Chapter 23:The construction is all ruined.

“Yes, they’re on their way up?It’s midnight now.Why are you calling someone who’s busy at this hour?”

-I need your help for a moment.

On the rooftop of Hankuk University Hospital.

Baek Min-ho walked out to the railing.

He wedged his smartphone between his head and shoulder.

The call continued, but nothing was resolved.

The person on the other end was Kang Mi-young.

But she was a patient.

What doctor would refuse a request for a consultation?

“What can I help you with?”

-It’s a medical issue.

“Regarding the Major, we’ve provided all the necessary surgical and medical support.”

-It’s not me.

Fff

The taste of a cigarette after a long time.

The sensation of waste accumulating in the lungs, the feeling of dizziness.

The unique sensation of the body deteriorating filled him.

They say it’s bad for the body.

But for Baek Min-ho, it was nothing but good.

“Ah.This is it.”

It was incomparable to the PX stuff.

After the Armed Forces Capital Hospital entered a long-term restoration, medical services within the military were transferred to the private sector, and thanks to that, he could smoke delicious cigarettes.

‘It’s all thanks to that kid.They say not to take in a black-haired beast, but it was all nonsense, wasn’t it?I want to wake up quickly and thank him.I wonder when he’ll wake up.’

He was grateful to the VVIP young man who had allowed him to pack his bags so quickly.

Let’s see.

Has it been about two weeks?

He was so surprised when he received the call.

They said he arrived urgently in a university hospital ambulance.

He didn’t know the details.

It was all so sudden.

Baek Min-ho thought it was because of the gate.

It was true that many gates had been opening lately.

Moreover, the VIP young man was not a problem at all.

He only had bruises, contusions, and some scars.

The woman was the problem.

“Was her name Kang Jin-young?”

Her life was in danger.

She was.

And who was she?

Kang Mi-young’s younger sister.

If he couldn’t save her, he’d be fired immediately.

He knew Kang Mi-young’s personality.

At best, he’d be lucky to keep his head.

“Shall we call for more manpower?”

“Pour in as many as you can!”

That’s why he took care of her with all his heart.

She hadn’t shown any signs of waking up yet.

But he was glad that her condition had improved.

‘That was the problem afterwards.’

Each organization deployed its personnel.

Kang Mi-young’s side was the Hunter Management Bureau.

Kang Jin-young’s was a ghost company of the National Intelligence Service.

-“This must not be discovered.Hunter Management Bureau.Are you guys doing your job properly?”

-“That’s what we should be asking.We’re also taking heat for the security failure!What are you going to do about it?”

-“What?Are you done talking?!”

-“Yeah, I’m done talking.What are you going to do about it!”

In fact, Baek Min-ho also wanted to point out the security issue this time.

The woman’s condition was the worst.

Multiple external injuries, organ rupture.

The head injury was particularly serious.

Brain damage had not been identified, but it needed to be carefully monitored.

-Where are you?

“I’m on the rooftop.The passcode is…”

-Got it.I’ll be right there.By the time Baek Min-ho had finished a whole pack, the rooftop door opened.

“It’s been a while, Major.You don’t look so good?”

“Let’s skip the pleasantries.”

“That was my intention.I’d like to say something nice, but I’m sorry I can’t.”

Where should he start?

Baek Min-ho extinguished the newly lit cigarette with his shoe.

He was serious when it was important.

“First of all, your sister won’t be able to move for a while.”

“How long?”

“As with all mana shocks, it won’t last long.”

Baek Min-ho put his hands in the pockets of his white coat.

“The two of them.What’s their condition?”

“We’ve started the treatment process.As you said, they’ll be quiet for a few weeks.”

“That’s a relief.”

“You don’t look relieved.”

Why point that out?

A glaring look.

Baek Min-ho, overwhelmed by her aura, backed down.

“Ah, ahem.Lee Seong-han.That friend…He’s truly extraordinary from birth, so there was no need to do anything special.

We’ve prescribed mana potions and regeneration potions.”

Baek Min-ho shrugged, then turned his body as if something had just occurred to him.

“Oh, right.That friend’s arm.”

“Yes?”

“It was almost cut off.Are there any other measures?”

“Other measures?”

Kang Mi-young suddenly became quiet.

He couldn’t even hear her breathing properly.

“Major.This is just my personal opinion, but you’re very busy with both public and private matters, do you really need to keep that friend by your side?”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

Kang Mi-young’s face, which had been silent for a moment.

It contorted.

