READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 333: 78%
Forget personal reputation or whatever. A Hunter from South Korea decided to play a bold card and threaten to leave for a neighboring country.
The mammals gathered in the room showed a common reaction.
“Are they crazy?”
Their expressions were a clear window into their thoughts.
But dismissing someone’s naturalization remark as mere provocation was tricky, especially with a few suspicious clues around, leading the venue into an eerie silence.
“Why does everyone look like that?”
Even when I asked again, the surroundings remained silent.
Eyes floating lifelessly like dead fish.
Objectively speaking, I was the one who had those elements staring blankly at others beneath thick eyelids.
Would this even come across as a good feeling to them?
I may not know much about physiognomy on Earth, but from my past experiences, I had learned one thing.
When a big dark guy’s eyes are wide open like that, ordinary folks hesitate to push their opinions forward.
And thankfully, the mood that followed was as expected.
“His eyes really look insane. He must genuinely mean what he said…”
“It sure seems like he’s serious.”
If such thoughts crossed their minds, everything was flowing smoothly.
Having completed my planned actions, I shifted my posture lightly.
I figured the unnecessary mental warfare could end here, so I leaned back comfortably, maintaining my focus.
*
And after a while…
-……
The danger that had suddenly befell the aliens was over in an instant.
To those who didn’t know, it might seem quite anticlimactic.
However, just because the incident wrapped up quietly didn’t mean it came easily.
This outcome was birthed from someone’s basic insights and meticulous investigations combined.
-Excuse me. I hope I heard this right, but the Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter threw out a naturalization statement before the interrogation even properly started?
“Yes!”
Again, I dropped a bombshell, asserting that if they penalized me for this incident, I would just end up switching to another country.
So, what could the natives of Earth do about it?
I still didn’t know what motives or means the particular power brokers who summoned me had when they came to this gathering.
“No matter how much magic I’ve regained, I can’t go around opening people’s heads every time I’m curious.”
However, if that Hunter in front of me discarded his nationality and hinted at mentioning those who touched him, then everything else didn’t matter in the slightest.
They couldn’t even attempt a minor negotiation.
Moreover, I thought this kind of threat was instead a very peaceful choice.
“I told you not to worry, right? From the beginning, I only intended to settle things through words.”
Not some fake scammer pretending to be S-Class, but a true SS-Class superhuman.
Who would want to physically fight something like that in this world?
“Of course, using this too often can have side effects, but since I acted for the greater good in the last dungeon, I think it’ll be fine this once.”
But seeing how much the tension eased, they may not have originally intended to pressure others strongly.
What I had predicted as their main reason for potential pressure was that a foreigner was involved in the incident.
“Rather than entirely blaming Enzo, having a slight fault attributed to Koreans would make negotiations easier between the two nations. Looking at it from an insurance-like perspective, I would want to know if the victim made some sort of mistake too.”
But no matter how strongly a nation requested something, ultimately, Kim Gi-ryeo was Korean.
Would making a fuss over someone who shared nationality or affiliation be considered comfortable for everyone involved?
Maybe some among them found a legitimate excuse to turn a blind eye and saw it as a good thing.
“At least a couple of people in that room had a clue.”
Anyway, I was fortunate to have my actions recognized as legitimate self-defense.
Then it happened.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice came through the receiver.
-Of all people…
That distinct tone of fairness.
It was Seonwoo-yeon.
-The Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter just thought to use nationality change as leverage…?
At first, she seemed to think about checking if I was detained through this call.
But as the conversation continued, Seonwoo-yeon pondered something deeper.
“Shall I take a guess?”
Presumably, her curiosity revolved around how I, an alien, managed to select elements that would resonate with Earthlings so well.
When I completed my thoughts, I answered cheerfully even though she hadn’t asked directly.
“You noticed, huh? Firstly, I could infer that the immigration of an S-Class Hunter wouldn’t be welcomed based on military power.”
-……
“Well, since I planned to intimidate, it’s better to do it effectively, so I asked for names of people present. Strong soldiers in the country would naturally be a welcome detail, but whether I could wield that weapon was another matter, as people like Go Byeong-do may not be so easily intimidated by defection threats.”
-……
“Oh, but I was afraid that wouldn’t be enough, so I added a personal touch…”
Now that I think about it, it’s funny how life twists like this.
“It seems that the closer regions are, the more they tend to care about each other? So, I picked neighboring countries like China and Japan as examples for naturalization.”
It had been almost a year since I stepped foot into this world of mammals.
Initially, I was living off sweet red bean buns due to magical side effects, barely scraping by. Who would’ve guessed I would become someone studying the societal structure of another world?
“But what do you think about what I said there?”
I leaned closer to the phone and waited.
A little later.
Some B-Class Hunter responded in a tired voice.
To be precise, it was an evaluation from a native of this planet.
–“…Compared to a normal declaration of naturalization, the way Kim Gi-ryeo used words puts more mental strain.”
“Right?”
–“Moreover, thinking back, names like Nakamura and Chi Wei must’ve been memorized from the start with the intent to attack people…”
Hunter Association Employee.
As Seonwoo-yeon mulled over each of my actions, she eventually fell silent.
It was obvious why the other party lost her words.
She wasn’t a native Korean and was bringing complex feelings about an alien utilizing such cruel methods.
-How did you come to understand those national stances…?
