Chapter 209

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 209: Saviour (2)

There were two main ways to get to Japan.

By ship or by plane.

Hokkaido was off-limits, but Minwoo could enter any other region.

‘As long as I disguise my identity well.’

Naturally, he had no intention of moving as Kim Minwoo.

Ranked 157th in the world.

He bet seven out of ten people would recognize him on the street.

Popular Awakened were as famous as any world-class celebrity.

‘The president will take care of the identity laundering...’

There was a spell to change appearance, but it was likely to get caught at immigration, so he passed. The safest option was probably the Invisibility Mask...

—Minwoo. What are you thinking so hard about?

“Huh? Merhen. When did you get here?”

—Just now. I’m bored, Minwoo.

“You can watch Shorts.”

—I’ve already seen them all. The algorithm recommendations are boring too.

She used to fiddle with her phone all day at home, but it seemed she had become a veteran.

“Then... want to go sightseeing?”

—Sightseeing?

“Yeah. The neighboring country, Japan. You know it, right?”

—Island country! Gyudon! Ramen!

Was it that good?

Her eyes sparkled like jewels.

‘It’s nothing special when you actually go there.’

Well, the first trip is always exciting. Moreover, Merhen was a being from another dimension.

“We’re going to catch the Fire Spirit King.”

—Him? The prime minister won’t like that.

“That’s why we have to sneak in. And catch it before they can do anything.”

—Aha. Is that what you were worried about?

“Not worried, exactly. I’m getting some help, but I was wondering how they’ll get us in. I heard the security in Hokkaido is very tight.”

—We can just fly there.

“Huh?”

—We can just fly there and find it.

“Well, I guess we could take a plane.”

—No, not that. You said we have to sneak in. Then we can use my magic.

“Oh? Is that possible?”

—Minwoo. I’m Merhen. An Archmage!

Minwoo chuckled at Merhen, who puffed out her cheeks as she spoke.

“Ah, right. You’re an archmage. An expert in the five elements.”

And a Shorts master.

Truly, Merhen was a legend.

—That’s right. I checked the map, and it’s close. We can just fly there, or we can move underwater.

“Underwater?”

—Yeah. I can make air bubbles. It’s not difficult at all.

“Wouldn’t we get caught?”

—Right? Shall we do it that way?

At that moment, a call came in from an unknown number.

“Hold on a second. Hello?”

—Is this Guild Master Kim? This is the NIS Director. I heard you want to enter Hokkaido...

“Ah, yes.”

—We’ve requested cooperation from the Navy. We plan to use a stealth submarine to avoid maritime surveillance.

“Ah, about that. I was thinking it might not be necessary to go that big. I think I can go alone.”

—To Hokkaido? The surveillance is very tight...

“Merhen said she can make an air bubble and travel underwater.”

—Oh, can she do that with magic... No, wait. Now that I think about it, Merhen might be able to do it. She’s an amazing mage.

“Yes. It’s too much to use a submarine. I’ll just go alone.”

—Let’s go quickly, Minwoo! I want to go sightseeing! I’m going to eat ramen, sushi, and all the convenience store food!

“Oh, she says so. Then, have a good day.”

—Ah, yes. Good luck.

The call with the NIS Director ended.

“You want to eat that much?”

—They say it’s delicious. I saw it on Shorts. Top 10 foods to eat in Japan!

The total number gathered was a whopping two thousand.

Both the quantity and quality were incomparable to the previous raid team.

If this second raid team failed, it would be a force strong enough to shake the entire nation of Japan.

That’s why they couldn’t allow any variables.

To the extent that they even urgently summoned Nakazawa, a retired Awakened listed in the Hall of Fame and once a rival of Korea’s Sword Saint.

“It will only be a moment. Really...”

Just then,

“Director! It’s a disaster!”

“I told you not to come in unless it was urgent... What is it?”

“Please come out and see this! Quickly!”

One of the team leaders hurriedly showed his phone to the director, who had come outside.

On the screen,

There was a strange phrase written.

[LIVE / Kim Minwoo]

[Hokkaido, I will save you.]

[3,537,000 viewers]

“...Huh?”

The director blinked.

The seemingly clickbait title aside, the burning buildings in a familiar style...

“Isn’t that Sapporo?”

“I-It seems like it...”

“Damn it! Is this the time to be giving vague answers? How did that bastard get into Hokkaido? What the hell was immigration doing?!”

“Well, it seems he didn’t come through the airport.”

“Then what, he crossed the sea? What was the Coast Guard doing!”

“B-But Director, you know. The security was tight. And it’s not about worrying about the breach now. We have to solve it immediately! This could be broadcast live to the whole world...”

“Damn it!”

The director slammed his hand on the table.

Even as he raged, the number of live viewers was increasing crazily. 4 million. 4.22 million...

He could see the numbers rising at a terrifying rate.

—As you can see, Sapporo has been completely burned down. Many civilians must have been sacrificed. And yet! Japan is refusing humanitarian aid from abroad. Simply for the purpose of making their own achievements! Is this the normal way of thinking for a leader?

‘We’re screwed.’

The director, who had been through a lot, could see what Kim Minwoo was doing at a glance.

The guy was cleverly not insulting Japan, but the “higher-ups.” Who could that be referring to?

It was obvious.

Prime Minister Masato, who was at the top.

It was a remark aimed at him.

—This past week must have been a hellish time for the citizens of northern and central Hokkaido. And yet, the Japanese government is wasting time in the lower areas, saying they’re gathering forces.

The comment section was scrolling too fast to read.

Among them, there were many messages filled with clear anger. They were written in very familiar Japanese.

—So, I’ve come to help. As a friend from a neighboring country. Kim Minwoo, that is. Shall we go then, to solve this?

“Damn it, damn it! Dispatch the Awakened! Right now!”

“Sir? But the Swordsman hasn’t...”

“You idiot, is that the problem now? If that bastard dies, it would be a problem, and if he catches it, it would be a bigger problem!”

The live stream had millions of viewers.

What if Kim Minwoo were to die?

It was inevitable that they would be cursed for being framed as the “incompetent Japanese government and Awakened.”

The worst part was...

‘If Kim Minwoo, that bastard, solves the Spirit King issue in a showy way...’

That would be the end of Japan.

No, it would be more accurate to say that Prime Minister Masato and the rest of the government would be shattered.

A Korean, in the younger brother position, coming alone and solving the problem in a showy way.

This was a clear case for the Prime Minister’s impeachment!

Bang!

The door to the office burst open.

“Director. There’s no time. We’re going first. If you try to stop us any longer, I won’t stand for it.”

The Katana Guild master spoke with a fierce expression.

He seemed to have heard about the live broadcast.

“G-Go! Quickly! Take everyone with you!”

“Finally, you’re being reasonable. Did you all hear? Everyone, run at full speed! Don’t hold back your mana!”

“Yes!”

Everyone growled.

They had no intention of letting the arrogant punk who insulted them steal their prey.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]