Chapter 587

〈 Chapter 587 〉 Part 2, Chapter 1, Section 17

<At that moment, New Seoul Government Building, Presidential Office.>

“Minister, so you’re saying this who just entered New Seoul has absolutely no connection to the US government?”

In response to the sharp-featured man with a scar on his left eye, the Foreign Affairs Minister vigorously nodded.

“Yes, it’s confirmed.”

“You’d stake your neck on it?”

“…Yes. Absolutely confirmed.”

Though rather intense for a national leader, the Foreign Affairs Minister understood the President’s frustration. How could someone even more influential than the President accept that a VIP from one of the Hero superpowers, the US, had no strings attached?

“A Round Table member came to Korea. They’ve set up a studio in New Seoul. Are you really sure this is just about recruiting Hollywood actors? Huh? Don’t you think there’s a possibility they’re secretly setting up a Hunter Guild here in Korea?”

“Both official and unofficial channels confirm that the <Producer>‘s – excuse me, the blonde brat’s – reason for coming to Korea is indeed personal. Even Oracle Studio has expressed interest in expanding into the Korean market.”

“That’s not just some American rumor mill nonsense? Damn it. Not a single thing goes right. You’re dismissed.”

President Sun Icheol sent the Foreign Affairs Minister away. Though insulted by the President’s words, the Minister had no choice but to leave the office red-faced.

“What do you think?”

Sun Icheol asked into thin air. Soon, black mist rose from the floor, forming an unknown figure in a black robe and mask.

“<Tattooist>, what’s your take on the blonde brat?”

“It’s definitely a cover-up. There’s no doubt they’re hatching some sinister plan.”

“Sinister…? Maybe catching monsters above ground and illegally exporting cores back to America?”

“No. More likely they’re trying to mass-produce porn actors under the guise of recruiting Hollywood talent. Take a look at this.”

The Tattooist handed over a concise report. After reviewing the information gathered so far about the studio, Sun Icheol clicked his tongue.

“Only men are rejected at the document screening stage while women make it to interviews?”

“According to interviewees from the Patriotic Youth Corps, they were rejected due to having bad physiognomy.”

“Americans worrying about physiognomy… Ah, wait, isn’t that actually reasonable? The Patriotic Youth Corps aren’t exactly known for their good looks, after all.”

“And we just received new intel. <Unsah> went in and hasn’t come out yet.”

“Unsah? That Unsah?”

Sun Icheol’s eyes started gleaming.

“I know her too. Wasn’t she the one injured by a villain during the Seoul Reclamation Operation? It was quite regrettable when her core shattered despite being considered a next-generation S-Rank candidate.”

“Whether she’s working as security or office staff, it seems she got hired for a low-level position.”

“Tsk tsk. A former hero reduced to this… Well, if she did get hired, we might be able to gather information through her. Are the Three Masters still around? Perhaps we should use them to open a channel.”

“<Pungbaek> passed away from old age, and <Usa> was MIA after the 7th Seoul Reclamation Operation.”

“Damn. What a loss.”

Sun Icheol kept clicking his tongue, lamenting the fate of those A-Rank heroes from 2020 who once shone brightly.

“Still, keep trying to infiltrate. We need to find out if this is really about recruiting Hollywood actors, producing porn stars, or something else entirely. How’s that wiretap Yu-Sung mentioned going?”

“There’s a lot of noise, but aside from rumors about him developing a relationship with a newly hired Academy student, we don’t have much else.”

“E-Rank Light-speed Healer? An Academy student facing expulsion? Hmm, sounds like he knew he was getting kicked out and found a new job. With that face, maybe we’ll see him on screen someday. Either way.”

Smirking wryly, Sun Icheol’s comment earned only a nod from the Tattooist.

“By the way, sir, may I ask why you’re so interested in this blonde brat?”

“Aren’t you curious why he specifically came to Korea? Why would a foreigner openly enter Korea, especially New Seoul, in these times?”

“…I am curious why a former Round Table associate came to Korea. Sir, shall we speak frankly?”

“Let’s count to three and lay our cards on the table, shall we? Is that alright?”

The Tattooist made the bold suggestion first, which Sun Icheol agreed to with a nod. Though the Tattooist concealed his identity, they were political allies bound too closely to eliminate each other. Their trust was based not on faith but on mutual utility.

One, two, three.

“It’s not about setting up a Hunter Guild.”

“The Hollywood actor recruitment is probably just a cover.”

“Then is it about cultivating ability users? Doesn’t seem like they’d secretly export talents to America. If that were the case, they’d have entered through China or Japan to stay more covert.”

“Instead, they’re subtly hinting at their connection to Oracle. Considering everything…”

They reached the same conclusion.

“It’s definitely related to the Round Table.”

“Agreed. Could they be scouting future Round Table candidates? Maybe they’re agents for the Round Table.”

“They might be trying to elevate <Snow White Princess>, who’s been nominated for years. Though we haven’t heard of any major injuries among current Round Table members, you never know.”

“…Ideally, one of our Patriotic Youth Corps talents would join the Round Table.”

The two were practically drowning in kimchi soup.

“Speaking of which, sir. Your daughter seems interested in this matter…”

“My daughter is off-limits.”