Was there any need for an explanation?
Unless you’re a remarkable genius…
In the end, the secret to most successes was consistent effort and interest.
“Honestly, caring about friends who share borders is the same everywhere, rather than the affairs of some far-off land.”
I adjusted my grip on the mobile phone as I engaged in the conversation.
“Of course, coming from a place where I was submerged a bit more in ‘bigger waters,’ it all seems pretty close genetically and geographically.”
–Hmm.
“If I were to lump you together as the same species, it feels like it would infuriate Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese at the same time, so I’ll be sure to revise that thought as fast as possible.”
I figured I had adequately explained the case for self-defense acknowledgment.
–Thank you…?
So, now that the report of my liberation was complete, I thought about getting a bite to eat.
–Oh, wait a second.
Just as I was about to hang up, Seonwoo-yeon spoke urgently from the receiver.
–First off, congratulations on resolving this matter. But I heard discussions regarding the [Book of Extermination] came up in the testimony hearing. Is there anything regarding that…?
Ah, the [Book of Extermination].
Of course, I had also heard the name of that item.
However, I didn’t have anything particular to elaborate on.
“That?”
The artifact had ended up in a status where neither I, public institutions, nor its original owner could touch it.
‘What a bummer.’
If the individual who eliminated the criminal had gained the right to possess the belongings of their opponent, this modern society would have plunged into an unprecedented bounty hunting era.
Modern courts have established many fences to prevent such chaos.
‘Nevertheless, it’s a moot point.’
Since killing Enzo meant I couldn’t acquire the loot.
But trying to forcibly seize it…
After all, the [Book of Extermination] was just a simple storage device. To use the recorded magic, I had to provide the user’s magic power.
Moreover, what great magic could be contained in an object wandering about like that?
Filled with ‘cheap’ spells aimed at public display, to be honest, if someone could formulate the spell in their head, it would be more efficient for them to just perform their magic instead of using the [Book of Extermination].
“I heard that America claimed the [Book of Extermination] was stolen, so I think various things will come up regarding this matter….”
With that, I nearly lost interest in that magic item.
“I have no intention of getting involved in such international disputes. It’s annoying and I have plenty of other tasks to attend to. So, I told them not to contact me regarding the item.”
Thus, I wrapped up most of the reports concerning the Beast incident.
–Yes. As for the disposal of the [Book of Extermination], it ought to be fine. Thanks to someone like Kim Gi-ryeo Hunter, we surely won’t be threatened by such a book again.
But as I listened to the words just now…
To regard someone’s secondary awakening as a benefit seemed a bit off.
–Once again, thank you so much for last time. Koreans…. if you look closely, it’s really not something that concerns you, but you always step up to help…
“Yes.”
I decided not to elaborate further and soon hung up.
Seeing her relieved appearance, one couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, but that Earthling was probably blissfully unaware.
‘She’s not wrong. We are actually pretty distant ties.’
Perhaps Korea may be both the safest country on this land while simultaneously being the most perilous region.
Because here, the moment the grading was complete…
The result would be applied starting from the place they usually lived.
*
The following day came quickly.
“Yawn.”
Finally, after over 30 hours of healing my lungs, the moment had arrived.
‘Refreshing!’
That meant I didn’t have to worry about managing magic any longer.
So, as I stood up, I confirmed today’s schedule.
[Plan]
1. Investigate the corpses of Enzo Chiano’s crew.
2. Pick up a fast charger along the way.
Just to note, regarding the investigation into the corpses, I had pre-arranged it out of a sense of needing to see with my own eyes if the famous Hunter I killed was indeed who everyone claimed.
…Though there seems to be a line that doesn’t fit in, but that can’t be helped.
According to what I checked yesterday, this VIP ward serves samgyetang for tonight’s meal.
‘Ha, I should really take my time to discharge myself at least for a day. Honestly, once I’m out, when will I have another chance to enjoy the hospital’s samgyetang?’
My body was completely healed.
In fact, a suitcase that Jeong Ha-seong had brought for me was already set at one corner of the room.
In other words, despite already retrieving all belongings I’d left as a guest in someone else’s home, I decided to stay an additional day at the hospital due to a bit of everyday greed.
So I wanted to buy a good charger for my convenience while staying here.
‘No slacking off, I’ll head out right after the morning rounds.’
But just as I tried to step out according to this plan…
‘Hmm?’
Unexpected magic began to emanate from outside the hospital room.
‘What’s this?’
It was magic that shouldn’t have been present at this hour.
However, after a few checks, I considered it was indeed the person I knew, so I peered beyond the wall for a while and made my judgment.
‘Ahn Yoon-seung.’
As I went outside to greet him, I thought, ‘Now that I’ve gotten my magic control back, should I sneak up on him like an assassin and give him a little scare?’
Additionally, I felt like joking around a bit in celebration of my magic regulating ability coming back.
‘This guy—isn’t he a professional affiliated with a guild? What’s he doing here without working…’
Yet, when I stealthily stepped outside, what I encountered was an unexpected spectacle.
“Oh.”
A silent corridor.
Currently, I was alone in the VIP ward, making it incredibly quiet, and someone was standing there.
‘What’s up? Is he sick too and ended up in the hospital?’
To cut to the chase, a certain skinheaded Hunter was currently muffling his own screams with his fist, silently weeping.