There are many superhumans representing the nation.
China has the Five Stars, the EU has its Executive Committee, and the New Continent has its Specialists. Each country has its superhumans, and their titles differ.
Then, what about South Korea?
The Iron Blood Empress.
The Puppet Master.
The Saintess.
These three are all there is.
Collectively, they are called S-Rank.
Given the small size of the land, there are fewer superhumans compared to other countries.
However, there is no place more suitable for gaining real combat experience than South Korea.
The Gates surging from the DMZ.
Extreme natural environments.
Frequent mutations.
It’s practically the best environment to become a superhuman, but the actual rate of becoming one is rare. Most die before they can. That’s why people focus their attention on the limited number of S-Ranks.
They are considered humanity’s heroes and shields. It’s only natural to be enthusiastic about them.
And when an S-Rank was stripped of their title…
-?
-What’s this?
-Is this for real?
-BS.
-LOL.
People were thrown into extreme confusion.
Kang Mi-young had the duty to somehow quell this chaos.
“Is that sword really going to cut through?”
“If you’re scared, wait here. This elevator can withstand even a dragon’s strike.”
“W-Wait? B-But, Major, this prison is incredibly…”
*Shaking uncontrollably.*
Lieutenant Min clung to the elevator safety bar, struggling.
This prison, known as South Korea’s Alcatraz, is a facility built by remodeling a remote island.
It’s terrifying, to be honest.
Once you’re locked in, there’s no escape.
“Disgusting. I know.”
One of South Korea’s top powers has fallen.
And for the highest crime of an Awakened One—treason.
The arrest of such an S-Rank has caused a stir overseas. It’s a problem for South Korea’s ironclad defense.
Media control failed.
It was widely reported, and other countries took advantage of the chaos to extend their influence over South Korea.
‘That can’t happen.’
Kang Mi-young walked down the corridor, her military boots echoing.
Today, there’s an interrogation.
The lowest level of the prison. This place is guarded by elite forces from the National Intelligence Service, Hunter Association, Military Manpower Administration, and Hunter Management Bureau.
Security personnel moved swiftly, raising barriers.
[Restricted Zone activated.]
The Restricted Zone. An area where Awakened Ones cannot use their abilities. It’s renewed monthly at a high cost, paid for by taxpayers.
It’s about the price of a private jet. Kang Mi-young couldn’t quite grasp it but roughly understood.
It’s worth paying such a cost to imprison a lunatic like Hong Seo-min.
“You look pale. Long time no see.”
After passing through several barriers and checkpoints, she entered the special room. Hong Seo-min was sitting in her favorite chair.
Her legs were draped over the armrest, leaning back arrogantly.
Also, her pale skin stood out, perhaps because she was completely naked.
“We don’t have time for small talk. Answer honestly.”
Visits can’t last long due to security concerns.
“Do I need to swear an oath or something?”
Kang Mi-young sat down quietly, her breath trembling.
“It’s so uncomfortable here. I wish they’d move me back to the theater.”
“A criminal making excessive demands, huh?”
“Who did I kill?”
“You─”
“It was the puppets. They can act outside my control, right? I can’t control everything.”
*Bullshit.*
It was obvious she was trying to worm her way out, spitting nonsense.
Hong Seo-min, locked in the special room, had a radiant face. Like it was dripping with oil.
Was it an act?
Doubt filled Kang Mi-young’s mind. She furrowed her brows.
After all, she started as a child actor. She could perform emotional acts in the blink of an eye. It was impressive—no, astonishing.
A genius.
That’s the term used to describe Hong Seo-min. A top actress and theater performer who led South Korea’s film industry.
After awakening in her early 20s, she climbed to the very top.
It’s not worth irritating her.
“I’ll ask the questions first.”
“Hmm.”
Kang Mi-young smirked coldly.
Various questions were exchanged.
The identity of the Tower.
The justification for her actions.
Her abilities.
As she pondered the questions, Hong Seo-min ran her fingers over her freshly trimmed nails.
“So, shall we make a deal?”
“A deal? Ha, are you suggesting I collude with the enemy? That’s a foolish move. This conversation is being recorded. It’ll work against you in the trial.”
“Recorded, huh? Hmm, interesting. I have the information you want. You just need to give me one thing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“That man.”
*That man?*
Kang Mi-young couldn’t understand. What could Lee Seong-han possibly have that she wants so badly?
