Chapter 9

[Translator - Hestia][Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 9

Blue House Safe House.

Cheong Siyeol, along with a few colleagues, met with the National Security Advisor, the Minister of Gate Management, and the Director of the National Intelligence Service.

After a lengthy discussion that lasted over four hours, the Minister of Gate Management let out a long sigh.

"Then, the cause of Baekya's death will be kept unofficially top secret, and officially, we will show no reaction."

"Thank you for your cooperation."

The conclusion reached in this meeting was as follows:

The perpetrator who murdered Hong Baekya is unknown in number, name, age, and nationality.

Hong Baekya spent a month moving between various safe houses, attempting to escape and counterattack the perpetrator, but ultimately perished alongside a few others.

Domestic Rankers who sensed the situation joined in, but unfortunately, it was too late.

Considering the deceased's personality and status, it's presumed that the reason for fighting alone for a month was to prevent domestic Rankers from getting involved.

The perpetrator is likely a high-ranking humanoid monster or a Ranker at the level of the Black Dawn's leader.

And so, the aftermath was settled.

The sunset was visible outside the window.

The sun had set.

The Director of the National Intelligence Service and the National Security Advisor nodded in agreement after the Minister of Gate Management.

"The government also understands the gravity of the situation. If an entity capable of killing the former Association President Hong Baekya exists in this country... we won't be able to control the public's anxiety."

"The deceased was more wary of the panic that would ensue due to such an entity, rather than a specific monster or a high-ranking member of the Black Dawn. Leaving the assassin's identity as an intangible fear could also be a strategy. Countless conspiracy theories will emerge."

One of the colleagues spoke.

"We'll leave it to you."

The Director of the National Intelligence Service gave a wry smile.

"Yes. We'll need to reactivate the NIS Psychological Control Task Force. We'll post several plausible causes of death on various domestic community sites. We'll also instigate comment battles."

Another colleague spoke.

It was the graceful colleague with the scent of morning dew.

"We'll share any information our Rankers gather while tracking the culprit in real-time."

The Minister of Gate Management replied.

"We'll leave the culprit's pursuit to you Rankers. Originally, the Awakened Support Agency should be handling this... but I'm not sure what our kids can do in this situation. If you need any assistance, whether it's budget or personnel, please contact us immediately."

Cheong Siyeol silently sipped his tea to moisten his dry throat.

A blue halo— manifestation of his immense power, shimmered above his head, visualizing countless spectral swords. Yet, his eyes were sunken, reflecting the profound exhaustion and sorrow he carried.

He was showing extreme fatigue in the position he had created, but no one said anything to him.

His colleagues, the high-ranking officials, they all knew.

Hong Baekya was like an older brother to Cheong Siyeol.

Telling him to separate personal feelings from work was impossible; the state of the recovered body was too horrific.

Even if it were an unclaimed body, seeing such a sight would cause anyone to lose sleep for days. How much more so for the body of a mentor who was like family?

They knew Cheong Siyeol was suffering more than anyone, knowing he had let Baekya fight and die alone.

Of course, Cheong Siyeol wished they would torment him instead.

He genuinely wished they would publicize what happened that day, condemn him, and then execute him.

He had protected Baekya's name but failed to protect his body.

But if asked to do it again, Cheong Siyeol would.

Even if he wanted to cut off his sword-wielding hand, even if the air filling his lungs was bitter, even if tears welled up at the mere mention of Hong Baekya's name, he would.

He was Hong Baekya's beloved disciple.

He knew better than anyone that Baekya would want him to.

Still, he wanted to rest, just a little.

The sword that was him was worn to the point of breaking.

That's why, after the meeting that day, when his colleague with the scent of morning dew disappeared somewhere, he didn't bother to follow.

* * *

"Let's go buy some clothes."

"Clothes? We just bought some a few days ago. What more do you need?"

"Doesn't it feel good to wear new clothes? You've always been wearing those drab, stiff work clothes. Come on!"

"Brother. You seem excited that we've paid off all our debts, but we need to save money. You're not even working right now. All the money we have is a little over 100 million won. That money might seem like a lot, but you know it disappears quickly once you start spending it, right?"

