Chapter 48 – Conclusion [Finish]

There were only two ways for a Superhuman to acquire a Skill: using a Skill Paper spat out by a hunted Monster, or having a habitual behavioral pattern naturally become a Skill.

Siguk had never heard in his past life of anyone obtaining a Skill by any other method.

Because of this, Villains were always inevitably at a disadvantage in terms of Skills compared to Hunters or Association agents.

The probability of a habit naturally becoming a Skill was truly abysmal, and Skill Papers were difficult to obtain easily because the state controlled their trade.

Of course, there were methods to purchase or acquire them through failed states like Russia or Africa, but fundamentally, even in those countries, the inflow of Skill Papers was strictly blocked by the international community, so this wasn’t easy either.

The Russian Far East Government, which had immediately given Siguk the Snake Eye Skill Paper, had only that much among the Skill Papers it possessed.

‘…….’

That’s why Siguk couldn’t say anything for a while as he stared at the Stealth Skill newly stamped on the status window floating before his eyes.

‘Counting Killing Blade, this is the second one.’

While it was difficult for a habit to become a Skill, it wasn’t impossible.

After all, the Killing Blade Skill itself was a Skill he had naturally acquired at some point in his past life from constantly cutting people down.

‘Stealth, huh…….’

Stealth.

As the name implied, it was a Skill to hide one’s body.

While it was a difficult Skill to obtain, it was also one of the most widely known Skills, so there was plenty of specific information about it.

‘At D-Rank, it’s still only about hiding one’s appearance…….’

Siguk’s gaze turned toward Kang Bonggil sitting in the driver’s seat.

He had braked upon receiving the signal and was shrugging his shoulders to the music playing on the radio.

‘Stealth.’

Along with the Skill activation, his figure smoothly disappeared from the spot.

“Bonggil.”

Then Siguk called Kang Bonggil.

“Yes?”

Kang Bonggil answered while looking at the back seat through the rearview mirror.

At that moment, he tilted his head in confusion.

Because Siguk’s figure wasn’t visible in the rearview mirror.

Kang Bonggil turned his head back to check the back seat.

As expected, Siguk’s figure couldn’t be seen there either.

“Huh?!”

For a moment, Kang Bonggil was flustered.

He rubbed his eyes.

In the meantime, Siguk deactivated the Skill and revealed himself again in the back seat.

“What are you doing?”

Kang Bonggil just stared blankly at Siguk, who spoke coldly with a perfectly straight face, only blinking his eyes.

“Stop by a convenience store for a moment and buy something to drink. I’m thirsty.”

But at Siguk’s natural demeanor, Kang Bonggil soon nodded and turned his gaze forward.

‘Is it because I haven’t been getting enough sleep lately?’

He simply attributed it to his own lack of sleep and couldn’t think beyond that.

‘The Skill effect is definitely the same as the Stealth I knew. Even the Mana consumption.’

Even though he had maintained the Skill for that short time, his Mana had already dropped to the mid-2000s.

‘Anyway, the higher the Rank of the Stealth Skill, the lower the Mana consumption becomes. Time will solve that. Then why did Snake Eye’s Rank increase?’

In his past life, Siguk had only used the Snake Eye Skill intermittently, and only in truly urgent combat situations.

From his position of preferring hit-and-run combat tactics—stabbing quietly and disappearing—he rarely had to drag things out into prolonged frontal battles.

Thus, its Rank remained at C, the same as when he first tore the Skill Paper and acquired the Skill.

That was still the case even after the battle at Kansai International Airport, where he had last used the Skill in his past life.

‘After that, I only used it on Bae Eunjeong and Kim Seil…….’

Siguk decided not to think about it anymore.

After all, weren’t the mechanisms of Skill acquisition from habits and Skill Rank-ups areas of mystery that even Mana engineers hadn’t been able to elucidate?

It was a field that even Mana engineering experts treated as a realm of probability and luck, giving up on explanations. Siguk, who had little connection even to science, let alone Mana engineering, pondering over it was unlikely to yield a proper answer.

The important thing was that he had grown.

‘Growth, huh…….’

Ultimately, since having more Skills and higher Ranks was a good thing for Siguk, this was also a problem that didn’t need pondering.

Siguk leaned his head against the car window with a pleasant smile.

Despite being composed of somewhat loose-cannon members in various ways, the National Police Agency’s Special Investigation Team of the Special Investigations Bureau proceeded smoothly, thanks to Team leader Cha Seonggon’s evidence materials, the active cooperation of the Intelligence Bureau Chief and Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Chief, and the political maneuvering of the National Police Agency Commissioner.

From Yang Seongil’s officetel in Seocho-dong, a travel suitcase containing cash assets worth 30 billion Won, consisting of cash and bearer bonds, was discovered.

From a mansion under the name of Yang Seongil’s eldest son and YS Consulting Vice President Yang Seung-min, piles of external hard drives were found containing unaccounted-for cash and videos of sexual acts between Yang Seung-min and women who appeared to be teenage hostesses.

