A few days ago, Jong-sik made a request to Pyeong-ari. It was about the list of dimensional beings and their information.
“Based on what I found, there are about 12 dimensional beings domestically and around 150 overseas. However, there may be some margin of error, so please take that into account.”
Pyeong-ari mobilized all channels to find dimensional beings worldwide. She didn’t question or probe Jong-sik’s request.
“There are also several guilds that manage and protect dimensional beings, much like Team Leader Dok is protecting Trigo. There are a total of five in Korea. Including Trigo, that makes six. The remaining six are managed and protected by the association, as you know.”
“Hmm.”
Jong-sik continued to listen attentively to Pyeong-ari’s words.
“Furthermore, the government plans to publicly announce them as dimensional refugees soon. If that happens, they will also integrate into society outside of the association, right? Anyway, that’s all the information I could gather. Here’s the list I’ve compiled. You can refer to it.”
“I’ll take a look. And one more thing. Originally, I was planning to look into it myself, but since you asked me to participate in the operation, I feel like I won’t have time. Could you please check the whereabouts of the people on the list provided by the guild?”
“It’s possible domestically, but manpower is limited for overseas…”
“Can’t you do it?”
“Ah, no! It’s possible. I’ll inspect it carefully.”
She was about to say it was impossible, but she couldn’t refuse when she looked into Jong-sik’s eyes. Until now, Jong-sik had always readily accepted what she asked of him.
Moreover, now was the time for her to step up. She demonstrated her professionalism.
“So, are you still going on the business trip as scheduled?”
“Of course.”
With that, Pyeong-ari breathed a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Jong-sik scanned through the list he received. It contained information about the dimensional beings.
Their appearance, gender, abilities, and even their hometowns were listed. Jong-sik paid attention to the “hometown” section. He wanted to check if any of them had families among his former colleagues.
He didn’t intend to take care of all of them. Bringing Trigo was easy since he discovered him, but it was different for others. It could lead to unnecessary complications. So, Jong-sik thought he would only help within his capacity.
“I’ll figure out the methods gradually. Well, if not…”
The Next Day
“Wow. How long will it take? Two days? Three days? Or could it possibly be just one day?”
There was dissatisfaction written all over Yeona’s face. Although she knew the drill from previous occasions, she still wore a gloomy expression at Jong-sik’s departure.
“It’s initially scheduled for a week, but who knows? Situations are always subject to change.”
Jong-sik’s first business trip was scheduled. Coming and going was part of the job. Since he had managed to secure it, participating in a national operation seemed inevitable. Additionally, he thought it wouldn’t hurt to use this opportunity to assess the national power.
“Ugh. A week? That’s quite long. It’s not anything dangerous, is it? I hope not….”
“Yeah. I’m a bit worried this time too. If he disappears again, it’ll be really troublesome.”
The two exchanged concerned glances. Jong-sik waved his hand as if to say not to worry too much.
“It’s not particularly dangerous. And since the appointments for this month have been canceled due to my departure, I’ll have more free time. So, relax your expressions a bit.”
“Okay, okay. Just make sure you eat well. Maybe if I stuff you with breakfast, I’ll feel a bit more relieved.”
Jong-sik was already planning to add one more bowl anyway. He handed an empty bowl to Yeona. Soon, a heap of rice was delivered in front of Jong-sik. It was freshly cooked rice for breakfast, so its texture was impeccable.
After finishing their meal, Jong-sik bid farewell.
“If anything happens, contact me immediately. I’m off.”
“Sob.”
“….”
Why were they acting as if he were going to his death? Even Trigo was pouting his lips.
“Ugh, why are you all acting so flustered? I’m just going to eat a nice meal.”
At Yeona’s words, she forced a smile and raised her voice.
“Well, of course not! Take care. Dad. Don’t worry about us here. I’ll take good care of Dad and Trigo Uncle.”
“Don’t worry about us and just take care of your brother’s well-being. Got it?”
“Hyung! We’ll be waiting for you.”
Jong-sik received a loud farewell and set off on his business trip.
Hunter Talent Development Institute in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was designated as the temporary lodging for the forces involved in the upcoming joint operation between South Korea and the United States. Judging by the continuous stream of incoming vehicles, it seemed like a sizable operation.
As Jong-sik gazed out the window at the rural scenery, he finally felt like he was leaving home.
“It’s going to be quite a long week.”
At that moment, a booming voice echoed through the room. It was the liaison from the association who would oversee Jong-sik’s team for the week. He was in the midst of introducing the facilities at the Hunter Talent Development Institute.
“Finally, if you need to know, we’ll provide a restaurant. There’s no set mealtime, so you can come down whenever it’s convenient for you. We offer Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Western cuisines, so you can choose according to your preference.”
“Wow, sounds great. The aroma is killing me.”
Seo Sun-hwa followed behind the liaison, sniffing the air. The liaison concluded the tour by introducing the lounge area and individual rooms before guiding them to where the other teams were gathered.
The upcoming operation briefing would also take place here. Murmurs and chatter could be heard from beyond the door.
“This way, please.”
“Are we the last team?”
“As far as I know, yes. Everyone arrived early… They’re probably all inside. The Association Chairman is expected to arrive within thirty minutes to an hour.”
“Get to know each other’s faces. I guess that’s the meaning.”
The liaison nodded in agreement with Jong-sik’s remark. As it was their first meeting, there was a need for some time to introduce themselves.
