Chapter 38

Chapter 38

The Person Waited for All Along (Free Last)

Located in Yongsan, Seoul.

Rooftop of the Republic of Korea Hunter Association building.

A man with a clean, but somewhat haggard impression is sitting perched on the railing.

Pajijij···.

Sound of tobacco burning.

Then smoke leaked from Park Dan's mouth.

Exactly like a sigh.

“Tired to death···.”

Investigation department famous for a lot of work already.

Outside they bow just looking at the nameplate, but from the position of the person inside, just tired.

Especially if a person like Park Dan who has little interest in promotion, even more.

‘How did I come this far.’

The start was simple, and trivial.

Job, and employment.

The hunter association civil servant position was a workplace anyone in their 20s would covet.

Plump pension.

Provide high-class mansion located in Yongsan as lodging.

If working more than 10 years, lifetime pension guarantee and even high-class mansion given as own.

Of course there were many opinions that it's that tough, but Park Dan was inwardly confident.

Since never seen a single person smarter than himself since birth.

“Damn.”

Ran the promotion path.

Swept all the commendations that were commendations, and rose to the team leader position in 3 years.

There was no jealousy or anything.

Such things are emotions that apply when levels are similar.

There was not a single person among peers who could push such emotions at Park Dan.

Rose to the department head position in 5 years.

After that, set foot in the investigation department said to be the association's highest power organization.

From then, access to association secrets became possible in earnest.

Yes.

Association secrets.

That was the problem.

Added to that, there was one more very big problem.

He was smart, but had too much compassion.

“What are you thinking so much?”

Hwang Chan-seung who approached at some point rested both arms on the railing.

Smiled while looking at the Seoul scenery with darkness settling.

“Don't tell me, why did I enter the association and am living like a dog. Still doing such useless worries?”

Right.

Exactly right.

That Hwang Chan-seung sometimes speaks as if sitting inside my head.

“Do people know?”

In the darkness.

Only the cigarette light sparkled.

“How many lives are disappearing in the tower, and labyrinth.”

Secrets accessed after entering the investigation department.

Among them, what particularly attracted the eye was the mortality rate.

A figure the state never announced even once.

Not only the Republic of Korea, but no country in the world announced.

Awakener mortality rate.

Hwang Chan-seung grinned.

“People have no interest in such things. Only interest in what to eat for dinner today.”

“...”

“I'm the same. No interest at all in such places. Rather the dinner menu is important. Can I smoke one too?”

Soon the smoke became two.

Hwang Chan-seung who exhaled a white sigh said.

“Most people live while misunderstanding. That they are the ones leading the world. In reality I also thought so. Honestly if that much, isn't there qualification to think so?”

Park Dan turned his head.

Investigation department team leader Hwang Chan-seung.

Nickname, Heaven Clash.

The one who clashes the sky.

Yes, if you, the qualification to think so is sufficient.

Hwang Chan-seung who felt the gaze grinned.

Pure white teeth stood out in the darkness.

“But what actually pulls the state, the world is smart people. The words that a few smart guys eat everything are used in a bad meaning, but in my view there's no more accurate expression. The state is led by smart humans like the team leader.”

Seoul's lights are splendid.

But the darkness is that deep accordingly.

Like an abyss.

Do people know about that darkness?

No way.

At most interest only in the dinner menu.

Hwang Chan-seung shook off the lengthened cigarette ash.

“It's hard to say such words, but no need to be too attached to each and every life. Anyway if not obtaining points, everyone dies together.”

“...”

"But, announcing that this time was well done. The fact that the labyrinth is changing, and the danger level is rising."

Hwang Chan-seung's face was bitter.

"National Assembly members, those bastards think of awakeners not as humans but as machines earning points. So they tried to designate that fact as secret. But no matter how important points are from the state position, awakeners are also humans. Risking lives entering the labyrinth. So announcing before designating as secret was really well done. From the team leader's position, eating curses thoroughly though."

“...Is that so?”

“100 percent, 100 percent. I guarantee.”

···As expected.

Seeing it organized clearly, no doubt it was inside my head.

The mind became a bit lighter.

Park Dan who rubbed out the cigarette lightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“By the way, how was the impression of seeing directly?”

Hwang Chan-seung narrowed his eyes.

“You mean that mage?”

“Yes. Said watched from afar.”

“I did. From afar, very afar. Honestly because it was an alley, couldn't see properly either.”

“Still if you, there's something felt. What kind of vessel.”

Looking at Park Dan smiling as if telling to spill, Hwang Chan-seung shook his head.

“He was a crazy guy.”

The cigarette fire fell beyond the railing.

Hwang Chan-seung smiled emptily.

“That guy, the vessel itself was a complete monster bastard.”

Hwang Chan-seung who was looking at the lights flickering in the darkness turned his head.

Looking straight at Park Dan, he said.

"Maybe, the person the team leader waited for all along appeared."

#

Returned and lay on the bed.

