Chapter 77 – Comrade [Party, Champagne and First Daughter]

September 22, 2028, 18:00.

Moscow, Kremlin Grand Conference Hall.

A modest party was underway, attended by Russia’s influential figures, major guilds, the Superhuman Association, and ambassadors from key nations.

“A party in times like these… What could President Ivanov be thinking?”

At the British Ambassador to Russia’s remark, the U.S. Ambassador to Russia adjusted his glasses and replied.

“To flaunt his own robustness and, in any case, to show that the raid he led was a success, no? Well, it also doubles as a farewell party for the Korean Hunters.”

Hearing the U.S. Ambassador’s words, the British Ambassador shook his head and took a sip of champagne.

“He’s no different from Putin.”

At the somewhat blunt expression from the British Ambassador, the U.S. Ambassador brought a finger to his lips, lowering his voice as he spoke.

“There are many ears listening.”

Even at those words, the British Ambassador did not hide his displeased expression as he downed his champagne.

It wasn’t just the British Ambassador to Russia.

The expressions of the ambassadors from the 18 countries that had lost their Hunters in this raid, while varying in degree, were generally not bright.

“……”

The same was true for the Korean Ambassador, who had lost only a single Hunter.

In fact, the Korean Ambassador to Russia was cautious, worried that he might fail to manage his expression properly and offend the diplomats from other countries.

“Hahahahaha!”

Amid an atmosphere closer to a funeral home than a party, there was only one person laughing.

It was Ivan Ivanov.

The ambassadors from major nations and Russia’s formidable powerhouses cast disapproving glances his way, but no one spoke out openly.

After all, he was an A-Rank Tanker, and the Asian man by his side was the A-Rank Dealer who had contributed the most in this raid.

There was no need to make a lifelong enemy by making unnecessary remarks about the two who could be considered the protagonists of this party.

“I will miss you when you return to Korea, Hunter Lee Siguk.”

At Ivan Ivanov’s words, filled with laughter, Siguk also smiled as he replied.

“I will likely feel the same, Your Excellency President Ivanov.”

“Hahaha. Well, if I were a man of leisure, I could have visited Korea and met you often, but given my position, it’s quite difficult. Hahaha.”

Ivan Ivanov took a sip of champagne.

Siguk also took a sip.

Ivan Ivanov opened his mouth again to continue.

“Well, Korea is close to the Far East, so if I ever have occasion to inspect the Far East, we can meet then. Don’t you think?”

At those words, Siguk merely smiled.

Then, a woman by Ivan Ivanov’s side poked his ribs.

Ivan Ivanov’s gaze turned to her. She smiled and slightly moved her facial muscles to convey her intent.

As if just remembering, Ivan Ivanov nodded and introduced her to Siguk.

“Ah, right. Let me introduce you. My daughter, Polina Ivanovna Ivanova. She’s 19 this year, doesn’t go to the university she was supposed to and just lazes around at home, giving her father gray hair. Hahaha.”

At those words, the woman made a flustered expression and elbowed Ivan Ivanov in the ribs.

‘Daughter?’

At the word ‘daughter,’ Siguk flinched momentarily in surprise.

Unlike the macho superhuman Ivan Ivanov, whose massive build exuded masculinity, the woman, Polina, had a moderately petite figure and a quite beautiful, feminine appearance.

Seeing Siguk’s surprised expression, Polina covered her mouth with her hand and giggled, while Ivan Ivanov laughed heartily.

As if it had never happened, Siguk smiled again and greeted her.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Lee Siguk.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Polina Ivanovna Ivanova. Please call me Polya.”

“Haha. Understood, Polya.”

“Please speak comfortably with me too.”

At those words, Siguk merely smiled.

Then, a man approached Ivan Ivanov with quick steps and whispered in his ear.

Ivan Ivanov put on a deliberately serious expression, nodded, and sent him away. Then, looking at Siguk and Polina with a smile, he said.

“I have some business to attend to briefly, so please enjoy the party appropriately.”

With only those words, Ivan Ivanov disappeared from the spot.

Left alone in the situation, Siguk shook his head and quietly sipped his champagne.

And Polina just kept laughing as she looked at Siguk.

Looking at her, who only laughed while looking at him, Siguk spoke playfully.

“Is it your first time seeing someone who looks like this? Why are you laughing so much?”

At Siguk’s words, Polina laughed once more and answered.

“Just… I’m curious. The person who saved my dad is standing right in front of me.”

“I’m more curious that His Excellency President Ivanov has a daughter like a young lady.”

At the word ‘young lady,’ Polina burst into laughter once more.

After she downed her champagne, she called a waiter to replace her glass and opened her mouth.

“Until now, I thought my dad was the strongest man in the world. He’s the president of a great power and an A-Rank Hunter, after all. Everyone said so too. The world’s strongest Tanker.”

Siguk nodded, downed his champagne, and had his glass replaced.

Polina continued.

“But then Dad said that. That Gguk is stronger than him, that he might be the strongest man in the world.”

Instantly, one of Siguk’s eyebrows shot up.

“Gguk?”

At that expression and the questioning remark, Polina laughed and answered.

“You told me to call you Polya, so don’t I need a separate nickname for you, Siguk-ssi? Gguk. Isn’t it nice?”

Siguk just shrugged his shoulders.

After that, Polina unabashedly recounted Siguk’s dungeon exploits, which she had heard from Ivan Ivanov, right in front of the person involved.

Listening to the story exaggerated enough to give him goosebumps, Siguk gave an awkward smile.

‘What on earth has this guy been spouting nonsense about?’

And so, Siguk continued to listen to Polina’s stories.

