Chapter 136 – Farewell [Funeral]

The Denpasar Undead Terror.

The shock it brought was immense.

Terror attacks by Summoners were not uncommon after the Great Upheaval of 2020.

However, the scale and organization of the attack that occurred at Denpasar International Airport on March 2, 2033, was such that it made all the Summoned Creature-related terror incidents of the previous 13 years seem almost unworthy of the label.

“This incident is a clear political attack by the despicable Villain who has swallowed Africa whole.”

The U.S. President spoke those words, emphasizing the need for a large-scale United Nations-level offensive against Africa.

“Given that Ululu Tumbebe has claimed responsibility, it is time for a United Nations-level response against them. In fact, one could say it’s already too late.”

The German Chancellor also mentioned a UN-level response, lending weight to the U.S. President’s remarks.

“To the victims and their families, and above all, to the Indonesian people who must be suffering the most, we send our deepest condolences. We will spare no support for the recovery from this terror attack.”

Li Kebao, who had officially formed the 7th generation leadership and become the State President, Party General Secretary, and Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, did not specifically mention Ululu Tumbebe but instead offered material support to Indonesia.

“Due to this incident, Korea has lost a capable entrepreneur, and we have lost a friend with whom we built not just a business partnership but human trust and loyalty. Staking our national pride, we will not stand idly by against the terrorists.”

Russian President Ivan Ivanov spoke those words, particularly emphasizing the deaths of Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung.

And as soon as that address ended, the Kremlin Press Office announced that Ivan Ivanov would visit Korea to attend the funeral of the Lee Jeonghoon-Yoo Seoyoung couple.

“It’s quite something. The Russian President flying all the way to Seoul to attend the funeral of a mere Korean businessman.”

Despite the world’s largest Villain group carrying out a massive terror attack immediately after he officially began his duties as U.S. President following his victory in the December 2032 election, Jonathan Smith’s attention was focused on Moscow and Seoul.

“The subtle honeymoon between Moscow and Seoul had been detectable since my re-election term. It just wasn’t this blatant back then.”

At his predecessor Gerald Johnson’s words, Jonathan Smith let out a snicker.

Seeing this, Gerald Johnson’s expression turned serious as he continued.

“This is no laughing matter, President Smith.”

Even at those words, Jonathan Smith still didn’t wipe the smile off his face.

He took a sip of water and, holding the glass, looked at Gerald Johnson.

“Well, what can we do? If Korea abandons the U.S. and switches to Russia, we’ll just have to let them.”

“What? Are you seriously saying that right now?”

“Weren’t you the one who commissioned a joint study to the State Department and the Pentagon with that possibility in mind anyway?”

“…….”

Looking at the silent Gerald Johnson, Jonathan Smith laughed once more.

“If you had initially worked to protect Korea’s President and dismantle the self-proclaimed revolutionary rebel forces back then, a mere Hunter wouldn’t be able to hold and manipulate Korea from behind the scenes like he does now.”

At Jonathan Smith’s provocative remark, Gerald Johnson’s face momentarily contorted.

“You should know if you look at the meeting minutes. Why we concluded on non-intervention back then.”

“I know perfectly well. Because NAC requested non-intervention.”

Gerald Johnson’s eyes began to tremble like aspen leaves for a moment.

Watching this, Jonathan Smith’s smile gradually turned into a sneer and a cold smirk.

“Though they claim to be just a secret social club for Hunters from wealthy families… it’s quite impressive. This NAC group. They lobbied evenly across both parties. Did you perhaps receive some help from them too?”

“…….”

“An investigation into your company, Johnson Enterprises, will officially begin sometime next week. Since it’s at the FBI level, it’ll probably dig quite deep.”

“Wh-what are you talking about!”

“There are many within the FBI and CIA who hold grievances against NAC. Especially the Superhumans working as agents under the CIA, using external cooperation as a pretext.”

Jonathan Smith stood up from his seat.

