Chapter 24
At that moment,
“Ugh!”
“Gah!”
“Argh!”
The three people approaching Suho suddenly froze in their tracks.
The S-rank Intimidation effect of Dragon Blood made their bodies stiffen as if hit by monster fear.
‘The Banshees at their current level are probably only able to stand there and breathe.’
Without needing to take further action, he slowly approached them and began removing their hoods and masks one by one.
After removing the mask of the first person, Suho looked at his face and said,
“Kim Hyun-min. In charge of mobility skills, works as a delivery driver.”
Then he removed the mask of the second man and said,
“Seo Gyo-won. Bomb-making specialist for terrorist activities, works as a middle school science teacher.”
Finally, he removed the mask of the last man and said,
“Gwak Doo-ho. Works as a day laborer, handles heavy tasks despite his thin build.”
Now, only one person remained.
The only female member of the team, the founder and leader of the Banshees, and the brains behind all their operations and strategies.
As Suho removed the mask of the last member, who was immobilized by the Gwiyeong Spear, he said,
“Goo Yeon-hwa, a student at Korean Women’s University, the actual boss of the Banshees who founded the group, and an EMP user who neutralizes electronic devices and magical items, right?”
“Gasp, gasp… How do you know all this…?”
“You can find out anything if you really want to. Now, take a good look at my face. Who do you think I am?”
“It’s my first time seeing you today, so how would I… Oh?”
Shock crossed Goo Yeon-hwa’s face.
Yes.
Even if no one else recognizes me, you should.
You’re the brain of the team, after all.
With an expression of disbelief, Goo Yeon-hwa said,
“You’re… Ahn Suho?”
“Right, as expected of the brain. So, why don’t you tell them I’m not a threat?”
Suho removed the Intimidation and shadow effects from Goo Yeon-hwa.
As her trembling breath returned to normal, she finally calmed down and took a deep breath before looking up and asking,
“Who are you, really?”
“You can tell from my face, right? Let’s discuss the details later.”
“Why should we trust you?”
“If you don’t want to, fine.”
“What?”
“You’ve committed a total of three terrorist acts so far, including the one planned for today. No civilian casualties yet, but there’s been property damage, so it’s still a crime. The police have no clue about your involvement, but I know everything. How you carried out the attacks and erased your traces. And I know where you live and the people around you. How about now? Ready to talk?”
Goo Yeon-hwa’s eyes trembled greatly.
Right.
Even if you’re the leader of the future terrorist organization Banshee, for now, you’re just a college student who recently started her big schemes.
Suho released the Intimidation on the other three as well and said,
“Listen up. As I said, I’m not with the government, and I have no intention of capturing or harming you. Let’s talk peacefully.”
The four exchanged glances around Suho.
Finally, Goo Yeon-hwa nodded and said,
“…Fine.”
“Good. But first, let’s move to a different location. We can’t have a proper conversation here, can we? Your hideout would be the safest place, right? Hyun-min-ah, open the portal. We can’t just take a taxi there.”
At this, Kim Hyun-min, the team member in charge of mobility, muttered in disbelief.
“…Crazy.”
***
The Banshee’s hideout on the outskirts of Seoul—
Upon arriving, Suho naturally sat on the sofa provided in the hideout and said,
“Make yourselves comfortable. This is your hideout, after all. If you’re thirsty, feel free to grab something to drink.”
Suho behaved as if he were the owner, and although Goo Yeon-hwa was momentarily taken aback by his brazen demeanor, she soon regained her composure and sat across from him.
“Enough. Who are you? Why did a famous figure from TV suddenly show up in front of us? And how do you know about our identities?”
“It’s my personal skill.”
“What?”
“I said, it’s my personal skill. Knowing your secrets and appearing before you, all of it.”
“What does that even mean…”
“Why? Don’t you all have a skill or two that you keep hidden? Skills you use for your terrorist activities. It’s the same for me.”
At that, Goo Yeon-hwa fell silent.
She had no counter-argument.
So she changed the topic.
“…So what do you want from us?”
“Work with me.”
“Work?”
“Did you see my interview article? I talked to a PBS reporter about my future plans.”
When Goo Yeon-hwa nodded, Suho nodded back and said,
“That makes it easier to talk. You know I plan to join the Korean Hunter Association, right? That wasn’t just for the interview—it’s true.”
“…What?”
Goo Yeon-hwa’s expression twisted again.
It was hard to comprehend logically.
But Suho spoke as if it was no big deal.
“Don’t make that face. Everyone I meet asks if it’s true.”
“So it’s really true?”
“There you go again. Yes, it’s true. In fact, I plan to take the upcoming level 5 public recruitment exam.”
