Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Super Tanker
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“Stop. This isn't a bus.”
The Chief Secretary’s voice was calm as he stopped Wang-sik.
“I'll just toss him out and close it. It's no big deal.”
“If you open that door, you will be charged with at least seventeen international crimes.”
“I don't care. Once people find out what this bastard did, they'll say I did the right thing.”
“I think you've misunderstood something.”
The Chief Secretary said to Wang-sik, who was genuinely about to open the door.
“I told you not to open the door. I didn't say to let them go.”
Wang-sik let go of the handle.
At that moment, the two hunters who had been watching the situation stood up.
They had been spoiling for a fight from the beginning.
“Looks like you got lucky with a decent skill, but it's time to stop messing around.”
“What makes a C-rank like you so cocky? Are you relying on Min Ha-na? Planning to go crying to your big sister?”
Even as they spoke, the two remained on high alert.
‘He has some kind of secret.’
‘Being just a C-rank doesn't explain it.’
They weren't idiots. That's why they were deliberately provoking him. But then, Min Ha-na said something completely out of the blue.
“Big sister? Come to think of it, his age…”
Wang-sik was twenty years old.
Why hadn't she thought of that?
Min Ha-na was twenty-three.
Her gaze turned sharp as she looked at Wang-sik, but the Chief Secretary spoke up.
“He is your senior. And your deputy team leader.”
“Ah, right.”
Understanding, Min Ha-na sat back down.
The three who had been trying to pick a fight were dumbfounded by her sudden lack of interest.
“Shin Myeong-sik of the Black River Guild first insulted an agent of the Hunter Management Bureau, and then unleashed his power inside an aircraft in flight. You've committed one minor offense and one unforgivable felony. Of course, I have the power to treat that minor offense as a felony as well.”
The three men's eyes focused on the Chief Secretary.
“If you sit down right now and keep your mouths shut until we arrive in Russia, I will forgive you. You won't get a second chance.”
There was power in the Chief Secretary's voice, though he spoke while casually reading a magazine.
In fact, unleashing an Awakened's power inside an aircraft was a serious felony.
“Russia will be thrilled to hear about it, I'm sure.”
It wouldn't just be a problem in Korea.
Since they were on an expedition, it could become an issue in Russia as well.
“Mr. Wang-sik, if you're going to do it, do it quickly.”
In the end, Wang-sik was the first to release the chains. The other three had no choice but to sit down.
All of them were disgruntled, but one man's mind was in turmoil.
‘I felt demonic energy. He's not just a C-rank.’
The chains that had bound his body had clearly emanated a demonic energy that could only be felt from monsters.
‘What is that bastard?’
Shin Myeong-sik's thoughts grew even more tangled.
‘There was a reason I was told to investigate him.’
Shin Myeong-sik and the aces from the other guilds had all received the same mission.
—Befriend famous international guilds.
With public opinion in Korea against them, they had no choice but to borrow the power of famous overseas guilds.
To this end, meetings had already been arranged with several guilds.
And their other mission was about Wang-sik.
—Thoroughly investigate a man named Bae Wang-sik.
By now, they knew that Wang-sik was a key figure in the Hunter Management Bureau.
The more they investigated, the stranger it seemed that he received so many invitations from abroad, but the specific details were classified, and they couldn't uncover them.
They had only managed to obtain government reports through a political connection, but even that was enough to tell them he was no ordinary person.
‘I have to find out for sure.’
Shin Myeong-sik's expression grew more serious than ever.
Domodedovo International Airport, Russia.
As they disembarked from the plane, three Russian agents were waiting for them.
The Chief Secretary greeted them politely first, and the hunters simply followed behind.
Since they had come to support Russia, the agents' response was friendly, and the process of leaving the airport was streamlined.
“Please, get in.”
The car prepared for them was a top-of-the-line limousine.
There were also luxury vans and sedans nearby, but only three limousines.
Even considering the ones already in use, it was clear this was special treatment.
The Chief Secretary and Wang-sik casually took the rearmost seats in the limousine.
But the faces of those following them showed confusion.
‘What's going on?’
Korea's hunter competitiveness was ranked around 30th in the world.
Within South Korea, A-rank hunters received the best treatment everywhere, but that wasn't the case in gatherings of the truly powerful.
Not only did they lack any world-famous hunters, but even those who were mentioned were usually classified as promising prospects, not as hunters renowned for their skill.
Naturally, they had never received this kind of treatment before.
‘Is this because of Bae Wang-sik?’
This was nothing short of a state guest's welcome.
Their surprise grew even greater when they arrived at a five-star hotel in downtown Moscow.
This time, it wasn't just surprise; it was shock.
The deputy director of Russia's Hunter Management Bureau was waiting in the hotel lobby and greeted them personally.
“Welcome, friend.”
He spoke first in Russian, then said 'friend' in English. Wang-sik returned the greeting with a smile.
“Have you been well?”
They shared a light hug, showing their close relationship.
