Chapter 331: 77% (2)
Meanwhile.
On a clear afternoon at a police station in the city.
“Huh~”
Just when things had been calm for a while, how is it that this country has never had a quiet period since Dangun’s time?
While someone was peacefully choosing lunch, the nation’s law enforcement faced an emergency.
It’s because of the recent reemergence of Beasts, an unprecedented problem.
Simply having Gates is already a headache, and with Awakened ones causing havoc, the police are absolutely losing their minds.
“Sigh!”
But, hey, they signed up for this job, right?
One officer assigned to the case finally sat down at their desk.
Placing their hands on the laptop keyboard, they spoke as smoothly as possible.
“Now, we’ve got your personal information down. From here on out, please describe in detail what you witnessed in the dungeon.”
What’s the point of intimidating people who aren’t even suspects?
“Sure.”
Yet, before they could get a proper start, the testimonies that followed immediately flustered the investigator.
“So, what I’m saying is…”
“What we saw back then…”
“You’re wondering how we took down the three Beasts, right? The explanation is simple.”
The problem was that all witnesses mentioned the same name.
“Mr. Gi-ryeo did it.”
“It was Hunter Kim Gi-ryeo.”
“If I remember correctly, that was the moment Kim Gi-ryeo stepped in—”
The officer taking notes abruptly stopped, rubbing their temples.
After staring blankly at the ceiling for a while to cool off, they asked again.
“So, what you just said means…? To sum it up, the Fourth S-Class Hunter was the strongest in there… what was revealed was Enzo Chiano? So, he lured him away first, then single-handedly beat the culprit half to death from a distance before later rejoining his group?”
“Yes.”
“And combining the witnesses’ statements, it turns out that Enzo Chiano had a Legendary item in the dungeon?”
“That’s right.”
The introduction was already absurd.
First off, let’s set aside the fact that an American Hunter showed up.
But this was about a Legendary item—an incident involving modern weaponry that sends shivers down your spine.
Is it really possible that a single outstanding Hunter could handle all the threats?
‘This is insane.’
No matter how ridiculous it sounds, this is all they have to work with.
The investigator collected testimonies from Seo Esther, Jeong Ha-seong, and other association employees.
The resulting timeline of the incident was as follows:
‘In simpler terms, Kim Gi-ryeo incapacitated all the foreign S-Class Hunters.’
Not to mention, all by himself!
Originally, it seemed he never intended to make such a show, but with the ability of the [Book of Extermination], all the local thugs went down without a fight, prompting him to take action… or so the story goes.
The investigator’s head was spinning.
But what made even less sense was the damage that should have occurred during that process.
How does one E-ranked ability user fight three equal-ranked Hunters?
Even if Kim Gi-ryeo struggled briefly at some point, he was the only one who walked out of that dungeon on his own.
The reason he collapsed outside didn’t seem to be due to trauma after all.
“Hmm…”
Listening to this person’s testimony yielded another strange clue.
Though Esther couldn’t see clearly due to her hair obstructing her view, she felt that during the fight, Enzo’s attack had targeted a specific spot, and it was Kim Gi-ryeo, who was hit, that smashed into the wall and went silent for a while.
“Just between you and me, I almost fainted but was surprised enough to regain consciousness.”
What’s more, the fallen Kim Gi-ryeo soon got up on his own.
Immediately after, he experienced a feeling he, as an S-Class Hunter, had never felt before, and before he knew it, the situation was over, Esther recounted.
For reference, both Esther and Jeong Ha-seong still didn’t understand what kind of sensation they had felt back then.
Yet, when they added the testimony of a twenty-something woman who came afterward…
“I’m being completely honest. This is no lie.”
“Really?”
“Detective, my Awakening level is pretty much average among B-ranked, so how are you feeling right now?”
“Well… uh, wait. So, could it be…?”
“Yes. That’s right. What you’re feeling is the pressure we received from Hunter Kim Gi-ryeo.”
It was utterly absurd.
‘What? Isn’t Jeong Ha-seong’s innate awakening level pretty high too?’
If Seonwoo-yeon’s words were to be believed, it meant that the sensation felt by those in the dungeon was based on a level disparity.
