Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: The White Dome and a Hero's Welcome
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The White Dome, a spoils repository under the American Hunter Management Bureau.
It was named for the white, dome-shaped warehouse built underground.
One of the three great treasure vaults spoken of by hunters.
From the bones of rare monsters to weapons classified as hazardous and items of unknown purpose, the place was reminiscent of a top-tier museum.
“You've decorated it nicely, even though you probably don't get many visitors.”
“It's for VIP guests like yourself.”
Bae Wang-sik, having descended five floors underground in an elevator, conversed with Smith as they entered the dome's entrance.
Even Smith had to verify his identity again with an iris and fingerprint scan before he could enter. When the door opened, an array of mystical lights spilled out from the dark interior.
On pedestals atop a black carpet sat dustless glass cases, and the items within, illuminated by spotlights, reflected the light enticingly.
“The White Dome is divided into three levels. This is the Level 3 repository.”
Smith said with a hint of pride.
“And I can take one of these?”
“Of course. Take your time and look around.”
This had been part of the agreement for subjugating the necromancer.
—One item from the White Dome's Level 3 collection will be provided.
It was a clause Wang-sik himself had requested.
“There are certainly a lot of good items here.”
Each item had its name and performance details listed, and every single one was exceptional enough to be considered at least A-plus rank on the outside. Over 200 such items were on display.
‘And this is only Level 3?’
What kind of items would be in Level 2 and Level 1?
There would be S-rank items, the kind you'd be lucky to see once in a lifetime.
“To think an artifact like this is only Level 3...”
In addition to armaments with outstanding options, there were also about twenty artifacts enchanted with special magic.
Among them, a necklace set with a red gemstone caught Wang-sik's eye.
“Tears of Illusion. A necklace enchanted with an illusion shield. I can assure you, it's an unparalleled artifact for tankers.”
Smith approached, speaking as if boasting about his own possessions.
Just as he said, it was an item any tanker would covet. But Wang-sik soon looked away.
“The design isn't great.”
Leaving Smith frowning behind him, Wang-sik walked past the flashy items and moved toward a corner.
There, the lighting was dimmer and the displays narrower compared to the other areas.
“Those are items with relatively lower utility. Of course, that's only in comparison to the other items here.”
As Smith said, their options were ambiguous for their rank. Yet, Wang-sik chose one without hesitation.
“This one will do.”
“Are you sure you want this one?”
Surprised by the unexpected choice, Smith asked again, looking at the item.
—Necklace of Tears
—Underwater Breathing
It had been put on display because of its unusual option and the mystical light it emitted, but no hunter had ever wanted it.
“I like the design.”
It was a ridiculous reason, but since a promise had been made, there was no cause to refuse.
“Well, it's your choice. I'll respect it.”
Smith glanced back and nodded, and two agents came in to remove the glass case.
“Take it yourself.”
Wang-sik picked up the ornate necklace resting on a black cloth and placed it in his inventory.
He did it as casually as someone stuffing a bag of snacks from the corner store into their pocket.
“Don't you want to go to the Level 2 repository?”
“Can I see it?”
“What if you could not only see it but also have one of the items?”
For the first time, a flicker of emotion crossed Wang-sik's calm expression.
This was because the Level 2 repository was considered a top secret even within the United States.
“It's not free, is it?”
Smith handed Wang-sik a document.
—Special Naturalization Application
“Just sign, and you can become a U.S. citizen immediately. Not only will you receive an item from the Level 2 collection, but you'll also enjoy all the benefits listed in that document.”
“Sounds good.”
Smith smoothly offered a fountain pen, and Wang-sik took it.
“There's something I'd like to confirm.”
“Go on.”
Wang-sik asked casually, as if it were no big deal.
“Dual citizenship is allowed, right?”
Smith gave him a look of disbelief, and Wang-sik tilted his head in response.
“I guess not.”
“Of course not. How could it be?”
“Then I'll have to think about it.”
Wang-sik handed the fountain pen back to Smith and tucked the document into his jacket.
