Chapter 13

Chapter 13. Reagent Factory (3)

“I’m tired.”

Since I was the only conscious survivor in the factory aside from the unconscious street kids.

I ended up sitting in an interrogation room at a police station for an interrogation that wasn’t quite an interrogation.

Even that was only after they bombarded me with questions once earlier, and then left me alone all through the night.

“That man is the one who saved my life back then! There’s absolutely no way he works for a criminal organization!”

Still, thanks to the elf I rescued passionately defending me to Kim Cheol-su.

It seems I’ve at least stopped being treated as a suspect.

‘If they’re done with me, I wish they’d let me go already.’

I contacted Maria, so maybe she’ll at least come pick me up.

―Click.

“I apologize. It took some time to get the situation under control.”

At that moment, the door opened and two elves entered.

Kim Cheol-su was the first to politely offer me a handshake.

“I am Chief Superintendent Kim Cheol-su, commander of the Anti-Terror Special Suppression Team.”

“I’m Lee Gang-sik. A hunter. Though it’s only been about a week.”

After we exchanged a light handshake.

Kim Cheol-su straightened his posture.

Almost as if he were about to salute me.

“Mr. Lee Gang-sik. I would like to take this opportunity to formally express my gratitude.”

“Gratitude? To me?”

What is this out of nowhere?

It can’t be something like thanking me for cooperating sincerely with the investigation.

At that moment, the elf who had entered with Kim Cheol-su also straightened her posture.

‘Come to think of it, she defended me pretty hard, but I never even asked her name.’

She had a bandage on her cheek again.

As I was thinking that, she bowed politely.

“I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I? I’m Lieutenant Kim Young-hee, leader of Delta Team in the Anti-Terror Special Suppression Unit. Thank you for saving my life back at the Silver Fang hideout.”

“...Lieutenant sounds like a fairly important position. Did you fall into some kind of trap?”

“Yes, embarrassingly enough. It was the price I paid for underestimating Jeogwi’s hacking ability and going to investigate alone.”

Lieutenant Kim Young-hee smiled awkwardly.

Then again, officially, Jeogwi’s danger rating was only low D-rank.

“Thank you once again for saving me.”

“Well, that was half luck and good timing. There’s no need to bow your head over it.”

I said that because it really had been half a coincidence.

But the two of them didn’t seem to think so.

“Even though you could have simply passed by, you chose not to, and because of that, my younger sister returned safely. Thank you.”

“It really wasn’t anything... Wait, younger sister?”

Elves were known for having especially strong bonds with their own race.

So I thought maybe Kim Cheol-su was thanking me simply because I had rescued another elf.

“Don’t tell me Chief Superintendent Kim Cheol-su is...”

“Yes, he’s my older brother.”

I quickly looked back and forth between their faces.

‘...Other than both being elves, I don’t think they look alike at all.’

After losing all his blood relatives in gang conflicts.

He became consumed by vengeance, constantly calling for the total extermination of criminal organizations, only to ultimately be discarded once he had served his purpose.

That was Kim Cheol-su’s ending if you took the Imperial Route.

It was never revealed exactly how all his family members died, so I thought it was just a MacGuffin.

Because I was worried an interspecies war might break out if an elf corpse was discovered.

Did my meddling just because it would make my own life easier end up erasing one bad ending?

‘...Not bad.’

I can keep enjoying Jamsil for a little longer.

And I’ve also done a huge favor for Kim Cheol-su, a major figure in the police department and someone directly connected to the Imperial Household.

‘Maybe I actually like this renewed storyline and the higher-difficulty expansion content.’

It really is a love-hate game.

I cleared my head, which had relaxed before I knew it, forgetting even the back pain from sitting all night.

Then calmly spoke.

“That’s surprising. You don’t look alike at all.”

“Hehe, we hear that a lot.”

“Kim Young-hee.”

“Ah, sorry. I’ll shut up.”

“Phew...”

All I remembered was her face when she was dying from severe abuse and malnutrition.

Despite what happened, she didn’t look cowed at all. If anything, she was full of energy.

Maybe this is her real personality.

Though she had cut her hair short, probably because it had been damaged.