Did nothing, and first maintained the Detection skill.

Tracking might follow.

Jewon's security was reputed to be perfect, but only public power was an exception.

As long as setting foot in the Republic of Korea.

Couldn't refuse the association's investigation.

Especially if the reason is a murder incident.

“...”

Time passed, but fortunately there was no tracking.

Only after that fact became certain did I lie on the bed.

Belatedly the heart pounded.

As the fact of killing people in groups became real, the emotion suppressed by reason surged.

Accepted the surging emotion as is without suppressing.

Had to do so.

Maybe from the time of killing Director Park Kwangsoo and Team Leader Kim Namguk in the Gangwon-do rural house, it was already a determined procedure.

If not killing the guys today.

Someday the guys would come to me and fly my neck.

“...Kkeung.”

Turned the arm pillow.

Recalled the words of the mercenary who begged to save.

-Tracked through the T-shirt that cripple wore. Thoroughly searched the house the guy lived in the past, but that was the only useful one! Really!

White T-shirt placed on the vehicle passenger seat.

Probably that item worn in middle school, I directly burned it with my own hands.

Now it was fine to see that the guys have no means to track me.

Continued thoughts.

The fellow said he was an employee affiliated with Geumcheon Casting.

Thinking common sense, it was damn talk that doesn't make sense.

Geumcheon Casting is one of Taesung Group's numerous subcontractors.

Since it was an ordinary company making automobile engine blocks, transmission cases.

But no way it was a lie.

A guy who valued his life that much wouldn't have lied risking his life.

Slowly dug the archive.

Information about Geumcheon Casting wasn't that much, and the only useful was the location degree.

Seoul east side, near Deokso Station.

Located in the factory zone that comes out immediately after crossing Misa Bridge.

‘Immediate retaliation would be a stupid act.’

Tracking and assassination failed.

The guys can't help but think it was the CEO Kang Min-cheol side's doing.

In preparation for the case of having the tail stepped on, it was clear that the guard around the factory would be strengthened.

No reason at all to go now and create a pretext for another tracking.

The guys lost the tracking means, and I know the guys' location.

Now the one holding the sword handle is me.

The blade approached right under the guys' chins.

Time was on my side.

Now, the fact of smashing the guys' only tracking possibility was enough.

Slowly closed my eyes.

Was it because of committing murder.

The mental fatigue was considerable.

Skipped the Heal skill, and used the Wind of Healing.

The sound of wind that blew calmly knocked on the ears like music.

Unknowingly I fell asleep as is.

An extremely comfortable sleep.

#

Near Deokso Station.

Inside the Geumcheon Casting factory office.

A middle-aged man with a gloomy face was deeply bowing his head.

“...I'm ashamed.”

Drab gray employee uniform.

Above that, an overlocked badge.

Factory manager, Baek Chan-jin.

His shoulders were trembling.

“I-I clearly repeatedly requested not to overdo it···.”

Opposite.

A man with a sharp impression was silently closing his eyes.

Baek Chan-jin's pupils shook anxiously.

“Manager, I'm really sorry. I committed a sin to die.”

The man called manager slowly opened his eyes.

A light smile was floating on the mouth corners.

“Baek Chan-jin, this damn bastard. Rotting in the factory, feeling like becoming a real factory manager not the special team leader?”

“A-no, manager!”

“If not, just how can you disintegrate 12 people in the air? That too not properly finding the guy, at most only went near Daerim-dong?”

“...S-sorry.”

The manager looked at Baek Chan-jin with pathetic eyes.

Like that for a while.

Soon shook his head and opened his mouth.

“Information must have leaked. Otherwise no way read this side's movements this detailed.”

“Th-that's right.”

“Anyway whether the guys or us, once the same organization so nothing strange.”

“Correct.”

“...Nothing to say other than that answer?”

Baek Chan-jin swallowed dry saliva.

Did make a big mistake, but didn't obtain the Taesung Group special response team 3 team leader position in vain.

“There are still core team members remaining.”

“How many?”

“Four remain as colonel level.”

“...Hmm.”

The manager narrowed his eyes and scratched his chin.

“So?”

“First the area is specified up to Daerim-dong. And in the case of Daerim-dong, our side informants are sufficiently settled.”

“Hmm.”

“No matter how complicated Daerim-dong is, can't find that mere cripple? About 2 weeks will be enough to find and more.”

Correct words.

The manager flicked his chin as if telling to speak more.

“How much hands would it take to feed and raise one cripple? Just checking hospital admission rooms, nursing hospitals, caregiver networks, the tail will be caught soon. If not, if cleaning delivery or medical distribution networks, can find 100 percent.”

Confidence overflowed in Baek Chan-jin's expression.

“Hmm.”

The manager who nodded shook his seat and stood up.

“Good. I'll believe you won't disappoint this time.”

“How could there be. I'll find the guy as quickly as possible.”

#

I opened my eyes.