“You came separately, but you’ll be going out together for the operation. So, I thought it would be a good opportunity for you to get to know each other.”
“I understand what you mean.”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave now. If you encounter any inconveniences during your stay, please feel free to contact us. We’ll resolve it immediately.”
“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”
Jong-sik lightly bowed to the liaison and then opened the door to the meeting room on the second floor.
Before opening the door, he distinctly heard loud chatter. However, as he stepped inside, the room fell silent as if someone had died.
With or without words, Jong-sik walked to the empty seat, followed by his team members who looked at his back. Except for Jong-sik, they were all tense.
“Hey? Can’t you just sit down?”
Suddenly, someone asserted authority. A man with cropped hair wearing a snug red T-shirt glared at Jong-sik.
“You came late and you’re just walking in like that, without even showing respect to your seniors?”
Jong-sik frowned. At the same time, the atmosphere in the room became heavy. It was what the man with cropped hair, or rather, what everyone wanted.
The gathered individuals had agreed to extinguish the morale of Jong-sik’s team from the outset. In gatherings like this, establishing the hierarchy was essential. The man with cropped hair was assigned that role.
“I heard you had quite a reputation. Let’s hear a proper introduction of your team first. Or should we start with a dance as an initiation?”
However, an unexpected response came. Jong-sik lit a fire.
“Dancing is nonsense. Your attitude is out of line. If you’re curious about our team, let’s start with your team first.”
Jong-sik was fully aware of the man’s intentions. It seemed like some kind of power struggle. After all the days he had lived, he had a good sense of these things. Then, he should meet expectations.
“Am I wrong?”
“Wow, hahaha. Oh, man. This is amusing.”
The man with cropped hair burst into an awkward laughter, seeming perplexed. The others watched the confrontation with keen interest. If the man with cropped hair took the upper hand here, he would establish his position under Jong-sik’s team.
Once the hierarchy was established, it was difficult to change. Of course, the man with cropped hair knew that well. He had no intention of giving in.
Moreover, he was an A-class Hunter just like Jong-sik. A seasoned Hunter who had participated in national operations multiple times. He was confident in his superiority.
“Arrogant juniors are easy prey!”
The man with cropped hair threw himself into his seat. Despite his bulky physique, his movements were swift. Jong-sik knew he had to fight back with all his might. The man threw a punch, but it wasn’t aimed to kill, so he didn’t put all his strength into it.
But that was the problem. The man with cropped hair should have put all his strength into it. Of course, the outcome would likely have been the same either way.
Crash!
As the man with cropped hair boldly rushed forward, he suddenly flipped over and collapsed to the ground. A single swelling bump appeared on his forehead where Jong-sik’s fist had struck.
The Hunters looked back and forth between Jong-sik and the man with cropped hair with puzzled expressions.
“What, what just happened?”
Certainly, there existed individuals who could defeat the man with cropped hair. However, Jong-sik didn’t have the confidence to subdue him in a single move. Even among those gathered, none had witnessed how Jong-sik had subdued the man with cropped hair. It had happened in the blink of an eye.
Then what about the rest? They doubted their own eyes. Jong-sik effortlessly dodged the incoming punch from the man with cropped hair and responded with an equal move.
“His reaction speed is insane. It’s like he’s playing with a little kid, isn’t it?”
They reconsidered Jong-sik’s evaluation. Meanwhile, there were those among the man with cropped hair’s team members who were dismayed by his defeat.
“That bastard!”
“I’ll kill him!”
Three individuals glared fiercely and lunged forward. They had forgotten what they themselves had initiated.
“It’d be more convenient to take care of them all at once.”
Jong-sik chuckled and cracked his knuckles. Although Seo Sunhwa and Seo Sanghun hurriedly attempted to use their skills in the 3:1 situation…
Thud! Thwack! Thud!
Jong-sik had already subdued them faster. Like the man with cropped hair, bumps rose on their foreheads as they lay sprawled on the ground.
It was neither excessive nor inadequate, just a clean strike. That’s how Jong-sik proved himself. The audience remained in a silent awe.
Then, it happened.
“I’m Gong Se-hee from the Taerung Guild. May I have a match with you?”
There was a woman who broke the silence. It was Gong Se-hee, a Hunter from the Gongje Guild. It was certainly not for the sake of establishing hierarchy. With eyes burning with fighting spirit, she politely sought Jong-sik’s permission to spar.
The eyelids of Chairman Nam Woo-jong trembled. The sparring visible beyond the monitor made his heart pound.
“Keep a close eye on Dok Jong-sik. Report any unusual findings immediately. Oh, and try not to leave a bad impression if possible.”
Instructions from Minister Gong, who was seated high above.
Until then, Chairman Nam Woo-jong found it difficult to discern Minister Gong’s intentions.
But now he seemed to understand. Why he was instructed to keep a close eye on Dok Jong-sik.
“…He’s someone who cannot be underestimated.”
He had thought Dok Jong-sik participated in the operation by sheer luck, but that was a mistaken thought. Dok Jong-sik was a lion with its claws concealed.
Such a lion was effortlessly blocking Gong’s sword. Chairman Nam Woo-jong leaned back as if being sucked into the monitor.
“Chairman!”
At that moment, someone urgently entered the chairman’s office. The employee, now concerned, explained the reason for the chairman’s visit.
“It seems there’s a problem among the gathered Hunters. You should go and…”
“I already know. Might as well go along.”
However, the chairman already knew everything. He rose from his seat. It was time to meet the lion.