As if she had heard something she shouldn’t have.

It’s not like she’s keeping him around for no reason.

It’s hard for her to solve everything on her own.

She needs to train a successor in advance.

There are few talents as good as her own.

And even if there were, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t leave the country.

“I know what you’re thinking.You’re probably itching to get your hands on him.It’s written all over your face.”

Does she not know that?

She might be taken away.

The most dangerous enemy is the enemy within, and Kang Mi-young was experiencing it firsthand.

She never imagined that her sister, with whom she had maintained a relatively peaceful relationship, would be such a viper.

She trembled with a sense of betrayal.

“He won’t be able to move in that condition.He might be fine with an extreme prescription.”

[‘Kang Mi-young’s’ ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)’ is activated.]

“I see.”

Kang Mi-young’s breathing.

It became strangely rapid.

Her face looked like she was feeling guilty.

She lowered her head.

‘Why is she suddenly like this?’

Wasn’t she known for being cold-hearted?

There were rumors that coolant flowed in her veins instead of blood.

She seemed a bit strange today.

“Thank you.That was very helpful.”

“I’m busy too.I’ll contact you when they wake up.”

“Alright.”

Kang Mi-young carefully descended the rooftop stairs.

She took a few hurried steps and then crouched down.

Rough breathing.

Red pupils.

They were dark as if they were dyed.

‘I did that.I hit her on the head…But I didn’t believe it.It was definitely a Puppeteer.’

[‘Kang Mi-young’s’ ‘Paranoia’ is activated.]

She closed her eyes.

There was no one in the world she could trust.

****

It’s an unfamiliar ceiling.

A white tiled ceiling.

[『Discharge Quest』]

[You have unintentionally reenlisted.

Accumulate achievements and get discharged.]

“…Damn it, that’s still there.”

Lee Seong-han felt like he had just woken up from a hangover.

The pungent smell of disinfectant.

It was definitely a hospital room.

It wasn’t a dream.

If it were a dream?

He would have woken up at home, not here.

Lee Seong-han carefully moved his head.

Crack.

The sound of bones cracking filled the room.

Another private room with no one in it.

He could use it quietly.

“Ahhh.”

His neck was stiff too.

His back ached.

It felt like he had a nightmare.

Creak.

The sliding door opened and a doctor came in.

One person.

His swaggering posture was familiar.

It was Baek Min-ho.

“I’m a doctor, a doctor!Where are you touching!”

“I’m sorry, but identity verification comes first.”

“Which unit are you from?”

Baek Min-ho had a brief standoff with the guard and then walked over.

“Ah, you’re awake.I’m sorry you had to see such an unsightly scene.

Welcome to Hankuk University.

How are you feeling?”

“Hankuk University?”

“The Armed Forces Capital Hospital is undergoing normalization, so we’re temporarily using this place together.”

Hankuk University.

It’s the best university in Korea.

A prestigious university recognized worldwide.

Why was he in such a place?

“You were injured.”

“Ah.”

The Hunter Association.

The events that took place there overlapped one after another.

Yes, he met Kang Mi-young at the end.

He couldn’t remember anything after that.

He presumed that she sent him.

It was easy to find out the answer.

He could just ask her directly.

Kang Mi-young, who arrived after a week, seemed to be in a hurry.

As if she were being chased.

“Soldier.You’re awake.”

Speak of the devil.

Now it was the era of S-class enlistees.

Lee Seong-han saluted in a proper posture.

“Attention!”

“At ease.”

“Phew.”

“I’m sorry for the delay, as there was a lot of official business to attend to while you were away.Do you have time?There’s a lot to do.”

Lee Seong-han put on his coat and staggered out.

The first-floor reception room of Hankuk University Hospital.

It was a space created for entertaining VIPs, but today, Kang Mi-young had it all to herself.

“Take a seat.I’m sorry to have come at such an early hour.”

“It’s alright…”

Lee Seong-han, who was undergoing rehabilitation, had already recovered.His speech was normal, his conversation was normal.

Except for the bandage wrapped around his head.

“Can you tell me in detail what happened?There, I mean.”

Lee Seong-han sequentially explained the events that occurred at the Hunter Association.

The appearance of the Puppeteer.

The fake association president.

The truth about climbing the tower.

The incompetence of the Korean government.

And their escape plan after the tower collapsed.

He added, “I don’t know what to believe,” lamenting his situation.

Kang Mi-young scanned Lee Seong-han’s scarred limbs.

[…He’s hurt.That damn Kang Jin-young did something crazy.]

