Chapter 146

Chapter 146. Bounty Hunter (4)

Ethan wore a menacing expression even before he entered the café.

His face seemed as if he might lash out at someone at any moment, reminding me of Yang Taeho’s voice echoing in my mind.

‘Relax your expression.’

I wondered if I appeared like that to him as well.

The thought left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.

I wondered if I had unnecessarily dragged Ethan into this mess.

However, that didn’t mean I would retract my decision.

I brushed away the useless thoughts and sent a chat message.

– K: Has it been two months since we last saw each other?

– Ethan Rembrandt: Yes, the last time was a brief encounter in Viceta.

The situation felt a little amusing, as we sat not far apart and communicated through chat.

Yet, this method was the best way to meet Ethan in person without revealing our connection.

I needed to see Ethan because of course, it was related to the bounty mission.

– K: It’s been a while, and the news I bring isn’t good, so it’s a bit unsettling.

– Ethan Rembrandt: It’s not your fault, K. So, how do I join this bounty hunt with you?

– K: You just need to stay right where you are.

After replying to Ethan, I glanced at the chat box.

HIDDEN MISSION

「Bounty Hunter Recruitment (1/4)」

Please stay within a 500M distance from the player to be recruited as a Bounty Hunter for more than 30 minutes.

– Enter the codename of the Bounty Hunter to be recruited:

「Reward」

Additional Bounty Hunter

Since the bounty mission roster appeared, I had contemplated it.

There’s no way I can solve all issues occurring worldwide.

But at that time, the situation was urgent, and I had to leave the country first.

As I tackled the immediate problems, the limitations of physical distance became more apparent.

“If the number of players using monsters as playthings increases instead of decreases, it won’t be manageable alone.”

I voiced out my need for help to the system.

With the Capitalism trait continually active, there was no issue in conveying my intent.

The voyeuristic and perverse system was definitely watching me through the Capitalism trait.

The biggest concern was whether the system would actually respond.

And it surprisingly did with a positive reaction.

The new mission that popped up in front of my eyes was the result of the system’s quick patch.

“You can’t just let things happen to you.”

Actively expressing complaints and suggesting improvements often leads to change.

Feeling somewhat proud, I filled in Ethan’s name in the blank mission box.

Immediately, there was a response.

「Bounty Hunter Recruitment Progress 0.1%」

「Bounty Hunter Recruitment Progress 0.2%」

「Bounty Hunter Recruitment Progress 0.3%」

…

– Ethan Rembrandt: The Bounty Hunter recruitment progress is showing up. Is this correct?

– K: Probably.

‘Originally, direct intervention by the system wasn’t allowed.’

But using a loophole created by the Capitalism trait, the intervention seemed to happen.

Given the random condition of 500M, it appeared that the system intervened with Ethan through my Capitalism trait.

– Ethan Rembrandt: At this rate, it seems it will take a considerable amount of time.

– K: Right, how shall we spend the time?

‘There are too many eyes here, so can’t even train mana.’

Maybe I’ll memorize the array of Water Element magic I absorbed?

While I couldn’t fully handle Water Element mana yet and some magic required more mana than I had.

‘I can collect the required mana.’

It’s better to do something rather than waste time.

Just as I was about to focus on memorizing mana arrays, Ethan’s message appeared.

– Ethan Rembrandt: Since it’s our first tea time together, shall we take it easy for a while?

After reading Ethan’s chat, I glanced around.

‘Tea time, huh.’

Here, my presence was probably perceived just as a slightly unfamiliar Asian.

No matter how much time I spent here, the connection between Ethan and me wouldn’t be revealed.

‘I even removed my magic tools since news about them started to spread.’

Even if Yang Jochul, whom I eluded right after arriving at London City Airport, walked by, he wouldn’t recognize me.

‘I’m not the only Asian wandering around London.’

Therefore, if I wanted to relax, there was nothing stopping me.

‘I’m tempted.’

It’s been almost ten years since I traveled abroad.

‘The last time was following my father to America before entering high school.’

