Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The President's IOU
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Tsaritsyno Park, Moscow.
Five hundred white tables were set up on the sunset-drenched lawn.
Amidst the sounds of a live classical music performance, nearly a thousand people were already enjoying the party.
Among them, the busiest were not the host, Doyev, but the three hunters from Korea.
Shin Myeong-sik and his companions were greeted by countless people simply for being Korean hunters, with others waiting nearby, watching for their turn.
Though not publicly known, the hunters attending the event were naturally aware of the Super Tanker's existence, and that information had been relayed to their respective national bureaus.
It was through this process that Wang-sik had begun receiving requests for support from various countries.
—If they're Korean hunters, they can bring him.
This was how other nations viewed Korean hunters.
Korea had a strong economy, but it wasn't a powerhouse of Gates. And for nations with even stronger economies, that wasn't an issue.
“Thanks to the Korean hunters, our own were able to return safely.”
“Not at all. I saw the prowess of the Spanish hunters with my own two eyes.”
Shin Myeong-sik was skilled at politics.
When praised, he returned the compliment in kind, never overstepping his bounds.
‘On expeditions, we were always treated like second-class citizens.’
Now, he was the star of the show.
It was inevitable, as he and his two companions had acted as Wang-sik's special unit.
“Oh, my Korean friend. Can we finally have a drink?”
“Of course.”
Hunters, in particular, were often the first to approach and greet them.
As they were enjoying their central role in the party, all eyes suddenly turned to the entrance.
Bae Wang-sik and Min Ha-na had appeared.
The chief of staff followed behind them, and everyone watched cautiously, looking for a chance to speak with them.
But Wang-sik's group headed straight for Shin Myeong-sik.
‘What is he going to say…?’
A single word from Wang-sik could make all the attention on them vanish. If he were to ignore them and walk past, it would be a public humiliation.
Fortunately, Wang-sik did not ignore Shin Myeong-sik.
“Let’s make a deal.”
“Sir?”
He had grown accustomed to using honorifics. Wang-sik looked at the three of them and spoke softly.
“The flight back home. Cargo hold.”
It took a moment to understand. But it didn't take long for them to grasp his meaning.
He meant for them to ride in the cargo hold of the plane on the way back.
“Do that, and I’ll forget everything.”
That was all they needed to hear.
Starting with Shin Myeong-sik, all three nodded their heads.
‘The discomfort is temporary. And it’s not like it’ll be officially revealed.’
Once the deal was struck, Wang-sik held out his fist. Starting with Shin Myeong-sik, they bumped fists as if they were old comrades-in-arms before he walked past.
The smile he gave them was a bonus.
For Shin Myeong-sik and his group, that was more than enough.
* * *
As the sunset faded into evening, the party's atmosphere began to liven up.
But Wang-sik couldn't join in.
He had a special meeting.
A dinner with the President of Russia.
At the request of the Russian President, who had declared the party open, Wang-sik attended the dinner with Gregory.
“On behalf of the Russian people, I thank you.”
The Russian President had a formidable presence. Though his words were filled with sufficient gratitude, his expression carried an even greater sense of authority.
“Is there anything you particularly desire?”
For a president to ask this meant that, barring exceptional circumstances, the request would be granted. Russia was a place where the president could unilaterally push through things that would be impossible in the Republic of Korea.
The man in his early sixties before Wang-sik was one of the most powerful leaders in Russian history.
“Could you dismiss your security detail for a moment?”
Wang-sik made an unexpected request. The man who appeared to be the head of security immediately shook his head in refusal.
“Do it.”
The Russian President accepted Wang-sik's proposal without a moment's hesitation.
And so, only three people, including Gregory, remained in the opera house's VIP room.
“Now, speak.”
“Please investigate the formation process of the S-class Gate that just appeared.”
Hearing this, the President couldn't answer right away. Gregory, standing beside him, was equally silent.
After a moment of thought, the President spoke.
“I take it you mean its appearance in Moscow was not a coincidence.”
“It’s just a possibility, for now.”
“What exactly do you want me to investigate?”
“There might be a being that connects two dimensions. I have a feeling the appearance of a second S-class Gate in Russia was no accident.”
“Hmm. Do you have any more information?”
“This is all I have for now.”
The President nodded.
“If what you say is true, then for Russia's sake, we must investigate thoroughly.”
“Please share any information you uncover. That is what I want.”
“I promise.”
Having deliberately sent out the guards, he would surely proceed with the utmost secrecy.
“Is that all you wish for?”
“Yes.”
“I can't just send you away empty-handed simply because you don't ask for anything.”
That was to be expected.
A president never comes empty-handed.
The President reached into the inner pocket of his suit and took out a single sheet of paper.
“An IOU.”
This was beyond Wang-sik's expectations.
‘I thought he’d give me an S-class item.’
He had expected one of the three that had dropped, but what he got was a document.
The handwritten IOU bore the President's name and signature.
“It’s for 1 ruble.”
In Russian currency, 1 ruble was barely more than 10 won in Korean money.
“It is proof of a debt. And I am a man who always repays his debts.”
“I’ll gladly accept it.”
Wang-sik took the IOU from the President.
“Then I hope you have a pleasant evening.”
With those words, the President rose from his seat and took out a small box from his pocket.
As if he’d just picked it up on the way, the President made brief eye contact, left the box, and departed.
Inside the transparent box was a ring.
The S-class ring that Wang-sik had acquired.
The President, who had personally handed over the 1-ruble IOU, left the S-class ring behind like a tip.
The implication was clear: his personal IOU was worth more than an S-class item.
“Impressive.”
Wang-sik had to admit it.
“Well, my friend. Shall we go and enjoy ourselves now?”
