[TS] Became a Peach Saint – Chapter 324

Duncan Nelson is close to being a perfectionist.

But he’s not an arrogant person who thinks everything he touches will be perfect. He’s someone who strives for perfection. He reduces variables and puts in all the effort he can.

That’s why he’s also someone who can express confidence within the limits of not being arrogant.

At least, until he met a crazy person.

The person in front of him was clearly from a democratic republic.

The Republic of Korea.

A country without a monarchy, where sovereignty lies with the people. Could someone born and raised there really be like this?

Duncan Nelson was experiencing firsthand what it meant to see black before his eyes.

‘Common sense doesn’t work here….’

It was fine up to the point where he guided the person to a nearby cafe, conscious of the surrounding gazes, especially those from Wisdom Academy.

It was even fine when he handed over a pre-written note and led them to a private room.

“So….”

“A thousand nuclear warheads.”

“…..”

The cheerful girl who had guided Duncan Nelson was nowhere to be seen, leaving only a crazy person behind.

“There are only ten thousand nuclear weapons in the entire world. But….”

“A thousand nuclear warheads.”

But the crazy person in front of him was demanding 10% of the nuclear warheads existing on this beautiful planet Earth.

“Just give them to me.”

“Are you insane?”

“You said you’d give me anything I wanted. That’s what a great nation does. You said a big nation isn’t just about having a lot of land.”

Duncan Nelson saw nothing but sincerity in their eyes.

When you talk to someone and look into their eyes, you can usually tell if they’re being genuine.

This wasn’t some half-hearted joke to brush him off. It was real.

‘This person’s completely lost it.’

It’s a chaotic era where monsters and nerds run rampant.

And yet, they’re not asking for a huge sum of money or some legendary item.

“Sigh, nuclear warheads….”

Duncan Nelson let out a deep sigh and pressed his forehead.

“But how did you figure out who I am?”

“You weren’t exactly hiding it, yet you talk so confidently.”

“True, but it’s still impressive. Is this the information-gathering ability of a great nation?”

While talking to Duncan Nelson, the other person kept playing with animals.

“Peep.”

Crunch, crunch.

“Ah.”

“It’s great.”

“Thank you.”

The saint, who had just eaten sunflower seeds fed by a squirrel, looked back at Duncan Nelson.

“You don’t seem to be joking, but is there anything else you want besides nuclear warheads?”

“Not really?”

“We could give you a rare item.”

“Not interested?”

“You don’t even know what it is. It’s not too late to decide after seeing it.”

“It’s too much to leave my hometown for just money or an item.”

Duncan Nelson pressed his forehead again.

“There are so many things you could ask for—vast land, a nice house, a great environment, rare items. Why nuclear warheads? Did you already make a connection with your home country?”

“Nope, nothing like that.”

The person talking to Duncan Nelson locked eyes with him.

They sparkled like gemstones.

Once again, there was nothing but sincerity in them.

“No place would promise a thousand nuclear warheads for one talented individual.”

“Throw in the launchers too. What am I supposed to do with just the warheads?”

The conversation wasn’t making any progress.

It’s like talking to a wall.

The abilities of that so-called great Duncan Nelson were also blocked.

“It’s the era of the great ability users. The military keeps the hunters in check, and the hunters keep the monsters in check.”

“And the monsters, in turn, keep the military in check.”

“You know your stuff. Since the emergence of the Tower and the birth of ability users through enlightenment, the world has changed like that. Are you interested in military power? Why are you making such absurd demands?”

“It’s not a demand, it’s a condition.”

Duncan Nelson is an extremely rational person.

However, during his time as a negotiator, known as a hostage negotiator, he faced numerous problems that couldn’t be solved by rational thinking alone.

Therefore, Duncan Nelson had a flexible way of thinking while still being rational.

“Alright, a condition. Why are you setting such a condition?”

“It’s romantic.”

“Is launching a nuke romantic?”

“Yeah. Romance costs a lot of money.”

Duncan Nelson’s flexible way of thinking, maintained for decades, crumbled.

‘I shouldn’t have agreed so easily when they asked for Hellfire missiles. That guy is a real lunatic…’

Even when they asked for missiles and combat helicopters, I thought it was just some rich girl’s bizarre hobby.

The United States had the capacity to accommodate such demands, and Korea’s Saint was also worth that much.

No, in fact, missiles and combat helicopters alone were far from enough to pay for the Saint’s worth.

But maybe the problem was that Duncan Nelson agreed too easily. Who would have thought that Hellfire missiles would escalate to nuclear warheads in an instant?

“The magical engineers have developed a new ballistic missile. I’ll let you press the launch button yourself. It’s the red button you like.”

“Are you kidding?”

‘Is this not it?’

“Hmm. It’s a bit tempting.”

“…..”

Duncan Nelson lowered his gaze as much as possible to match the other person’s level, but it just wasn’t aligning.

‘This is clearly my mistake. He’s not someone who moves based solely on value…’

Even in this situation, Duncan Nelson was gathering information about the other party.

The Saint he was looking at was an elusive being.

She seemed somewhat naive, but the sporadic remarks she made during the conversation were not something a simple person could say.

Yet, her doll-like appearance kept making him underestimate her.

Duncan Nelson could understand his boss, who had judged based solely on photos.

‘She’s devastatingly beautiful. She must be from Germany…’

“Ah! Baekseol’s ears are gone.”

“Beep!”

“Ehehe. Where are you running? Danpung’s tail is gone too.”

“Beep?”

Watching the rabbit and squirrel play, Duncan Nelson pulled a dagger from his bag.