She was a good talker, and being with her made him unconsciously tense his shoulders because she was so beautiful, and above all, since everyone except her wore serious expressions, Siguk felt no particular need to leave her side.

Naturally, the two slipped out of the conference hall where the party was held and held a separate drinking session in a secluded side room within the vast Kremlin, and the late-night drinking soon led to bed.

“Ugh……”

Looking at the intense sunlight streaming through the window, Siguk stretched.

Pushing aside the luxurious-feeling, well-designed blanket, Siguk got out of bed, stretched his naked body, and hastily gathered and put on his clothes.

His gaze turned to Polina, who lay in bed with the blanket pulled up to her neck.

Siguk gave a brief smile and then left the side room.

Not even a few steps out of the room, Siguk had to stop.

“Shall we have breakfast together?”

At Ivan Ivanov’s smiling question, Siguk also smiled and replied.

“Rather than me, shouldn’t you take care of your daughter?”

At Siguk’s words, Ivan Ivanov grinned, baring his teeth.

“Polya doesn’t usually eat breakfast. No more talk, follow me to the office. If you really have no appetite, at least have a glass of milk.”

With him saying that much, Siguk had no particular reason not to follow.

Soon, Siguk headed to the Russian President’s office with Ivan Ivanov.

Until then, the two did not engage in much conversation.

They only began talking after sitting facing each other at the round table in the office.

“Are you always this brazen?”

“About what?”

“Don’t you think you’re too bold in front of me after taking my daughter’s first experience?”

“Well, did I forcibly take it? It happened because the mood was good for both of us.”

At Siguk’s words, Ivan Ivanov burst into hearty laughter.

“Polya, that girl doesn’t even see other guys as men. She says a man weaker than her dad isn’t a man or something?”

“So you deliberately attached her to me?”

“Well, it’s a father’s job to give his daughter what she wants.”

“Isn’t that too careless? What do you trust me for?”

“I trusted that my daughter would do what she wanted.”

At Ivan Ivanov’s unexpectedly open-minded way of thinking, Siguk finally shook his head and gave up on talking further.

“Don’t think about using this to tie me down. We used proper contraception, and I don’t want the relationship to develop beyond this.”

“I don’t use my children as political tools.”

Still smiling, but at Ivan Ivanov’s somewhat serious tone, Siguk nodded.

Just then, an attendant entered, placed a Russian hangover soup called rassol, a simple salad, and a glass of milk each in front of the two, and left.

Eating the rassol, Ivan Ivanov spoke.

“Did you see Igor Sechin yesterday?”

Siguk took a sip of milk and answered.

“I was busy talking with Polya; did I have time to see that old man?”

At Siguk’s answer, Ivan Ivanov burst out laughing.

He wiped his mouth with a napkin, speared a piece of lettuce with his fork, and spoke.

“You should have seen him once. He’s a man who will soon lose an arm because of you.”

At those words, Siguk lifted a spoonful of rassol, then set the spoon down again.

He looked quietly at Ivan Ivanov and spoke.

“I thought deeply about it yesterday.”

“About what? Whether to marry Polya or not?”

Ignoring that remark, Siguk continued with what he wanted to say.

“Would it ultimately be to my long-term benefit or detriment if Igor Sechin loses his influence in the Far East and that position is filled by President Ivanov’s person?”

At those words, Ivan Ivanov also set down his fork.

He looked at Siguk and asked.

“So, what’s the conclusion?”

Siguk picked up his spoon again, ate a spoonful of rassol, and answered.

“I concluded it would be a long-term detriment.”

Ivan Ivanov crossed his arms, looked at Siguk, and asked.

“Why?”

Siguk ate a few more spoonfuls of rassol, set the spoon down, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and answered.

“Frankly, it’s awkward to say this, but it’s to my benefit if Russia remains somewhat divided as it is now. It’s more convenient for business.”

As if understanding, Ivan Ivanov nodded.

But from his mouth came a negative opinion regarding Siguk’s words.

“Well, it’s not wrong, but don’t you think it’s too short-sighted?”

“Short-sighted… I wonder? For smugglers like me, loose local governments are definitely more beneficial than a strong federal government, no?”

Ivan Ivanov shook his head.

“There’s something you’re mistaken about.”

“Please tell me.”

“We Russians never do anything detrimental to someone we consider our own.”

At those words, the corner of Siguk’s mouth lifted slightly.

“Am I Nikolayevich, your person?”

Ivan Ivanov nodded and answered.

“Aren’t we comrades? Comrades.”

At that, Siguk laughed out loud.

Ivan Ivanov also laughed lightly and continued.

“Well, if things go well with Polya, we’d become family anyway.”

“I’m satisfied with just being comrades.”

“You don’t like my daughter? A beauty like her would be hard to find anywhere in the world?”

At those words, Siguk grinned and answered.

“Having the Russian President and the world’s strongest Tanker as a father-in-law is more than I can handle.”

September 25, 2028, 10:00.

A farewell ceremony was held at Moscow International Airport for the three Korean Hunters.

Amidst the attendance of Moscow’s Korean community organizations and key figures from the Russian government and Superhuman Association, the three Korean Hunters exchanged light handshakes with Ivan Ivanov.

As the Russian military band played the Korean national anthem, the three Korean Hunters boarded the plane.

“……”

Looking at Polina, who stood by Ivan Ivanov’s side with a blush on her face, waving at him, Siguk gave a brief smile and headed to first class.

Soon, the plane sped down the runway, soared powerfully, and left Moscow International Airport.

Watching the departing plane, Polina looked at Ivan Ivanov and spoke as if in passing.

“Should I go study in Korea?”

At those words, Ivan Ivanov just grinned and gave no particular answer.