Chapter 142 – Negotiation [Join the Raid]

The White House.

U.S. President Jonathan Smith was sitting across from the Secretary of State and the CIA Director, engaged in conversation.

“The formation of the international coalition force is proceeding smoothly without any major hitches. With the permanent members of the Security Council taking the lead in contributing troops, other countries have no choice but to follow. The problem is the composition of the assault team.”

At the Secretary of State’s words, Jonathan Smith nodded.

The Secretary of State continued.

“Countries directly exposed to the terror attacks are taking the lead in contributing B-Rank or higher Hunters and agents. The UK, for instance, has indicated that all three of its A-Rank Hunters intend to participate in the assault team. Turkey has also notified us that it will contribute all 35 of its B-Rank Hunters of Turkish nationality. Additionally, Italy, Indonesia, Belgium, and even Pakistan, which was recently exposed to terror, all plan to mobilize their B-Rank Hunters and agents in full force.”

The Secretary of State paused to catch his breath, took a sip of the coffee placed before him, and continued.

“The problem is the remaining countries. Excluding the terror-affected nations, and aside from South Korea and Russia, most other countries are indirectly expressing negative sentiments about contributing Hunters, merely biding their time.”

As the Secretary of State finished speaking, Jonathan Smith nodded and said.

“Well, there’s the trauma from five years ago.”

The Secretary of State immediately picked up the thread.

“Exactly. The problem is that we can’t strongly advocate for the formation of the assault team when even our own country’s Hunters are hesitant to participate.”

“So, the justification isn’t solid.”

“That’s correct, Mr. President.”

“Justification…”

“I hear that Lee Siguk is handling the persuasion efforts with Japan and China, and Ivanov is doing the same with the European Union and the Middle East, but it seems insufficient.”

At the Secretary of State’s words, Jonathan Smith immediately turned his gaze to the CIA Director.

“Have we made contact with the NAC?”

In response to his question, the Director adjusted his glasses and replied.

“Yes, we are in a state where we can contact the President immediately if needed.”

“Is that so? I see.”

Jonathan Smith stroked his chin for a moment before addressing the Director.

“I’d like to have a meal with senior NAC officials at the White House three evenings from now.”

“Yes, I’ll arrange it.”

As the Director bowed his head lightly in response, a peculiar glimmer flickered and faded in Jonathan Smith’s eyes.

He took a sip of coffee and changed the subject.

“By the way, information from South Korea seems to be coming in quite late these days. I ended up learning about Ivanov’s daughter marrying Lee Siguk through an official announcement by a Korean company.”

At that, the CIA Director flinched momentarily.

Jonathan Smith continued.

“As far as I remember, during the previous Johnson administration, information from South Korea would usually fly into the Oval Office no later than a day before any official announcement. But at some point, the quality and quantity of information coming from South Korea started to deteriorate, and now it’s reached a level where we only find out after the official announcement.”

As he spoke, Jonathan Smith silently stared at the Director.

As if daring him to explain if he had any explanation.

The CIA Director swallowed hard and opened his mouth.

“As you know, Mr. President, after the revolution toppled the Hyeon Woongryeol administration in South Korea and the 7th Republic’s Nam Hanseok cabinet took over, the unofficial communication channels between the Korean intelligence agencies and us disappeared. The Korean intelligence agencies have already lost all their functions, leaving only empty shells, and the police and Superhuman Association, which inherited those functions, are in a situation where it’s difficult for us to properly infiltrate.”

The Director glanced slightly at Jonathan Smith’s expression.

The President was still looking at him with an expression of disbelief.

The Director took a sip of coffee and continued.

“Above all, the problem is that Lee Siguk, who manipulates the Nam Hanseok cabinet from behind the scenes, isn’t particularly interested in traditional diplomatic relations.”

As Jonathan Smith’s expression still didn’t change, the Secretary of State, who had been quietly observing the situation, chimed in.