“Isn’t her dream to break into Hollywood? What do you think about the President of Sun’s daughter becoming a member of the Round Table?”

“Absolutely not.”

Sun Icheol firmly shook his head.

“Our high schooler shouldn’t fall into the hands of that blonde brat.”

“…About that.”

The Tattooist turned away, even with his mask on.

“Actually…”

Crash!

Sun Icheol threw his cup to the ground.

* * *

Park Ra-on.

Back when Korea only had about ten A-Ranks, she was part of the trio considered the strongest A-Ranks. Together with two other male heroes, they were called the “Three Masters” – Unsah, Usa, and Pungbaek, names influenced by both their abilities and President Sun’s preferences. After the Pyongyang Incident wiped out seven S-Ranks, leaving only two, the Three Masters were seen as the next generation of S-Ranks.

But the Three Masters disbanded.

During the massive Seoul Reclamation Operation following the Pyongyang Incident, Park Ra-on suffered severe injuries. Her heart was pierced, damaging her ‘core’, the very foundation where ability users stored their magic power. Though her physical wounds healed, her broken core meant she couldn’t accumulate E-Rank level magic power or higher.

Ra-on spent a year rehabilitating. Using all her savings from her civil servant salary, and with significant help from the other Two Masters, she tried desperately to recover.

But it was futile. Once broken, a core couldn’t hold magic power no matter how hard she tried. Eventually, everyone gave up hope for Unsah’s revival. The once-promising A-Rank hero retired from the hero industry.

“What have you been doing since then?”

“After I could no longer work as a hero and repeatedly got advised to quit hunting monsters, I sold information using my monster-hunting expertise for the first 1-2 years. But once my funds ran out, no one sought me out anymore.”

Eventually, Ra-on ended up working in factories. Concealing her true identity, she worked for wages barely better than illegal immigrants, accepting room and board in exchange for labor. Even her position as a security guard at Gimhae International Airport, obtained through old connections, was lost due to the commotion surrounding the protagonist’s arrival in Korea.

“Ra-on, if you could return to A-Rank status, what would you do? If some miracle restored your former powers.”

“…I’d continue working here. Unless the owner decides to terminate my contract first, I want to keep working here.”

“Why?”

“Because you hired me when no one else would.”

After enduring so many betrayals over the years, Ra-on decided to trust and follow anyone who believed in her enough to hire her. Regardless of whether it was because I was a commander or had Oracle Studio backing me, she saw this place as her final nest where she could live with integrity.

“If the heroine hadn’t been recruited without knowing her identity, Ra-on would have ended her own life.”

It was the same with Ra-on and Nuri. Both had reached their last moments when they found refuge in our studio.

“Alright then, let’s formalize the contract. Annual salary of 30 million won including government subsidies. Room and board provided. Work 24 hours in the office unless otherwise instructed. Maintain absolute secrecy about company matters. Does that sound acceptable?”

“Sufficient. Just providing me with clothes like this is more than enough.”

What most would consider a pitiful SME-level contract, Ra-on readily accepted. She stamped and signed, then we scanned her magical signature into the magical gear. Now, if Ra-on broke the contract and fled, she’d be marked as a criminal.

“Congratulations on becoming a security guard at ‘Cheongnyeon Studio’.”

“I’ll do my best.”

I shook hands with Ra-on. The roughness of her hands, softened slightly by the moisturizer Yuna had given her, felt like her heart was opening up to us just a little.

“Then, Ra-on, as per the confidentiality agreement, if what I’m about to say leaks out, I will sue you.”

“Yes, yes. Whatever could it be-”

“I’m the commander. The president of Studio Cheongnyeon is just a front.”

“Surely you’re part of an American Hunter Guild… No, never mind. I’ll keep quiet.”

Ra-on misunderstood again.

She thought I was part of an American-backed Hunter Guild trying to establish operations in Korea. In Korea’s nationalist policy environment, foreign Hunter Guilds didn’t exist. If they did, they’d be disguised guilds using puppet presidents to exploit loopholes in government policies, likely smuggling cores back to their home country from the monsters raining down on Pyongyang.

“So should I start calling you Commander instead of President? Does the bodyguard role include guarding you-”

“No. I am the commander. The actual <Commander>.”

The repetition caused confusion. I clarified to prevent further misunderstanding.

“The one who can awaken abilities and increase magic power. The last remaining commander in this world.”

“…What?”

Ra-on’s expression grew serious. Her gaze wavered between belief and disbelief.

“Why? Isn’t claiming you’re recruiting porn actors more convincing?”

“How did you know… Ah, no, wait, just give me a moment. That-”

“Even before coming to Korea, I had my eye on several ability users. From the moment you opened the office door, I knew you were <Unsah> Park Ra-on. That’s why I declared you hired on sight. I was confident that someone with your determination could help me save humanity.”

“…”

Ra-on’s eyes changed. I extended my hand to her.

“Let’s save the world together, Ra-on.”

“…I have a condition.”

As Ra-on took my hand, hope began to shine in her eyes.

“Show me proof that you are truly the commander.”

“I knew you’d say that!”

Yuna burst into tears and claimed the bed.