Ch.129Chapter 129 – Paris (2)

“London’s Murderer, ‘Jack the Ripper’ Disappears…. 0 Missing Person Reports in 3 Days.”

“British Hunter Association President Forms Investigation Team. ‘We Will Consider the Possibility of Handling by Unregistered Awakened Ones’.”

“Paris Tourist Numbers Stabilize After Eden Gate Backflow Concerns.”

“Zeus Visits Paris as if to Demonstrate Safety… ‘Purpose is Vacation’. A Signal of Anglo-French Friendly Relations?”

***

Shin Jaehyuk’s departure was easy. Unlike traveling to America, there was no need for the cumbersome process of disguising his identity.

The issue with President Park Ju-gwan was also resolved smoothly. Lately, President Park had been acting as if he would give Shin Jaehyuk his liver and gallbladder if asked. There was a reason for this.

Shin Jaehyuk’s achievements in Eden were so remarkable that Imperial envoys had bowed almost obsequiously to President Park while expressing their gratitude. They couldn’t afford to act carelessly toward the homeland of the saint who had single-handedly defeated the Demon King’s army. Whether due to faith or public sentiment. Thanks to this, President Park’s smile stretched from ear to ear.

Shin Jaehyuk’s request to travel to Paris with a female college student without any trouble was readily approved. As if wanting to give even more, the President personally offered to lend his private jet, which Shin Jaehyuk declined, finding it burdensome.

Thus, he was able to arrive in Paris in first class arranged by Park Ju-gwan, receiving attentive service from the flight attendants. The service seemed quite impressive to Lee Yujin.

“Wow… Senior must make good money. Maybe I should become a solver full-time after graduation instead of getting a job?”

“Graduate first, will you? Didn’t you just return after taking a year off?”

“Ugh… hitting where it hurts. That’s too harsh, Senior.”

“Why did you take a whole year off anyway? You could have graduated next year otherwise.”

“…I had my reasons. You don’t need to know! Hmph.”

‘Graduation ceremony, huh.’

While calmly rebuking her, Shin Jaehyuk wasn’t sure if that day would ever come. The number at the bottom of his status window, counting down to the advent of the Four Heavenly Kings, now pointed to 90%.

‘The experience points are rising fast. Too fast…. At this rate, the Demon King might descend even before Yujin graduates.’

Was it because gates opened more frequently as civilization level increased, or because the average gate rank had risen? The experience bar grew mercilessly. Although the experience required for leveling up increased with civilization level, it didn’t feel that way at all. If anything, it seemed to be accelerating compared to before.

Moreover, Shin Jaehyuk’s experience had significantly increased after annihilating the Demon King’s army in Eden. While Shin Jaehyuk’s level had risen considerably, conversely, humanity’s time to prepare for the Four Heavenly Kings had been drastically reduced. Shin Jaehyuk felt responsible for this.

‘I really don’t have time to relax anymore. I should consider this trip my last leisure. There’s too much to do. Stop the Four Heavenly Kings, figure out Satan’s intentions, and meet the Sage for that purpose…’

As he organized his thoughts and exited the immigration gate, someone was waiting. An agent wearing sunglasses held a sign with Shin Jaehyuk’s name.

‘Who is that? I didn’t call for a driver. Did Park Ju-gwan arrange this on his own?’

Since he couldn’t ignore something he hadn’t been informed about, he approached the agent. The man had exotic features. Not Korean, but seemingly a local Frenchman. Seeing Shin Jaehyuk approach, the agent spoke in awkward Korean characteristic of foreigners.

“Mr. Shin Jaehyuk?”

“Who are you?”

Leon, an agent of the French External Security Bureau, swallowed hard as he faced the VIP before him.

‘So this is Korea’s second S-rank… Very young, indeed.’

Shin Jaehyuk’s identity had reached the ears of those in power who paid attention to Imperial trends. It hadn’t spread to civilians, but it was known among national intelligence agencies.

