Chapter 14

Chapter 14. Designated Request (1)

“You said you’d arrange another meeting soon...”

A private room behind Saetani’s counter.

Maria, the two elves, and I were seated around a table.

“Were you the one who requested the designated commission, Chief Superintendent Kim Cheol-su?”

“It is a matter where every moment counts. And you may omit the honorific.”

Kim Cheol-su added with a polite bow.

Unlike yesterday, he was dressed in civilian clothes rather than a police uniform.

Probably because a police officer coming all the way into the heart of an underground district like this would draw too much attention.

“Sure, then.”

No matter how urgent the matter was, the client had personally come all the way here to commission me.

Should I call that very police-like?

Or just excessively upright?

“Then I’ll explain the details of the request.”

―Click.

The two of them sat down and projected a holographic map over the table as Kim Cheol-su continued.

“While tracking the missing Young-hee― Ahem, let me start again. While tracking the missing Lieutenant Kim Young-hee, our special team entered Sector 28...”

Arrows moved across the map one after another, tracing a route.

“Based on the testimony of the lieutenant after her return, as well as that of the bribed police officers, we discovered signs of unidentified illegal drug distribution throughout the southeastern lower districts.”

“So that’s why you stormed that factory back then?”

“That’s correct. Though someone had already cleared the interior one step ahead of us.”

“That was me.”

“To be honest, I was shocked even when I first saw you. To think you fought and defeated a Lycan mercenary unit alone...”

Kim Cheol-su looked at me for a moment before pointing to several spots on the map.

“Ahem. Afterward, as you told us, we arrested the hired thugs who had been left unconscious nearby and gathered additional testimony. We confirmed there are several more facilities identical to that factory.”

The areas Kim Cheol-su pointed to were Sector 30 and Sector 35.

Both were directly across the Han River from Jamsil.

“And we also received information that there is one more at the northern docks of Sector 28.”

He pointed to the final area.

One of the dock sites along the Han River north of Jamsil.

Three locations in total.

So there’s a high chance prototypes of Heaven’s Door are stored in those places.

They’re finding everything on their own for me.

Good thing I leaked the information to Kim Cheol-su.

“So? What exactly do you want to commission me to do?”

Kim Cheol-su fell silent for a moment as though choosing his words, then spoke.

“Mr. Lee Gang-sik, I would like you to strike the dockside factory site here in Sector 28.”

“Looks like your forces are already moving on the other two sectors, Cheol-su?”

“That’s correct.”

Kim Cheol-su enlarged the map and continued.

“However, because of Sector 28’s unique circumstances, our ability to deploy large numbers of personnel here is limited.”

Makes sense.

The Imperial Household, the Families, and the corporations are all too busy keeping one another in check.

There’s no way they’d allow a large police force aligned with the Imperial Household to roam around such a place.

I hadn’t seen the heavily armed unmanned Gear Units that were practically the symbol of the Special Suppression Team either.

Were those robots called Haechi?

“Of course, I intend to leave behind as many personnel as we can operate here.”

Kim Young-hee, who was sitting beside him, added.

“My Delta Team is staying behind! We’re the only ones who’ve actually operated around Jamsil before.”

“Are you physically okay?”

“Yes! If there’s one thing I’m confident in, it’s how sturdy I am!”

If she says so.

Once Kim Young-hee finished, Kim Cheol-su continued.

“As you’ve heard. You’ll strike the location together with our Delta Team. We’ll notify you of the exact timing.”

“Not bad.”

So they’re designating me as backup for their insufficient manpower, as well as a joker card for unexpected situations.

Good.

I get to prevent Heaven’s Door from being commercialized and earn money at the same time.

I need to clear Inrang out of my backyard early anyway if I want to move around comfortably.

I glanced toward Maria, and she gave a light nod.

Looks like Ma Cheol-sik also decided this level of involvement wouldn’t be a problem.

Then there’s nothing else to weigh.

Let’s start by calculating the price.

“Is the Imperial Household paying the commission fee?”

“That’s correct. The amount I can promise immediately under my authority is...”

Kim Cheol-su closed his eyes briefly as though calculating, then opened them again.

‘Surely the Imperial Household won’t offer some miserly pocket change.’

If it turns out to be passion pay, I might have to push my luck a little or even refuse―

“―Five million up front, and an additional twenty million upon completion. Would that be enough to borrow your strength?”

“I’ll head out right now!”

Twenty-five million in total.

It was far too much money to refuse.

_____________

“Perfect weather for an assault.”

<​―You can actually joke at a time like this?>

Factory sites stretched along the riverside docks.

As I examined the possible entry routes around the premises, a curt voice rang beside my ear.