“Ahem. I, the police department, and the entire Special Suppression Team owe you a great debt, Mr. Lee Gang-sik. Personally, I’d like to give you a large reward if I could...”

“Haha, forget it. A chief superintendent getting wrapped up in a scandal over something like that?”

Kim Cheol-su and his team were among the few normal people in this rotten police department.

The corrupt bastards were probably already keeping them under constant pressure, so I couldn’t have him exit the story this early.

Later on, he would conveniently keep Inrang in check without me even having to ask.

“...This is the first time I’ve ever regretted being a police officer. However!”

Kim Cheol-su continued with a serious expression.

“On my name and position, if you ever need help in the future, I will do everything in my power to assist you.”

With those words, Kim Cheol-su handed me a badge and card bearing his name and position.

“I appreciate it, but are you really allowed to make promises like that so freely?”

“If I can’t even do that much for the benefactor who saved my only sister, then what good is my position as a police officer?”

This isn’t a bad situation for me.

No, maybe I should call it a very good one.

The Special Suppression Team answers directly to the Imperial Household, so this connection could make it easier to approach the Imperial side.

‘There was some pretty tasty equipment and hidden traits inside the Imperial Palace too.’

I’ll use Kim Cheol-su to pick those up later.

Good things should be shared, right?

―Knock, knock.

“Chief Superintendent Kim Cheol-su. Mr. Lee Gang-sik’s guardian is here.”

A voice came through the speaker along with a light knocking sound.

“I would like to speak with you a little longer, but...”

Kim Cheol-su stood up and offered his hand again.

“We’ll arrange another opportunity to discuss the rest soon.”

“Contact me anytime. I’m a freelancer, so I’ve got plenty of free time.”

I clasped his hand and finally bid farewell to the interrogation room I had spent the entire night in.

___________

“You certainly made another spectacular mess.”

“If you say that every time, it really does get embarrassing.”

“...I told you, that wasn’t a compliment.”

We exchanged a brief conversation as we walked out of the police station.

I really am sleepy after sitting up all night.

If Maria hadn’t come to pick me up, I might’ve just lain down on the floor and slept.

There were too many eyes around, so I couldn’t even eat anything.

“We’ll arrange another opportunity to discuss the rest soon.”

I can still vividly remember the intense look in Kim Cheol-su’s eyes as he reluctantly let me leave after saying that.

“What on earth did you get involved in when you said you were only going shopping at a gun shop?”

“I don’t think any of this was really my fault this time either.”

“...Haa, just get in for now.”

Saying that, Maria got into the parked black sedan.

When I followed and opened the passenger door, a faint fragrance wafted out.

Along with my own body odor in sharp contrast.

The smell of blood really doesn’t come off easily.

“The seats are going to absorb the smell. Sorry. This looks like a pretty expensive car.”

“Don’t worry about it. It isn’t that expensive.”

When I shut the door, the sedan smoothly left the police department parking lot and glided onto the road.

‘Come to think of it, I think this is my first time riding in a car since falling into this world.’

The ride wasn’t bad.

I wonder how much a car like this costs.

Though it’s useless to me since my license is basically just for decoration.

No, wait.

In a world like this, wouldn’t self-driving cars and things like that be everywhere?

There are even taxi companies run by AI.

“What about the kids?”

“Most of them are safe. The young lady who gave you the ‘personal request’ is safe as well. Her younger sibling is hospitalized under the protection of the Special Suppression Team.”

“I’m telling you, that was the best option at the time. It’s not like I could trust regular police.”

“I know. That’s why the manager approved it as well.”

Maria said that while lightly looking me over.

“I heard you also fought a Lycan mercenary unit. Yet you don’t have a single injury and seem perfectly fine.”

“Well, things just worked out that way.”

“...Understood.”

When I put up a wall, she didn’t ask any further.

I feel a little bad about it, but for now, it’s better if they don’t know about my abilities.

“Come to think of it, I forgot to ask. Did your shopping go well?”

As if trying to change the subject, Maria brought up something else.

“Hmm, more or less? I got one decent handgun, so this should be enough for now.”

It had pretty good firepower too.

And as emergency rations, it was excellent.

‘Though it’s still stronger to just run over and punch someone than to take the time to load and fire this thing.’