I watched the exotic interior of the café and straightened my posture as I typed a chat message.

– K: Any menu recommendations?

– Ethan Rembrandt: As a Brit, that’s a question I simply can’t pass by.

I once heard that the British take tea time seriously, but I didn’t realize it was this true.

I felt overwhelmed by terms I’d never heard before, but thanks to them, I managed to relax a bit.

Just like when I visited Rashar’s mansion, I was able to leisurely eat and drink over various things.

Of course, all exchanges happened through chat.

Initially, we exchanged information on the political situations among the orders, the war status of different bases, and insights gained from playing the game.

By the time our teacups were empty, we moved on to discuss the situation of players on Earth.

– K: Letting you go with a minor watch and allowing you out is impressive of Selena. I’ve heard it’s impossible in Korea to leave the country for personal reasons.

– Ethan Rembrandt: That’s why we’re more cautious. If any player causes trouble here, Selena would be in a compromised position.

– K: Certainly, if you cause trouble right after being allowed out on human rights grounds, there’d be nothing to say.

– Ethan Rembrandt: Yes, so we often talk amongst party members. That we must never cause any trouble.

As we talked about such things, I was convinced.

Choosing Ethan as a Bounty Hunter was the right decision.

He cherished the peace they currently enjoyed.

He wanted to reclaim the ordinary moments he’d lost.

For that reason, he was very aware that players should not cause problems.

“Leaving Europe to Ethan is efficient.”

UK, Germany, and even Norway.

There wouldn’t be much problem leaving the remaining three missions in Europe to Ethan.

The same goes for future bounty missions.

As I felt reassured that I made the correct choice and regained my composure, the progress exceeded 98%.

It was time to wrap up this conversation.

– K: Will you stay in Viceta while in Bihar?

– Ethan Rembrandt: Likely, for the time being. What about you, K?

– K: Well, I started at Habon, so most of my connections are there.

– Ethan Rembrandt: I heard there’s a new holy site being reclaimed there soon? Are you going to participate?

– K: Of course.

– Ethan Rembrandt: Aren’t you scared? It was dangerous during the last main scenario.

Why ask something that’s obvious?

– K: I’m only human, so I do get scared when I face death.

But retreating isn’t an option just because I’m scared.

My goal is to end the war in Bihar.

The image shown to me by Meferoseta’s authority constantly preyed on my mind.

Familiar buildings with black smoke, explosions and screams, and Yeonwoo and Kim Yul caught amidst it.

It’s a horrific form of nightmare, a future I desperately wanted to prevent.

I sighed deeply as I stood up.

– K: It’s about time I go. I have someone waiting who I feel bad making wait too long.

– Ethan Rembrandt: It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Let’s talk more leisurely next time.

The word ‘next’ nagged at me like a lump in my throat.

Only then did I realize it wasn’t certain that we’d have a next time.

– K: Sure, next time.

But I couldn’t point out that fact in front of Ethan, who naturally anticipated the future, so I left the café acting nonchalant.

As I purposely crossed the street and brushed past Ethan’s terrace seat.

“Congratulations! You have successfully completed HIDDEN MISSION – Bounty Hunter Recruitment (1/4).”

“Your reward is the addition of Bounty Hunter (Ethan Rembrandt).”

“You can check the performance in the Bounty Hunter icon.”

“HIDDEN MISSION – Bounty Hunter Recruitment (2/4) has appeared.”

A system message popped up, and a red dot appeared on the newly created Bounty Hunter icon in my field of view.

When I opened the window, it displayed the codenames for me and Ethan.

I could also check the records of the bounty missions each of us had completed.

Soon after, Ethan successfully reported the bounty mission had appeared.

All objectives for coming to England were achieved.

“Ethan’s skills are quite notable among the Silver ranks.”

It seemed like only yesterday that he was begging for his life, but now he’s grown into a competent player.

Moreover, since Ethan’s identity was exposed to the government early on, he doesn’t hide his face while active.

Thanks to that, he’s actively engaging in association duties and has influence among European players.