Leon, a direct agent of the director and field commander, had been briefed on Shin Jaehyuk’s identity. While an ordinary dignitary would be one thing, even a well-trained agent couldn’t help but be tense when facing someone who could kill him with just a flick of a finger.

Leon tried not to let his voice tremble as he calmly explained:

“The Director has ordered me to ensure Mr. Shin’s utmost comfort…”

Shin Jaehyuk immediately understood the situation. They knew who he was. An S-rank figure entering Paris—they couldn’t just stand by. An S-rank was like a walking natural disaster. Shin Jaehyuk inwardly sighed.

‘So it’s getting harder to keep my power hidden, huh?’

More and more people would recognize him. And with that would come restrictions on his actions due to international agreements and Hunter Association regulations. Just like other S-ranks. It was just one agent now, but he had a vague feeling things would get more troublesome in the future.

‘Eventually everyone around me will know. Sister Seongha, Sister Grace, the orphanage kids, and Yujin too.’

But since he didn’t want to reveal his identity right now, Shin Jaehyuk quickly interrupted Leon while keeping an eye on Yujin.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t need an escort. I’m just here for tourism.”

“Ah, yes… Then is there anything else you need?”

“…Hmm. There’s one artifact I’d like to see in person… Could you contact the Louvre Museum?”

“Of course. I’ll inform the director.”

It was essentially a demanding request, but the agent’s expression immediately brightened. In fact, if Shin Jaehyuk hadn’t made any requests, the agent would have been more uncomfortable, not knowing what Shin Jaehyuk’s intentions were or why he was visiting Paris.

“If you need anything else, please contact this number. I hope you enjoy your stay in Paris…”

Now that Shin Jaehyuk’s purpose for visiting was abundantly clear, the agent handed over his business card and disappeared with a light step. Yujin, who had observed the exchange, marveled:

“Wow… Direct government contact? Senior, you’re really successful… Seriously, it’s a good profession, isn’t it?”

“It’s not that the job is impressive, it’s that I am. Though not for the reasons you’re thinking…”

There seemed to be a misunderstanding building, but Shin Jaehyuk didn’t clarify. He only hoped that convenient misunderstanding would continue. At least until the world returned to normal.

***

Agent Leon, now separated from Shin Jaehyuk, didn’t immediately leave the airport. Watching the retreating figures of Shin Jaehyuk and his companion, he let out a small sigh of relief.

‘Thank goodness… he’s the reasonable type.’

Perhaps because he hadn’t held great power for long, he didn’t display the arrogance and rudeness typical of powerful figures. Even when making requests, his manner was that of addressing an equal, not looking down from above.

‘I can breathe easier now. Really.’

French politicians were sick of S-rank superhumans. Not just France, but likely other European countries as well. This was because of one particular superhuman from Britain.

Zeus. Europe’s only S-rank who crossed national borders as if they were her living room.

True to her mischievous nature, Zeus would often fly to neighboring capitals. Like a movie superhero, she would arrive without official notice or warning, kill monsters as she pleased, receive the cheers of locals, and leave. Many such videos could be found just by typing “Zeus” on YouTube.

While these were heroic deeds, they weren’t welcome to those in high positions. A strategic weapon-like entity entering and exiting the heart of their country without any restraint. No warnings or sanctions could stop the European Superman’s movements.

Anyway, this disobedient strategic weapon had now officially visited Paris. The media highlighted the event, claiming Zeus’s visit would strengthen Anglo-French relations, but Leon knew the truth of the matter.

‘Tourism visit my ass… Those idiot Brits made a mess that flowed all the way to Paris.’

The upper echelons had been shocked to hear that the murderer Jack, who had escaped from the London Gate, had hidden in Paris. It was a terrible situation. For both Britain and France.

From Britain’s perspective, a boss monster they had failed to manage had escaped to the heart of another country. If this became known, Britain’s face would be severely damaged. And beyond just losing face, how much would neighboring countries and the EU press them on the issue of responsibility?

Conversely, France had also been struck by this bolt from the blue. Paris is the most visited tourist city in the world every year. What if it became known that a monster who had killed a hundred people in London had come to Paris? The entire tourism industry of Paris could stagger.