When I showed her the handgun in my holster, Maria continued as if pleased to recognize it.

“That’s the Thundergost XT model from Penta Action. It’s a bizarre creation capable of giving an average person compound fractures just from the recoil... I’m not sure whether to call you bold or reckless.”

“Penta... what?”

“Penta Action. They were once pioneers who brought major changes to the firearms market. But as they became increasingly trapped by their own stubbornness, their later products gradually entered the realm of monstrosities. Especially the late-model Devil 110, which took inspiration from a sabot round...”

How can that much information pour out just from one glance while driving?

Without even changing her expression.

Like she was casually saying the weather was nice today.

Specialized knowledge just flowed naturally out of her mouth.

“Maria, are you some kind of military nerd... no, do you like guns?”

“I don’t know that term, but I am quite interested in firearms.”

Still no change in expression.

As if stating an obvious fact.

“That’s unexpected.”

“Before I began working with the manager, I assisted Ms. Seol Myeong-ji with her work, so whether I liked it or not, I needed detailed knowledge about firearms.”

“Ah, so that was your setting... I mean, I see.”

Feels like another side story I never knew was just naturally injected into my head.

Anyway, why are gun names so ridiculously long?

I’ll just call it Thunder.

“―We’ve arrived. It’s over there.”

“Hm?”

With Maria’s words, the car gradually slowed.

Then the place came into my view as well.

I was seeing it in person for the first time, but it was familiar.

‘Oh... Can I get my hopes up a little here?’

Behind it was the entrance to Downstreet, the underground passage where Saetani was located.

And in front, it bordered the main street leading into downtown Jamsil.

It was a place I had already been eyeing, wondering whether I should write it down on my blank check...

Saetani’s safe house.

“Follow me.”

“What is this place? Some kind of apartment complex?”

“Something similar.”

Even when I pretended not to know and tested her, Maria didn’t give me a clear answer. She walked ahead and disabled the security.

I followed her inside the building.

Unlike how it looked from the outside, the interior was quite clean.

―Ding.

The elevator worked normally too.

Naturally, it seemed no one was currently living here.

Maria got off on the top floor and stopped in front of the only door.

“Go inside.”

“Hmm.”

The moment I opened the door, I heard a child’s tearful voice.

“Mister!”

The meddling kid came shooting out and clung to my pant leg.

“Hey, kid. Are you going to keep calling me mister?”

I haven’t even finished my reserve duty yet.

And besides, how long have we even known each other?

Why is this little thing clinging to me without the slightest fear of people?

I roughly peeled her off and looked her over.

‘Did they wash her and buy her new clothes?’

She looked nothing like the little potato sack from the back alley yesterday.

“There were security concerns with keeping her at the shop, so we brought her here.”

Maria closed the door behind her and spoke.

“What is this place? A safe house?”

“You have a good eye. Correct. This is one of Saetani’s top-grade safe houses. Normally, it’s only used when guarding or transporting VIPs.”

Maria then briefly explained the building.

To summarize, apparently it was sturdy enough to withstand grenade bombardment like the motel suffered before without so much as flinching.

It also had anti-hacking measures and intrusion alarm systems.

“And it is also the new residence Saetani will be providing to you.”

“Haha! My own house.”

Good thing I didn’t write an amount on the blank check first.

They know my circumstances, so they’re bringing me exactly what I need without me even asking.

“Saetani’s pretty generous. Giving an entire safe house to a mere hunter.”

I looked around the room as I said that.

Even at a glance, it was a spacious and comfortable area.

There weren’t many decorations or furnishings, but it had necessities like a bed.

One wall had windows fitted with blinds, overlooking the streets of Jamsil.

I can’t even imagine how much this place is worth.

‘Now that I’m actually on the receiving end of an offer too good to refuse, I can understand why people don’t refuse it.’

You want me to spit this delicious piece of prime real estate back out?

Not a chance.

I’m a common citizen who values every last penny.

“I’m finally achieving my dream of owning a home here, something I couldn’t even do in reality.”

“What?”

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

More importantly, I had spent my entire life living alone in one-room apartments.

And even in this world, I had only bounced between back alleys and cheap unmanned motels...