He looked down at the pale-faced Gerald Johnson and coldly spat out his final words.

“Depending on the investigation results, we’ll see if NAC’s hand is revealed this time or if you manage to clean it up yourself. We’ll learn just how much influence NAC has over this country. I came to deliver that message. At the very least, my conscience demands I notify the party directly before the investigation begins.”

Saying that, Jonathan Smith left Gerald Johnson’s study.

As soon as he opened the study door, White House presidential security agents waiting outside escorted him.

Looking at the people who had escorted him just a few months prior, Gerald Johnson wore a dazed expression.

‘……This is no time for this.’

After staring blankly at the study door for a while, Gerald Johnson soon snapped out of it.

He immediately pulled out his phone and made an urgent call.

“……Ah, it’s me. Johnson. An emergency situation has occurred.”

That night, the call from New England, where Gerald Johnson lived, to New York soon spread from New York across the United States and to parts of Western and Northern Europe.

March 3, 2033.

Along with Siguk, the bodies of Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung returned to Korea in a well-preserved state.

The next day, March 4th, condolence wreaths from chaebols, politicians, and celebrities poured into the joint mourning altar for Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung set up in a special room at the Ilsan General Hospital funeral hall in Samseong-dong.

Due to the competitively arriving wreaths, despite it being a special room, there was no space left, forcing all but those from ministers and higher-level officials and CEOs belonging to the top 10 chaebol companies to be sent directly to the hospital rooftop.

“I have no words. May the deceased rest in peace.”

Prime Minister Nam Hanseok offered words of condolence to the chief mourner, Siguk, and then left.

“My deepest condolences in many ways.”

“May the deceased rest in peace.”

“I don’t know how to offer words of comfort……”

After that, condolences from minister-level figures, members of the National Assembly, and major chaebol company chairmen, including Yong Jaehyung, Chairman of Samhwa Group, continued.

Siguk silently received all those lines of condolences.

“……Where’s Nayeon?”

When the stream of condolences had somewhat subsided, Siguk approached Hwang Jungi, who was helping with the work, and asked.

Hwang Jungi let out a light sigh and spoke.

“She’s in the emergency room right now, sleeping after being given a sedative.”

“I see…….

Anyway, there are plenty of people working at the funeral hall, so you go stay by Nayeon’s side. If she wakes up crying or something, comfort her a bit.”

“Yes, Hyung.”

After lightly patting Hwang Jungi’s shoulder with his hand, Siguk turned his gaze to the portrait photos of Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung.

‘Will Nayeon really be able to hold up during the encoffining ceremony?’

The two had been killed by having their necks severed by a Skeleton Knight.

The Indonesian side, upon learning their identities, performed suture surgery as quickly as possible, and after arriving in Korea, further touch-ups were done, so it was seamless, but upon closer inspection, the cut was still noticeable.

Siguk was worried whether Nayeon, who had fainted immediately upon hearing the news of their deaths and cried hysterically upon seeing their portrait photos at the funeral hall, would even be able to withstand seeing their bodies during the encoffining ceremony.

At that moment, a JH Group employee hurriedly ran up to Siguk, bowed in greeting, and reported in a small voice.

“We just received a call from the Russian embassy. President Ivan Ivanov is scheduled to arrive here in about 30 minutes.”

Ivan Ivanov.

The Russian President who boarded a plane and flew to Korea as soon as the Kremlin officially announced his visit.

His visit to the funeral was not merely a condolence call.

‘Condolence politics… no. Should I call it condolence diplomacy?’

The honeymoon relationship between Korea and Russia was already an open secret.

This condolence visit would officially certify it to the international community.

“The journalists… have them stand by. Tell them to take good photos and coordinate well so they don’t disrupt the movement route.”

“Yes, understood.”

Siguk silently watched the employee’s retreating back as he hurried outside, then called over another employee.

“The Russian President is coming soon, so have all the subsidiary company Presidents stand by.”