“How about this?”

“What?”

Stab!

Duncan Nelson stabbed his own hand with the dagger. It went so deep that it pierced through his palm.

When he pulled the dagger out, dark red blood dripped onto the table.

The Saint watched this without even flinching.

“Why are you doing that? Are you a masochist?”

“How about a one-time contract instead of an exclusive one? As I’ve said, the United States has a lot to offer.”

“Well, call me later or something. Why are you making a fuss over your palm?”

“If I’m going to call, I need to know your abilities.”

The Saint flicked her finger as she looked at Duncan Nelson’s wound.

*Thwack!*

“Saint Beam!”

With the Saint’s playful words, light seeped into Duncan Nelson’s hand.

Duncan Nelson’s pierced hand was completely healed, to the point where even he couldn’t tell when it had been injured.

Duncan Nelson, with an expressionless face, clenched and unclenched his hand, testing it.

“Fast and perfect.”

Duncan Nelson kept a poker face, but he was utterly amazed.

The abilities of this country’s Saint were on a completely different level.

No matter how good a Saint’s abilities were, they couldn’t heal external wounds so instantly. At least, not the Saints Duncan Nelson had known until now.

Saints were mainly focused on healing the wounds of important figures, not ordinary people.

But the Korean Saint he had just witnessed was different.

‘At this point, I should kneel and beg to bring her with me.’

Duncan Nelson had no doubt that whether she joined the military or the Hunter Association, the nation’s power would skyrocket.

No, it was more than that.

With the Saint’s abilities, the entire balance of power between nations could shift.

“Get up first.”

“Alright, take care.”

As Duncan Nelson picked up his bag and stood up, the Saint waved her hand at him.

“One last thing I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“How did you deal with our country’s dragon?”

“Ah, that. I passed out from mana exhaustion, so my team caught it to help me recover. Sorry about that.”

“No need to apologize. It’s just a monster. Let’s stay in touch.”

*Click.*

Duncan Nelson walked out of the private room.

The Saint sat quietly, watching him leave.

“Interesting guy.”

“Yeah!”

*Beep!*

“The higher-ups in the U.S. must be moving. They’re so shady.”

The Saint’s eyes sparkled as she stared at the door Duncan Nelson had just exited.

***

“That’s how it is.”

– Nuclear warheads? You must be out of your mind.

The emotions of Duncan Nelson’s superior came through his phone.

“I thought the same, but it doesn’t seem like a light matter.”

– Duncan, I’ve told you repeatedly that your overly cautious nature could be your downfall.

“I’ve laid the groundwork. Now we just need to call.”

– Tsk. Just catch the rabbit, and it’ll follow. Why make it so complicated?

“I’m not a swindler; I’m a negotiator.”

Duncan Nelson’s superior was competent but had a tendency to look down on people.

Duncan figured it was because his superior, drunk on his own competence, had always solved things too easily.

– I’ll handle the rest.

“It’s about leaving one’s country. If they agreed right away, I would’ve been suspicious. And since they admitted to catching the dragon themselves, we should be cautious.”

– Just catch the summon before it’s summoned. You know an unprepared summoner is worse than chewed gum, right? I’ll finish the preparations and call you. Then summon the Korean Saint.

*Click.*

Duncan Nelson stared at the phone, which had hung up before he could respond.

***

*Knock knock.*

A cheerful knocking sound reached Professor Hwang’s ears as he worked.

“Yes.”

*Click.*

The person who knocked peeked their head through the door.

He offered. The first thing Professor Hwang noticed was the pink hair.

“Teacher, teacher.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m researching fire-based magic.”

“Oh my.”

Professor Hwang pulls up a chair and places it next to him.

Could a student look this pretty?

The student, who used to only focus on what they liked, has finally turned their attention to something else.

Professor Hwang, a scholar and an excellent mage, couldn’t be happier.

“Sit here.”

“Okay.”

Han Ga-eul scurries over and sits facing Professor Hwang.

“So, what are you curious about?”

Professor Hwang’s voice was incredibly kind.

“I want to attend an academic conference on the subject, but I don’t qualify. That’s why I came.”

Hearing Han Ga-eul’s words, Professor Hwang smiles softly.

“Of course, I should help with that. I’ll write you a recommendation.”

“Wow! Teacher Hwang, you’re the best.”

“Sure, where do you want to attend? Is it the Dungeon Herb Conference this time?”

“The International Nuclear Fusion Technology Symposium.”

As they talk, Professor Hwang’s hand, which was drafting the recommendation, stops.

“Is it really fire magic?”

“Yeah. Me, nuclear fusion? That vibe?”

Professor Hwang’s hand trembles slightly.

“Teacher, your hand is shaking. You should take some magnesium.”

***

“Deputy Director Yu Bit-na, how is the Wendigo situation going?”

Yu Bit-na, who was in a non-stop joint meeting, turns on her phone.

There, a recent conversation with Saint K remains.

───

Me: Can you tail someone for me?

Han Ga-eul: Sure.

───

Tap, tap.

Yu Bit-na sends a message and waits a moment, then a reply comes flying in.

Buzz!

───

Me: Can you tail someone for me?

Han Ga-eul: Sure.

Me: Do you need anything besides Hellfire missiles and combat helicopters?

Han Ga-eul: Just ten thousand tons of enriched uranium.

───

“Ah, shoot.”

“Yes?”

The moderator opens his eyes wide and looks at Yu Bit-na.

“Nothing. It’s just, the Saint needs something… I’ll find out quickly.”

***

[Image placeholder]