Chapter 23

23.

Rooftop of Korea University Hospital.

Baek Min-ho stood on the rooftop railing.

“Yes, you’re coming up? It’s midnight right now. What are you busy doing at this hour that you need to call someone?”

– Sorry, but I need your help for a moment.

He tilted his smartphone between his head and shoulder.

“What do you need me to help with?”

– It’s a medical issue.

“I’ve already provided all the necessary surgical and internal support regarding the Major.”

– It’s not about me.

“Yes, then who?”

– Lee Seong-han.

“Ah.”

Baek Min-ho let out a sigh.

He was so shocked when he received the call. He rushed over in the university hospital ambulance.

He didn’t know the details.

He came in such a hurry.

Baek Min-ho thought it was because of the Gate.

Lately, many Gates had opened. That was true.

Moreover, the VIP young man wasn’t even slightly injured. He only had some bruises and scars.

The problem was the woman.

“Her name was Kang Jin-young, right?”

She was in critical condition.

And who was she?

Kang Mi-young’s younger sister.

If she couldn’t be saved, it would be a disaster. Baek Min-ho had seen Kang Mi-young’s temper over the years.

“Should we call for more personnel?”

“Call everyone! Do everything to increase her survival rate!”

So, he managed her with utmost care.

There was no sign of her waking up yet, but her condition had improved, which was fortunate.

‘But the aftermath was the problem.’

Each organization had deployed their personnel.

Kang Mi-young’s side was the Hunter Management Bureau.

Kang Jin-young was with a ghost company of the National Intelligence Service.

– “This fact must not be discovered. Hunter Management Bureau. Are you doing your job properly?”

– “We should be the ones saying that. The security failure issue has also affected us! What are we going to do?”

– “What? Are you done talking?!”

– “Yeah, I’m done talking. What are you gonna do about it!”

Baek Min-ho also wanted to point out the security issue this time.

– Where are you?

“Rooftop. The password is…”

– Got it. I’ll be there soon.

By the time Baek Min-ho finished a pack of cigarettes, the rooftop door opened.

“Long time no see, Major. You don’t look so good.”

“Let’s skip the small talk.”

“That’s what I thought. I wanted to share some good news, but I can’t, so it’s a shame.”

Where should I start?

Baek Min-ho crushed the freshly lit cigarette with his shoe.

When it’s important, he handles it seriously.

“First, your sister’s condition will be difficult for a while.”

“How long?”

“Like any mana shock, it won’t last long. About three days? Her constitution is quite unique.”

Baek Min-ho put his arms into the pockets of his white coat.

“How are the two of them?”

“The treatment process has started. As you said, they should be quiet for a few days.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Hey, that’s not a relieved expression.”

Why did you have to say that?

A glaring look.

Baek Min-ho, overwhelmed by the pressure, stepped back.

“Lee Seong-han. That guy is different from the start, so there was no need to intervene.”

Baek Min-ho shrugged his shoulders and then suddenly turned his body as if something flashed in his mind.

“Right. His arm─”

“Arm?”

“It almost got torn off. Is there any other measure?”

“Another measure.”

Kang Mi-young suddenly became quiet. Not even her breathing could be heard.

“Major, this is just my opinion, but with your busy schedule, do you really need to drag that guy around?”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

Kang Mi-young’s face, which had been silent for a while.

It was all scrunched up.

Like someone who heard something they shouldn’t have.

It’s not for nothing that I’m dragging him around.

It’s hard to solve everything alone.

I need to train a successor.

Talented individuals like Kang Mi-young are rare.

Even if there’s potential, if they leave the country, it’s hopeless.

“I know what you’re thinking. You’re probably desperate because you can’t eat now. It’s obvious, so obvious.”

Don’t you get it?

It might be taken away.

They say the enemy within is the most dangerous, and Kang Mi-young was feeling it firsthand.

Her sister, who had maintained a peaceful relationship, turned out to be such a traitor.

She was trembling with betrayal.

“It will be hard to move in that condition. Maybe if you get an extreme prescription, it might be okay.”

[Kang Mi-young’s ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)’ is activated.]

“Is that so.”

Kang Mi-young’s breathing.

It became strangely shallow.

Her face looked like she was drowning in guilt.

She quickly lowered her head.

‘Why is she like this all of a sudden?’

Wasn’t Kang Mi-young known for her cold rationality? There’s even a rumor that her veins flow with coolant instead of blood.

Today, she felt something was off.

“Thank you. Your help was invaluable.”

“Not at all. I’m also busy with work. I’ll contact you when she wakes up.”

“Understood.”

Kang Mi-young carefully descended the rooftop stairs.

She hurriedly took a few steps and then crouched down.

Her pupils were dark, as if stained red.

‘It was me. I hit my head… But I didn’t believe it. It was definitely the Puppet Master.’

[Kang Mi-young’s ‘Victim Delusion’ is activated.]

She closed her eyes.

There was no one in the world she could trust.

* * *

An unfamiliar ceiling.

A white tiled ceiling.

[『Discharge Quest』]

[You have been unintentionally re-enlisted. Accumulate achievements and get discharged.]

“…Damn, that’s still there.”

Lee Seong-han felt like he had woken up from a hangover. The sharp smell of disinfectant. Definitely a hospital. It’s not a dream.

