If there were a physical force behind people’s gazes, sparks and electricity would have flown between Yubin and Luche.
From the start, I had anticipated this situation. Since Siera and I had already had a physical altercation, I thought that even if they were to argue, they wouldn’t do it here.
The one who needed the most attention, naturally, was Luche. Like Siera, she already knew about my situation, but this was her first time meeting Yubin directly.
We had clashed before, but continuing the confrontation was the problem. Luche, who had learned everything about my circumstances, vented her emotions toward the HunterKiller Team during our clash. And, as expected, she was soundly defeated.
So, Luche’s feelings toward the HunterKiller Team couldn’t possibly improve.
“So, you’re telling me you came all the way here to talk about every little detail of the situation?”
Yubin also knew that Luche was aware of my circumstances. However, I’m not entirely sure what Yubin’s impression of Luche is right now.
“Did you think we’d just say ‘Sure, go ahead’ when you told us to leave it to you?”
“Why didn’t you mention that earlier when we were talking?”
“I wanted to hear everything you had to say. Why?”
I rolled my eyes, seeking help in this icy atmosphere. Angelique was watching the two with an awkward smile, while Siera let out a deep sigh without saying a word.
“I hope you don’t misunderstand that I came all the way into enemy territory just to ask for a favor.”
Suddenly, Yubin, sitting next to me, grabbed my hand firmly.
At that moment, Angelique, who had been smiling, and Luche’s eyebrows twitched.
Luche’s eyebrows twitched so much that her brow furrowed, and she glared at Yubin with a distorted expression.
“I know that Oppa hasn’t reported the recent events to the higher-ups. That’s why I came here to minimize any potential backlash.”
“Your actions right now could lead to backlash for the senior.”
“Are you an idiot?”
“What?”
“I’m in the heart of enemy territory right now. And the one who contributed the most to getting me here isn’t any of your officers—it’s Oppa, a regular soldier.”
Yubin being here was akin to being captured by the enemy, and the one who played the biggest role in that was me. In other words, Yubin’s presence here alone was enough to acknowledge my achievements.
I thought she had come all the way to the Spacystro headquarters because she was worried something might happen to me while discussing the signal base.
There was some logic to Yubin’s words, and Luche couldn’t refute her, continuing to glare at her while clicking her tongue.
Luche probably doesn’t want to cause me any harm either. The reason she turned a blind eye to me not reporting to the higher-ups and continuing the investigation was to ensure that my actions weren’t restricted.
“First, let’s not fight. Can we calm down a little and talk?”
I tried to ease the tension, but neither of them seemed willing to back down.
“Alright. I get that just you being here acknowledges the senior’s achievements. But that doesn’t mean we have to hand over the signal base to you.”
“I feel like we’re going in circles. I didn’t come here to ask for a favor.”
“And there’s no reason for us to grant it.”
It’s like a broken record. If this continues, we might end up repeating the same argument—or worse, it could escalate into a physical fight. Both of them have been in long-standing conflicts and are leaders of their respective teams, so while they wouldn’t actually fight, the tension was palpable.
“Haah…”
Siera, who had let out another deep sigh, stood up. I thought that after clashing with Yubin once, Siera might have gained a bit of clarity and could help, so I looked at her with hopeful eyes.
And then, Siera left the meeting room.
Is this what it feels like when a glimmer of hope vanishes in an instant?
“First, let’s calm down and take things one step at a time.”
Angelique, who had been observing the situation, calmed the two down. Unlike when I was speaking, the two seemed to ease up a little, sensing the mood.
“If we close our ears to each other’s arguments, we won’t be able to make any progress. And because it’s difficult to hand over the signal base to HunterKiller, A proposed forming a task force.”
If the HunterKiller Team and Spacystro were to form a temporary group, it’s unclear how the personnel would be organized. After reporting to the higher-ups, it’s likely that personnel dispatched from above would be involved.
There are many things to be cautious about in that process.
A surprise attack on the signal base by the HunterKiller Team would be equivalent to attacking a facility under the Earth Defense Union.
While it’s about uncovering a mysterious facility, people outside wouldn’t look beneath the surface when the story gets out.
It’s certain that the HunterKiller Team would face a barrage of criticism.
If the HunterKiller Team were to leave the Earth Defense Union at that point, I could bring all the girlfriends to Spacystro.
But for now, it’s best for everyone to remain affiliated with the HunterKiller Team. Even if they were to transfer, if everything were to be exposed, the girlfriends would find it difficult to lead their normal lives.
So, the best course of action is to stay within the Earth Defense Union for as long as possible and join Spacystro at the appropriate time for an appropriate reason.
“I understand the reasoning behind Red’s proposal. Since it’s a matter for the Earth Defense Union. But we’re also in a position where we have to report to the higher-ups and await orders, so it’s difficult to give you a clear answer right now.”
Handing it over to the HunterKiller Team isn’t within our jurisdiction. As Angelique calmly explained in a way that was easy to understand, Yubin finally relaxed her furrowed brow.
“While A’s disciplinary action can’t be avoided, I’ll do my best to minimize the backlash.”
Despite all the events that have occurred, not reporting to the higher-ups is clearly a mistake. However, since we’ve achieved notable results, it seems the disciplinary action won’t be too severe.
“If the HunterKiller Team were to investigate the signal base, what are you planning to find out?”
“Information about the Hyper-human experiments. We’ve heard about the signal issue, but even if we investigate it, there are technical limitations.”
