Chapter 199 – DMZ (2)

Guard.

A new name for those who uphold justice in the age of disaster.

Taking up a gun out of a personal grudge was something his honor wouldn’t permit.

But for a murderous bastard like this one? If he could sell his conscience to clean up the trash, he’d sell it in a heartbeat.

*Rat-a-tat, tat!*

Guard Kim Jong-han acted on instinct.

He fired indiscriminately at the Villain.

Muzzle flashes erupted ceaselessly from his rifle, his focus so intense he couldn’t even smell the acrid gunpowder.

“Are you done shooting?”

“…!”

The guard couldn’t believe his eyes.

The section chief was completely unharmed.

No, he was sitting calmly on a high-end leather sofa, legs crossed.

It would be one thing if they were ordinary bullets, but these were mana bullets made from mana stones.

The kind that could even pierce a monster’s HP shield.

“You don’t seem to understand. Let me explain.”

The section chief leisurely parted his lips.

“They say a hunter becomes an Awakened by connecting to the Order System. They get a status window, and their abilities are quantified, just like in a game. Yes, just like a game.”

The section chief stood up. Guard Kim Jong-han pulled the trigger to fire again, but the magazine was empty.

“If you were to compare the system, yes. It’s similar to what you’d call virtual reality. Or rather, augmented reality. Because a rule that never existed in this world suddenly came into being.”

“Cut the crap!”

“Crap? Yes, I suppose it is. For the record, that gun may generate physical force to pierce me, but I can convert that physical force.”

The section chief let out a sinister laugh.

“Once you get used to it, you can even do things like this.”

“…!”

Guard Kim Jong-han watched as the section chief walked right through the iron bars.

It was a sight he couldn’t believe, even seeing it with his own two eyes.

He dropped the gun, drew a tactical knife, and reflexively swung it.

“Aaargh!”

The guard screamed.

His arm was snapped by the section chief. Just like a twig.

The section chief snatched the guard’s tactical knife and swung it nonchalantly.

The guard let out another bloodcurdling scream.

Guard Kim Jong-han’s right arm was severed and fell to the floor.

“Since we’re colleagues, I’ll only punish the part that attacked me. Ah, should I gouge out your eyes too?”

His tone was as indifferent as if he were carving pork. The section chief smiled faintly and released Kim Jong-han.

“I’ll spare your eyes.”

He had no interest in the well-being of the man wailing before him.

“Hands up!”

“Drop the knife!”

Hearing the gunshots and their colleague’s screams, other guards rushed in.

Their colleague, with his arm severed. And the section chief, calmly returning to the cell he had just left.

“It’s nothing, so don’t make a fuss. Go adjust the air conditioning or something.”

As if he were still their superior, the section chief sat on the leather sofa and unfolded a newspaper.

“Dammit…!”

Those iron bars were made specifically for the Awakened.

Touch them carelessly and you’d be electrocuted, left paralyzed and soiling yourself for a good while.

But even those special bars were meaningless before that monster.

A monster they didn’t dare face even with mana bullets. The deliveryman who had effortlessly defeated such a monster could only be described as something beyond human.

Guard Kim Jong-han was helped up by his colleagues to receive emergency surgery.

Even as he was dragged away, he never took his resentful eyes off the section chief.

The section chief scoffed.

This is why humans are so interesting.

A dog won’t bark at an opponent stronger than itself. But humans are different.

They are creatures whose actions you can’t judge as courage or recklessness until you see the outcome.

That’s what makes it fun. There’s no joy in crushing an opponent who doesn’t react.

The section chief peered at a hunter-related newspaper.

The Tushin Guild, once the second-ranked in the industry, had completely fallen from grace.

Everyone involved in Tushin’s illegal activities was under intense investigation.

The Tushin Guild’s hunters were being sold off in droves.

A dumping sale had begun.

The other guilds were busy snatching up the hunters who were falling like ripe fruit.

Gates had been quiet for a while, causing mana stone production to drop significantly.

Thanks to that, mana stone prices were soaring worldwide, and recently, gates had begun to appear again.

In other words, the more hunters you had, the more you could mine.

Among them, one person was drawing the most attention.

‘Seol Ji-hoon.’