‘No way. What does that even mean?’
The investigator briefly halted their typing.
They tried to maintain as objective an attitude as possible, but the more they listened, the more astonishing the stories became.
If they were to summarize what these few witnesses reported, it would go something like this:
Intimidated S-Class Hunters.
Overwhelming and killing fellow S-Class.
Resolving everything by completely obliterating an entire dungeon.
The existence of such a Hunter in South Korea defied all common sense.
‘And why was this person the only one hospitalized? This doesn’t make any sense.’
Their head felt like it was going to explode.
The unresolved questions kept piling up.
In this kind of situation, the best way to resolve matters would be to hear directly from Kim Gi-ryeo, but…
The well-known unknown Awakened with dyed hair was still comfortably lying in his hospital bed. For humanitarian reasons, summoning him right now was impossible.
So the police held their rising curiosities and continued speaking.
“Ahem. Understood. Then let’s wrap things up for today. If anything additional comes up during the investigation, I’ll contact you at this number.”
“Oh, okay.”
Thus concluded the first round of basic investigations.
“Phew~ Finally, I can breathe a bit.”
Once the high-ranking Hunters who had been called in for testimonies left, the pressure in the station’s atmosphere became lighter.
Now that they had heard the overview of the situation in the dungeon, it was time to deal with the real headaches.
“By the way! Hey! Has the result of the bodies we brought up come back yet?”
“Oh, yes. I just got a call from the forensic department.”
It was a case where three Beasts had illegally taken over a dungeon in the country.
In fact, just a few sentences describing this was more than enough for cold sweats to flow, but an even more shocking fact emerged.
“I just don’t get it. Why on earth would such people suddenly pop up here?”
From behind heavy skeletal masks, the top-tier Awakened of multiple countries began to emerge one after another.
The investigators confirmed the bodies of the three criminals who had leaked outside the dungeon.
And as they thoroughly removed all their outfits and items, one fact was undeniably proven.
The leader of that criminal group was certainly a famous Hunter from America.
“Huh.”
Who could have predicted such a big shot would show up?
Enzo Chiano.
This individual was known for his extreme ‘showmanship’. Despite his flaws of alcoholism, he was still regarded highly in the global fan community.
In fact, after Brooklyn Morgan went missing, he had even been pushed by the large Guild called Spectrum as their next banner.
‘This investigation is going to be a total nightmare from the get-go.’
So just what on earth led such a character here causing chaos?
‘Plus, he’s carrying the country’s [Book of Extermination].’
The investigator rifled through the gum container on their desk, deep in thought.
But no matter how much time they wasted, they couldn’t come to a conclusion on their own.
This was a case far too grand for anyone to imagine.
‘Hmm.’
What if it was just one star S-Class superhuman getting involved?
A national treasure that should have been under tight security leaking out is a whole different story.
Could anyone even clean up this mess?
‘Logically speaking, I think the U.S. would try to deny any relation to this…’
At that moment,
A new worry popped up in his mind.
It was about one Awakened person who had continuously been mentioned throughout all the testimony records.
‘By the way, this is strange. This Kim Gi-ryeo person. According to the results of the 4th test conducted by the association, his Awakening level was clearly below that of Seo Esther.’
Originally, self-defense can be quite tricky to judge, can’t it?
One cop thought.
Based on personal judgment, they felt there were merits to South Korea’s rather strict standards for self-defense.
But if the laws, which seem stingy against someone who appears to surpass even S-Class standards, were to be applied here…
‘To take out three S-Class Awakened illegally entering the country all by himself… a Hunter?’
What would the reaction be then?
Would the situation worsen than it already was?
Such thoughts surfaced, accompanied by worries that hovered in the back of the investigator’s mind…
*
A short while later, those worries came to reality.
“-What?”
Just two hours later.
Korean Hunter Association, Annex, First Floor.
“Did you just say… that decision is really finalized? It’s not just a discussion but a confirmed decision?”
“They say it is. Because Ms. Seonwoo-yeon was so curious, I kept asking until I finally got this message.”
Originally, in this languid time, they should have been prepping to fax off to another government office.
