Chapter 201
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: Seizing the Runway
Choi Yeoreum spoke up again.
"We'll use the bare minimum personnel to cross the Black Sea and reach Turkey, then head straight to the Sandai Club in Israel. After agonizing over the current situation, this is my recommendation. Anyone got a better idea?"
I glanced at Choi Yeoreum for a moment. Yeah, no dice. There's just no holding back that question.
"With that brain of yours, why..."
"Because I'm weaker than Jang Tae-seok! Feels like you've asked me that before, and I already answered."
Even so, this is ridiculous. Way too unreasonable.
It's on the level of some punk who grew up in juvenile hall and did time in prison living a flashy life just because his family has money, outshining someone who graduated from a top university.
But putting it that way, the world has always worked like that anyway. Now that I think about it, Choi Yeoreum's got her own pitiful side.
I gave her a brief look of sympathy, and her face soured instantly.
"Why're you staring at me like that?"
Listen to that mouth of hers. One hearty line that blows away any budding pity.
"Sounds like Hunter Choi Yeoreum's got the right idea."
For me, elite squad is the only option that makes sense this time. The biggest hurdle is that colorful, massive ball pit called the Black Sea blocking the way between Turkey and Ukraine.
If we don't cross the Black Sea, we'd have to loop around through Russia via Georgia to Turkey.
Of course, arriving in Turkey isn't the end. We'd still have a long way to Israel from there.
"So, the group here?"
Lee Se-eun, Choi Yeoreum, Sung Si-hoon. Plus three headhunters. Total of six.
"What about Jang Tae-seok?"
Choi Yeoreum answered Han Sang-ah's question.
"That simpleton said, 'If I can't fight monsters in Korea anymore, just leave Korea, right?'"
Damn, can't argue with that. If all you care about is smashing monsters, whether Korea's a safe zone or not doesn't matter much.
"A healthy body means no need for a stressed mind, but..."
Isn't his mind a bit too relaxed? Can't say it out loud, but Jang Tae-seok's brain basically just keeps him balanced, like a plumb bob.
It's my own assessment. Can't force him, and even if I did, he wouldn't be much help.
"Zanabi's case... something's up, right?"
Only Lee Se-eun showed, no 1st Team Leader Kang Hoon. She confirmed it.
"They're preparing to pull out just in case."
Meaning, ready to leave Korea. Sung Si-hoon clicked his tongue at the news.
"Even so, he should've come himself. Zanabi's not short on talent."
Lee Se-eun replied to him.
"Different from Taebaek. You smash and retaliate if your underlings displease you, but we try persuading them."
That's why, in this situation, it's hard for their leader-figure 1st Team Leader to join the expedition, she explained.
"Mugunghwa's..."
Sung Si-hoon snorted at my words.
"Mugunghwa's always been cozy with the Korean government. All their contracts are with them."
Same deal—can't expect much. Hell, they might even be government plants sabotaging us.
Yeah, the Korean government pulling strings.
My feelings are pretty mixed.
"This time, we have to assume that hooded bastard shows up for sure."
Han Sang-ah said it, glancing at me. I answered right away.
"We can win."
Never truly clashed head-on. Lee Se-eun responded.
"That hooded guy's never gone all-out so far."
I know. Don't think everything he's shown me is his full power. But that's fine.
"Overwhelming power doesn't guarantee victory."
Otherwise, Han Sang-ah and I would've died cozy in that Bratsk fridge.
"First issue's getting plane cooperation."
The Korean government's not helping at all. Choi Yeoreum replied.
"Geumyang Group's got private jets."
I looked at Han Sang-ah. She nodded readily.
"About five. Agerwal's got a few too."
Guess I underestimated the rich. Transport to Ukraine? Solved easily.
"For ships..."
"Borrowing from warlords could work."
Choi Yeoreum clicked her tongue at my words.
"Heard you wrecked the European warlords bad. They'll really lend to you?"
"If they're cooperative, easy borrow. If not, even easier."
If they're sane, they'll cooperate.
We kept discussing, then I clapped once.
"Think we're sorted."
Time to move. Standing up, I said,
"You all run organizations, so can't leave right away. We'll head out first."
Lots to scout and check. Black Sea's gone nuts, but seeing it myself beats hearsay.
"What if we change our minds later?"