The corners of the section chief’s mouth lifted slightly.

The young warrior who always acted so noble.

He had been cleared of all charges and released.

Talk of his retirement from the hunter world was causing a public uproar in the country.

Public opinion was split between those who argued his hunter license should be revoked due to his Villain origins, and those who believed such a trivial matter should be overlooked for one of the nation’s few S-ranks.

Currently, the prevailing opinion was the latter.

Seol Ji-hoon’s fan club, Seoraksan, was particularly active behind the scenes.

‘He’s having fun.’

From the beginning, Seol Ji-hoon was never a good fit for his group anyway.

“Hmm. I thought I heard gunshots. Are you hurt?”

Director Shin Chae-ho had arrived.

The section chief folded the newspaper he was reading.

“You’re here.”

“Yes. How is it? Is it bearable?”

“It’s fine. Aside from being a little lonely.”

“Oh dear, I should have come down more often. Haha, just be patient a little longer. You know this kind of cleanup doesn’t happen overnight.”

Looking at the director’s good-natured smile, the section chief replied.

“I know. During that time, I must do what I can.”

The director licked his lips.

“Right, how much progress has been made?”

“The tests are proceeding smoothly. All that’s left is to apply it to human subjects…”

The section chief said, looking at the director.

“Though I suspect there will be many volunteers.”

The section chief smoothed out the newspaper and placed it beside him.

“Will you be alright with that?”

“With what?”

“There will be sacrifices.”

“There will be.”

The director’s expression said, ‘what’s the big deal?’

“Isn’t it natural for the few to be sacrificed for the many?”

History has proven it so.

“That friend you’re so fond of might not like it.”

“That friend?”

“Isn’t he that kind of person? Didn’t you say you know him better than anyone?”

The section chief gave a quiet, mocking smile.

The Hero.

At first, he hadn’t believed in his existence. He’d thought it was just The Company Man’s delusion.

But the more he saw of his accomplishments in such a short time, the more he could only feel admiration.

“No matter how much I cherish people, I can’t support that friend to the point of abandoning the greater good.”

For the first time, a greedy look bloomed on the director’s face.

The Hero had already performed beyond expectations. But he could no longer bring any more profit to the director.

The Hero’s position had grown so much that he could now act independently.

Now, the director had to prepare another plan.

That was the Third Wizard System.

The section chief liked that honest reaction.

‘This will be fun.’

The director will be eliminated by the Hero.

That is the nature of a Hero.

Once he starts down the path of conquest, he won’t stop.

The director claims to know Lee Hyunbin well, that he raised him. But he doesn’t understand a single thing about him.

The section chief himself hadn’t known him either.

“The Hunterfication of all citizens.”

The director muttered and chuckled.

“I’m really looking forward to it.”

The section chief replied with a faint smile.

“I’m looking forward to it as well.”

-Auto Army unit 72 has been secured.

-Auto Army unit 72’s right wrist has sustained severe damage.

-Initiate recovery? [Y / N]

Getting stressed over work is a foolish thing to do.

Work is meant to be enjoyed.

***

“Things are running smoothly.”

“I told you to trust me. Uhuhuhu.”

Im Jae-joon had taken the time to visit the guild after a long while.

The Hanul Guild was now, in name and in reality, the number one guild.

The dethroned Shinhwa Guild was focusing on scouting the elite of the Tushin Guild in an attempt to reclaim the top spot.

Even so, it would be difficult for Shinhwa to catch up to Hanul for the time being.

Hanul hadn’t grown strong simply by scouting powerful hunters.

The presence of Lee Hyunbin at its core attracted people, and he had implemented systematic training.

Thanks to that, everyone was beginning to distinguish themselves and perform well.

“In that spirit, how about some investment funds? Increase them.”

“That’s not happening.”

“Aw, come on, Mawang—no, Representative. The better the gear I make, the more the guild develops. Isn’t that a good thing?”

Graham pleaded, which was unlike him. The items he created were undeniably of the highest quality.

No, they were gaining attention not just in Korea, but overseas as well.

“Still, no beam sabers.”

“The age of mobile warriors is coming, I tell you! This guy just wears horns and knows nothing. He doesn’t understand a man’s romance.”

