Chapter 29:The enemy of my enemy is my friend

Lee Seong han, who was reading the memories. He swallowed hard for a moment, then trembled.

“What’s wrong, you?”

Lee Seong han maintained a blank expression.

He sat with one knee bent, his expression as resolute as that of a certain pirate manga’s three-sword style swordsman.

It had a nice, bouncy feel, but it was a strange sensation.

It’s not for nothing that he’s anxious.

“You?”

“Major.”

Lee Seong han tapped his waist with his fist and stood up.

“We have a problem. This woman is Hong Seomin.”

“Oh boy.”

Kang Miyoung covered her eyes with her hand. It’s a day when Lee Seong han wants to curse a lot too.

Nothing happened!

Like hell it didn’t.

Lee Seong han reported everything he found.

Identity.

Footprints.

Life.

Everything after reading the memories. Is this what Kang Jinyoung’s [Memory Search] feels like? After finishing the report, Lee Seong han returned to attention.

Kang Miyoung stared at his face for a moment, then turned her head away.

Ahem-

She covered her mouth and coughed quietly. They tacitly agreed not to mention it. So as not to make each other blush.

A momentary interlude.

Kang Miyoung returned to her cold demeanor.

“She’s a fake.”

“That’s right.”

“There’s no reason not to trust you. Good. Do you have another plan?”

“I do.”

This is how military life becomes a little more comfortable.

Lee Seong han also had a lot of internal conflicts at first. Should he switch to Hong Seomin’s side? He thought about it for a while. But it soon fizzled out.

‘Become a doll and work 24 hours a day without being able to die? Not just office work, but also in the field? Are you insane?!’

He’d rather choose death. Kang Miyoung is a 1,000 times better superior.

Kang Miyoung at least guarantees autonomy.

That alone is already a perfect score.

He doesn’t want to do chores during his vacation time.

…When he recalls the messages that are updated every second, that might change, though.

“First of all, it’s certain that she’s captured. I read her memories. It’s the power of enhanced reconnaissance.”

Actually, it’s not the power of reconnaissance.

It’s because of that looks down from somewhere far above. Where on earth did that trait come from?

“Every time I see you, you’re so capable that I want to have you.”

“I know. My friends from the island nation said the same thing.”

“…I see.”

Lee Seong han sighed. After acquiring this ability, he received love calls from all over the place.

Hunter Management Bureau.

National Intelligence Service.

Even the hunter organizations of China and Japan, which form the East Asian trinity!

Now his name has even come up in Europe.

‘I need to strengthen my defenses.’

As Kang Miyoung said, the world is always changing and progressing, but if there’s one thing that hasn’t changed from the past to the present.

It’s the malice of people.

The best-selling Sun Tzu’s Art of War says that it’s okay to break the arm of someone who extends it for reconciliation. (Probably).

Lee Seong han knows it too.

You shouldn’t keep a spy who is in cahoots with the enemy alive.

No matter how much he dislikes the government, he can’t hate Korea. He’ll make them not of this world.

“Are you going?”

“Huh?”

“I asked if you’re going. If you receive an immigration offer from an uncertain foreign country. Will you do it?”

Screeeech!

A plump digger, like a Vienna sausage, jumped at Kang Miyoung!

“…….”

Kang Miyoung stretched out her arm.

And squeezed the digger’s face.

Squish.

The digger’s face was crushed.

The digger, which had been screaming, soon became quiet.

“I’m sorry. I don’t like to let those who attack from behind go.”

“I am always a member of the free Republic of Korea!”

“Yes, that’s the answer I wanted.”

After that, it was a repeat of battles.

****

“Multiple enemies in front!”

“Confirmed. Entering first.”

Numerous monsters and traps.

It feels like entering a dungeon in a fantasy game.

Since they planned to sweep the inside of Gakryeong Market and loot as much equipment as possible, they didn’t spare a single speck of dust.

“It’s a huge burrow.”

“Diggers have a habit of collecting valuables. That wasp nest is the digger’s fortress.”

“Do we break through?”

Kang Miyoung took out a lighter from her pocket and lit it.

“Burning it is enough.”

And so, the party dealt with the digger’s nest. It should be quiet for a while.

They were on their way back to the fountain.

Unlike the dreary atmosphere, fluorescent sticks were placed here and there, so it wasn’t difficult to return.

Clatter.

As soon as they arrived at the square, the equipment they had packed in their bags rattled.

Lee Seong han laid a cloth on the ground and displayed them in a long line.

“First, we need to wait until the backup team arrives. To deal with a doll maker, it’s better to fight with the same tactics.”

A human wave tactic.

How many numbers can be mobilized?

“It will be late anyway because of the entry procedures. The later the timing, the more likely it is that problems will arise.”

“Are you saying we should deal with it now?”

“No. Besides, shouldn’t we get what we can?”

“What do we get?”

“Honor.”

Lee Seong han slapped his knee.

“Hong Seomin is crazy. Well, even if she stages a coup for the psychics, which is common in dramas, it will only make the situation worse.”

“Yeah. There’s not enough manpower as it is. It’s all being leaked outside.”

He’s not unaware.

Is the K-government’s dysfunction just once or twice? Lee Seong han’s reenlistment was the same.

