“Hello.”

Seo Yi-tae, who was passing through the corridor, spotted Kim Myeongju and greeted him gracefully.

“Hmm, hello. Director Seo Yi-tae, haha.”

Kim Myeongju’s expression, as he headed to the Education Director’s office, was quite bright.

“Is there something good happening?”

“Haha, no, nothing at all.”

“For nothing, you look quite good.”

“Because there’s nothing happening.”

Lately, Kim Myeongju had been spending quite peaceful days.

Magic distribution was proceeding without incident, and the hunters of the Republic of Korea were growing stronger even at this moment.

When doing the computerization work, it was a bit difficult scanning all night, but looking back now, it seemed like a good experience.

Furthermore, it had been quite a while since there had been any fatalities recently.

He was able to spend a very stable time, both personally and mentally.

At times like these, brewing tea was indeed the best.

Director Liu Zhigang of China’s Education Department had just sent some good tea.

It was ‘West Lake Longjing Tea,’ one of China’s top ten famous teas, meaning tea from around Longjing in Hangzhou’s West Lake.

He hadn’t checked the exact price, but it would probably cost millions of won.

Creak.

Kim Myeongju opened the tightly closed cupboard on one side of the Education Director’s office.

Inside, Kim Myeongju’s cherished tea set remained untouched.

The last time he took it out was when Kim Songcheol came to apply for leave.

It was the beginning of Operation Truman.

After experiencing such a major event, he had somehow hesitated to brew tea and had kept his distance for a while.

But now, it seemed like a good time to brew it.

Kim Myeongju took out the tea set and carefully wiped it.

The well-maintained tea set sparkled brightly.

Kim Myeongju, with a pleased expression, boiled water and took out the tea leaf container.

As he opened the lid, a fragrant aroma already tickled his nose.

Bubbling.

A pleasant sound of boiling water filled the air. Kim Myeongju put the tea leaves into the teapot, then let the boiling water cool down a bit before pouring it into the pot.

After a short wait, the Education Director’s office was completely filled with the aroma of tea.

“Hmm.”

Kim Myeongju nodded and poured tea into the teacup. A brilliant green light shimmered.

He had just picked up the teacup to smell the aroma.

Ring.

His mobile phone rang.

A ominous premonition flashed, but she tried to ignore it and pulled out her cell phone from her inner pocket.

It was Choi Jongmun, the Director of the Ministry of Interior and Safety.

‘…?’

After a moment of hesitation, Kim Myeongju answered the call.

“This is Kim Myeongju, Special Tactics Education Director…”

[It’s a mess right now! Come over quickly!]

“Yes?”

[The United Kingdom sent an official communiqué… Ah, let’s talk about the details when you get here, quickly!]

Judging by Choi Jongmun’s voice, it didn’t seem like a normal situation.

Kim Myeongju left the untouched tea and immediately got up from her seat.

***

Kim Myeongju arrived at a large building that had been built recently.

It was the Special Disaster Response Headquarters.

All matters related to the Republic of Korea Hunters and their positions are handled and decided here.

Kim Myeongju entered the Headquarters as soon as she got out of the car.

The situation at the Headquarters was no different from usual.

Employees were walking around normally, and a cleaner was wiping the lobby.

Kim Myeongju first took the elevator up to the 5th floor.

Kim Myeongju walked down the corridor.

The sound of her heels clacking on the shining marble floor echoed throughout the corridor.

“Whew.”

Kim Myeongju took a deep breath in front of a thick door and tidied her clothes.

It was the conference room where Choi Jongmun was waiting.

After a brief moment of composure, Kim Myeongju opened the conference room door and entered.

Quite a few people were seated at the long U-shaped table.

She recognized Choi Jongmun, the Director of the Ministry of Interior and Safety, as well as the head of the Special Disaster Response Headquarters, various department heads, and even the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, but there were also some unfamiliar faces.

“This is Education Director Kim Myeongju.”

Kim Myeongju first greeted them and went to an empty seat to sit down.