Yang Seung-min was immediately arrested and detained. Yang Seongil avoided arrest as the National Assembly was in an interim session, but he couldn’t avoid a summons request from the prosecution.

Of course, Yang Seongil neatly ignored that request.

However, Yang Seongil’s refusal to appear didn’t cause any disruption or issues in the investigation concerning him.

『As an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Hamo, secretary to Ilshin Group Vice Chairman Bae Geumseong, who delivered 30 billion Won to Assemblyman Yang Seongil, the police are tracking the whereabouts of the missing Mr. Ham…….』

『While Ilshin Group has not issued any particular statement, some in the prosecution and police circles suggest the possibility of investigating Vice Chairman Bae Geumseong as a reference witness…….』

After helping Secretary Ham escape, Bae Geumseong consistently maintained silence.

However, Secretary Ham, who was on the run, got caught after causing a minor collision accident in Daejeon and was arrested in Nonsan following pursuit by the Special Investigation Team and the Police Intelligence Bureau.

The arrested Secretary Ham exercised his right to remain silent and refused to give a statement.

Yang Seongil also did not admit to the allegations. Instead, through his attorney, he repeatedly claimed there was no illegality, mentioning quid pro quo arrangements.

『Our News Table reporting team has obtained a copy of the ledger of businessman Kim Seil, who managed the slush funds of Ilshin Group Vice Chairman Bae Geumseong.』

Amid that situation, a copy of the ledger of Kim Seil, the missing boss of the Gangnam Luxury Faction, was broadcast nationwide via terrestrial news.

The original ledger, detailing the source of funds, the laundering process, and even the final destination of the funds, was soon delivered to the Police Special Investigations Bureau’s Special Investigation Team.

July 2, 2018.

On the day when rumors circulated that the prosecution would request an arrest warrant for Bae Geumseong and Ilshin Group affiliate stock prices fell across the board, Bae Geumseong voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

“Do you admit to collusion with the Gangnam Luxury Faction?”

“Do you admit to the allegation of delivering bribes to Assemblyman Yang Seongil?”

“Please say something!”

Amid reporters’ questions, Bae Geumseong, standing on the prosecutors’ office photo line with a calm expression, maintaining silence, eventually entered the prosecutors’ office building without a word.

And that evening, the prosecution abruptly applied for an arrest warrant for Bae Geumseong. After deliberations lasting until 2 AM, the court issued an arrest warrant for Bae Geumseong.

And on July 5.

At Bae Eunjeong’s request, Ilshin Group held an emergency board meeting.

With almost all members participating except for Chairman Bae Deukjae, who was in a brain-dead state, a motion to strip Bae Geumseong of all his positions and appoint Bae Eunjeong as Group Executive Vice Chairman was passed unanimously.

Immediately afterward, Bae Eunjeong held an emergency press conference.

“I am deeply sorry for showing an unsightly appearance to our customers and the public.”

There, Bae Eunjeong apologized for the misconduct of Vice Chairman Bae Geumseong.

She promised active cooperation with future investigations, immediate dismissal and prosecution of personnel involved in corruption through internal audits, management innovation, and the establishment of a fund to aid victims of the club Rust House.

“As the incident occurred at a venue run by a violent organization that acted as the hands and feet of former Vice Chairman Bae Geumseong, we will take moral responsibility at the group level.”

Effectively, a statement acknowledging collusion between Bae Geumseong and the Gangnam Luxury Faction had come from her mouth.

『As Ilshin Group affiliate stock prices rose across the board today following Ilshin Group Executive Vice Chairman Bae Eunjeong’s public apology and management innovation declaration, news emerged that Ilshin Group will submit materials related to former Vice Chairman Bae Geumseong’s corruption to the prosecution by tomorrow…….』

『Thus, Ilshin Group, which along with Signiel Group had the latest second-generation succession, has finally transitioned to a second-generation management system, with market and expert assessments being positive…….』

Around the time the news was discussing positive prospects for the Ilshin Group under Bae Eunjeong’s leadership.

Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office Interrogation Room.

Shin Majeok, unable to hide his flustered expression, looked at the young prosecutor sitting across from him and asked.

“Wh-what do you mean?”

The young prosecutor adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses slightly and answered.

“The National Intelligence Service says there is no such person.”

“Huh? No, what does that mean? No such person? He definitely helped me! He even showed me his National Intelligence Service ID?”

“Mr. Shin Myeongjin.”

“No, there’s no way he doesn’t exist! Agent Hong! Black mask! Black sunglasses! No, why would someone who dodges bullets not exist?!”

The young prosecutor let out a sigh.

He took off his glasses, put them in the inner pocket of his suit jacket, looked at Shin Myeongjin, and spoke.

“Hey, Shin Myeongjin.”

At the prosecutor’s cold, sinking voice, Shin Majeok calmed his excitement.

The prosecutor continued.

“You have over seven types of narcotics detected in your urine test. Just this alone, you’re looking at over five years in prison. On top of that, drug smuggling, prostitution mediation, underage prostitution mediation, rape, etc. Add all that up, even if you hire the best lawyer, 20 years in prison is a piece of cake.”

“…….”