‘To me, this is a luxury hotel suite and Tower Palace rolled into one.’

Not that I’ve ever actually been to either.

“Was this why you told me to contact you when I finished shopping?”

“Yes, it was. A safe house and personal protection. This is the maximum service Saetani can currently offer you. Free of charge, of course.”

“Personal protection... That all sounds good, but aren’t you busy with work at the shop?”

“...As expected, you already knew.”

Maria let out a light sigh and adjusted her suit.

As I could tell from what she showed me on my first day at Saetani...

“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Maria, Saetani’s exclusive bodyguard, and from now on I will also be responsible for your personal security, Mr. Lee Gang-sik.”

An armed bodyguard disguised as a bar manager.

That was Maria’s true identity.

‘Once you raised Saetani’s trust level high enough, she became available as a temporary companion.’

Her role was hacker and ranged support.

If I remember correctly, in direct combat she was roughly equal to a C-rank hunter too.

“Please don’t worry about my work at the shop. I will only be responsible for escort during travel within the city, return trips, and security at your residence.”

“Then that’s fine.”

In other words, she was basically a fast-travel shuttle.

It’s only because I’m not yet an exclusive Saetani hunter, but even that alone is incredibly convenient.

Maria then gestured toward the kid still clinging to my pant leg.

As I watched the little kid trot over to her.

“And the manager said he has a message for you.”

“This isn’t one of those cases where you give me something for ‘free’ first and then hand me the bill afterward, right?”

“I don’t believe so. I was the one who proposed providing you with this residence and personal security.”

“Oh, that’s unexpected. Didn’t you dislike me?”

“...I never did. I was merely wary of you because you were an unidentified dangerous individual.”

So I’m not anymore?

Maria answered indifferently, then opened the door and went outside first.

“Miss Hani.”

“Ah! M-mister, thank you for saving D-Dani, my little sibling...”

At Maria’s cue, the kid turned toward me as though she had practiced it and bowed her head.

“You don’t need to thank me. I accepted a request, so I resolved it. That’s all.”

“But I still haven’t paid you...”

“I told you. When you grow up, work and pay me back. My market value is rising every day, so you’d better work hard.”

“Yes! I-I’ll work hard and definitely pay you back!”

“...Wait, this picture looks kind of strange. Anyway.”

I put my hand on the kid’s head and roughly ruffled her hair.

When I raised my gaze.

Maria bowed politely.

“Then you must be tired, so please rest well.”

“P-please get lots of rest!”

Well, I’d like nothing more than to do exactly that, wash up, and go to sleep.

―Ding.

<​It’s me.>

“I received the ‘bribe’ you sent. The view’s not bad at all.”

I took out a fragment of alloy plate and chewed it while making the call, and Ma Cheol-sik’s laughter came through the phone.

<​Kahahah, I’m glad you like it. You should thank Maria for her good sense.>

<​For reference, you’re the first hunter in several decades to receive both a safe house and personal protection from Saetani.>

“Should I consider that an honor?”

<​It’s enough if you understand that we consider you an important asset.>

Liar.

You have something else you really want.

“What’s this? I thought you’d demand an exclusive contract, but you’re saying this is enough? You sure aren’t very greedy.”

<​...!! Kahah, you really do seem to be one step ahead of me every time.>

When I lightly prodded him, Ma Cheol-sik laughed as though conceding defeat, then cleared his throat.

<​We’ll talk about that again after you safely complete the matter that just came in.>

“Oh, does that mean?”

At the same moment I tossed another piece of alloy plate into my mouth, Ma Cheol-sik’s voice rang out.

<​It’s work, Lee Gang-sik. A designated request for you just came in.>

I Became an Immortal Who Chews on Steel

Author |

Mwiu

Publisher |

Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.

Managing Editor |

Editorial Department

Published by |

Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. - Dream Books

Address |

Rooms 806-810, Kolon Science Valley I, 187-10 Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul

ISBN |

G720:N+A063-20261006118

Blog |

blog.naver.com/dreambookss

Twitter (X) |

@dreambookss

Submissions |

fansycnc@samyangcnc.com

No part of this book may be used in any form or by any means without the written permission of Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. - Dream Books.