Immediately, an employee brought her a document file.

“Read it first, then we’ll talk.”

Choi Jongmun said.

Kim Myeongju felt the heavy atmosphere and opened the document file.

Inside the document file was an official communiqué sent by the Special Security Department, under the Ministry of Interior of the United Kingdom.

When Kim Myeongju saw the seal of the United Kingdom Director at the top of the official communiqué, her chest tightened slightly.

It was the United Kingdom, not just any other country.

She couldn’t help but feel the pressure.

Kim Myeongju slowly began to read the official communiqué.

But soon, she frowned and looked up.

She hadn’t even read half of the official communiqué.

“Is this… a death threat?”

“Yes. What kind of nonsense is this? A magic exchange meeting? They’ve never done something like that, and now, what? A forum? It’s truly ridiculous, really.”

Choi Jongmun slammed his book on the table, fuming with indignation.

But the surprises weren’t over yet.

The official communiqué explicitly mentioned Kim Songcheol.

It merely stated that Kim Songcheol’s attendance was requested, but the problem was the forum’s location.

“Guam…?”

Kim Myeongju stared at the people, her mouth agape.

They nodded as if understanding Kim Myeongju’s feelings.

Because they had already experienced it once themselves.

“To hold it in Guam… surely…”

“Yes. This is blackmail. Blackmail! Why are the enemies of the United Kingdom holding a Magic Forum or whatever in Guam!”

There is a portal in Guam.

It was a two-way portal connected to the United Kingdom.

It is a device that allows not only people but also goods to travel in real-time.

This was installed by the United Kingdom at enormous expense, and currently, this portal was serving as a very important bridge connecting Asia and the United Kingdom’s logistics.

Therefore, it’s real-time travel from Guam to the United Kingdom.

It was no exaggeration to say that all trade between Asia and Europe took place through this portal.

This portal is not something you can just avoid using because it’s dirty.

Logistics costs are greatly reduced because the United Kingdom charges a very reasonable usage fee.

In such a situation, they’re holding a Magic Forum in Guam.

If this isn’t blackmail, then what is it?

Kim Myeongju unconsciously touched her forehead.

Cold sweat was already beading on her forehead.

“You know best how the Hunter world works, so tell me. What are we supposed to do about this?”

Choi Jongmun asked Kim Myeongju. As expected, everyone gathered there looked at Kim Myeongju.

Kim Myeongju first stated her thoughts.

“They intend to settle this, come what may, before Mr. Kim Songcheol becomes closely affiliated with the Republic of Korea as a Hunter.”

He felt that this was the final gateway before Kim Songcheol graduated from the training institute.

It is rare for someone to transfer after graduating from a normal training institute.

People who first become Hunters are confused and cannot fully accept their situation. Most are snatched up during that time.

After making comrades and feeling a sense of mission, once they become a Hunter, the transfer rate plummeted.

In Kim Songcheol’s case, although he was a Third Circle Mage, his promotion to Castle Lord was so fast that his time at the training institute was less than half a year.

From other countries’ perspectives, he was still a Hunter with ‘potential’.

Kim Myeongju briefly scanned the official communiqué and then spoke again.

“It seems to be about 25 countries… Looking at the list, some countries, including the United Kingdom and America, are the organizers, some are participants, and some are forced participants. Perhaps those with less influence among the organizers will also be scouting targets.”

“It’s a complete mess. What about Kim Songcheol, that friend? Is he trustworthy?”

If Kim Songcheol’s resolve was truly firm, then sending him wouldn’t be a problem.

After all, all they had was a carrot.

There’s no whip.

If Kim Songcheol refuses the carrot, he will have to return empty-handed.

“Personally, I believe him, but… America has already made a blunder with the Thread, and most countries will know about that incident. The size of the proposed conditions is unimaginable. If you ask if he’s really someone who won’t waver… I can only answer that Trainee Kim Songcheol is also human.”

Kim Myeongju’s feelings were exactly as he had just stated.