……Though she herself is the same.
“……I’ll exercise my right to refuse to answer.”
She firmly rejected it.
She’s been stabbed in the back too many times before. Hong Seo-min chuckled as if it was an expected reaction.
“He’s a spaceship flying without fuel. Whoosh—Boom! Without the help of an expert like me, he’s destined to crash. You’re the same. You need him.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Well, you’ll have to figure it out yourself. Hehehe. You’re already contaminated by him.”
The conversation with Hong Seo-min continued without substance.
After returning from the prison, Kang Mi-young went home.
The next day.
After her meal, Kang Mi-young opened a cylindrical pill bottle.
“…….”
The plastic felt okay. When she opened the lid, she saw the pills. White. A strong artificial fragrance hit her nose.
Her mouth reflexively dried up. She hesitated at the small dining table.
She had to take this.
If she didn’t, she’d go insane.
If she didn’t take it?
Hallucinations would appear.
Auditory hallucinations would occur.
They would attack her.
If she fought back?
They’d scatter and reform. An unbeatable, worst enemy.
The problem was, this happened every day. Kang Mi-young hated it.
1 hour, 1 minute, 1 second.
Even after taking the pills, she couldn’t calm down.
She was on the verge of going insane.
Even she, praised as an iron-willed person, couldn’t endure it. Would others understand? They’d probably dismiss it as nonsense.
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Kang Mi-young swallowed the pill.
She believed. She had to believe. This was a magical item that could cure her condition.
But was this really the right thing? Was it truly the best solution? Kang Mi-young gagged and rushed to the sink.
…She vomited blood. It smelled terrible, as if her insides were rotting.
When was the last time she felt okay?
Kang Mi-young slowly retraced her memories.
The best time was last December and this January. What happened back then? Ah, she was on a mission with Lee Seong-han.
“When I was with him……”
Kang Mi-young wiped her chin. Strangely, her condition improved. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason.
She could only speculate.
“Did I receive some kind of reward? For defeating that Mirginos. Even the emergency quest reward. That’s likely the case.”
Kang Mi-young’s level had increased.
She gained an enormous amount of experience points.
Kang Jin-young’s magic proficiency had increased.
She could now use high-tier magic without issue.
Then, what about Lee Seong-han?
As a support-type, did he receive some kind of support trait?
Ah, how wonderful!—The image of him running wild backstage came to mind. Being with him created a subtle difference.
Like taking a pill.
Her mind cleared.
It was even more effective than the pills.
Her face regained color, and her body was filled with energy. It was like returning to her prime. How else could she look younger?
At first, she didn’t think much of it. Ah, my body feels lighter today—that’s what Kang Mi-young thought at the time.
One day.
One week.
One month.
As the time spent apart from Lee Seong-han increased, her condition rapidly deteriorated.
“M-My stomach……”
To relieve the discomfort, she rushed to the bathroom. She gagged and vomited blood several times at the sink.
She was slowly dying. She could instinctively feel it. If this continued, she would really die.
Kang Mi-young wiped the blood from her mouth. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
“Is that… me?”
The reflection wasn’t the vibrant self she once was.
It was just a corpse.
A zombie.
Yes, similar to a zombie.
A monster threatening humanity.
Exhaustion.
The shadow of death loomed over her, a far cry from her prime when she faced it head-on.
‘I need it.’
Her gaze trembled like a drug addict’s.
Without realizing it, she prepared to go out. The smartphone she hadn’t used in a while. Dust had piled up from staying at home.
[Lee Seong-han 010-XXXX-XXXX]
*Ring ring—*
She awkwardly dialed the number and held it to her ear.
-Yes, this is Lee Seong-han.
“W-Where are you? It’s urgent. Right now.”
-Is this Major Kang?
“Just tell me where you are.”
“I’m with your sister. Uh, here is…”
-………….
It was 20 minutes before she arrived at Lee Seong-han’s location.
* * *
Why is this happening?
Her face just wouldn’t relax.
[‘Block’ expresses discomfort at the non-official touching the body.]
[‘Regeneration’ says, “Honestly… I think Kang Mi-young noona is the true pure-hearted official.”]
[‘Super-Recon’ exclaims, 『Re-Really?! What are you talking about?!』]
[‘Automatic Combat’ nags to just get to work already.]