For Spacystro, the information about the Hyper-human experiments is also important, but the signal issue is currently a higher priority.
Since both organizations have different objectives regarding the same target, it’s unlikely there will be a conflict over it.
But in the midst of all this, I’ll be the one extremely busy trying to gather information on both the Hyper-human experiments and the signal issue. Still, if it’s just me being busy, I’ll welcome it.
“Alright. Let’s take a break for now. Esmeralda suggested we take a short break, and if we keep talking like this, it’s hardly a break.”
“Then I’ll just go to the restroom for a moment…”
Thanks to Angelique, the tension eased, and I was finally able to stand up and leave the meeting room.
“!”
As soon as I stepped out of the meeting room, I ran into Theo.
Looking around, I noticed many people peeking out from various offices.
It’s only natural. Red, the leader of the HunterKiller Team, who we’ve been at odds with for years, has personally arrived at the Spacystro headquarters, so it’s understandable that people are curious.
“What’s going on?”
Especially my long-time colleagues were most curious about why Yubin and I had come together.
“Ah, well…”
We’ve reached the point where there’s no more hiding it, and trying to hide it now is futile.
“She’s my girlfriend.”
“What?”
Theo looked utterly dumbfounded. To put it more harshly, his expression was downright idiotic, more so than any expression I’ve seen after all the crazy things I’ve done.
“Red, the leader of the HunterKiller Team, is my girlfriend.”
“…….”
Perhaps it took some time for him to process the straightforward explanation. Theo was having a hard time coming to his senses.
I headed to the restroom, and once he regained his composure, Theo followed closely behind.
“How? Why?”
“It’s a long story. Not just Red, but the entire HunterKiller Team.”
Theo’s footsteps stopped abruptly. After walking a few more steps, I turned around to see him standing there with a complex, subtle expression before letting out a sigh.
“What kind of mess are you stirring up now?”
Given that he’s always been the one to clean up after me, he’s probably thinking I have some ulterior motive this time, too.
“What mess? You were involved, too.”
But there’s no ulterior motive. I’m dating the entire HunterKiller Team and have been investigating the Hyper-human experiments for my girlfriends.
Many people have helped me along the way, and Theo is one of them.
“The hacking tool you helped create was also used by Red to hack.”
“So that’s what happened…”
Theo, who helped create the hacking tool, must have had many questions. It wasn’t a remote hack but a USB-based hacking tool that required physical insertion, which I did as easily as washing my hands.
While he had doubts, he didn’t bring them up. Now, the puzzle pieces in Theo’s mind have fallen into place.
“I won’t ask about what happened. I’ll find out once the report to the higher-ups comes out.”
Theo was also mentally overwhelmed, but I’m the most out of it right now. Having left the meeting room where the leader of the HunterKiller Team and four executives of the Spacystro Seoul Branch were present, I’m mentally exhausted. Realizing this, Theo didn’t ask any further questions.
“Make sure Roy and Alt stay in line.”
“Got it.”
Before entering the restroom, I left Theo with that instruction. Among the many past invasions, there have been few instances where internal matters of Spacystro have leaked.
While everyone keeps their mouths tightly shut, there’s a lot of internal chatter. I’d rather not have Roy and Alt, who are close to me, spread unnecessary rumors and amplify the internal gossip.
When I returned to the meeting room after the restroom, Esmeralda and Siera, who had left earlier, were seated.
I sat back down beside Yubin, and Esmeralda handed me a document.
“These are the military laws you violated in this incident. Check for any errors.”
“Understood.”
After that, the discussion continued, focusing on past events. As we talked, Esmeralda drafted the report, and I also decided to write it myself, thinking it would be difficult to explain everything verbally.
For parts where my memory was unclear, Yubin helped fill in the gaps. If I had brought all my girlfriends, the report might have been more accurate, but given the atmosphere today, it’s a good thing only Yubin came.
A few days later, the report was submitted to the higher-ups, but there was no mention of disciplinary action. Perhaps they’re reviewing the situation further before deciding. I decided to clear my mind and wait.
I planned to tell Klugger the truth once the official document was out, but since it kept delaying the mention of any disciplinary action, I kept postponing it.
While I was waiting, it wasn’t a peaceful wait. Esmeralda and Luche periodically checked with me for any errors in the report and whether collaboration with the HunterKiller Team was possible.
Of course, I discussed this with my girlfriends every time I returned home. They all agreed to collaborate with Spacystro in investigating the signal base.
I’m not sure if it’s because they don’t mind working with Spacystro while being with me, or if the investigation itself is more important than the collaboration.
And then Tuesday came.
The official document finally arrived, and I sat down to review it. The location wasn’t my office desk but the living room at home.
My girlfriends were seated in a row to my right, and to my left were the four Team Leaders.
“I’ll check it now.”
I opened the document on the hologram monitor. The Team Leaders had already reviewed it, so they weren’t nervous. It’s clear they came all the way to my home because of what they found in the document.
As I opened the document and read through it, one section caught my eye.
There was a lot of content, but one line stood out:
“Task Force: HunterKiller Team and Spacystro have been granted permission to form a joint task force for the signal base investigation. Initiation of the operation under the task force is authorized. The issue is…
“Operation Commander: A, 3rd Team, Spacystro Seoul Branch.”
The person in charge of this operation wasn’t a Team Leader or a member of the HunterKiller Team—it was me.
I’d rather have faced disciplinary action…