Being in the military is a shitty job.

Kang Mi-young knew that too.

But should she just flee overseas?

Impossible.

Awakened individuals had no choice.

Every day when she woke up, she wondered if it would be better to just die.

But Kang Mi-young.

She also had people to be responsible for.

“Soldier, I will handle this matter, judging it to be serious.I promise to capture the Puppeteer.”

Kang Mi-young spoke calmly and twisted her body.

As if she had something to say.

“Moreover, you have a promotion exam coming up, don’t you?I do too, though.”

“Promotion exam?I thought we were promoted when the time came.”

“What are you talking about?You can only be considered a proper Awakened after taking the promotion exam.”

The explanation was like this.

Awakened individuals who have completed their military service obligations according to their rank?

They have to take a promotion exam.

At this time, they must obtain a hunter’s license as a prerequisite.

There are many benefits upon promotion.

The discharge period is reduced.

They receive advantages in various public services.

Lee Seong-han, who was listening intently, nodded as if it wasn’t bad.

“You’ll be returning to your main duties soon.”

“That’s right.”

“How about getting your equipment ready first?”

“Equipment?”

Equipment?

Come to think of it, he only got his equipment when he enlisted.

[I awakened, what do I do about weapons?]

(A dog saying it’s okay in a burning house.jpg)

Do I have to buy them?

ㄴThere’s a workshop in front of our unit that sells them.

Daggers, spears, they make them cheap these days.

ㄴAwakened can’t enter without buying weapons.

It was made 30 years ago, but it’s still a shitty law, why don’t they revise it?

ㄴI’m not the author, but how much is it?

ㄴIt’s 400

ㄴ?

SB K2C1 costs around 100 per unit, wtf

So, to use a metaphor for luxury, it’s like a Chinese knockoff with a luxury tag attached, originally costing 50,000 won but inflated to hundreds of millions;;

ㄴOh, I understand it perfectly now

ㄴAh~ good analogy

ㄴSB just tell them to mass-produce it at the factory

Then it won’t be cool, you troublemaker

So when are you going to show your d*ck?

ㄴUgh, oppa, my pussy feels strange

ㄴIf you want me to drag you to a secluded place and pounce on you on the street, upvote

ㄴUpvote~

With the help of the internet, he got all sorts of equipment.

He used all the money he had and didn’t have.

Lee Seong-han took a sip of barley tea.

It was in the reception room, so it tasted good.

“I’ll help you with the equipment costs.

It’s only natural for a senior to invest in talented individuals.”

It was a tempting offer.

Lee Seong-han didn’t think it was bad either.

‘It’ll definitely be better than being a free-to-play.’

Even non-awakened individuals could use good equipment if they had the money.

It was different from the Great War 30 years ago.

Kang Mi-young hesitated and bridged the conversation.

“The equipment you’re currently using is in a state of accumulated fatigue due to long-term use.Isn’t that right?”

“That’s correct.”

“…Do you find it burdensome to be with an old woman like me?”

“N-no!”

“Ugh.I shouldn’t have acted up for nothing.I hope you didn’t think it was strange.”

“It’s an honor to be with you, Major.”

“Ugh.”

Lee Seong-han nodded vigorously.

‘Should I just say this for now?’

Kang Mi-young turned her head.

Her eyes were unusual.

“Don’t flatter me too much.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Her pupils were blurry.

She looked worn out.

She had dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept.

[Thank you for not refusing.There are no more people I can trust.Soldier.For the time being, you’re the only one I can rely on.]

‘…It’s difficult if she thinks like that.’

It was hard to refuse.

It’s like the laughingstock who became the fastest to be discharged in the unit.

He reacts, and he’ll keep doing it.

-“Seong-han, when I ring this bell, you’ll laugh your ass off, okay?”

-“Excuse me?

I didn’t hear that right?”

Ring ring.

-“Sergeant Park, you’re so funny!”

-“Hahaha!

I can control men’s hearts!”

She seemed busy herself, so she couldn’t package her goodwill differently.

Lee Seong-han acknowledged it in his heart.

“Please come with me.”

What could possibly happen?

[It’s true that hitting her on the head made her return to normal.Thank goodness.She was possessed by that devilish woman, so it’s only natural.]

Lee Seong-han briefly checked his head.

He had a bandage wrapped around it because of a large bruise.

[She must have been possessed by that woman.I need to set her straight.]

‘Ah.’

Exactly three days later.

I was attacked by Kang Mi-young.