Kang Mi-young gently held hands.
“You.”
“Ah. Yes.”
“…Stay by my side. Don’t let go.”
Like a parent holding onto a child, Kang Mi-young’s grip was strong and firm.
The guests inside didn’t notice, but.
Lee Seong-han.
Kang Mi-young.
Kang Jin-young.
This trio’s encounter was as cold as the polar opposite of the heatwave warning outside.
“M-Major─”
*Pfft.*
“Don’t open your mouth. Just… stay quiet. You don’t need to mix titles. I’m not here officially. Besides…”
Kang Mi-young’s rough hand covered his mouth.
*Thud!*
Her hand was soft yet firm. Despite the calluses, it was still a woman’s hand.
The sound of air being cut off.
Even his breathing was blocked in an instant.
“You. Will you stay quiet?”
…
…
…
*Lick.*
The bumpy sensation on her palm. A familiar texture. Something she had stroked countless times before.
A tongue.
It was definitely a tongue.
“······.”
「Crazycrazycrazy」
Thought. Judgment. Action.
Just 3 seconds.
“Y-You!”
Kang Mi-young’s arm quickly dropped.
She gasped for breath, her body trembling periodically, as if from a chilling sensation.
“Are you crazy?!”
Her face turned as red as a ripe tomato. Did he have no sense of propriety? He’s not a dog.
She couldn’t understand this man. Just seeing him made her heart race, and she couldn’t control herself.
“I’m not crazy. I thought I’d suffocate to death. Besides, I had no other way to get your attention. I’m sorry.”
“······.”
Kang Mi-young held her hand to her chest.
“Do you have no sense of propriety?! How could you lick a woman’s hand?!”
*Lick her hand?*
The image of the workshop incident overlapped in her mind.
A woman aggressively teasing him, while the man struggled beneath her.
At best, it was a romantic comedy (?), at worst, a sexual assault (fact).
“······I thought you were a barbarian. Unnie, are you crazy?”
Kang Jin-young smirked. Her fresh date (self-proclaimed) was ruined by her sister’s sudden appearance.
Kang Mi-young, unfazed by the sudden attack, counterattacked.
Her skin regained vitality, and her body surged with energy.
‘There’s definitely something about this man.’
Kang Mi-young could instinctively feel it.
“R-Recently, I’ve been dealing with major terrorism issues. Can a 10-nation brain like you afford to laze around here? I have… personal business with you.”
“The Awakened terrorist incidents have already been resolved. Is your business perhaps─”
He cut himself off.
“Why did you take the military Awakened soldiers?! Military Awakened soldiers are under the Hunter Management Bureau’s jurisdiction! Not the National Intelligence Service.”
“Ah, right. Only ‘females’ are included.”
Kang Jin-young scoffed.
“Male Awakened management is the 10-nation’s job. Not yours, unnie.”
*Zap.* Sparks flew between their eyes.
“Let’s leave that talk for now.”
Kang Mi-young pulled out a few napkins and wiped her hands. Then she stuffed them into her pocket.
“Your opinion is what matters, right?”
Both their gazes focused on Lee Seong-han.
“If this wench is bothering you, just say the word. I’ll cut her down for you.”
“Hmph. If it’s just crippling unnie, that’s possible. Remember last time? If it weren’t for Seong-han, unnie would’ve been dead already.”
“Have you ever been hit by an Aura Blade? It cuts through anything. I can show you. Where should I cut?”
“Unnie couldn’t even cross her arms, could she?”
“A coward who can’t even hold hands has a lot to say.”
“Crude things are worse than delicate ones.”
Kang Jin-young boldly pointed at her crop top.
“Bullshit. You’d starve a baby with those small things.”
“Done talking?”
The sisters’ battle of wits was cut short by the shop owner Kim Yeon’s sharp gaze. But the war wasn’t over yet—
It would continue elsewhere.
“Coffee.”
[-Order complete.]
“Fruit.”
[-Order canceled.]
“Coffee!!!”
[-Order complete.]
“Fruit!!!”
[-Order canceled.]
…
…
…
“Uh, hey.”
I’d be fine with just a glass of water.
Lee Seong-han’s timid voice went unheard.
He sighed.
“I have to go to the exam soon. Ugh.”
The promotion exam.
The mandatory course for Awakened soldiers awaited him.