"Right. We can't just spend it. Let's wear nice clothes, see beautiful things, and work hard with the determination to live like this from now on."

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"You're healed, and my debts are paid off. It's time for us to think about what we want to live for and how we want to live. We can't be laborers forever, right? So we shouldn't be trembling in fear of money either."

Hong Wolha wondered since when his brother had become so eloquent.

'He's become quite the sophist.'

His brother, who used to be less logical and uneducated than him, had turned into a smooth talker overnight.

But what was even more frustrating was...

"Okay. Let's go. Let's go."

...that his words made a strange kind of sense.

Seeing good things, eating delicious food, and maintaining motivation to live and work in the future— even he thought it was quite important.

Hong Wolha tied his long hair, which had grown naturally during his long hospital stay, and put on some casual pants and a T-shirt.

"Are you ready?"

Hong Ilha wore the suit he had bought recently.

It was the ill-fated suit that had gotten wrinkled in less than a week after the accident, and still smelled of smoke even after being washed three times.

But they say the most important thing about clothes is the hanger, and the suit looked good on his brother.

'When did he get so tall?'

Originally, the height difference between them wasn't that big, but now it was more than a handspan.

His skin had become smoother, and his posture straighter— making him look like a completely different person.

"Let's go."

Hong Wolha liked the changed version of his brother quite a bit.

"Where are we going first?"

"The hair salon."

"To cut your hair?"

"Nope. YOUR hair. You look good with it tied up, but let's just trim the ends."

"And then?"

"We'll buy clothes, and maybe… watch a movie?"

"A movie! They're re-releasing Baekya-related movies these days. Let's watch one of those. You used to like them, brother."

"Watch a Baekya-related movie?"

"Yeah. Why?"

Hong Ilha gave an awkward smile.

"Well..."

Hong Wolha tried to understand his brother's feelings.

'It must be hard to even watch them.'

It made sense, actually.

Baekya.

No one truly believed that the Awakened— hailed as the sun of humanity, would ever die.

The legendary Awakened who single-handedly cleared the Tower up to the 20th floor, conquered countless S-rank Gates, and was the first in the world to open the 49th floor.

Even when countless first-generation Awakened and Rankers fell before the monsters emerging from the Gates, he alone— like the rising sun, would fight and win again, tomorrow and the day after.

The entire nation was in turmoil at the news of Baekya's death.

[Why no state funeral?]

[Did the Rankers really have an internal conflict?]

[Then what's with Cheong Siyeol being caught on camera in the lobby?]

[Why is no one saying anything?]

It had been over a week, and nothing had been revealed.

Only strange conspiracy theories circulated on community sites.

Citizens strongly criticized the government for not properly investigating the incident.

Many citizens voluntarily hung mourning flags or held memorial services.

The two brothers also sincerely respected Baekya.

'Go.'

It was Baekya who had stopped the horde of monsters chasing the refugees when their hometown was burned down during the Gate Break.

'I'd like to donate to the settlement.'

It was Baekya who had given them land and a house to live in.

It was only natural that his brother was deeply shocked by Baekya's death.

"Okay. Then let's watch a different movie. We've seen Baekya movies many times, haven't we?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

The gratitude confirmed his suspicions; his brother was indeed affected, even if he didn't show it.

'He's changed, but he's still my brother.'

Hong Wolha thought so and shrugged.

Going out with his brother was enjoyable, but also full of surprises.

"Don't cut it too short! What kind of treatment are you using? What is that?"

At the hair salon they had booked, the director, who apparently had experience in model shows, came out to attend to them.

"Brother! You're trying to buy a 3 million won jacket?! Are you crazy?! For me? Don't be ridiculous. Just give me the money instead. I'll buy a nice T-shirt."

At the department store, they bought clothes at prices he couldn't even imagine.

"This palm-sized piece of meat is 70,000 won? Brother. Let's go somewhere else. No. I'll buy a bunch of meat and grill it at home. It'll be even more delicious."

At the restaurant, they ate food that was incredibly delicious but made him think, 'This money could buy a whole damn lot!'

How did his brother even know about these places?

Moreover, he seemed dissatisfied— even unimpressed, with everything, as if it wasn't good enough.

As he was about to give his brother a questioning look, his brother turned to him and said.