At this, the eyes of Goo Yeon-hwa and the other three widened again.
The level 5 exam for the Korean Hunter Association was notoriously difficult, to the point where they wouldn’t hire anyone if the candidates didn’t meet their standards.
“Judging by your expressions, you know how tough the level 5 exam is. But it’s true, I plan to take the level 5 exam and I will pass. Eventually, I plan to enter the Special Department after going through a few positions.”
The mention of the Special Department made the atmosphere drop.
The reason for the Banshee’s creation was the core department of the Korean Hunter Association, the ‘Special Department’.
Suho knew this well.
He had worked in the Special Department once.
But Suho continued speaking as if it didn’t matter.
“How can you keep your secrets if you can’t even control your expressions? Don’t worry, I want to join the Special Department for reasons similar to yours.”
“Similar reasons?”
“If you’ve seen the interview, you know I’m a gate orphan. At first, I thought I was just unlucky to get caught in such an incident. Gate phenomena are disasters beyond human control, right? But later, I found out what I experienced was a man-made disaster.”
Depending on the gate, some cause a shockwave upon appearing, devastating the surrounding area, and then spewing out monsters like other gates.
A prime example was the Green Red Gate at Sindorim Station, which Suho first solo-cleared.
The government had created the Gate Management Department within the Association to monitor signs of gate occurrences and prepare for the shocks, but Suho had always thought his family’s misfortune was due to an ‘unforeseen gate’.
So he blamed the gates and the system, making their eradication his ultimate goal.
But later, when he joined the Korean Hunter Association and rose to a high position, he realized it was entirely different.
The incident that day was clearly a man-made disaster.
“Have you heard the saying that a bomb never falls in the same place twice?”
“Yes, and I’ve heard it applies to gates as well.”
“Exactly. Once a gate appears in a location, it never appears there again. That’s why areas where gates have been cleared are designated as safe zones and the land prices skyrocket.”
As Suho said this, Goo Yeon-hwa’s eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me…”
“Yes. The government knew about the gate shock that day. But they intentionally didn’t prevent it. Various development projects were tied to that area. I know who was involved. That’s why I want to join the Korean Hunter Association.”
“You’re planning to kill them all?”
“No. In a constitutional state, murder isn’t an option. If I planned on that, I would have prepared quietly. I’ll take my revenge in a different way. But isn’t it the same for you all? You all have a grudge against the Special Department and have targeted places related to them for your terrorist acts. That’s why I came to find you.”
Everything he said was true.
What happened to Suho and the reason Banshee was founded were not made-up stories to lure them in.
Suho’s words made the faces of Goo Yeon-hwa and the others even more serious.
Suho continued,
“The Special Department of the Korean Hunter Association wields the most power within the Association. It also influences other government departments significantly and has investigative and prosecutorial powers over players. I plan to become the head of the Special Department and make them face proper consequences.”
Suho looked directly into Goo Yeon-hwa’s eyes and said,
“I’ll help you with your revenge in a more concrete and reliable way. But it requires a lot of preparation. That’s why I sought you out. I need people outside the Korean Hunter Association who can work covertly for me. How about it? Isn’t this an intriguing proposal?”
He had said everything he needed to.
There were no lies, and he had clearly stated his purpose for finding the Banshees.
However, Goo Yeon-hwa was bewildered by such an unexpected proposal, and her mind was in turmoil.
The others felt the same way.
Then Goo Yeon-hwa asked,
“But isn’t the level 5 exam extremely difficult? I heard they don’t recruit anyone if they’re not up to standard.”
At this, Suho chuckled.
“I introduced myself as Ahn Suho, didn’t I. Do you think I can’t pass a measly level 5 exam? And don’t you know that in the end, it’s people who make these decisions?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The level 5 exam at the Korean Hunter Association includes written and practical tests, but the most crucial part is the final interview.”
“Interview? Isn’t that just a formality if you pass the first and second stages?”
“Not at all. At the level of the level 5 exam, the influence of the Association chairman and vice chairman is significant. Level 5 positions start at the team leader level. This means the interview is attended by those in power to select someone who will be their ally. Who do you think they’ll choose? They’ll pick someone who catches their eye.”
“So? Are you saying you’ll just curry their favor?”
“Why not? And…”
Suho shared part of the next steps he had discussed with Jo Jin-hwi with the Banshees.
Their eyes widened in astonishment as Suho placed a piece of paper with his secondary phone number on the table.
“Think it over. Or decide after you see me pass the level 5 exam. But if you commit another terrorist act before that, this offer is off the table, and I’ll personally hand you over to the Special Department. Take care.”
With that, Suho coolly left the hideout.