The man, in his late fifties with graying hair, was completely at ease with Wang-sik. He acted so much like he was meeting a true friend that it drew puzzled looks from those around them.
“I'll show you to your rooms myself.”
“You must be busy. Do you have time for this?”
“Am I not doing the most important thing right now?”
“Are you worried I might run away?”
“I trust you. It's the one I can't trust who's waiting for you.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a man in his late twenties with impressive blonde hair and a winning smile approached, raising his hand.
“Hey! Friend!”
He was a handsome man with sharp features and a well-proportioned body. With looks so striking you'd believe he was a celebrity, even his smile had a pure, childlike quality.
His face was so famous that everyone around them recognized him instantly.
‘Gregory…’
Shin Myeong-sik couldn't even bring himself to speak.
An S-rank hunter, one of only six in the entire world.
The man who had just appeared, Gregory, was one of them.
A warrior-class hunter in his late twenties, he was handsome with a playful air, but in battle, he was said to rage like a demon, earning him the nickname Janus.
Janus of the Snow Fields.
The S-rank hunter Gregory strode forward with his arms wide open. But he was stopped by Wang-sik's hand.
“Gregory, back off.”
“What! How could you do this to me?”
Gregory said with exaggeratedly wide, hurt eyes.
“Have you forgotten the rumors that I was gay because of you?”
“Aww, don't worry about fake news like that.”
“It's not about the news. Guys acting like this isn't my thing.”
“But I just saw you hug the deputy director?”
“You wouldn't stop at just that.”
“We'll have to see about that!”
As he raised his voice, whining like a child, the Chief Secretary approached him.
“It's been a while, Gregory. Would you mind getting away from our precious agent?”
“Oh! Miss Jang!”
Gregory's target shifted to the Chief Secretary. He approached with his arms open, but the Chief Secretary spoke first.
“Allow me to introduce you. This is Agent Min Ha-na of the Hunter Management Bureau.”
“Oh! Miss Min!”
Gregory turned toward Min Ha-na, his arms still spread wide. But upon seeing her face, he straightened his clothes, placed a hand on his chest like a stage actor, and bowed.
“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Gregory.”
“I'm Min Ha-na. It's a pleasure.”
The Chief Secretary waited for their greeting to finish, then stepped aside, about to raise a hand to introduce the other three. But Wang-sik spoke first.
“Let's go.”
“Aren't you going to introduce those people?”
The deputy director asked, puzzled. Wang-sik replied.
“I don't know them.”
Shin Myeong-sik's group, who had been preparing to greet them, stared at Wang-sik in disbelief.
Fortunately, the Chief Secretary, who was their manager of sorts, stepped in and managed a brief introduction.
“Well then, I'll show you the way.”
The deputy director led them to the elevator.
Wang-sik didn't stop Shin Myeong-sik's group from getting on with them, but Gregory did.
“Not you.”
“No! Friend! Are you really going to be like this? I even prepared this for you.”
Gregory pulled a bottle of vodka from his inventory. It was a type favored by Russians, though not the highest quality.
“Miss Min, won't you invite me?”
“I refuse.”
“Miss Jang…”
By the time he finished speaking, the elevator doors had closed.
“My apologies. He's not someone I can control.”
“Who could? I'll calm him down so he doesn't cause any trouble.”
“Thank you. I'm glad you came. At least he listens to you.”
“He doesn't really listen to me, either. He just barely refrains from doing what I tell him not to.”
“That's something, isn't it? You're the only one in the world who can control him.”
Gregory was a free-spirited individual.
He was particularly famous for an incident where he rejected the Russian president's dinner invitation three times.
And yet, the president didn't touch him, and not simply because he was an S-rank hunter.
—For the motherland, Russia!
This was his battle cry. He truly loved Russia and always stood at the forefront in times of crisis. Moreover, he donated half of his income to the state.
His patriotism was so renowned that even the socialist president acknowledged him.
“Here. This is it.”
They arrived on the floor just below the top one, in the best rooms aside from the suites.
“As you know, the suites are occupied by pigs who do nothing but waste food.”
Wang-sik just laughed it off.
“This is more than enough.”
They were assigned a room with three bedrooms centered around a living room.
“The other rooms are across the hall.”
With two sets of rooms assigned, they naturally split between the Hunter Management Bureau and the guild members.
“Well then, rest easy. If you need anything, just tell our agent, and he'll take care of it.”
As the deputy director said his goodbyes and closed the door, the first to let out a long breath was Min Ha-na.
“Wow. I was so nervous.”
“Were you? You seemed to be adapting well.”
“All these people I've only ever seen on TV were just walking by. Honestly, I was a little intimidated. I didn't expect this kind of treatment, either.”
As she spoke, Min Ha-na's gaze naturally fell on Wang-sik.
“I never knew you'd receive this level of treatment, Deputy Team Leader.”
Wang-sik was looking at the curtains covering the window.
“Why are you just standing there? If it's stuffy, just open them.”