“I won't wait long.”
Wang-sik nodded and smiled.
His smile showed no trace of deliberation, which only annoyed Smith further.
Wang-sik returned to Korea through a special entry gate.
The plain white t-shirt and jeans subtly accentuated his well-built physique.
Unlike when he wore his demonic armor, his appearance had the fresh-faced look of a twenty-year-old, but his eyes held a depth beyond his years.
His sharp jawline, stubborn-looking nose, and the set of his mouth, combined with his short-cropped hair, gave him the air of a soldier.
“Wang-sik!”
The person who greeted him with a bright smile as he exited the arrivals hall was Kang Il-seop, the Bureau Director of the Korean Hunter Management Bureau.
“Welcome back, safe and sound.”
“It was nothing.”
“Nothing? We were watching the whole thing on video. When you came out of that pit, I got goosebumps.”
Indeed, at the Hunter Management Bureau, where Bae Wang-sik's identity was known, they had erupted in cheers at the final scene.
The atmosphere was like that of a successful satellite launch, and Kang Il-seop himself had clapped until his wrists ached.
“Come on. How about we go get something to eat today?”
“Some other time. I just want to go home and rest for now.”
“Right, you must be tired. I'm sorry for asking you to take on the American mission as well.”
“It's fine. I got something really good out of it.”
“That's a relief. Let's head to the car.”
Escorted by two hunters, they walked to the waiting car.
“Did Smith try to pull any tricks?”
As the car pulled away, Kang Il-seop asked with a slightly anxious expression.
“Ah? You mean this?”
Bae Wang-sik pulled out a piece of paper he had roughly folded and stuffed into his jeans.
It was the special naturalization application.
“That son of a bitch. I knew it. But since you came back, I assume you refused?”
Bae Wang-sik nodded in response to Kang Il-seop's worried question.
“What a relief. You're as reliable as ever.”
At that, Bae Wang-sik smiled and tapped the document Kang Il-seop was holding.
“What is it?”
“Don't just look at the title. Look below it.”
There, the benefits he would receive for naturalizing were listed in detail.
Along with the promise of a Level 2 treasure, there was housing support and tax exemptions as a baseline, plus an astronomical support fund, priority gate assignments, and other benefits that couldn't be measured in money.
“Doesn't this make you feel anything?”
Kang Il-seop, breaking out in a cold sweat, looked at Bae Wang-sik pleadingly.
“Have mercy on me. I'm already getting complaints that the benefits are too generous...”
“People who don't appreciate what they have don't deserve to keep it.”
“Alright! As the Bureau Director of the Korean Hunter Management Bureau, I promise! I'll open the Bureau's vault to you! I swear I'll give you one of the Level 1 items, no strings attached!”
“Since when did it have levels? And there are only twenty items in there.”
“Well...”
“And I donated half of them myself. You won't find any A-rank items in there; it's all B and C-rank at best.”
Such was the reality of the Korean Hunter Management Bureau. That's why it was called a warehouse, not a repository.
“Still...”
“You've promised me that over twenty times. Basically, that means everything in that vault is already mine. It's my personal warehouse at this point.”
“Fine! What do you want? I'll put my position on the line to get you as much as I can!”
Despite his bold declaration, his eyes wavered.
“It's alright. Just stop asking me to save you.”
“Still, don't I do my best to take care of you whenever you go on an overseas expedition? What was in the White Dome?”
“If I tell you, you'll end up drinking heavily tonight. Are you sure you want to know?”
“I still need to know.”
“I'll organize it and send it to you later. I'm just being considerate so you can rest easy tonight.”
“Thanks.”
Their conversation continued even as the car carrying them entered downtown Incheon.
“How were the American hunters? That guy named Larry...”
As Kang Il-seop was speaking, the ear-splitting screech of tires filled the air.
Screeeech!
It was in the next lane.
A truck that had crossed the center line was hurtling toward an oncoming luxury sedan.
There was no time to evade.
The impending catastrophe in the adjacent lane was horribly clear.
