she meet a man like that?"
"Who knows, maybe it's her taste."
"If I were that pretty and had that much money, I would have gone around meeting better-looking and cooler men. To choose a man like that, her taste is really unique........"
Slash!
".......Huh?"
At the pain she felt in her neck for a moment, Lee Mi-yeon touched her neck. A sticky liquid came off. The red color stained her clothes.
It wasn't a deep wound, but blood was slowly flowing down from the cut on her neck. It wasn't enough to die from, and it was a scar to the extent that if she stopped the bleeding, there would be no danger to her life.
"W, what is it?!"
"Chang-in, first stop the bleeding on Mi-yeon!"
Since they were familiar with basic first aid, they quickly stopped the bleeding on Mi-yeon's wound. The wound was shallow, and Force Users recover quickly, so stopping the bleeding was enough to improve her condition significantly.
And a call came to Team Leader Jo's phone.
"........This is Team Leader Jo In-hyung of the KFU Seoul Branch 67."
[Tell that young lady there. I'm a piece of trash to begin with, so I don't care if you curse at me. But I can't stand it when you curse at my wife. This is a warning.]
Soon after, the call was disconnected. It was not displayed as a restricted caller.
"W, what is it, Team Leader?! That person, did he hear what we were saying here? It's been 20 minutes since we left that house?!"
"A, a wiretapping device........"
Mi-yeon searched her body with trembling hands to find a wiretapping device that might be there. But there was no way there would be one.
Team Leader Jo realized that Choi Ak wasn't the type of person to use such things, and that there was a more convenient method.
"That person...... just heard it. Just like I am a Force User with detection traits. He must also have detection-type traits......."
"Yes?! But what's the distance from here to there?!"
"So, that distance must also be within his ability range. Because he is a Master-class Force User......."
Among Force Users who cannot be free from firearms and the military, the only existence that can stand against them. Those who have reached the Master user level are all monsters.
It wouldn't be strange even if it were a detection distance of hundreds of meters. No, beyond that, it was more likely that the detection distance was in the kilometer range.
Feeling like they had caught a glimpse of a part of something scarier, they trembled in fear for a while.