He trusts Kim Songcheol.

But he couldn’t be 100 percent sure.

That was the biggest problem.

“What if we don’t send him?”

This time, Choi Jongmun looked back at the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Since Guam was chosen as the location. Even if it’s not a complete ban on Portal use, there will likely be an increase in usage fees. They are already controlling it that way… The scale of the damage will vary depending on the rate of increase.”

While Hunters and gates are dominating the world, various industries are still running smoothly.

Considering the economic impact of retaliation, the President would surely jump out of bed.

“It’s a dilemma. How do I report this? ‘I don’t know, Mr. President’? Seriously, I should just quit everything and go fishing. Ugh…”

Choi Jongmun buried his face in his hands, lowering his head.

His already sparse hair fluttered between his fingers.

…

Kim Myeongju finished the meeting and returned to the Training Institute for now.

No conclusion had been reached yet.

However, Choi Jongmun seemed to be narrowing down the options towards not sending him.

He wasn’t thinking about economic damage versus losing a promising Hunter, but rather economic damage versus the survival of the Nation.

Cha Sehyeon is unstable, and gates continue to appear. If they lose a latecomer, the Future cannot be guaranteed.

As a Ministry of Interior and Safety Official, he had no choice but to consider the significant future damage rather than the immediate harm.

Kim Myeongju entered the Education Director’s office.

Chillingly cold tea greeted him.

He slumped into a chair and gulped down the tea.

His throat was parched.

That was all.

He couldn’t even taste the tea properly.

Kim Myeongju sat blankly for a moment, then called Kim Songcheol.

He conveyed that he had something to discuss and asked him to come to the Education Director’s office for a moment, then hung up.

Knock, knock.

Soon after, there was a knock.

“Come in.”

“Hello.”

Kim Songcheol opened the door and entered. He alternated glances between the Tea Set on the table and the suddenly aged Kim Myeongju, then sat down in a chair.

“What’s the matter?”

Kim Myeongju forced a smile once, then lightly began to speak.

“An Official Communiqué has arrived from the United Kingdom.”

“Yes. What…?”

“They’re opening a Magic Forum.”

“Magic Forum?”

Kim Songcheol immediately tilted his head.

“Where?”

“It’s being held in Guam.”

“Haha.”

Kim Songcheol laughed as soon as he heard the word Guam.

It was closer to a hollow laugh.

“Will you go?”

Kim Myeongju asked.

Kim Songcheol’s expression changed. His hollow laugh slowly turned into a genuine smile.

As if he found it amusing.

He also scratched his cheek. He seemed to be thinking something.

Kim Songcheol then opened his mouth.

“Did they ask me to come?”

“…Yes.”

“Then I have to go.”

It was a single, very straightforward remark, without any further explanation.

“May I ask why?”

“It’s a free official position advertisement, isn’t it? Haha. I’ve never been to Guam, so this works out well.”

“Is that the reason?”

“Well… if I don’t go, they’ll probably meanly raise the portal usage fee, right?”

Kim Songcheol, too, anticipated retaliation upon hearing the two keywords: ‘United Kingdom’ and ‘Guam’.

And there were a few more things he anticipated.

“If I don’t go this time, there will be capital cities that keep opening. And each time, the government will be anxious. Separately, the retaliation will accumulate. I think it would be better to just go this time and get it over with.”

Kim Songcheol even pointed out the government’s anxiety.

This was tantamount to declaring that he would give the Republic of Korea a reason to trust him.

Kim Myeongju was speechless, as if her thoughts had been exposed.

“And isn’t it an unofficial, private scout battlefield? It’s hard for me to say it myself, but given the current situation… wouldn’t there be hunters who want to come to the Republic of Korea because of me? If I’m such a merit, that is.”

Kim Songcheol was talking about reverse scouting.

Since things were already in such an uproar, he was saying to bring anyone who wanted to come by utilizing the situation.

What if there was a Castle Department?

There would be a capital city that could really mess things up.