The Awakener with a double surname turned pale with nerves, their hands trembling quietly.
They’d just received a thunderstruck report from a colleague within their organization.
‘Three foreign Awakened have died, and they’ve decided to formally charge Kim Gi-ryeo?’
Since hearing the testimony in the morning and unintentionally catching the news afterward, Seonwoo-yeon’s expression darkened.
It was a life that was saved thanks to Kim Gi-ryeo reawakening everyone…
Thus, they were fundamentally in a position to protect someone.
‘Strange. During the testimony at the police station, the atmosphere seemed good. Nobody appeared to have any intention of pursuing Hunter Kim Gi-ryeo at all?’
Upon reflection, it made perfect sense that with three fatalities, things would not just blow over.
Yet several things bothered Seonwoo-yeon’s mind.
Initially, the investigation department, which had planned to press the U.S. about the [Book of Extermination], suddenly seemed to shift their angle for some peculiar reason.
Regardless of who initiated the hostilities within the dungeon, now that murder was the main issue, they were pointing the finger at Kim Gi-ryeo for his actions inside the dungeon.
‘What could possibly happen if it is revealed that we mishandled a situation in that process?’
She was someone who believed individuals should not stand above the law.
As such, she could understand the need for Kim Gi-ryeo’s questioning on one hand.
But then the problem lay in the identity of that suspect.
-Why so surprised? I’ve always been this strong.
It’s easy to forget certain details sometimes, but one S-Class Hunter had revealed that he was an external entity from an unknown constellation.
-If it helps, think of me like a martial arts hero who broke through a blood vein from yesterday and can finally live properly today.
As she listened, it seemed he had recently undergone some strange changes.
Yet, to call him an alien was… strange in itself.
Moreover, this peculiar individual, who seemingly had quirky traits even back in his homeland, was now being questioned in Earthly terms.
‘All I sense is that things are about to get worse.’
At that moment, Seonwoo-yeon felt a chill run down her spine.
Looking back, that extraterrestrial awakened being had previously made some bewildering claims concerning the issue of self-defense.
She grew anxious, fearing her acquaintance, who was likely unfamiliar with the legalities of this planet, might inadvertently create more charges against himself.
So she resorted to taking personal leave from work, heading straight to the hospital just after lunch.
‘If I hear that Hunter Kim Gi-ryeo isn’t in a state of flight risk, the police have already said they would simply ask him to come in normally. So, it would be okay to give him a heads up…’
Entering with permission was straightforward.
On the other side, perhaps due to having something else to attend to, when Seonwoo-yeon inquired via messenger, he readily accepted without hesitation.
‘So this is what the VIP ward looks like.’
Thanks to the items obtained from the dungeon, she’d practiced the [Seocher] skill at a low cost.
How convenient it is now.
Upper Floor.
Having ensured she had permission, Seonwoo-yeon confidently made her way, tracking down the alien.
After making her way to the rooftop garden, she soon came across a familiar face.
CRIICK!
Every time she laid eyes on him, she thought how convincing he looked with just his shell.
Who could see that man and think of any unidentified cosmic being?
‘Just as I thought.’
He didn’t ooze any green goo like the aliens from various media.
Nor did he have a head shaped like an overturned teardrop.
He was just a typical Korean young man one would encounter at the corner of an everyday alley.
‘Hmm.’
Seonwoo-yeon approached the fourth S-Class.
However, right from the start, an unbelievable sight unfolded before her.
Upon entry, she hadn’t realized because it was obscured behind a flower bed, but as she got closer, it became evident he was already in the midst of a conversation with someone.
Moreover, forced stiff like a viper, the man had his hands tightly gripping the hospital gown of an elderly patient.
“What the…?”
To elaborate further.
Here was the renowned figure of the new era, famous for saving countless Koreans, seen manhandling an elderly patient.
“Oh?”
At that very moment, Kim Gi-ryeo noticed her too.
The alien seemed caught off-guard, not expecting such a scene for a guest reception, as he opened his hand, showing a look of surprise under his impassive expression.
“Hello. I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but just to explain upfront, this is a misunderstanding.”
Who was that elderly patient, and what exactly had transgressed between the two?
