3 – The Price

“Hehe, hehehe.”

“Are you that happy, Officer Dan?”

“Of course, I am!”

“Is that so?”

Jaehee smiled at Officer Dan’s almost ecstatic exclamation.

Her face, as she drove, was a picture of pure joy.

“Honestly, even if it was a government request, I thought you’d reject it immediately, Jaehee!”

“How could I ignore Officer Dan’s request when she asked so nicely?”

“Hehe, thank you!”

The two of them were heading to the Gaeseong Industrial Complex.

It was now a Gray Zone and Red Zone filled with zombies, monsters, and looters, but the two women looked relaxed and cheerful, as if they were going on a picnic.

Especially Officer Dan, whose face was beaming.

“I didn’t know Officer Dan would enjoy an outing with me this much.”

“Yes! I was already suffering from being drafted to build a legion-scale barrier, but with you joining us, Jaehee, it feels like I’ve gained a thousand, no, a billion soldiers!”

“…That’s an interesting phrase.”

Well, the meaning gets across, but the nuance is a bit… off.

“The breeze is nice.”

Jaehee was actually quite pleased to be driving alone with Dan Ah-yeon, as if they were going on a picnic.

“But Jaehee, what made you suddenly accept a government request? Honestly, I thought I’d never be on the battlefield with you unless it was an emergency…”

“Officer Dan is in danger, and I was curious.”

“Ah…”

In truth, Jaehee didn’t really want to leave Seoul.

Seoul would only be beautiful if the beautiful me was there, and the people would be at peace.

Jaehee was somewhat aware that she provided mental stability to a significant number of people in this country, maintaining the peaceful and safe world of the past.

Of course, it was closer to the realm of the unconscious rather than a conscious understanding. She didn’t know how she did it, and she probably perceived the idea that the country was peaceful because of her as a bit of self-admiration.

Perhaps it was a lighthearted thought like, ‘This country is beautiful because the beautiful me is here!’

Anyway, that’s why Jaehee tried to avoid leaving Seoul as much as possible, but she thought that a rare outing with Officer Dan wouldn’t be so bad.

Of course, Jaehee’s whims weren’t the only reason.

★

★

★

-Three days ago.

Dan Ah-yeon went to inspect the interior of the house that Yujin had destroyed, which had been rebuilt, on Jaehee’s behalf. While Jaehee was savoring her lingering scent throughout Dan Ah-yeon’s house, she received a message from an unknown sender.

• Can I get some help?

Although the number and name didn’t appear, Jaehee immediately knew it was Succubus Queen Citra.

Jaehee immediately called her upon receiving Citra’s message.

Jaehee owed Succubus Queen Citra a debt.

In fact, it was closer to Citra turning a blind eye to an accident caused by instinct, coincidence, and a moment of impulse, but giving away a cursed artifact that had soared to $100 million at the auction house without Jaehee paying a single penny could certainly be described as a debt.

Of course, aside from the fact that Jaehee was a Succubus Empress and a dangerous being in herself, Citra had made a rational and reasonable decision as the head of her organization.

-If I receive $100 million for a cursed artifact, the credibility of my auction house will plummet.

-It was a troublesome item anyway, and I didn’t expect it to be sold at the auction.

-Instead of simply getting rid of it, incurring a non-material debt isn’t a bad decision.

-Above all, Mikkelsen… the butcher in human skin, asked me directly.

In addition, the aura emanating from Jaehee’s attire, appearance, and demeanor screamed, ‘I’m no ordinary person.’ Above all, Jaehee’s appearance was completely Citra’s type.

The Succubus Queen’s instinct within Citra kept rejecting and fearing Jaehee in a fit, so she gave up on the idea of ​​throwing Jaehee onto the bed, but she still wanted to maintain a good relationship and see her.

She had also seen something she shouldn’t have seen not long ago.

I didn’t expect you to contact me so quickly.

“I had some time to spare~ and I was curious.”

Although Citra was the queen of the underworld, Jaehee somehow felt relaxed and at ease when dealing with her.

If that underworld queen wasn’t a Succubus Queen but just an ordinary human, Jaehee might have felt a little bit of unfamiliarity and difficulty in communicating.