“And the people who had your back are now all trying to save their own skins and shifting all the blame onto you.”

“…….”

“Don’t you think it’s not the time for such nonsense?”

Shin Myeongjin clenched his fist tightly.

Under the table, his arm trembled.

The prosecutor put his glasses back on and spoke.

“Now, Mr. Shin Myeongjin, let’s start over from the beginning.”

Cheongdam-dong high-end French cuisine restaurant Louis de Rouen.

VIP Room.

Only two of the five chairs placed around the round table were occupied.

“Congratulations, Vice Chairman Bae.”

At the words of Hwang Dong-cheol, the National Security Office Director—a stout middle-aged man with rimless glasses, a description fitting a gentlemanly appearance—Bae Eunjeong, sitting beside him, smiled brightly and replied.

“Don’t be so formal when it’s just the two of us.”

“Haha. But you have your position, how can I not?”

“Right. That’s true. How nice is this? It reminds me of the old days when we drank makgeolli at pubs.”

“You still remember that?”

“My memory is pretty good.”

Officially, one was a chaebol company vice chairman and the other the National Security Office Director, but privately, as university senior and junior, the two spent time talking about their days roaming Sinchon.

“Oh my. I’m sorry. The traffic was a bit congested on the way here. Hahaha.”

Just as their conversation was heading toward updates on each other’s ex-girlfriends and ex-boyfriends, the VIP room door opened and three men entered.

The National Police Agency Commissioner, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Chief, and the Intelligence Bureau Chief.

As the three entered, Bae Eunjeong and Hwang Dong-cheol returned to their official relationship.

“Ah, welcome. Commissioner.”

Hwang Dong-cheol and Bae Eunjeong rose from their seats. When Hwang Dong-cheol extended his hand to the Police Commissioner, the Commissioner slightly bowed his head and shook it.

“Nice to meet you, Commissioner.”

When Bae Eunjeong smiled and extended her hand, the Commissioner likewise lightly shook her hand in greeting.

After the greetings were done, the five took their seats.

The conversation was mainly led by Bae Eunjeong, Hwang Dong-cheol, and the Police Commissioner, with the Seoul Chief and Intelligence Bureau Chief merely answering questions when asked.

The conversation proceeded for a while with congratulations on Bae Eunjeong’s appointment as Executive Vice Chairman and the successful conclusion of the US-North Korea summit led by Hwang Dong-cheol.

“Now our Security Office Director is a proper presidential contender, right?”

At Bae Eunjeong’s words, Hwang Dong-cheol just smiled sheepishly.

The Police Commissioner supported her statement.

“That’s right. A significant number of people who supported Yang Seongil and Bu Mingang and then drifted to the undecided camp have shifted to the Director in recent opinion polls.”

Hwang Dong-cheol just kept smiling sheepishly.

Looking at him, Bae Eunjeong thought.

‘Still the same. That inscrutable expression. Well, he had that same look when he was elected student council president back in ’90 too.’

Bae Eunjeong looked at the Police Commissioner and asked.

“Oh, right, I heard there were people on the police side who worked very hard this time? The Special Investigation Team, was it?”

“Ah, yes, that’s correct. All members of the Special Investigations Bureau’s Special Investigation Team worked very hard this time.”

“They will receive appropriate rewards, right?”

“Wouldn’t that be natural? They will all likely be specially promoted one rank during the personnel appointments in the latter half of the year.”

“Then Team leader Cha Seonggon, a Senior Superintendent, will be promoted to Chief Superintendent?”

“Haha. I didn’t know Vice Chairman was paying such close attention to us. Haha. Yes, that’s right. That friend missed opportunities until now but will finally get promoted this time.”

Bae Eunjeong smiled faintly.

“Then, taking this opportunity, you could also assign him to a more comfortable position. He handled a big case and worked hard, after all.”

Why on earth was Bae Eunjeong talking about Superintendent Cha like this?

The Police Commissioner, Seoul Chief, and Intelligence Bureau Chief glanced at each other, gauging Bae Eunjeong’s intent.

The Police Commissioner asked Bae Eunjeong.

“Well, wouldn’t that likely happen?”

Bae Eunjeong filled her wine glass and spoke.

“Assigning him to an overseas diplomatic post wouldn’t be bad either, right? Somewhere like the US or Europe would be comfortable to live in. Don’t you think? Security Office Director?”

Bae Eunjeong looked at Hwang Dong-cheol. Hwang Dong-cheol smiled and nodded.

“After working hard all this time, resting comfortably overseas for a few years wouldn’t be bad.”

The two were merely offering suggestions.

However, the Police Commissioner, Seoul Chief, and Intelligence Bureau Chief would accept them.

Because the police, who had abandoned Bu Mingang, had found a new patron and his close university junior, who was also the de facto head of a chaebol group, desired it.

“Now, for the Security Office Director’s hopeful future.”

“For our Vice Chairman Bae and Ilshin Group’s boundless development.”

“Cheers!”

Five glasses clinked in the air.

For someone, the wine was exceedingly sweet; for someone else, it was exceedingly bitter.