“The Universal Century is a long way off, so don’t even think about making something like that.”

At Im Jae-joon’s words, Graham put on an incredibly sad face.

But it couldn’t be helped. Going along with his insane plan to build a white mobile suit would bankrupt them.

Graham was good at his job, but the problem was that he sometimes did crazy things like this.

“Is it because of the Hero?”

Im Jae-joon had a good idea why Graham was acting so crazy.

Graham nodded, looking resentful.

“Isn’t it frustrating that he smashes every single one of my creations with one punch? If he were bald, it’d be okay to one-punch things. But for a guy who isn’t even bald to smash them with one punch, how can I not be angry?”

Graham’s punching bags, created in response to the Hero’s provocation, were all destroyed no matter how they were reinforced.

“I don’t know if you really need to win like that.”

Olivier said as she served tea to Im Jae-joon and Graham.

“What does a mere succubus know about a man’s world! A man’s world is supposed to be about equals. If one side is weak, they get devoured by the other!”

“You make it sound like the food chain.”

Olivier scoffed at Graham’s words. At the same time, she studied Im Jae-joon’s expression.

He was calmly savoring the sweet aroma of the tea.

Her lord, who always carried himself with restrained actions and words.

He was the greatest monarch she had ever seen, a person she trusted without a doubt. There was no way someone like her could know his true intentions. Yet, she found herself unconsciously watching Im Jae-joon’s reaction.

“Is something wrong?”

“Ah.”

Im Jae-joon asked, looking at Olivier. Only then did she realize she had been staring intently at her master without noticing.

“Is there something you wish to say?”

“No, sir.”

That wasn’t true.

What that damned Vice Demon King had said was bothering her for some reason.

In her eyes, the Mawang and the Hero were too good a match. To the point where she thought they were the best possible partners for each other.

She believed that if the two of them joined forces, no enemy would be too fearsome. But originally, the two were enemies.

If they were to harbor malice toward one another, there was no telling what might happen.

“Will you… eventually become enemies with the Hero?”

“With the Hero?”

Im Jae-joon asked, sounding puzzled by Olivier’s question.

It was too late to take it back.

“Of course they’re enemies! That bastard insulted my creations! Uheheheung. But instead of this boiled weed water, I’d prefer some alcohol, some alcohol!”

“Shut up and drink your tea. Don’t go looking for alcohol in the middle of the day.”

“Damn succubus bitch, you’re an enemy too!”

Ignoring the rampaging Graham, Olivier glanced cautiously at Im Jae-joon.

A slight smile formed on his handsome lips.

“Well. There’s no reason to deliberately tear down a profitable venture. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

“Ah, no. It’s just that the Hero was the one who stopped your conquest, Mawang-nim. So I thought maybe you might become enemies again someday. D-don’t think it’s weird. I was just thinking that if you’re going to be enemies later, there’s no need to get attached, so I should draw a line.”

At Olivier’s uncharacteristically flustered reaction, Im Jae-joon crossed his legs and gave a wry smile. Then, he spoke in a low voice.

“We’re of great help to each other. Is there really a need to stab the other in the back?”

“Right, that’s right, isn’t it?”

Olivier agreed awkwardly. Then, with a bright smile, she bowed and left the office.

“Representative. Tell her to prepare some strong liquor next time instead of this astringent water.”

“It makes me want to fall in love, too.”

“What nonsense are you spouting, Horn-head? I said I want alcohol.”

“You should cut back on the drinking.”

Im Jae-joon said, recalling the Hero from his past life.

His sworn enemy, who had overturned his conquest at the very end.

But he was me, and I was him. We saw ourselves in each other. Clearly.

-I will not let your death be in vain.

The Hero had said that.

He walks the path of conquest, shouldering the ideals of those who died for him, and embracing even the wishes of the powerful foes he killed.

He built the world I had desired in my stead.

Of course, once he, the central point, disappeared, that world quickly lost its luster.

‘If he hadn’t completed the path of conquest, I wouldn’t have even bothered with him.’

Im Jae-joon muttered to himself and smiled.

There are many enemies. There is no reason to let go of each other’s hands. Not yet.