A communications ear cuff I received from Kim Cheol-su.

‘I can’t exactly pull out my phone and make a call in the middle of a fight.’

And this operation was a large-scale simultaneous assault on two other sectors across the Han River as well.

We had to synchronize the timing precisely.

“You heard that? I was talking to myself. The communicator’s sensitivity is good.”

<​Aren’t you taking this a little too casually?>

“Not at all. I’m extremely tense right now.”

<​...>

Maria clearly didn’t believe me.

But I meant it.

My senses were sharper right now than at any point since I fell into this world.

And for good reason.

‘When I went to the reagent factory before, I didn’t know Heaven’s Door existed...’

But now.

No matter what form it takes.

Even if it’s still incomplete.

As long as there’s a possibility that that insane drug already exists in this world.

I can’t afford to let my guard down.

‘Imagine finally taking someone down, only for them to suddenly chug something, power up, and become Awakened...’

I’d be so pissed I’d wake up from sleep in rage.

What is this, some awakening scene from a shonen manga?

So instead of leaving anyone half alive, I need to make absolutely sure every last one of them stops breathing.

Of course, that doesn’t mean refusing this request was ever an option.

“I just hope it’s not complete yet. Hell, I hope it isn’t even really a prototype.”

<​You mean that drug?>

“Yeah.”

<​I find it hard to believe. A drug that artificially allows someone to wield mana...>

Considering what the drug was.

After accepting the request, I told Kim Cheol-su, Kim Young-hee, and Saetani about the existence of Heaven’s Door.

Of course, I disguised it as something I had overheard from the researcher I shot dead.

‘The problem is, even I don’t know how far development has progressed yet...’

At most, I could say it might temporarily grant power similar to an Awakened.

That alone made everyone present suck in a breath.

There’s no harm in being cautious, right?

“I don’t believe all of it either. I’m just sharing what that researcher bastard said.”

<​You seem awfully well informed for someone who only overheard him.>

“Ah, Young-hee’s team just arrived. We’ll talk later.”

<​...Understood. Then I wish you a safe hunt. I’ll wait at the rendezvous point.>

I vaguely brushed her off and ended the communication, receiving the same farewell I had heard during the request that took me to Lakehill.

Though I could feel that her tone had changed subtly since then.

I headed toward Kim Young-hee, who was dressed in suppression gear.

“Teams A and B will circle around the flanks. Team C comes with me through the front.”

“Yes, confirmed.”

“And as I explained beforehand, if you encounter anyone using an unidentified drug, do not approach them first under any circumstances. Our objective is... Ah, Mr. Gang-sik, you’re already here.”

Kim Young-hee gave me a light salute when I approached.

The other team members apparently knew about me as well. They straightened their posture, gave a polite bow.

Then moved aside so we could speak comfortably.

“Winners live by managing their time, while losers are dragged along by it. That’s one of a hunter’s virtues.”

“As expected, professionals are different! I once dreamed of becoming a hunter too, but then I realized freelancers actually have to be even stricter about self-management, so I gave up on the dream...”

I feel a little bad with Kim Young-hee looking at me with admiration.

I just quoted something I’d seen on a game loading screen.

“So where should I go? I heard we’d decide after reaching the rendezvous point.”

“Ah, yes. While we draw their attention from the front and both flanks, please move along the path behind the site. It’s a narrow single route, so it suits you better than it does us.”

Unlike the image she usually gave off.

Once an operation began, she looked every bit like an efficient soldier.

Her left eye was glowing, so she was probably reviewing the site layout in real time.

“After that, strike the site however you see fit. We’ll handle evidence collection.”

“So I just assault them from the rear and use brute force. That definitely is my specialty.”

“As for equipment support...”

“The communicator is enough for now. As you know, my body is my weapon.”

I loosened my shoulders as I spoke, and Kim Young-hee smiled lightly.

“Right, that was the case. Then I’ll be counting on you!”

Leaving behind Kim Young-hee’s short salute.

I made a wide circuit around the factory grounds.

This was my first time experiencing this particular event, but I had been through this factory site itself before.

However.

“I don’t remember this place being this dark.”

The factory grounds were buried in deep darkness long after sunset.

Even the little moonlight there might have been was hidden behind clouds because of the overcast weather.

Yet not a single light was on in that massive factory.

‘According to the advance briefing, there should still be at least several dozen people inside.’

There were no civilians, and nobody had escaped across the river.

So they must have noticed the movements of the Police Bureau’s Special Suppression Team led by Kim Cheol-su and prepared themselves.

Inrang wasn’t some random small fry organization either.

<​―Static. All sector forces deployed. Visibility clear. All teams, begin operation.>

Just after I reached a position where I could see the sturdy iron gate and tall wall.