If it were a dream?

He would have woken up at home, not here. Lee Seong-han carefully turned his head.

Crack.

The sound of bones clicking filled the room. Another single room with no one. He could rest quietly.

“Ugh.”

His neck was stiff.

His back was aching.

It felt like he had a nightmare.

Rustle.

The sliding door opened, and a doctor entered.

One person.

The familiar posture was Baek Min-ho.

“I’m a doctor, a doctor! Oh my, look at this kid! Where are you touching!”

“Sorry, but I need to verify your identity first─”

“Which department are you from? Security!!”

Baek Min-ho had a brief standoff with the guard before stumbling over.

“Ah, you’re awake. Sorry for the mess. Welcome to Korea University. How’s your condition?”

“Korea University?”

“National Army Capital Hospital is undergoing normalization work, so we’re temporarily using it together.”

Korea University.

The top university in South Korea.

A prestigious institution recognized worldwide.

Why was he here?

“You were injured.”

“Ah.”

Hunter Association.

The incidents that happened there overlapped in his mind.

Right, he met Kang Mi-young at the end.

After that, he couldn’t remember.

But it was easy to figure out the answer.

Just ask directly.

“Officer. You’re awake.”

They say if you talk about a tiger, it will come.

Now it’s the era of S-Rank hunters.

Lee Seong-han saluted formally.

“Loyalty!”

“At ease.”

“Hmph.”

“There was a lot of work while you were gone, so I’m sorry for being late. Can you spare some time?”

* * *

Lee Seong-han put on his coat and staggered out.

First-floor reception room of Korea University Hospital.

It was a space made for VIP reception, but today Kang Mi-young had reserved it.

“Take a seat. Sorry for calling you at such an early hour.”

“It’s okay…”

Lee Seong-han’s condition had already improved.

His speech was normal, and the conversation was normal.

Except for the bandage wrapped around his head.

“Can you tell me in detail what happened? Over there.”

Lee Seong-han explained the events at the Hunter Association in order.

The appearance of the Puppet Master.

The fake association president.

The truth about climbing the tower.

The incompetence of the South Korean government.

And their escape plan after the tower collapsed.

“I don’t know what to believe,” he added with a sigh.

Kang Mi-young scanned Lee Seong-han’s scarred limbs.

｢…He’s injured. That damn Kang Jin-young caused this mess.｣

Being in the military is a pain.

Kang Mi-young knew that.

But fleeing abroad?

Impossible.

Awakened Ones have no choice.

Every day when she woke up, she thought it might be better to die.

But Kang Mi-young.

She also had people to take responsibility for.

“Officer, I will handle this matter seriously. I promise to capture the Puppet Master.”

Kang Mi-young spoke calmly while twisting her body.

As if she had something to say.

“Moreover, you have a promotion exam coming up, right?”

“Promotion exam? Don’t you just get promoted when it’s time?”

“What are you talking about? You have to take a promotion exam to be considered a proper Awakened One.”

The explanation was this.

Awakened Ones who have completed their military duties according to their rank?

They must take a promotion exam.

At this time, a prerequisite is to obtain a Hunter license.

There are several benefits when promoted.

The discharge period is reduced.

And you receive advantages in various public services.

Lee Seong-han, who had been listening intently, nodded as if it wasn’t bad.

“I’ll be returning to my main job soon.”

“That’s right.”

“How about getting some equipment first?”

Equipment? Lee Seong-han was lost in thought for a moment. The last time he got proper equipment was when he enlisted.

He scraped together all the money he had, even the money he didn’t have.

“Is my equipment that bad?”

Lee Seong-han took a sip of barley tea.

It was from the VIP reception room. It was savory and refreshing.

“I’ll cover the equipment cost. Investing in talented individuals is a natural duty as a senior.”

The content was quite appealing.

Lee Seong-han also thought it wasn’t bad.

‘Definitely better than being a free player.’

Even Non-Awakened can use good equipment if they have money.

“The equipment you’re using now has accumulated fatigue from long-term use. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s correct.”

Lee Seong-han shook out the equipment he brought and found the greatsword.

A dagger made from grinding magic stones.

It’s a mass-produced item available to the public.

The price is reasonable.

Isn’t that the magic stone that can pierce steel?

Its cutting power is excellent.

“If you need advice from a senior regarding equipment, I can go with you. How about it?”

Kang Mi-young, who had been speaking well, suddenly paused.

“Cough, cough!”

She blushed and waved her hand.

“Ah! Of course, I’m not forcing you!”

“Is that so.”

“I should respect your wishes. If it’s burdensome, I apologize in advance.”

* * *

“…Is it burdensome to go around with an old lady like me?”

“Not at all!”

“Ugh. I made a fool of myself. I hope you don’t think strangely of me.”

“Major, you’re pretty and capable. Any man would like you. Hehe.”

“Ugh.”

Kang Mi-young turned her head.

“Flattery is enough.”

Her pupils were blurry. Her breathing was rough. Was she in pain?

You can’t package goodwill differently.

You have to clearly state your intentions.

“Please come with me. I trust you, Major.”

What could possibly happen?

…

…

…

｢Hitting my head really brought me back to normal.｣

‘Huh?’

Exactly three days later.

Lee Seong-han was attacked by Kang Mi-young.

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