Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: The Supreme One Has Returned
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Present Minister of National Defense.
The true power broker among the minister's aides, four-star General Jeong Myung-hwan.
In his office adorned with the Korean national flag, he gripped the phone with a grave expression.
His serious look had persisted throughout, but at the end, a smile crept across Jeong Myung-hwan's lips.
"Heh, among my Barnabas International School alumni, you're the one I like best. I'll trust you and proceed with the next plan. If it goes well, I'll send a big gift your way soon—accept it graciously."
Once formed, the smile showed no sign of leaving his lips.
"Alright then, talk to you later."
Beginning and ending in fluent English, Jeong Myung-hwan's call came to an end.
Pocketing his cellphone, he immediately picked up the receiver on his desk.
"Connect me to Lieutenant Park Il-du of the Special Hunter Suppression Platoon."
Ring~
[Communications secure! Loyalty! This is Lieutenant Park Il-du, platoon leader of the Special Hunter Suppression Platoon—I've taken your call!]
A vigorous voice transmitted through the receiver to Jeong Myung-hwan.
In response to Park Il-du's booming tone, Jeong Myung-hwan replied in a low voice.
"The plan to bring him in within two days has failed. We'll have no choice but to grab him a month from now."
[Loy-al-ty!]
"They had no idea I know the CEO of GHO's UK branch, kekeke. A month from now, he'll definitely try to run or something. That's why I'm issuing you an order."
[Loy-al-ty!]
"Starting three days before the promised date, tail that guy Myung-un. And when the date arrives, kidnap him if you have to."
The word "kidnap" was one that might make anyone stutter.
But as the platoon leader of the peculiar Special Hunter Suppression Platoon, Park Il-du's mindset was equally unusual.
Even at the extreme notion of kidnapping, not a tremor entered Lieutenant Park Il-du's voice.
[Loy-al-ty!]
His voice carried a loyalty and obedience that suggested he'd commit murder without hesitation.
Jeong Myung-hwan responded with a deep smile.
"Drag him here by force if necessary. If anyone interferes, injure them badly—it's fine. I'll cover for you."
[Loy-al-ty!]
With every word from Jeong Myung-hwan, Park Il-du's resounding cry of loyalty echoed.
"Remember this: I created you, and I'm your direct superior."
[Loy-al-ty! We remember! We'll remember it well!]
"Good. Stake your lives on my orders, no matter what they are."
[Loy-al-ty! We'll carry them out with our lives on the line!]
With Lieutenant Park Il-du's final response, Jeong Myung-hwan set down the receiver.
"Special Hunter Suppression Platoon... heh."
This was something utterly incomprehensible by standard military knowledge.
How could a mere lieutenant, of all people, take a direct call from the Minister of National Defense?
Even more absurd: the direct superior of a platoon led by a lieutenant wasn't a battalion commander, regimental commander, or division commander—but the Minister of National Defense himself?
In other words, the only one who could command them was the Minister of National Defense, making them a special platoon that answered to no one else.
Anyone who'd served in the military would know just how bizarre this was.
A peculiar structure that didn't fit the standard military system.
But there was a reason it was possible.
'Special Hunter Suppression Platoon.'
Special Hunter Suppression Platoon.
Their very name was the reason.
Not a platoon made up of ordinary people or hunters based on the military system.
A special platoon of hunters handpicked by the Minister of National Defense himself to suppress other hunters.
That was the Special Hunter Suppression Platoon.
A platoon not for others or the military—but for himself.
This was why Jeong Myung-hwan was obsessed with the hunter named Myung-un.
To insert Myung-un into the Special Hunter Suppression Platoon, elevate its name, and establish it as a true force.
Since Myung-un shared blood with Yong-un, a fellow hunter, the goal was also to boost the platoon's combat power by leveraging the strengthening Myung-un.
Eat the pheasant and the egg too.
As the old saying went, reaping two or more benefits from a single act.