Choi Yeoreum probed.
"Then what can we do?"
Means if they don't come, traveling together wouldn't help anyway.
"And quit probing needlessly."
She shrugged and continued.
"Korean government might try sweet-talking us. Big money, or full life support post-hunting."
I made a dumbfounded face.
"Who here'd settle for that?"
Sung Si-hoon and Choi Yeoreum aren't here just to eat and live. They hate losing the power and respect they've enjoyed. Government handouts won't satisfy them.
Lee Se-eun never chased power or glory. She's with us because she won't abandon others for Korea's safety alone.
"Don't wanna come? Don't. Won't stop you."
Finishing, I looked at Han Sang-ah and Jeong Oh-hoon.
"Rest we can hash out slow in Ukraine. We'll be waiting."
After, we talked to Han Sang-cheol for his cooperation.
"Airport's not giving runway access."
"Man... they piss you off in so many ways."
Korea's airports run by Korea Airports Corporation. Major stakeholders: Finance and Transport Ministries.
Obviously, government's non-cooperation means no runway from the airport.
"This isn't cooperation territory."
It's sabotage. Not much time, and blocking us like this? Even Buddha'd snap. Standing, I said,
"Anyway, Geumyang's planes are at the airport, right?"
"Yes, but..."
Han Sang-cheol eyed me complicatedly.
"I've seen plenty of you by now."
"What you're thinking? Spot on."
Korean government blocking me?
Screw 'em. Won't hero-worship us? Fine, but this treatment? I'm not sitting idle.
No flight path? I'll make 'em give one.
"I'll get the runway. Prep on your end, Chairman."
Then, with Jeong Oh-hoon and Han Sang-ah, I headed to Incheon Airport, opening my mouth.
"Honestly, pisses me off."
Jeong Oh-hoon replied.
"After all that hell smashing Gonzalo, this welcome back?"
Han Sang-ah pondered briefly.
"Didn't want special treatment. But they're obstructing us. Gotta clear the obstacle."
I summed it up shortly.
"People find us annoying? Time to act the part."
Hero game's over.
Never really played it anyway. Did nothing, they hailed us heroes then traitors on a whim.
So, give 'em real reason to dread us.
Otherwise, too unfair, right? En route, I messaged Choi Yeoreum for Jang Tae-seok's number.
"Why his number?"
"Gonna bring him."
Simple means clear motives. Little nudge, he'll charge like a runaway train.
"Too good to leave behind."
Jang Tae-seok's skilled. Simple guy's the issue, but jet engines on fists, flying and fighting? Human bomber, no exaggeration.
Unlike Mugunghwa's Kim Chae-hyun, impossible to recruit? Nah, if possible, snag him.
"Airport first."
Recruiting Jang after Ukraine. Arriving, we headed straight to Incheon International Airport Corp.
"...Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?"
Guards at the entrance looked flustered.
"Thanks for your hard work. Mind if we go in?"
Obviously, no entry. Guards check and block entrants, not man auto-doors.
"Sorry, unauthorized entry prohibited."
"I know. But I'm going in."
Their faces were priceless. Like Vatican guards seeing Buddha storming in.
"Look, really sorry, but..."
I made a shh sound, then told the guard,
"I get it's awkward. Sound the alarm if you want."
Sorry, but we never planned asking permission. While they stammered, we strolled toward the building.
"Ah, it's started."
Sharp sirens blared, clanks echoed as thick bulkheads sealed the passages.
Whoa, Incheon's security always this tight? Thinking that, I reached toward the bulkhead blocking us.
With a groan, the thick alloy crumpled like an aluminum can.
"Hired hunters coming too."
I replied to Han Sang-ah.
"Really? Think hired hunters'll show?"
Jeong Oh-hoon nodded agreement.
"Like telling boxing rookies to spar bare-knuckle with Pacquiao."
Who'd be crazy enough? Probably...
"Kim Chae-hyun might."
Jeong Oh-hoon went, "Ah."
"Forgot her. But can you win? She's insanely fast, attacks one-shot kills."
Builds up strikes, unleashes in one blast. Plus top-tier agility.
"Just don't get hit."
"Talk's cheap."
Chatting like that, we ripped through bulkheads toward the president's office.
Can't guess who's in charge? Go straight to the top dog's always best.