Chapter 187

Chapter 187. Traitor (1)

Given that I was at the headquarters, I decided to stop by the investigation office to wrap up my work.

The first task was to organize the personal information of the newly acquired Chinese players. This was essential to verify family relations with those we might find at the shelter later on.

Fortunately, such administrative tasks were managed by other players affiliated with the association. Thanks to them, I was able to rest and recover my condition since last night’s stay at the base.

‘Not that it means I am without tasks.’

I cross-checked a substantial amount of paperwork with the Chinese players captured the previous day.

As I was responsible for field operations, it was crucial for me to ensure accuracy before handing over the prisoners formally to the Biharin side.

In addition, there were many things to do, like interrogating to extract connections with the production of Cratoll in South America.

“Time to wrap things up now.”

After a strenuous half-day stint, I was able to conclude all tasks around the expected time frame. Considering the distance to Incheon Port, it was about time for me to proceed to Earth.

With the time difference between Earth and Bihar considered, it was the appropriate moment to depart.

Immediately after handing over all the Chinese individuals to the Biharin side, I went out of the office.

Upon arriving at Loborre, where the one remaining gate was located through a portal, I was met with familiar faces at the gate guarded by holy knights.

One side was Ethan, someone I could easily call a friend, and the other was…

“It’s purely personal to go to Earth, so what right do you have to stop me?”

“No right, but I do have power. And with that power, it won’t be difficult to expel Fabian out of the association.”

Fabian was still alive and kicking. The moment I saw his face, my expression crumpled without any pause to conceal it.

“I’m not letting things get messed up a second time because of you.”

Ethan seemed to share the sentiment, glaring at Fabian coldly.

“Until everything is finalized, return to your quarters and wait. The association head and other branch heads also concurred, so don’t do anything unnecessary.”

It’s understandable. Because of that bastard, everyone had been overstretched over the past fortnight.

Recalling past incidents naturally made me lean against a wall and cross my arms. Meanwhile, Ethan succeeded in driving Fabian away.

I stared silently at Fabian’s retreating back with a hardened expression.

‘How resilient he is…’

I thought he’d disappear quietly, unnoticed on the battlefield, but his life seems surprisingly long-lasting.

‘I can’t bury him in the hunting ground, that’s infuriating.’

A sigh came out of my frustrated heart as a familiar presence approached.

“K.”

“Not busy, are you?”

“I have to see you off. Also, to keep that guy in check.”

“Was he trying to go to Earth again? He really is something.”

Wonder what kind of trouble he plans to cause over there.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll keep an eye on him to prevent crossing over for a while.”

Ethan wore a weary smile.

“Though I can’t prevent him from using the community… Lily is also ensuring that information doesn’t reach Fabian. It’s like state-level secrecy, even I am not aware. I doubt things will get easily messed up like before.”

I nodded casually in understanding.

The trouble caused by Fabian had brought strife to many.

‘A single maverick can spoil the whole pond.’

Originally, the Player Association planned to take action against Zhang Tianyu shortly after discovering her through the investigations.

They had a rough location of the shelter within China, where families referred to as player slaves were held. They hadn’t just been idle, the CIA moved swiftly upon perceiving the issue in China.

Thanks to that, Biharin mobilized the investigation team to sweep organizations, and on Earth, the association players moved to rescue civilians in the shelters.

“If the families came under the association’s jurisdiction, even the Chinese players who joined involuntarily would have been relieved.”

The sweep operation in Bihar would have been far smoother.

Chinese individuals defecting from their organizations and surrendering on their own would have emerged.

But now, it’s a plan that was dissolved due to recklessness by some European countries like France, Germany, and Belgium.

“They attacked both the shelter and Zhang Tianyu without any prior discussion with the association.”

As a result, the numerous players and special forces from governments that were closely tied got annihilated.

If there were any valuable intel from the incident, it’d be that the adversaries’ combat power wasn’t to be underestimated.

“Honestly, a rather useless piece of information.”

Because there was no intel suggesting that Zhang Tianyu participated in the combat directly.

Similarly, there was no proof indicating that she was excluded from it entirely.

Indicating uncertainty about her combat capabilities.

That’s why the schedule to confront her was aligned with mine.

‘Precisely, it was at the request of the U. S. side.’

To minimize the damage to their players, they decided to place me at the forefront.

Thanks to them, no unnecessary clashes occurred, allowing me to absorb Zhang Tianyu’s mana; hence, I bore no discontent.

Due to such a loss in continuity, pre-existing plans had to be axed.

The association decided to arrange Bihar first while re-establishing the locations of the shelter on Earth.

“As for Fabian, he claims ignorance.”

Circumstantially, the only possible leak of the shelter and Zhang Tianyu’s information to European countries links back to Fabian.

There’s no concrete evidence to punish him.

For that reason, Lily Evans started subtly omitting Fabian.

Although, removal can’t undo what’s already occurred.

Everyone was bustling to prevent China from gaining temporal leeway.

The blessing amidst the misfortune is that China’s government couldn’t recklessly act against the player slave families.

“If they lose those families, they lose the surviving Chinese players as well.”

Ironically, China had to protect them, to restock their player forces.

“That’s why the sweep in Bihar was expedited.”

The more players loyal to the government died, the more the value of those deemed slaves rose.

That’s pretty much the reason for the screw-ups by countries like France.

The shelter civilians were vital cards capable of commanding the remaining Chinese players.

‘China’s government had already proven that effect.’

Some countries in Europe moved independently without consultation, trying to possess that.