Raised the body and was startled.

Condition noticeably better than usual.

Thought of the reason, only one thing particularly changed.

Achieving level 160.

Maybe thanks to that, the effect of the Wind of Healing skill improved.

Gurgle.

Whether because ate some food before, the stomach fluctuated in earnest.

Checking the clock, 9 AM.

Time was plentiful.

Instead of immediately getting up, picked up the phone.

Dug the community, archive, news straight.

Turning on location information, information related to Daerim-dong gathered in an instant.

Fortunately, content related to yesterday's incident was nonexistent.

“Huu.”

Let out a sigh of relief.

Lightly washed my face, pressed on a hat and left the room.

Walking the corridor, waiting for the elevator, the heart pounded.

‘Going crazy.’

Might sound like crazy talk.

Honestly speaking, more tense than when massacring the hunters yesterday.

Ding-

Took the elevator, and pressed the 2nd floor.

The elevator stopped three floors below.

Three men and women who look like a family.

Confirmed the lit 2nd floor button and continued the conversation.

Ding-

A while later the elevator arrived at the 2nd floor.

Quietly waited, and walked the corridor following the three men and women.

Swallowed dry saliva.

Felt the hand lightly trembling.

“Wait a moment.”

The hotel employee blocked me who was trying to pass.

Startled for a while.

Turning my head, the employee is looking at me smiling.

“Please the card key.”

“...”

“If none, would you tell the room number?”

“2304.”

“Name?”

“Lee Seong-han.”

The employee politely bowed his head.

“Confirmed. Please follow.”

Carefully walked the soft carpet following the employee.

A sweet smell tickled the tip of the nose.

At some point, food lined left and right, and people choosing food here and there.

Yes.

This place was the hotel breakfast buffet.

‘...My god.’

Saliva filled the mouth.

Gurgle sounds continued from the stomach.

Just passing the food, even dizziness was felt.

“Would you like to sit this way?”

Placed the hat on the table.

Blankly passed the employee saying something, held the plate and hurriedly scooped food.

The thought of eating just a little decided at first already disappeared long ago.

Damn.

If getting stomachache, just crouch on the toilet all day.

Chewed the rice.

Chewy rice grains bounced in the mouth, and nuttiness filled the mouth.

···Crazy.

Really crazy.

Scooped one spoon of soybean paste soup.

Almost spewed.

Mixed with rice grains, it was heavenly taste.

“Cough!”

Whether because chewed urgently, cough burst.

Fortunately the disgrace of spitting food wasn't shown.

Suddenly a napkin popped out from the side.

“Are you okay?”

···Ah.

Yes.

The employee who guided me to the seat was still beside.

“Thank you.”

Received the napkin and wiped the mouth corners and raised my head.

Despite the disgrace I showed, the employee's face was surprisingly calm.

An attitude befitting the highest class hotel, or something.

“I'll tell you when finishing the meal.”

“...It's fine. What is the matter?”

“Ah. Not something else, there's something urgent to say because of the lava waterfall you reserved when entering.”

The employee slightly lowered his upper body and said.

“A vacancy occurred in the lava waterfall field trip team scheduled for the day after tomorrow. So if the schedule is okay, it seems we can advance Seonghan-nim's next week reservation.”

It was good news.

“I'm fine. Seems the reserver had circumstances.”

“Passed away.”

“...Yes?”

Paused and raised my head.

Still holding a kind smile, the clerk said.

“Last night, passed away in the labyrinth.”

···Ah.

I see.

Speaking such things as if nothing.

Freshly feel that the place I'm staying now is a space of awakeners exploring the tower and labyrinth risking lives.

“Heard death accidents increased a lot recently. If caused displeasure while eating, I'll apologize.”

“No.”

“A few precautions are needed, can I explain simply?”

I nodded.

The employee took out a small paper from the jacket pocket and placed it on the table.

Listening to a few simple explanations.

A part that particularly stood out occurred.

[Gathering place]

-In front of the labyrinth zone 3 portal.

Just then the employee softly smiled and mentioned that part.

“The gathering place is near the labyrinth zone 3 portal. Enjoy the breakfast leisurely, and come slowly it seems fine.”

Carefully asked.

“Are there no people whose portal isn't pierced?”

“No way there would be?”

The employee smiled.

“People staying at Jewon.”

© Dome Hwangcha #1yy6t

Author's note

Thanks to the readers' interest and love this time too, we were able to proceed with paid.

Sincerely thank you, and thank you again.

The paid period is July 30 (Thursday) 8 AM, and on that day 3 consecutive uploads are planned.

Among those who leave comments on all 3 uploaded episodes, select 10.

Plan to gift 3000 gold.

Only a sorry heart to readers who are frustrated because the pace is slow, growth is late.

In the paid part, we'll try to speed up a bit more.

I hope you'll continue to watch the growth as human Lee Han-seong, and the growth as awakener Transcendence.

Thank you for reading.