Chapter Index





    Chapter 152

    Chapter 152: Human Hunting (6)

    The military had officially moved to secure my personal safety.

    Upon hearing that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) had made contact with me, they quickly rushed to the scene.

    I subtly checked the expression of Squad Leader Yang Jochul, who stood beside me.

    Judging by his growing look of surprise, he seemed unaware of these developments.

    ‘That’s a relief, I guess…’

    If he had voluntarily sold out my whereabouts, the trust built between us would have been shattered.

    During the brief moment I was assessing Squad Leader Yang Jochul’s expression, a middle-aged man approached us and introduced himself.

    “I am Colonel Kim Jonghwa.”

    He didn’t state his affiliation, nor did he show a business card or any ID.

    However, there was no need to doubt his identity.

    Judging by his acquaintanceship with Squad Leader Yang Jochul, he was likely credible.

    Several indicators from Colonel Kim Jonghwa’s attitude affirmed my suspicions.

    ‘It’s clear he isn’t friendly towards me…’

    From the way he came out with a group of soldiers to meet me, it was evident.

    He knew there was no physical capability to overpower a player, yet he still approached with a dozen or so personnel.

    ‘He intends to intimidate me with official authority?’

    I had already inferred Colonel Kim Jonghwa’s intention.

    Instead of reacting to this notion, I simply stared at Colonel Kim Jonghwa.

    In response, he straightened his shoulders and spoke.

    “It may be sudden, but you need to accompany me as a witness related to the ongoing anomalies.”

    “…”

    “This is a decision by the Temporary Measures Headquarters for Anomalies founded under a presidential decree. If you comply, there won’t be any trouble.”

    He likely hoped to impose his authority by flaunting his robust build and affiliation, yet this wouldn’t intimidate me.

    While it might daunt a regular person, it would have zero effect on someone like me who had undergone first, second, and third awakenings. His attempt seemed almost pitiful.

    Thus, I did not hold back a scoff.

    My blatant smirk caused Colonel Kim Jonghwa’s eyes to twitch slightly.

    He frowned sharply and was about to speak when I cut him off with a snort.

    “Looks like you’re uninformed.”

    “About the situation you’re in—”

    “But don’t worry, I’ll let you know.”

    I interrupted his words, crossing my arms nonchalantly.

    “If you take out your gun, things will escalate. No other meaning, just so you’re aware.”

    Immediately, mana that lay dormant within my core began to surge through my body.

    With the impact of the fire attribute mana, the surrounding air quickly warmed.

    Although it wasn’t externalized, within me, immense flames were swirling.

    “Isn’t it hot here?”

    “Did they crank up the heater too much?”

    People exiting the terminal began muttering similarly and some began to take off their coats.

    With this explicit and intense change, Colonel Kim Jonghwa’s expression stiffened.

    Meanwhile, I lightly laughed and advanced forward, shortening the distance between the Colonel and me.

    As I reached out my hand, the Colonel flinched and took a slight step back.

    His face flushed red, likely embarrassed that he instinctively stepped back.

    I paid no heed to his reaction and continued to extend my hand.

    Seeing the Colonel not retreat further, I gently placed my hand on his shoulder.

    Smoke began to rise from his clothes, and the smell of something burning began to waft up.

    If this situation dragged on, the Colonel wouldn’t escape being burned.

    “Grrrk!”

    Unable to withstand the heat, the Colonel attempted to pull back his body.

    But I didn’t release him readily and increased my grip.

    I lowered myself slightly, matching my eyes to his, and hearing the dry swallow, I whispered into his ear.

    “Don’t antagonize me needlessly, and don’t dig into my past.”

    You wouldn’t want to see Incheon airport go up in flames like Mexico’s plaza, now would you?

    Faced with this small but undeniable warning, Colonel Kim Jonghwa grit his teeth.

    His glare at me was quite fierce, but he didn’t retaliate verbally.

    He seemed cautious, possibly thinking I might truly set the place ablaze.

    Meanwhile, at that moment, a monitor near the terminal displayed the burnt streets of San Diego.

    The timing was impeccable.

    Colonel Kim Jonghwa, who reflexively looked at the monitor, began to tremble.

    ‘I have no real intention to start a fire, but…’

    If asked whether I could, my answer might be different.

    Knowing this well, Colonel Kim Jonghwa, who initially approached with vigor, had subdued himself.

    As the burning smell persisted, the surrounding people began to murmur, wondering if a fire had started somewhere.

    Finally, I released Colonel Kim Jonghwa’s shoulder, retracting the attribute mana back into the core.

    Though his clothes had suffered a faint singe, fortunately, it hadn’t escalated to burns.

    All along, I had planned to let go before he got seriously hurt.

    ‘Threatening is one thing, injuring is another.’

    Just as they used public power to threaten me, I aimed to use my player force as a counter-threat.

    To maintain a balance I envision, such tension is necessary.

    The state might suppress players with their power, and players would use their strength to check the government.

    Despite all this, I had no intention nor should I wield my transcendent power as if it were a mere tool of authority or dominance.

    Doing so would crumble all notions of the harmony I aspire to build.

    ‘What would remain above the rubble?’

    I slowly straightened up, making direct eye contact with Colonel Kim Jonghwa.

    “Let’s meet under better circumstances next time.”

    I skipped the handshake since there was no such goodwill between us yet.

    Before I moved on, I looked back at Squad Leader Yang Jochul and gave a brief farewell.