To Jeong Myung-hwan, Myung-un was exactly that.
"I won't let him slip away."
Originally, he'd wanted to put Yong-un into the Special Hunter Suppression Platoon.
But Yong-un, ranked among the world's top S-class powerhouses, had already slipped beyond the minister's grasp.
Just as he was wallowing in disappointment.
While watching the guild battle royale, an opportunity came to Jeong Myung-hwan.
There, in the Unwoo Guild conversing with Yong-un.
He'd spotted Myung-un's existence.
The chance had arrived.
How could he let it pass?
He already felt aggrieved enough for missing Yong-un.
"I absolutely... won't let him go."
He'd mobilize every connection he had; Myung-un had to be brought in.
Only he could catapult the Special Hunter Suppression Platoon into the spotlight in one go.
"Lieutenant Park Il-du will handle it well enough."
After issuing the order, Jeong Myung-hwan leaned back in his chair without a care.
He stretched out both legs, propping his feet on the desk.
"Heh, and it's not just any S-class hunter—it's one I've personally acknowledged."
Not a statistical S-class, but another kind of S-class hunter.
As if a hidden master had emerged, the enigmatic words hung from Minister Jeong Myung-hwan's lips as he closed his eyes in utter relaxation, free of worry.
He recalled the unforgettable scene when Park Il-du had shown that look upon deciding to form the Special Hunter Suppression Platoon.
It felt as though Myung-un was already enlisted, wrapping Jeong Myung-hwan in satisfaction.
"Dare to defy my words? Hero, minister, whatever—I'll have to take measures against them all."
Irked by the brief sour mood, Jeong Myung-hwan quietly opened a desk drawer and pulled something out.
As a black object reflected in his eyes, a smile spread across his lips.
Night passed, and morning arrived.
Yong-un approached Mu-hee, who had spent the entire night on the rooftop.
"You've arrived, Supreme One."
From 11 p.m. until 6 a.m., just before dawn broke.
Returning after seven hours away, Yong-un smiled lightly with a small sigh of relief.
"Yes."
"Looks like things went well."
"That thug wrapped in ambition turned out to have some real loyalty. It wrapped up easier than expected."
"Then... we don't need to keep tabs on the GHO UK branch CEO anymore?"
Mu-hee brought up the main concern she'd been raising since yesterday evening.
And from Yong-un's lips came the answer she'd longed to hear.
"No need to worry. He'll handle it himself."
Finally hearing the response she'd awaited, Mu-hee let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Phew, that's a relief."
Left alone for seven hours while Yong-un was gone, Mu-hee had agonized over the matter.
But failing to find an answer herself left her feeling inadequate.
In truth, using the Night Slaughter Society would make it no issue at all.
Simply kidnap or kill the Minister of National Defense, and it was done—a straightforward task.
Even as a powerful figure, once the deed was done, his faction would scramble and make noise.
All she'd need to do was prepare a suitable scapegoat victim to toss their way, and it would end there.
A method that came to mind effortlessly, with the plan and process mapping out automatically.
'But...'
Mu-hee had to discard every simple option like that.
Because the target tied to the Minister of National Defense was the Supreme One's family.
She knew all too well how terrifyingly Yong-un viewed matters involving his family.
If word spread through society that an improper group like the Night Slaughter Society was involved in something family-related, all of Yong-un's fury and orders to clean it up would fall squarely on them.
'Well, if it's simple enough for me to think of, the Supreme One would have considered it too.'
If she could come up with it, there was no way the Supreme One hadn't.
Yet he hadn't ordered it, meaning he didn't want it.
That was why Mu-hee had been stuck here since yesterday evening.
'Phew, still, it's good. We found the answer.'
Mu-hee smiled.
Seven hours of pointless worrying, but she was glad nonetheless.
At least she'd been of some help to the Supreme One.
Swish.
Mu-hee silently watched Yong-un as he lay on the rooftop, gazing at the brightening sky.