Moreover, the timing was terrible. Two months ago, Paris had become the second city after Pyongyang where an Eden Gate had opened. Rather than rejoicing at the prospect of trading with the Korean Peninsula through the Empire, the French worried about monsters backflowing through that permanently open gate.

This concern peaked when the Demon King’s army invaded the Empire, which manifested as a sharp drop in tourist numbers. Fortunately, the Demon King’s army was suppressed by the superhuman Leon had just met, and the tourism industry was getting back on track.

If news of Jack the Ripper spread at this timing when business was entering recovery, Paris’s tourism industry would be mired in mud that very day.

‘How many people would end up on the streets, and how much noisier would the already bustling Élysée Palace front, filled with anti-conscription protesters, become…’

By agreement between the upper echelons of both countries, the issue was quietly handled below the surface, away from civilian eyes. Britain, as the cause of the problem, dispatched Zeus to France. Since Zeus had been pursuing Jack the Ripper in London, she readily agreed.

As it was impossible to hide the departure of someone of Zeus’s stature, the media was told that Zeus was visiting Paris for leisure. This also had the added effect of promoting France as safe.

And Leon, as a government agent assigned to assist the VIP, was waiting with other agents for Zeus, who would soon arrive at the airport. He was waiting among journalists stationed in front of the exit. A ringtone from his pocket.

It was from the director. A troubled voice came through.

-Uh… Leon? Sorry, but it seems you don’t need to wait any longer. Tell everyone to withdraw.

“Withdraw? What are you saying? What about Zeus?”

-She… apparently left the airport three minutes ago.

“What? When?”

Leon looked around. Journalists staring intently at the airport arrival hall with faces mixed with fatigue and expectation. There was no trace of Zeus having passed through. If they had spotted a celebrity, the journalists wouldn’t be so quiet.

The director explained the situation with a groan.

-She used her ability to fly away as soon as she got off the plane… Said she’d track the guy alone by roaming the city and told us not to look for her.

“…What?”

When one hears something too shocking for the brain to process, understanding lags a beat. Trying to comprehend what he’d just heard: a strategic weapon that listens to no one was flying through the Parisian sky.

-Well… that’s what happened. Anyway, good job! Explain it to the journalists too.

The call ended. Leon sighed with an expression that had aged ten years in an instant.

***

“Since that monster is nocturnal anyway, I can roam freely during the day, right?”

Zeus, flying wrapped in lightning, giggled. A mischievous smile was evident on her face. The expressions of some people who looked like dogs chasing chickens as she transformed into lightning and fled right after getting off the plane wouldn’t leave her mind.

“Hehehe! I’ll pass on losing hours being harassed by journalists! It’s been so long since I’ve had a vacation!”

Being S-rank brought many benefits, but sometimes it felt like shackles. Those shackles were most keenly felt when high-ranking officials cited various regulations and agreements to prevent her from traveling abroad. Moments when the master of the skies felt the iron bars of the cage…

For this reason, now that she had official permission to travel after a long time, she couldn’t waste even a second. Enough to ignore the schedule set by the Association.

Far from feeling guilty about the government officials who were probably sweating while dealing with journalists right now, she found it utterly delightful.

‘Hehehe, I thought long and hard during the flight! How to make you all have a headache!’

This solo action was also a petty revenge against the higher-ups who had dumped their troublesome task on her. Passing their own mess to her. Wasn’t that vexing? She wouldn’t be satisfied without at least this childish venting.

Having achieved both objectives, the master of the skies now reveled in her sense of liberation.

“No one can stop meeeee-!!”

Feeling the refreshing wind and savoring freedom, Zeus’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

There was much she wanted to do. Many things she hadn’t been able to enjoy during her illegal entries due to time constraints. Things she wanted to see.

“Hehe, they say Paris has so many great restaurants. Should I go on a food tour? Or maybe try a challenge to take selfies at all tourist spots within half a day? Hehe, that sounds good! The response would be explosive if I uploaded it to social media…”