Kim Cheol-su’s voice came through the ear cuff at the perfect moment.

―BOOOOM!

A moment later, lights flared in multiple places, followed by gunshots and explosions.

Chaotic screams erupted here and there.

―Crunch!

“Guess I’ll get moving too.”

I tossed the last remaining pieces of alloy plate into my mouth and kicked off the ground.

I concentrated the power rising inside my body into my arms and legs, clearing the tall wall in one leap.

“W-what the hell!”

“Where did he suddenly come fr―”

―BANG!

I immediately smashed the two gatekeepers guarding the inner entrance on the other side.

“Ghk?!”

After tossing the men, whose waists had folded from the single blow, against a nearby wall.

―Creeeak!

I tore the tightly shut door open with brute strength.

Thanks to most of their attention being drawn toward the front, there weren’t many people visible.

Most were wearing research coats, with only a handful of armed personnel among them.

“I-intruder from the rear too!”

“There were more suppression team members?”

“What, where?!”

“Behind us, idiots!”

The researchers frantically pointed at me while shouting at the armed guards.

Of course.

They had prepared an escape route in advance.

Still, there were far fewer troops than I expected if they had really been preparing for an assault.

Did they all move toward the suppression team?

“Alright. Whoever in here knows the most about Heaven’s Door, raise your hand.”

I crushed the torn-off iron door so the exit couldn’t be used, then stepped into the factory.

As I looked over everyone inside and spoke, the researchers on the second-floor railing who had been pointing at me visibly flinched.

“I’ll spare the first person who brings me the drug samples currently produced, along with the distribution plan and design schematics.”

But apparently their superiors in Inrang were still more frightening than this unidentified attacker.

Nobody stepped forward first.

I only offered because this was technically a police-related request, so killing every last one of them might be a bit much.

‘But if they’re going to throw away the chance I’m giving them, then there’s nothing I can do.’

I quickly kicked off the ground and drove my fist into the armed personnel who looked like guards.

“If you don’t want the offer, forget it. I can just crush everyone and take it myself!”

“Take him down immediately!”

“Earn the money you were paid!!”

―Ratatatatata!

At the same time the unlucky man at the front was crushed by my fist and sent tumbling away.

At the researchers’ orders, a hail of bullets poured over my head.

This isn’t even worth using metalization for.

―BANG! BOOM!

I charged straight through the gunfire and drove my fists into them one after another.

“...!?”

“Ghk!!”

The armed guards collapsed without even managing a final scream.

“Don’t run! Fight back!!”

“You’re loud. You’re not doing anything yourselves.”

I advanced while taking out the armed guards one by one.

“Ghk, this lunatic!!”

“What kind of monster is that―”

“Grab all the data! Now!”

The researchers on the second floor apparently realized this was hopeless.

They began pulling cases out of the containers one by one and fleeing toward the opposite side.

‘Looks like the Heaven’s Door prototypes and data are inside those.’

Keeping my guard up, I slammed the final guard into the floor, climbed onto the railing, and chased after the researchers.

But they were soon trapped between me and the suppression team that had come in from the opposite direction.

At that moment, Kim Cheol-su’s voice came through the ear cuff.

<​―This is Alpha. Situation secured. No signs of unidentified drugs in this sector. Repeating...>

Looks like there was nothing on the other side.

Then this place is the jackpot.

“Ghk...!”

“Imperial dogs...”

The researchers backed away while gritting their teeth.

‘They don’t look like they’re trying to drink any potion.’

If the very people who researched and distributed it refuse to put the only means of escaping this desperate situation into their own mouths...

“It still doesn’t produce the desired effect.”

Then Kim Young-hee and the suppression team approached with rifles aimed at them.

“You are all under arrest in the act for suspected distribution of illegal drugs! You have the right to remain silent...”

With nowhere left to run, the researchers began lowering their cases and raising their hands one by one.

‘...They’re giving up this easily?’

Even with a simultaneous strike cutting off their escape routes, this is a project Inrang has staked its future on.

Fine, I can understand them refusing to drink it because it’s still an incomplete prototype.

But there isn’t even a single guard or escort fitted with a common Machine Arm?

“...”

No way.

There’s definitely something more.

Could it be inside those cases...?

Without lowering my guard, I picked up a case one of the researchers had dropped.

A case they had been clutching dearly all the way here.

―Click.

Then I looked inside―

“―!! Everyone back!! Kim Cheol-su! Get out of the factory!!”

I shouted into the ear cuff and charged toward the researchers.

And in the very next moment.

―BOOOOOOM!!

A massive wave of heat swallowed the surroundings along with an explosion that erupted from among the researchers.

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.