Then, from her shadow, a spirit sorcerer began to emerge.
"Mistress..."
"Go back inside. I'll come find you in two hours."
"Yes..."
"Ah, cancel all preparations. The Supreme One says there's no need to mobilize the Night Slaughter Society."
"Understood. As you command. Then..."
At the words of Mu-hee—the Night Slaughter Society's leader and supreme spirit sorcerer—the sorcerer slipped back into the shadow without protest.
Mu-hee had readied the society's assassins in anticipation of Yong-un's orders.
But with the firm resolution returned, she promptly restored the Night Slaughter Society to normal.
Watching this, Yong-un sat up from his reclined position and said,
"Go on. It's about time for me to head out too."
"Where are you off to?"
Mu-hee wore a wistful expression.
Yong-un smiled and replied,
"To give praise. To the proud one who pulled off that tough task so quickly."
"Pardon? What do you..."
She put on a face of complete confusion.
Yong-un fully rose to his feet, looking down at her.
"Another spirit sorcerer's coming. Seems something's up—go handle it."
With those words, Yong-un's figure vanished from the spot without a trace.
Immediately after, a spirit sorcerer rose from the shadow.
"What now?!"
The mood shattered, Mu-hee yelled sharply.
The clueless sorcerer flinched at the sudden shout, looking startled.
"Why are you here?!"
Another scolding followed.
"Th-the Night Raven emblem has appeared."
"The Night Raven emblem?"
Mu-hee's expression twisted at the unexpectedly serious situation.
But only for a moment.
"Yes, and the one who brought it... isn't ordinary."
At the sorcerer's next words, Mu-hee's eyes widened, her mouth falling open.
"What?! Tell them to wait. I'm heading there right now."
"Yes!"
As the sorcerer vanished, Mu-hee bit her lip, glancing at the empty spot where Yong-un had been, then hurriedly melted into the shadow.
The Night Raven emblem.
It was what linked the Reaper Guild and Yong-un's bad blood, the main spark that ignited the war between the Night Slaughter Society and Yong-un.
And what was it?
To the Night Slaughter Society, the Night Raven emblem was a token given only to cherished individuals.
A limited token bestowed solely upon those who had greatly aided the society in the past or presented grand gifts.
Whoever bore it, the society had to grant their request without refusal.
A tradition unbroken since the Night Slaughter Society's founding—never once violated.
With a grave expression, Mu-hee donned a small fox mask and walked to the entrance of the hidden valley.
Thud.
Beside the fox-masked Mu-hee, Neck Chopper in a rabbit mask descended.
To escort her in receiving the Night Raven emblem bearer.
Snap!
With Neck Chopper's finger snap signal, the door opened.
As it swung wide, their eyes met those of the figure clutching the black Night Raven emblem.
Snap!
A second snap followed.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
Before the sound fully faded, three massive presences enclosed the area, Night Slaughter Society assassins appearing on all sides.
"Gulp!"
The bearer of the Night Raven emblem swallowed dryly in shock.
Overwhelmed by the palpable pressure.
But only briefly.
The fox-masked Mu-hee said to Neck Chopper,
"Retrieve the emblem."
"Yes..."
Swish.
At Mu-hee's command, Neck Chopper's form blurred.
When it reappeared, the Night Raven emblem was in Neck Chopper's hand, not the client's.
"Here it is."
Neck Chopper bowed his head, and as Mu-hee took the emblem, her eyes gleamed.
"It's genuine."
Without doubt.
It was the real Night Raven emblem.
Sensing its eerie aura of dark sheen, Mu-hee pocketed the emblem.
She lifted her head, stared at the figure, and spoke coldly.
"So, what brings you here? Minister. Jeong. Myung-hwan?"
The Minister of National Defense himself—Yong-un's very enemy.
An unexpected visitor had knocked on the Night Slaughter Society's door, bearing the Night Raven emblem.