Just then, Wang-sik, who had been in mid-conversation, suddenly vanished.
Whoosh.
A cool breeze washed over Bureau Director Kang Il-seop's face as the torn-off car door clattered onto the road.
CRASH!
With a deafening roar, the front of the truck buckled and crumpled. At the same time, the sedan screeched to a halt, leaving skid marks, just barely stopping in time.
In the moment everyone's thoughts were frozen by the impact,
Wang-sik, standing in front of the truck, moved, and time resumed its flow.
He had stopped the truck.
Clatter.
The chains that had shot into the air descended with a clatter, revealing the truck driver, who had been pulled out just before the collision.
“Uh...”
Leaving the dazed driver behind, Wang-sik walked over to the back seat of the luxury sedan.
A girl who looked to be about ten years old was sitting there.
Her expression was still blank, her shock not yet subsided, when Wang-sik smiled and spoke to her.
“Are you okay?”
The girl, whose ears were ringing from the crash, seemed to read his lips and nodded.
“Can you roll down the window?”
The girl saw Wang-sik's gesture and lowered the window. He then held out his fist to her in a non-threatening way.
Understanding his meaning, the girl bumped his fist. Wang-sik gave her a thumbs-up and, as if his work was done, walked away.
Wang-sik walked past the truck and got back into the Hunter Management Bureau's car, which had stopped nearby.
“Where were we?”
“Well, that's a relief. Last time, you went through the roof, and the repair bill was huge.”
“That's why I used the door. Besides, this isn't a taxi today.”
“True. Compared to a human life, a hundred car doors are nothing.”
The car carrying them started moving again.
Their conversation didn't stop, even with the cool wind blowing in through the missing door.
They arrived at a quiet fishing village on the outskirts of Incheon.
As he got out of the taxi, a familiar voice called out as if in welcome.
“Wang-sik!”
A young man in a waterproof vinyl apron and work clothes approached him.
With his shaggy hair and slightly stooped walk, he gave off a simple impression.
“Dong-il. Were you working?”
Unlike when he spoke with the Bureau Director, Wang-sik's expression was as open as a child's.
“I got bored waiting for you, so I did a little work.”
“Sorry. It's my fault.”
“Hey! Nothing to be sorry about! You heading out right away?”
“Yeah.”
His tone now completely relaxed, Wang-sik boarded a fishing boat moored inside the breakwater with Dong-il.
The boat soon headed out to sea, and Wang-sik enjoyed the ocean breeze on deck.
Dong-il didn't disturb him, and after about thirty minutes, a small, uninhabited island appeared.
Dong-il docked the boat at a simple pier that extended like a bridge and handed a black plastic bag to Wang-sik as he disembarked.
“I know you won't listen if I tell you not to eat ramen, so at least put this in and eat it together.”
“Thanks, Dong-il.”
“Wang-sik.”
Dong-il called out to Wang-sik as he was about to turn away.
“If you're too lazy to clean, call me. If you don't want to eat or drink alone, call me then, too. Call me whenever you need anything, alright?”
“Got it.”
“Thanks to you...”
“Dong-il. That's enough thanks for now. Okay?”
Wang-sik held up the plastic bag he'd received from Dong-il.
“Yeah. Okay.”
Dong-il gave a regretful smile and turned back.
The island, accessed via the pier stretching out from the sea, was divided into a sandy beach and a forest.
Half of its perimeter was a white sand beach, the rest was cliffs, and a dense forest grew deeper inland.
In the center of the forest was an artificially created clearing, where a log cabin sat picturesquely.
Inside was a spacious living room with an unlit fireplace, and a separate bedroom with clean bedding, and a kitchen.
Wang-sik turned on the lights, expertly boiled water in a kettle, and took a cup of ramen from a shelf.
After opening the ramen, he waited for the water to boil and took out two items from his subspace inventory.
The Necklace of Tears he had obtained from the White Dome.
The other was a red crystal orb he had acquired after dealing with the necromancer.
“I totally hit the jackpot.”
He smiled in satisfaction.