"Wolha."

"Yeah?"

"From now on, don't be surprised when you come to places like this."

His voice held a hint of embarrassment and sadness.

'When has he ever been to places like this?'

The thought crossed his mind briefly.

But he quickly understood what his brother was trying to say.

That everything he was doing was for him.

"Okay."

"Good."

"Thanks."

Hong Wolha suppressed the questions he had been wanting to ask since morning.

The day after his brother went out in the evening, both the mining company they worked for and the Million Loan Sharks his brother borrowed money from went bankrupt.

Did he perhaps meet a Constellation?

Did he make a Black Hole contract?

Instead of asking, Hong Wolha followed his brother.

"Shall we take a walk by the river before dinner?"

"Let's do that."

Step. Step.

The river flowed gently beside the road, and the reeds swayed.

In the distance, a subway train passed over the bridge, and the skyscrapers of Seoul were still lit up as always.

The Aitel Tower— once a symbol of hope and defiance against the monsters, now pierced the sky as an ever-present reminder of the new reality they lived in.

His brother's broad back moved steadily forward.

It was a special kind of normalcy that he had never experienced before.

Hong Wolha had a thought he wouldn't normally have.

'Even if he's changed because of a Black Hole contract, wouldn't this kind of change be okay?'

* * *

I headed to the warehouse in Icheon once again.

Of course, I knew that Hong Ilha's younger brother was becoming suspicious of me.

From experience— people don't acknowledge you when you do what you're supposed to do, but when you do what they want you to do.

What would a younger brother want from his older brother?

That's why I took him out the other day.

I fed him meat, bought him clothes, watched a movie, took a walk by the Han River, and even had some chicken and beer there.

While everyone struggles in this era, being a laborer is undeniably tough.

A late bloomer's enthusiasm is frightening, they say. After a lifetime of hardship, the kid's eyes were filled with honey after just one day of fun.

Dressing well makes you feel good, even just walking down the street.

The glances from passersby, thinking 'Not bad,' are incredibly thrilling.

Especially for someone who's lived a hard life.

Of course, appeasing him like this won't completely erase his suspicions.

But he'll want to believe it's not true.

Because people see what they want to see.

Ah.

Damn it.

Thinking about appeasing him reminded me of that bastard Cheong Siyeol.

He was the same.

Whenever training got tough, the expectations weighed heavy, or he felt despair in the Aitel era— all it took was a fun day out and some luxury goods to get his spirits back up.

That damn brat.

I bought him so many Artifacts.

No.

Don't resent him.

It's all the fault of the one who cursed him.

You should hate the one who swings the sword, not the sword itself, right?

Lost in such thoughts.

【"Is it okay that you burned down the building?"】

The Constellation spoke, as if trying to bring me back to reality.

What a thoughtful being.

'Yes. It seems the investigation has been buried somehow. My death alone caused enough chaos, so how could anything be done properly?'

【"I'm not sure whether I should be happy or sad that the country has come to a complete standstill because of my contractors death."】

'New Rankers appear with every Tutorial, but this is the first time the sun has fallen, isn't it? It's natural for everyone to be shocked.'

【"You're truly the best. I made the right choice watching over you."】

'I hope I can use this opportunity to build the capacity to prepare my Vice-Commander. That would be the best-case scenario.'

【"And what would be the worst-case scenario?"】

I thought for a moment before answering.

'Rankers start fighting amongst themselves, and overseas operations weaken the domestic Hunter forces. Then, a Grade 1 Gate breaks out, and the patriotic Hunters from the Gate Management Department all die. The country, having lost its defense capabilities, falls into the hands of power-hungry individuals who only care about their own pockets, and slowly perishes.' Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

【"That's a horrifying 'what if' story. But how can you speak of it so calmly?"】

'Many countries have already met that fate. Just because I don't acknowledge it doesn't mean it won't happen. The important thing is to prevent it from happening. That's my job.'

I paid the taxi fare and got out.

I crossed the fallow land towards the greenhouse where the warehouse was hidden.

The moment I opened the door.

Thud

"Found you."

Someone grabbed my shoulder.

"I knew you'd be alive."

It was a familiar voice.

One of the disciples who killed me.

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]