‘It would have been chaotic if it were their own citizens.’

If they aren’t nationals, but citizens of another nation?

Especially, chinese individuals who had caused various issues globally recently?

It was clear as day what the intentions of those acting behind Fabian’s back were.

Regardless, the U. S. was also involved for the same reasons.

They were merely less blatant about it than Europe was.

‘It’s a pity to see all this transparent, yet there’s nothing to be done.’

Despite these shortcomings, a player to handle China had to be nurtured.

Though the system currently blocks it, the hole between Bihar and Earth already exists.

The day it opens, players will scramble, organizing the hole.

It’s the main reason the association decided to transfer the involved Chinese individuals to Bihar instead of executing them all.

‘They can pull up their average stats through purification labor under the Order’s army.’

Though it wasn’t publicized, agreements were made to buy them back from Bihar for an appropriate price later.

In essence, the Chinese transferred there will eventually form a direct unit for the association.

‘Under association’s control, their influence within China won’t be negligible.’

Many countries had ample reasons to drool over their families.

‘Really, whether it’s this or that.’

I shook my head, feeling disgusted towards humanity once more.

“Since we’ve decided to restrict him, monitor him tightly so he can’t step out of Bihar.”

“Yes, just trust me.”

You never know what kind of mishap might occur, so I couldn’t afford to drop my guard till the very end.

Although I controlled the information somewhat, it’s possible they guessed D-day since I couldn’t completely hide my movements.

Potential surveillance on those scheduled to join the shelter acquisition also had to be accounted for.

Various possibilities and risks came to mind.

Considering everything, swift action was the most reliable solution this time.

I approached the gate, gathering the thoughts wandering idly in my mind.

“Take care.”

Ethan saw me off from behind.

I waved my hand in response as I crossed the gate.

* * *

It had been half a year since he took charge of managing the sudden anomalous phenomenon on an administrative level.

Transitioning from Colonel to Brigadier General, it had been a month since he moved to the Ministry of Defense.

Upon promotion, Kim Jonghwa became the head of the newly formed unit directly under the Ministry of Defense. This unit, primarily composed of players, was still marked as being in a trial phase.

“If it weren’t for the opposition from those National Intelligence Service bastards, it would have been confirmed already.”

Because of those claiming that players’ freedom shouldn’t be oppressed, the unit’s structure had to be downscaled. Volunteers were the only ones accepted as members.

“During wartime, conscription becomes possible anyway.”

It was ridiculous how freedom was constantly being brought up. That’s why external entities should be kept away from military operations.

Kim Jonghwa faced numerous stresses from people nitpicking on nonsensical matters. During such frustrating times, some news broke.

“Are you sure he’s crossed the gate?”

“That’s what I am saying.”

“How likely is it that it’s a misidentification?”

“Almost none. How many people wouldn’t recognize that face?”

It was reported that K had crossed the gate back to Earth.

“Twice within a day, huh…?”

Early this morning, he had abruptly used the gate, only to return to the other world within an hour.

Since this was reported by a player monitoring access to temples in a city called Loborre, it had to be accurate.

Yet, barely a day later, he returned to Earth?

“There’s no report yet of his return to Biharin.”

“Yes, that’s correct…”

In that case, I could assume he was currently on Earth.

“Don’t know where he set the portal exit point.”

I couldn’t rule out the possibility of him heading to China.

Seated in my office at the Ministry of Defense building, Kim Jonghwa’s eyes sparkled.

‘If he indeed went over to China.’

This might be the golden opportunity to capture that arrogant punk.

Military personnel disguised as civilians were already infiltrated in areas K was likely to appear.

They weren’t the only ones.

Kim Jonghwa turned to a player, whom he had personally persuaded the National Intelligence Service to recruit, and instructed,

“You should prepare as well.”

“I’ve already done everything.”

The audacity in the response made Kim Jonghwa’s brows twitch.

But he simply glanced at the dagger tossed and caught in the player’s hand and remained silent.

Instead, he dwelt on ensuring K’s detention at any cost.

“This time, secure his custody, no matter what.”

As it stood, he was the most dangerous bomb in the country.

Although other players aren’t too different.

“They’re nothing but killers, anyhow.”

Savage beings killing one another in uncivilized regions.

How could one trust anyone advocating to give such dangerous creatures freedom and cooperation?

What if unloaded players went rogue, what then?

“These creatures must be under military control, doing as they’re ordered.”

That ensured the safety of all.

Appropriating and managing players through the military was imperative.

If impossible.

“Eradication is the only answer.”

Recalling K’s threatening demeanors, Kim Jonghwa voiced with a deepened tone,

“Just to reiterate, should he refuse to cooperate…”

“I know, I got it.”

Kim Jonghwa shot a sharp gaze at the player who interrupted him.

Yet, before he could scold further, the player buried his dagger into the sofa armrest with a ‘thud’.

Immediately after, smoke began to rise from the sofa’s leather armrest.

“General, how many times do I have to assure you? My mana can take down even the exalted general-grade foes.”

It was due to the materialized mana causing corrosion.

“Even that vaunted K won’t disregard me. Leave this to me, and just remember to secure that grand position you promised.”

“Best avoid utterances that might be misconstrued. Your appointment will follow due lawful military processes.”

Considering military cooperation would suffice such a position.

On the contrary, those who declined…

“The sprouts must be cut before they overgrow.”

A clear gleam of malice flashed in Kim Jonghwa’s eyes.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:

Is this Kim Jonghwa stupid? Doesn’t he know that there are differences between players?

Get wrecked, noob Jonghwa.