Because the number of awakeners decreased so much, they brought back a law from 30 years ago exactly as it was.

Reenlistment.

Every time he thinks about it, his blood boils and he can’t breathe.

“Hong Seomin will die.”

“Why?”

“To put it bluntly, she has many enemies. It’s a given for us.”

“Us. Ahem.”

Kang Miyoung wiggled her eyebrows and looked away.

“Ah, don’t worry. I gave her a few anesthetics, so she’ll be fine. There’s no reaction. She’s not awake either.”

Kim Seojeong.

He was startled because of her.

[It’s a counterfeit made with chaos magic.]

[It’s certain.]

‘I know.’

Lee Seong han turned his head. He almost fell for it.

An awkward silence.

Kang Miyoung snorted and gulped down cold water.

“Well, she did step on a lot of toes. She has a vicious personality and slyly covets other men. A foxy woman who’s close to trash.”

Oh, Major, you’re so eloquent. It just flows out like a clear stream.

Kim Seojeong, leaning against the fountain, was fast asleep. She stretched out, scratching her belly button.

She doesn’t seem to be embarrassed even in front of a man, so he wondered if this is how it usually is.

“What’s the plan?”

“We kill her.”

“Now?”

“No. After we get everything.”

It’s simple.

There’s a high chance that that woman is Hong Seomin. No. It’s just over 100%, 120%.

Or maybe she has an original ego but is being controlled, with just the outer shell somehow changed, but it’s certain that she needs to be dealt with.

If he kills her now, he’s guaranteed safety.

But it will interfere with the quest.

It’s doll play, so how can the doll maker be missing?

Because of the 『Kang Miyoung Hypnosis Incident』, he wants to kill her right now, but what can he do?

If it’s for discharge?

He was confident that he could have a 100-minute debate with Satan. Lee Sunghan was.

“Hong Seomin has another weakness.”

Kang Miyoung’s eyes widened.

“What is it?”

“You grab the doll’s strings. Then, that b*tch becomes useless.”

Lee Sunghan continued his explanation calmly. Kang Miyoung also maintained a “Hmm, is that so?” expression.

The explanation gradually reached its climax.

Since it’s Kang Miyoung, she must know, so he only gave a brief explanation. Of course, the result was shocking, but

“Strings?”

What’s with this person again?

“Can only I see them?”

“There’s a possibility that it’s related to your reconnaissance ability. The higher the grade of Hong Seomin’s dolls, the more they resemble real humans. Except for the bodily functions.”

“So that’s why she put her fingers in my mouth”

Kang Miyoung’s face turned as red as a radish. She waved her hand as if to tell him to stop.

“Th-that was because of hypnosis. I apologized, didn’t I? I’m not a pervert who covets other men like Kang Jinyoung. I don’t whine because I want to be loved.”

Even as she said that, she avoided his gaze, so it seems like you can’t hide your blood.

She reacted with a sullen face, just like Kang Jinyoung.

Before coming, he asked Kang Jinyoung about the dolls.

“Strings? The doll maker’s strings?”

“Don’t you know? I heard that you saw them at the association.”

She rested her chin on her arm and thought for a long time.

“Well. I don’t know if doll makers have strings? I’ll ask the intelligence department, but the results… I can’t guarantee.”

The first time, he let it go.

He thought she might have amnesia from hitting her head for some ‘unknown reason’.

But this makes him suspicious. If Hong Seomin secretly visits and puts a drug in the water, the memory of the ‘strings’ itself will disappear! Wow, that’s amazing, Hong Seomin!

No, isn’t it 『common sense』 that wooden dolls are moved by connecting them with all kinds of strings?

Kang Miyoung nodded as if she understood.

‘I want him. I want him so badly. I want to keep him by my side and make him go to the front lines all his life. I can’t let Kang Jinyoung take him. The fate of the nation is at stake.’

Lee Seong han was startled and turned his gaze to the fountain.

He could see it.

Something connected to those strings.

It’s blurry and he can’t see it clearly, but he felt like he was piercing through its essence.

Crackle.

What broke his contemplation was the sound of embers burning.

They used the wooden furniture in Gakryeong Market to make a light bonfire.

“Now, let’s eat.”

“…Y-you’re good at cooking too. You.”

Gulp.

As expected, blood is thicker than water, Kang Miyoung’s face was as red as a radish.

‘Does he have a girlfriend? He must… He’s so manly.’

She’s not the type to date around.

Moreover, what is manliness?

Not womanliness. Lee Seong han took a big bite out of the freshly roasted hind leg.

“Have some.”

“Y-you’re giving it to me?”

As expected, freshly roasted is the best. Digger meat is considered a delicacy on the front lines.

It’s rich and greasy.

The taste of the strong seasoning is also a must.

They were taking a break.

[『You have a new message!]

What.

There was a message system?

[『Message]

[You’re with my sister right now, right? I’m on my way. I confirmed that the magic activated earlier, right? Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere…]

[Sender: Kang Jinyoung]

Sigh.

The more allies, the better.

“You don’t look good. Eat quickly. Even ghosts who die after eating look better, don’t they?”

If there’s internal strife, it’s over.

It was worth a try.