With a look of confusion, Min Ha-na opened the curtains herself.
“Shit! What the hell!”
Whoosh!
She instinctively created a flame to throw, but Wang-sik grabbed her hand.
Someone was clinging to the window like a spider.
It was the S-rank hunter, Gregory.
Still stuck to the window, he waved cheerfully, then pointed at Wang-sik and gestured downwards with his finger.
“I think he wants you to come down.”
“Haaah, what kind of trouble is he planning to cause now?”
“So there are times when even you get flustered, Deputy Team Leader. Hmm, I think I've found a good method.”
“You think you can do that? Like him?”
Min Ha-na thought for a moment before answering.
“I'll have to try.”
“You really have it out for me, don't you?”
“My gratitude is much greater. That's the truth.”
“But you still want revenge?”
“That seems like a reasonable level.”
Min Ha-na smiled and waved at Gregory outside the window. Gregory waved back with both hands in response. Or rather, he tried to.
“Huh?”
The moment he let go of the window, Gregory plummeted downwards.
“Well done. You've assassinated Gregory. I commend you.”
“He'll be okay, right?”
“Unfortunately, it seems so.”
Gregory, who had just fallen, climbed back up like a spider and waved.
“Chief Secretary, I'll be back.”
Unable to withstand Gregory's pestering, Wang-sik went down to the first-floor lobby.
“What did you call me for?”
“I was hoping for a date.”
“You're not my type.”
“Come on, friend! I always tell you, I'm straight! I just like you. In fact, you like me too, don't you?”
“I want to like you in moderation, but you always cross the line. Having the newspapers call me your lover once was more than enough.”
“Haha! Don't worry. That won't happen this time. There are a lot of people who want to see you. You have to greet them anyway, right?”
Wang-sik knew who he was talking about.
“Let's go. My friend.”
Gregory bowed respectfully and began to lead the way.
They arrived at a conference room prepared on the second floor. However, two burly men standing at the entrance blocked Wang-sik's path.
“Sir Gregory. Outsiders are not permitted entry.”
“He's with me, and you're saying he can't come in?”
Gregory's expression turned icy. His gaze was demonic, befitting his nickname, Janus.
The two men flinched but did not lower the hands blocking Wang-sik.
‘Well-trained people. They must be at least A-rank.’
Judging by their black suits, they appeared to be government agents.
To them, orders were absolute, and it seemed they wouldn't back down even if it meant being killed by Gregory.
“Gregory, let's take it easy.”
At Wang-sik's intervention, Gregory's expression softened.
“Tell the deputy director that Bae Wang-sik is here.”
The agent contacted someone inside via radio, then stepped aside.
“You may enter.”
They seemed a little surprised that permission was granted so easily.
“Friends! Look who's here!”
As Gregory threw open the door and shouted, all eyes in the conference room turned to them.
Thirty people in all.
Among them, about twenty recognized Wang-sik and stood up.
“Wang-sik!”
“Oho! Korea's Super Guy!”
“My darling has arrived.”
Those who stood were mostly Awakened.
The twenty Awakened who represented Russia.
They were the elite among Russia's nearly 150 A-rank hunters.
“Everyone, stop. The first greeting is mine.”
A voice cut through the boisterous atmosphere.
She was the owner of a voluptuous figure that could make even a simple dress look sensual, with shimmering blonde hair.
Her striking features, characteristic of Russian beauties, and deep eyes were fixed on Wang-sik.
Her looks were overwhelming, but that wasn't all.
The A-rank healer, Sara.
Not only was she a member of a rare class with fewer than 30 practitioners worldwide, but she was also a former model, boasting immense popularity not just in Russia but across Europe.
“Hello, darling.”
“That's not my name.”
Ignoring Wang-sik's reaction, Sara wrapped her long arms around his waist.
“No further.”
“If you're shy, shall we go somewhere quiet? This is a hotel, you know.”
At her words, the onlookers whistled.
The atmosphere was such that if they'd been holding beer bottles, you might mistake it for a nightclub.
“Super Guy! Just pick her up and carry her upstairs!”
“Go for it! This is Russia!”
Wang-sik met Sara's unwavering gaze.
“The joke ends here.”
“A joke? I'm hurt.”
Sara tilted her chin slightly and moved closer.
Just before their lips touched, Wang-sik raised a single finger to block her advance.
“Gregory is enough. A love triangle would be complicated.”
“Tch.”
Only after Sara backed away did Wang-sik exchange greetings with the others.
These were the people he had fought alongside during the last Russian expedition.
After the long greetings were over, those who didn't know Wang-sik wore strange expressions.
A foreigner had walked into a classified meeting.
An explanation was needed.
In response, Gregory pointed to Wang-sik and said.
“Allow me to introduce him. A friend of Russia, and its savior. We call him this.”
The Russian Awakened drummed on the tables, building the atmosphere, before Gregory spoke with emphasis.
“Super Tanker.”