“Yes.”

Soon, the Presidents of JH Group’s subsidiary companies who were waiting at the funeral hall entered.

Lined up beside Siguk in order of age, Siguk spoke to them softly and clearly.

“When the journalists take photos, it must look as much as possible like the Russian President came with his relationship with our JH Group in mind.”

At those words, Park Jeongmok, President of JH Investment, nodded on behalf of the Presidents and spoke.

“You don’t need to worry, Vice Chairman.”

“I’m counting on you, President Park.”

“Yes.”

And so, for a while, Siguk, Park Jeongmok, and the other Presidents straightened their postures and waited for Ivan Ivanov to arrive.

“President Ivan Ivanov has arrived at the funeral hall entrance and gotten out of his car. He is currently coming here with his security detail. Please prepare.”

At the employee’s words, the group of Presidents immediately assumed as dark and sorrowful expressions as possible, slightly bowing their heads.

A short while later, Ivan Ivanov entered, leading his Kremlin security detail along with selected journalists.

Being an Orthodox believer, he did not bow to the portraits of Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung. He simply placed a single chrysanthemum on the altar, made the sign of the cross, and stood silently in mourning.

After a moment, Ivan Ivanov, having finished his moment of silence, walked towards Siguk and extended his hand.

Siguk grasped his hand in return.

“I’d like to have a detailed talk separately later.”

At Ivan Ivanov’s words, Siguk quietly nodded.

Ivan Ivanov also nodded once, then shook hands in turn with President Park Jeongmok and the other JH Group subsidiary Presidents before leaving the area.

As he entered a separate room prepared at one side of the funeral hall, the journalists lowered their cameras.

Siguk gave a look to President Park Jeongmok, and President Park soon led the other Presidents to approach the journalists and entered the dining hall with them.

“I’ll be back after talking with President Ivanov for a while. Until then, even if other mourners come, don’t receive them; have them wait.”

“Yes, understood.”

After giving his final instructions to an employee, Siguk moved his steps towards the separate room where Ivan Ivanov had entered.

“Thank you for coming, Nikolayevich.”

At Siguk’s greeting, Ivan Ivanov shook his head.

“No. It’s not just anyone, and it’s not just any incident. I had to come.”

As Siguk sat opposite him, Ivan Ivanov poured soju into his glass.

The two men raised their glasses simultaneously and drank the liquor down in one go.

Placing his glass down without any particular change in expression, Ivan Ivanov used a fork specially prepared for him to pick up and eat a piece of boiled pork. After wiping his mouth with a napkin, he looked at Siguk and spoke.

“The CIA agents handling that side seem to have a better grasp than the Indonesian Superhuman Association. Well, since it’s not exactly a state secret, they properly shared the information with us.”

Ivan Ivanov refilled his own glass and Siguk’s before continuing.

“The terrorists disappeared through a Warp Gate along with the Undead Legion immediately after issuing their statement. Their statement, the Undead Legion used, the Necromancer… it’s certain. It’s Ululu Tumbebe’s doing.”

Listening to this, Siguk silently emptied his glass.

Refilling his empty glass, Ivan Ivanov asked.

“What are you going to do?”

Siguk stared intently at Ivan Ivanov.

Ivan Ivanov continued.

“Are you thinking of revenge, even?”

Siguk couldn’t give any answer.

The opponent was simply too formidable to speak of revenge.

Africa, controlled by A-Rank Necromancer Ululu Tumbebe.

Located deep within it was Ululu Tumbebe’s palace, which had earned the title ‘Demon King’s Castle’ from the Western press. Even for Siguk, infiltrating that far was no easy task.

“Africa… the areas already controlled by Ululu Tumbebe… I understand they are places not just anyone can enter.”

At Siguk’s words, Ivan Ivanov nodded in agreement.

Siguk continued.

“To go into such a place and take revenge on Ululu Tumbebe… Hmm.”

At that moment, Siguk could feel it.