But Citra felt as comfortable as if she had been Jaehee’s subordinate from the start.

Perhaps it was because of the perfect superior-subordinate relationship between Empress and Queen that she felt even more comfortable.

Did you sign a simple contract with me?

“Hmm, did I…? Ah, I think I did. To be exact, I told you to contact me if you needed help.That time has come.

What kind of help could the owner of the Kaklashhton Auction House possibly need?

Jaehee wasn’t sure if she would help, but she was curious.

A Succubus Queen wouldn’t envy even high-ranking Awakened, her subordinates would be quite skilled, and she would have more money than she could ever need.

A pre-invasion warning has appeared on the government’s unofficial channels.

“An invasion?”

Invasion.

Unlike simple Gates, Dungeons, and Monster Waves, this was a form of attack in which an ‘intelligent being’ from the Otherworld invaded Earth with clear hostility and malice.

It’s easy to think of it as an alien invasion of Earth, like in movies.

Something similar had actually happened before, and Awakened dressed as American soldiers and Superman had waved the Stars and Stripes and planted flags on alien corpses, declaring victory.

In the early days, there were several invasions of teddy bear-like creatures armed with bamboo spears or stone knives attacking provincial cities and rural villages.

The danger level was such that the military could handle it without the need for Hunters, and small civilian groups with adequate equipment could also deal with them.

Until then, the government and the Hunter community hadn’t paid much attention to the invasions.

They found it ridiculous and annoying that the invaders were determined to invade Earth, but the damage was minimal and they were weak.

At the moment, they were dealing with Weirdness infiltrating cities with fog and giant Monsters with sizes reaching kilometers targeting the metropolitan area.

But the problem was that the malice of these invasions was becoming increasingly malicious.

From small, primitive village-level invasions to invasions by intelligent legions armed with iron weapons.

Invasions by armies equipped with muskets and similar gunpowder weapons, as well as magical engineering equipment, had been confirmed in Ulsan. In some cases, intelligent beings with a level of modern civilization similar to Earth led invasion legions and became local warlords.

It was a sign that Rifts were not only spewing out malicious Monsters, but also malicious ‘civilizations’ into the world.

“Where did you hear about this?”I have a deep connection with an Assemblyman on the government side.” It’s valuable information I got in exchange for a dreamlike night?

“And what part of this requires my help?”-Jaehee, you’re a Hunter, right?” And you have a high-ranking Hunter license.

Jaehee’s eyebrows twitched for a moment as she received the call.

I did say I was a Hunter, but did I also say I had a high-ranking Hunter license?

• And it’s also true that you absorb Vitality from Monsters… that is, you replace taking Vitality from people with that.

“……I’ve seen various other records as well. You’re quite something, aren’t you? The human tower built in Uiwang Station is also your work, right? You’re definitely S-class… or maybe even higher?

Oh my, did Citra do some background check on me in the meantime?

A very detailed one at that?

Since she has many connections with high-ranking government officials, it wouldn’t be too difficult for her to obtain my information if she wanted to.

Well, even if that wasn’t the case, it could be that she sensed Jaehee’s unique aura or the aura of a formidable powerhouse, but Jaehee knew that the Succubus race wasn’t that polite and patient.

‘Except for me.’

Ahem, yes, even the polite and patient me is beautiful.

Anyway, it’s a bit annoying.

How dare a mere Queen…

Jaehee, to be honest, wasn’t the type to leave those who disturbed her peace alone.

No matter how much she tried to be patient and live like a human, she was the highest-ranking Demonkind, a Succubus Empress.

She wasn’t foolish enough to let those who brazenly did background checks, threatened her with her personal information, or tried to manipulate her get away with it.

‘Should I kill her?’

The instinct that she had been holding back for a while slowly raised its head.

Murderous intent.

She decided to have a little patience around the time that murderous intent materialized.

‘No, should I listen to what she has to say first?’

Whether she’s trying to use me or what.

I can head to the Kaklashhton Auction House after the conversation is over.

If the Succubus Queen presumptuously plays with the Empress, she will clearly pay the price.

“I’ll listen to what you have to say first. What kind of help are you talking about exactly?The government has plans to mobilize at least three legions. Very seriously.