“He’ll handle the bounty missions well.”

Selena’s side would deal with any social issues arising from murders or player conflicts.

“That’s enough.”

Killing and concealing someone isn’t the right way, yet.

I’ve already embarked on this path and have no intention of turning back.

“So, let’s go.”

Keep moving forward without stopping.

* * *

Squad Leader Yang Jochul massaged his temples to relieve the throbbing headache as he checked the wristwatch.

“Two hours already.”

He had been seated in the waiting area of London City Airport for two hours.

His reason for idly spending time there, of course, was because of K.

“In about two hours, it should be over.”

“Don’t go far and kill some time within the airport.”

K left a few words and disappeared right after arriving in London.

It wasn’t the first time.

At the previous destination, K always moved on his own without informing him.

As an ordinary human, following K was impossible for Yang Jochul.

As a result, he constantly lived with the anxiety and pressure that K might never return.

After spending five days away from Korea, his complexion noticeably paled.

Today’s circumstances weren’t much different.

In fact, it worsened because he frequently saw K returning while reeking of blood.

“Initially, I only worried about his escape.”

But now, he also considered K’s potential death.

The numerous realistic problems that would arise from that thought were enough to cause his headache.

Rubbing his temples repeatedly for several minutes, Squad Leader Yang Jochul began tapping his foot anxiously.

It was a reflexive response emerging from his nervousness.

Fortunately, that state didn’t last long.

“You’ll waste your blessing doing that.”

“Oh.”

K had returned.

Squad Leader Yang Jochul quickly glanced at K, who sat next to him with a thump.

Of course, he didn’t look at K’s appearance.

He had somewhat adapted to K’s unfamiliar Caucasian look.

What he observed was K’s aura.

“This time, it seems okay.”

There was no scent of blood that naturally made people tense.

“It was severe yesterday.”

He couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had changed, but starting yesterday, he felt that something about K had definitely changed.

The remnants of that change were still present, albeit much weaker than before.

As a result, it was easier to start a conversation compared to yesterday.

“K, as I’ve said repeatedly, it can’t continue like this. I need to know about your whereabouts to handle contingencies.”

“No need to handle it. There’s no trace that I was involved.”

“…”

“If any country brings it up and mentions me, demand clear evidence that K was the one who killed the players.”

It was advice to flat-out deny any involvement regarding the immigration records.

“Just because an incident happened while someone was visiting doesn’t automatically imply they’re the perpetrator.”

At that moment, he realized.

“He doesn’t seem to mind being a murder suspect.”

It was an unusual response.

Typically, humans tend to downplay their misdeeds and want to deny their mistakes.

In truth, many people couldn’t acknowledge their wrongdoings.

However, it seemed K wanted his deeds known.

“This is…”

It felt like he was appealing to an external force, not players.

As if indicating they, too, were trying to prevent problems from escalating.

“Seeking harmony, is it.”

He appeared to be concerned about the conflict between players and non-players.

Squad Leader Yang Jochul, after realizing K’s underlying intent, paused in speaking.

Meanwhile, K warned Squad Leader Yang Jochul with a stronger tone.

“I’m saying this just in case: don’t recklessly follow me. If another guy besides me notices you first, you could end up dead.”

He explained that those he was tracking down were players indifferent to murder.

“You haven’t been directly involved in this game, so why assume such risk?”

“…”

“Fortunately, I’ve found like-minded individuals, so it’s not difficult to sort things out our way.”

He implied that Yang Jochul should stay back and not force involvement.

“So, let’s get going now. What time did you say the flight is?”

Then K stood up first and spoke.

It was a clear expression that he wouldn’t entertain any objections.

Squad Leader Yang Jochul watched him for a moment, then sighed lightly and rose from his seat.

“It’s at 9 o’clock.”

He agreed to heed K’s warning.

Checking his wristwatch again, Squad Leader Yang Jochul led K towards the international gate and said,

“We’ve an hour left, so we should start the boarding process.”

Next destination was the United States.

Damned System