“That’s correct. In fact, according to current and former high-ranking Korean diplomats, since the establishment of the 7th Republic, the influence of the pro-American and pro-Japanese factions within the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decreased, while the influence of the pro-Russian and pro-Southeast Asian factions has increased. I think it’s not just a breakdown of cooperation due to the weakening of Korean intelligence agencies, but a problem with the diplomatic policy direction of the Korean regime itself.”

Only then did a slight smile appear at the corner of Jonathan Smith’s mouth.

He nodded repeatedly as if convinced, drank his coffee, and looked at the Secretary of State.

“As I understand it, South Korea’s Nam Hanseok cabinet is merely a puppet of an organization called the State Affairs Advisory Council. And the State Affairs Advisory Council is an organization that Lee Siguk effectively controls. Is that correct?”

In response to that question, both the Secretary of State and the CIA Director nodded simultaneously.

Jonathan Smith continued.

“In other words, South Korea’s current foreign policy can be seen as more a matter of Lee Siguk’s personal inclinations than the cabinet itself. That story means that, while they may be lying low for now in the face of Lee Siguk’s power, there are high-ranking officials scattered about who would revert South Korea’s course back to its original direction at the first opportunity.”

What on earth is he trying to say?

The Secretary of State and the CIA Director silently watched Jonathan Smith.

Looking at them, Jonathan Smith showed an inscrutable smile and took a sip of coffee.

“Hahaha. Congratulations on your marriage, Hunter Lee Siguk.”

Liu Yaofang, the Chairman of the China Superhuman Association and head of the Dragon Phoenix Society, welcomed Siguk in a modern pavilion within a vast traditional Chinese-style estate on the outskirts of Beijing.

Receiving the hospitality of Liu Yaofang, who was dressed somewhat casually, Siguk sat opposite him.

Soon, a few simple yet expensive-looking Beijing-style Chinese dishes and high-proof traditional Chinese liquor were laid out on the table.

Without even glancing at the food, liquor bottle, and glasses contained in handmade porcelain so exquisitely crafted by artisans that a craft expert would be wide-eyed, Siguk silently watched Liu Yaofang.

As always, Liu Yaofang, with a full-faced smile, filled Siguk’s glass and his own with liquor.

The two lightly toasted and emptied their first glass.

Immediately after emptying the first glass, Liu Yaofang refilled them.

Watching him, Siguk picked up a piece of duck meat dripping with red sauce and juices with his chopsticks and brought it to his mouth.

Frowning slightly at the spiciness, which was stronger than expected, Siguk soothed his burning tongue with liquor, wiped his mouth with a tissue, and began to speak.

“You’ve heard the news that the resolution passed in the UN Security Council, right?”

At Siguk’s words, Liu Yaofang laughed and evaded the answer.

Watching his demeanor with cold eyes, Siguk continued.

“The terror that started in Indonesia struck as far as Pakistan. It’s been quiet since, but who knows when it might erupt again.”

“A regrettable matter.”

“Soon, from China’s perspective, it could become more than just a regrettable matter—it could become an outrage.”

For a moment, Liu Yaofang’s expression stiffened slightly. However, he did not lose his smile.

He poured liquor into Siguk’s empty glass and spoke.

“I can only hope such tragedy does not befall our Chinese people. In fact, the Association and guilds, along with the public security and the People’s Liberation Army, are monitoring major cities in real-time.”

“London’s Superhuman terror security was among the best in the world, yet it was easily breached. How do you plan to catch things that travel through Warp Gates?”

Siguk crossed his arms.

Liu Yaofang grinned and picked up a piece of pork to eat.

After rinsing his mouth with liquor, he filled his own glass and spoke.

“When I heard you were coming directly to Beijing, I figured you weren’t just here to receive congratulations on your marriage… Still, isn’t it mutual courtesy to at least accept the congratulations first before getting down to business? Hahaha.”

“The current situation is too unfavorable for formalities.”

“That’s all the more reason to observe formalities. If we lose courtesy just because the world is chaotic, what will become of the world after the chaos?”