The fact that they were mobilizing legions meant one thing.

That this invasion was quite large-scale and that there was a lot to be gained.

Usually, if the scale of the invasion is small, the government commissions Hunters through the Association.

Then individual Hunters or small and medium-sized guilds rush in to get paid, and small invasions turn into a grind for money-crazed Hunters.

But the story is different if the scale of the invasion is large or if the invaders are clearly intelligent beings. If the civilization level of the intelligent beings is high, then it means that the world has a lot for the ruler of Earth to plunder.

There are no weapons of mass destruction on the list. That means there’s land and resources in the invaded area that the Korean government has its eye on.

If the invaders have a civilization, then of course they will have land and cities to stay in, their own world.

And the higher the civilization level of the invaders, the more the world has for the ruler of Earth to plunder.

I don’t know exactly what it is, whether it’s land or resources… but would the [Beetle’s Egg Cluster] stay still during such a big event?

“Will the government allow that?”

Although there are three forces in Korea: the Hunter faction, the National Assembly faction, and the Underground faction, there was a time when they united.

That is, during a large-scale invasion.

No matter how much they oppose, confront, and compete with each other, they join forces when the country itself is in danger.

When a large-scale invasion is detected, the government tempts us and the giant guilds with the bait of a territorial division war. We can have the rights to the territory occupied in the Otherworld and its resources, and sometimes even the invaders’ personnel or prisoners.

In fact, many of the ‘slaves’ sold at the Kaklashhton Auction House were invaders from the Otherworld.

• But the current government doesn’t think well of us, right? To be exact, they don’t like the entire Underground faction.

That’s obvious.

From the perspective of the leaders who govern the country, they have no choice but to coexist with the Underground faction, but they would want to eliminate the Underground faction if the conditions were right and the opportunity arose.

It’s because the Underground faction is so strong and has so much capital, and they’re worried that the Underground faction might engage in full-scale terrorist activities like the ‘Defector’ who devastated Eastern Europe.

-So the government has placed many restrictions on us. They take a lot of taxes, intentionally tell us the timing of the battle a little differently, or omit information and unintentionally expose our location to the invaders… There are minor mishaps that are ambiguous to protest in earnest, but can’t be ignored.

“Oh dear, you’re having a hard time.”That’s why I thought of Jaehee.” Jaehee, you’re a government person, right?

“For now?”

The title of Special Management Returnee also meant that Jaehee belonged to the government, regardless of her will.

Of course, Jaehee wouldn’t move for the government.

It’s not the same person who oppressed, imprisoned, experimented on, and tried to ignore and trample on my beauty… but Jaehee’s view of the government is still not favorable.

Nevertheless, there are several reasons why Jaehee lives quietly.

There’s Officer Dan, and there’s also the trivial desire to live like a human…

“So, you want me to represent the Underground faction as a negotiating body or spokesperson?That’s not your area of expertise, is it?

How did she know that?

Certainly, Jaehee’s area of expertise wasn’t difficult topics such as administration or negotiation.

Of course, she could just charm the other party.

But that’s not fun, beautiful, or her taste.

Please participate there on our behalf, Jaehee.

The gist of what Citra proposed was simple.

Jaehee joins the invasion defense line on behalf of the Underground faction.

And all the achievements and benefits that Jaehee obtains are purchased by Citra for a fair price and money.

“But I’m alone?”

It goes without saying, but if several legions are moving, it means that the Korean government has a lot to gain, but it also means that the other side is not easy to deal with.

The exact identity of the invaders will be revealed the moment they are observed on Earth, but according to the forecast, they are invaders of the ‘kingdom’ level.

“It’s impossible for me to do anything in an invasion war with legions participating.”

In fact, asking one person to participate in an ‘invasion’ and buying the achievements and share with money.

To be honest, it was an absurd statement, but it was also possible because Citra had grasped Jaehee’s identity and power to some extent.

You can do it, right? If it’s you, Jaehee.

“……You can do it. I’ve seen the records.

She was curious about the word invasion, but she gradually felt murderous intent.

She’s blatantly trying to use me.

Participate in the invasion war alone?