    “Thank you so much for today. Regrettably, I must leave first.”

    “… Yes, be safe.”

    After that, I brushed past Colonel Kim Jonghwa.

    None of the soldiers clad in black suits standing behind him dared to restrain me.

    I managed to blend into the crowd easily and escaped their watchful eyes through the use of Invisibility.

    No sign of drones with thermal cameras or any other methods of pursuit was evident.

    Yet, I ensured to double and triple-check.

    Because of this obsessive carefulness, I reached the Seo family’s house past 10 PM.

    “Lately, loads of people seem to be watching that.”

    “Well, affairs being a stimulating aspect is a given.”

    “The hospital turns into a daily gossip corner about that drama. Mostly bashing the male actor.”

    Listening to the conversation subtly audible beyond the front door, I swallowed hard.

    The familiar voices stirred something within me, making my heart slightly flutter.

    Hence, my hand moved warily pressing the door lock.

    Of course, caution had no effect on the electronic beep’s volume.

    Eventually, slipping through with a soft beep, I removed my shoes at the entrance.

    “Seems like it’s Hyung-oppa who came back.”

    It appeared Jaehyuk wasn’t home yet.

    I awkwardly paced forward towards the living room.

    “Oppa, you’re a bit late today…”

    Then, I unintentionally locked eyes with Yeonwoo, who approached from the hallway leading to the living room.

    Perhaps due to sheer shock, Yeonwoo stood frozen in place.

    I kept my breathing composed and approached Yeonwoo.

    Ruffling her hair as I had in the past, I spoke.

    “How have you been? Have you been listening to uncle just fine!”

    No sooner had Yeonwoo and I collided did Jinwoo rush in with a loud clatter.

    It didn’t take long for the twins to claim their place in my arms.

    Unexpectedly, seeing Jonghun’s complex expression made me embrace them tightly as well.

    “You’re here.”

    “… I’ve returned.”

    “Instead of standing there, come in. Did you have dinner?”

    “Not yet.”

    “I’LL!”

    Jinwoo, who clung to me like a cicada, shouted enthusiastically and sprinted to the kitchen.

    “I’ll make it for you!”

    “Me too, me too!”

    Yeonwoo followed along eagerly behind him.

    With the twins running ahead, Jonghun warmly embraced me, leaving me with a sense of return.

    The genuine feeling of being back with my family washed over me.

    “You must have had a tough time.”

    I was grateful and slightly guilty for their warm welcome and their decision not to pry into what happened while I’d been away.

    That night, I basked in peace like long-awaited solace.

    Conversations with my siblings, sharing a beer with Jonghun, and even receiving a late-night whack on the head from Jaehyuk.

    Returning to where I could truly be myself made everything feel serene.

    Perhaps that’s why I inadvertently slept late the following day.

    ‘I guess I finally relaxed.’

    Maybe because, for the first time in half a year, I had slept for over 10 hours.

    It took me a surprisingly long time to wake up.

    As soon as I finally pulled myself out of bed and walked into the living room, it was devoid of anyone.

    All had gone to the library, school, or hospital.

    Left alone, I scratched my back listlessly.

    ‘It’s just me, the unemployed, at home.’

    While the inventory I expanded during my trip to Busan was filled with money and gold bars, I had no set occupation.

    This meant while everyone remained busy, I had leisure moments to gaze out the window at the sky above.

    Watching the cars and people passing below wasn’t as bad a pastime as one might think.

    Witnessing the world move unchanged as though nothing happened stirred a sudden desire to capture this scene in a painting.

    That way, even as time passed, I could revisit the moment.

    Such sentimentality was brief, though.

    ‘Time to eat.’

    Heading toward the kitchen, I rummaged through the fridge.

    I carelessly dumped leftover side dishes into a stainless steel bowl and prepared chilled rice.

    ‘The completion of a proper bibimbap is a fried egg.’

    Just as I grabbed a pan to fry an egg and placed it on the induction stove, an unprompted message window updated.

    “The selection for the 3rd Player will proceed. (500,000/500,000)”

    I froze in place.

    Over several months, when the number had dwindled down to 60,000 players, it suddenly swelled.

    The new number, a hefty 500,000 players.

    Gazing with a cold stare at the message, I hurriedly retreated to my room.

    Fetching the phone beside the bed, I dialed for the twins’ school first.

    Followed by Jaehyuk and Jonghun.

    Thankfully, all four were untouched by the game.

    “Phew.”

    After confirming their safety, my expression darkened.

    “Though the number increase isn’t massive compared to before.”

    First was one hundred, then ten thousand, followed by one hundred thousand, and now five hundred thousand.

    “The probability continues to rise.”

    At this pace, it might reach a million next time.

    There’s no guarantee my family won’t be part of them.

    Initially, I was too consumed with surviving my predicament to consider it.

    Back then, I used every ounce of effort to ensure I wouldn’t die.

    When I eventually found a breather, I had Karlos’s authority within my grasp.

    Originally, it was meant for the twins or the Seo brothers, should they get entangled in the game.

    I believed that calling upon Karlos’s authority would ensure their exclusion, a beacon to repel misfortune.

    After all, having my family become embroiled in this war would be a catastrophe of unparalleled scale for me.

    But I used that very authority of Karlos recently.

    “Haah.”

    Releasing a deep sigh, I rubbed my face vigorously.

    Damned System.


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