“I’m good. I actually prefer it here.”
When Wang-sik had briefly attended the party, countless people had approached him.
He had humored them for a while, but after more than thirty people, it became an ordeal. Seeing even more people waiting around, he had fled to this room.
“Your team seems to be having such a good time.”
Through the glass wall overlooking the garden, they could see the party.
“I thought they were only explosive in battle.”
Min Ha-na was standing on the central table of the party.
As all eyes fell on her, she raised the glass in her hand, and the crowd followed suit.
She had been asked to give a toast.
Without hesitation, she climbed onto the center of the table and shouted energetically.
“For universal peace! Peace!”
As she made a peace sign with her hand, the crowd laughed and mimicked her.
When she lightly jumped down from the table, several people approached her.
It seemed she had already befriended many, as laughter constantly surrounded her.
“Her social skills are already S-class.”
“Her temper is double-S class.”
“Shouldn't you go to the party too? If you don't like it there, how about a party I've prepared?”
“I decline.”
“Aren't you being too harsh with me? Accept my goodwill just once, my friend.”
“I’ll think about it if I come on a personal trip next time. Right now, I’m here representing the government of the Republic of Korea, so I have to maintain my image.”
“You live a hard life. Isn't it funny? It seems Korea has less freedom than Russia.”
He couldn't argue with that.
The next morning.
Wang-sik boarded the plane, seen off by Doyev, the Director of the Russian Hunter Management Bureau.
“It's a shame. There are still more parties.”
“The situation in Korea isn't great either.”
“We will never forget what you did to help Russia.”
They exchanged final goodbyes and boarded the plane.
Min Ha-na threw herself into her seat.
“Phew. I thought I was going to die.”
At the airport, she had stood with her back ramrod straight, maintaining a haughty expression. But now, she looked like an office worker returning home after a long night of overtime.
“You held up well.”
“I have to uphold the dignity of the Hunter Management Bureau.”
“Excellent. But how much did you drink?”
“I don't know. I just drank like there was no tomorrow. And in a way, there wasn't.”
Her sunken eyes half-open, Min Ha-na recalled yesterday's party.
“Still, it was really fun…”
“Now it’s time to return to reality.”
“I know. Time to entrust my soul to the devil again. I need my strength to be tormented, so I'm going to get some sleep.”
“Alright. Sleep well.”
Min Ha-na sank into her seat and closed her eyes.
“You should get some rest too, Wang-sik.”
“I slept soundly yesterday. Could you give me an update on the situation in Korea?”
“Of course.”
As they were talking, they heard quiet voices from behind them.
“The guild said they’re sending a welcoming party…”
It was the three guild members. They had tried to keep their voices down, but Wang-sik didn't let it slide.
He simply glanced at them without a word, and Shin Myeong-sik's group nodded in understanding.
“Excuse me, how do we get to the cargo hold?”
“Pardon?”
Despite the flight attendant's confusion, they made a special request and eventually made their way down to the cargo hold.
‘Let’s just stick to the deal, clean and simple.’
‘We can’t have any lingering issues.’
‘A half-hearted pardon brings terrible consequences.’
With determined expressions, they settled into the cargo hold.
“Well, this is a new experience. It’s always been first class.”
“What's there to complain about? We got everything we wanted because of this.”
“That's true. Networking with world-class guilds. We achieved more than our goal.”
They had been given two missions.
Networking with world-class guilds had been a success beyond their expectations. In fact, the other parties were so eager that they had to pick and choose.
“What should we say in our report about Bae Wang-sik?”
“We just report what we saw and felt.”
The three looked at each other and nodded.
‘Never, ever mess with him.’
‘Even Gregory defers to him.’
‘If we make eye contact, we bow our heads first.’
As they thought this, a long-held question was finally answered.
‘Did he let us come along just to show us this?’
They had been suspicious when Bureau Director Kang Il-seop had so easily permitted them to accompany Wang-sik, but now they felt they understood why.
Their return to Korea brought no special changes.
They just had one day off.
“I heard you all rested well while I was away.”
After a day of rest, the agents stood with anxious faces before Bae Wang-sik, who had once again become a devil.
“Well, that’s because there were no Gates to clear…”
“So while your colleagues were risking their lives in an S-class Gate, you were resting comfortably. The colleague standing before you is deeply disappointed.”
Wang-sik turned to Min Ha-na and asked.
“Isn't that right, Agent Min Ha-na?”
“No. I don't really…”
As Min Ha-na started to say it was fine, the team leader subtly nudged her in the side.
The other agents also gave her looks, shaking their heads.
They had seen Wang-sik's eyebrow twitch.
“I’m not disappointed at all! I love my colleagues!”
Min Ha-na was not one to hide her feelings just because of a few looks.
“Such touching camaraderie. I like it. I trust you’ll be able to maintain that spirit in the next Gate.”
“We have to do it anyway. Hell or high water, we’ll endure it no matter what. Do your worst, Vice-Captain!”
Min Ha-na was now provoking Wang-sik.
“I think the rookie’s lost her mind.”
“Ha-na, what’s wrong?”
“Did you hit your head? Was the S-class Gate that tough?”
Despite her colleagues' attempts to stop her, Min Ha-na spoke her mind.
“He's not going to go easy on us just because we try to please him. I learned that for sure this time.”
Her words sparked a great realization among her colleagues.
“Now that you mention it, she’s right.”
“Yeah. It's hell either way. How much worse can hell get?”
The look in the agents' eyes began to change.
“Do your worst, Vice-Captain!”
“We’re ready!”
They stood tall, their expressions now devoid of fear or worry.
“Excellent expressions. Let's move.”
Wang-sik led the agents away. And it was only then that the agents realized there were, in fact, levels to hell.