Watching Liu Yaofang’s evasive talk with nebulous words, Siguk’s expression grew increasingly cold.

Seeing Siguk’s expression, Liu Yaofang spoke.

“Hahaha… I’m skilled in Frost-Type Magic, so I’m not usually sensitive to cold, but looking at your face, Hunter, I feel a chill coming on. Hahaha.”

Saying this, Liu Yaofang downed another glass of liquor.

Siguk spoke to him.

“As far as I know, there are only two ways to deal with Undead.”

Siguk uncrossed his arms and picked up his liquor glass.

“One is to slash them apart with weapons buffed by the Mana emitted by Healers, specifically B-Rank or higher Healers with devout religious faith. The other is to freeze them with Frost and then shatter them.”

“A pity. If Hunter Ricardo Rodriguez were alive, he would have been a great help.”

Liu Yaofang’s words were spoken without much thought, but Siguk, feeling pricked by them, hid his expression by downing his liquor in one go and emptying his glass.

Watching Liu Yaofang refill his glass, Siguk continued.

“Among the existing Healers, not many satisfy the first condition. The Vatican has agreed to send Cardinal Heinrich, a B-Rank Healer, to the assault team, but the limitations are clear.”

Siguk picked up his chopsticks and ate a piece of the pork Liu Yaofang had eaten.

It was seasoned with soy sauce, not spicy, and moderately sweet, perfectly suiting Siguk’s taste.

Siguk ate one more piece, put down his chopsticks, and spoke.

“Let me be direct. Please participate in the assault team, Chairman Liu.”

Although he had sensed it the moment Siguk mentioned the method of dealing with Undead, Liu Yaofang couldn’t hide the momentary rush of embarrassment.

He awkwardly laughed and picked up a piece of the spicy duck meat Siguk had eaten first.

He looked at Siguk for a moment, then burst out laughing and opened his mouth.

“Well, I expected this, but… hearing it directly is embarrassing.”

“Russia has President Ivanov participating, and South Korea has me participating. Besides, the three great A-Rank Hunters of the UK are also participating.”

“Hohoho.”

“With even France sending an A-Rank Hunter, do you think it makes sense for only the U.S. and China to show lukewarm attitudes?”

Liu Yaofang did not answer.

Siguk continued.

“If Chairman Liu, the head of the Dragon Phoenix Society and Chairman of the China Superhuman Association, takes the lead and declares his participation, I believe the other A-Rank Hunters who are quietly watching will all join as well. And if that happens, the U.S. won’t be able to just sit idly by. They have their pride, after all.”

As if having said all he needed to say, Siguk picked up another piece of pork, rinsed his mouth with liquor, and crossed his arms.

Watching Siguk silently observing him, Liu Yaofang smiled.

For a moment, silence flowed between the two.

Since Liu Yaofang also didn’t pick up his chopsticks, the interior of the pavilion, blending modern and classical sensibilities, was as quiet as a mouse.

That heavy silence continued for five minutes.

“Hahaha.”

The silence ended with Liu Yaofang’s laughter.

He raised his glass, swallowed the liquor, rubbed the surface of the glass with his thumb, and spoke to Siguk.

“Very well. I will participate.”

Surprisingly, the ease of his acceptance left Siguk as the one taken aback.

As Siguk showed a slightly flustered expression, Liu Yaofang immediately continued.

“However, there is a condition.”

At that, Siguk made an expression that said, ‘I knew it.’

Looking at that expression, Liu Yaofang filled his own glass and Siguk’s with liquor, ate a piece of pork, and with a slightly faded smile, slowly uttered his words.

“The condition is simple. Include me in the business of the organization where Hunter Lee Siguk is the boss.”

Instantly, Siguk’s expression froze cold as ice.

A subtly murderous wave of Mana began to emanate from him.

Nevertheless, Liu Yaofang maintained a calm expression and raised his liquor glass to his lips.