If it were me, I would definitely not do such a dangerous and big thing, but even for an S-class Hunter, this is a dangerous operation to do alone.

She’s openly demanding that.

‘Should I kill her.’

How should I kill her?

Yes, Citra will no longer exist in Jaehee’s life.

This Succubus Queen has overstepped her bounds.

If she saw my records.

If she knew I was a Succubus Empress.

Shouldn’t she have taken a more submissive attitude?

No, even if that wasn’t the case, she’s openly testing me.

Jaehee wasn’t good-natured enough to tolerate that.

• To be honest, I did some background checks on Jaehee. I did learn something I didn’t expect… but I don’t intend to threaten you with this or anything. You can refuse the offer.

“Then what’s your intention? Someone who proudly says they did a background check…I’m going to start with gratitude.

“…Gratitude?”I was at the scene where you killed Behemoth.”

Jaehee paused to think instead of answering.

Behemoth?

What’s that?

The giant Monster that first invaded Seoul. The one with the upper body of a snake and the lower body full of tentacles.

“Ah.”

Ah, right.

I remember now.

My first meal.

After returning to Earth, I was so hungry.

Sleepy. Sick. Tired. Weary. Annoyed. Bothered. Listless. Frustrated. Apathetic. Bored. Unpleasant. Depressed. Lifeless. I was just tired and unmotivated… a time when I was empty and waiting for my body to regenerate and my depleted Vitality to be replenished.

The one with the enormous Vitality that made me, who was half-comatose at the end of that time, react was Behemoth.

The one who couldn’t even scratch the surface of his skin with the legion’s bombardment or conventional weapons, and just came to Seoul, where there were many people, and sucked the blood and guts of humans like soy sauce marinated crabs with countless tentacles.

Just before I was caught by his terrible tentacles and had my guts and blood sucked out, that Monster screamed. In less than a minute, his skin and bones began to wither.

When I looked up, a black shadow was smiling above his head. There was someone with dark wings there.

That’s when I realized. Ah, I survived thanks to that being, whether it was a person, a Monster, a Demonkind, or an angel.

Was she a survivor of that day?

It was the first time Jaehee had received a direct thank you from a survivor, and she unconsciously hugged the beluga doll on Officer Dan’s bed.

That day, thanks to you, a freshman who came to Seoul from the countryside didn’t become monster food. I’d like to thank you for that first.

This must be love, right?

Gratitude and goodwill are definitely part of love.

It’s faint, but I can eat it.

“Nom.”

Delicious.

Goodwill in its purest form.

“Mmm, delicious. Tastes like plum.”-Jaehee?” Are you listening?

“Ah, the beluga attacked.”-Beluga?”

Only after eating the subtly felt emotion of goodwill did Jaehee realize why Citra had mentioned an invasion and asked if she could help.

And the intention behind this sudden text.

From the start, even an S-class Hunter would have found such an achievement difficult alone.

It’s hard to achieve enough to claim credit that the Underworld faction would drool over and assert ownership of land and resources in an invasion war where legions are deployed.

So, why did Citra make such an absurd proposal, or request for help, to me?

‘From the start, she didn’t care about asking or suggesting that I participate in the invasion defense line.’

Citra just brought an absurd proposal under the guise of wanting to say thank you.

This child just wanted to express her gratitude to me.

A little kid who came to Seoul for the first time.

A certain little kid who was helped by me right before being eaten by a Monster was helped by the Succubus Empress.

Now, the little kid who has become the queen of a huge Underworld faction like a mafia boss is embarrassed to say, ‘Thank you, Unni,’ so she brought a ridiculous proposal and is using this as an excuse to express her gratitude.

‘Thinking about it like this, it’s cute.’

I thought Officer Dan was the only cute thing in the world, but this Succubus Empress is quite cute too.

She acts separately from how lewdly she looks.

It’s okay if you refuse. Well, we can just sort out the personnel and send them appropriately.

“I’ll do it.”-Pardon?”

Citra was silent for a while.

She probably didn’t expect the offer to be accepted for real.

“I’ll show you something fun.”

It wouldn’t be bad to show an encore performance to a little kid who just came to Seoul.