Chapter 37: The fight is too strong

There are many superhumans who represent their countries.

China has the Five Stars, the EU has the Executive Committee, and the New World has the Specialists. Each country has its own superhumans and different titles.

So what about the Republic of Korea?

The Iron-Blooded Empress.

The Doll Maker.

The Saintess.

These three are it.

They are commonly referred to as S-rank.

As a small country, there are fewer superhumans compared to other countries.

However, there’s no better place to gain combat experience than the Republic of Korea.

Gates rising from the D.M.Z.

Extreme natural environments.

Successive mutations.

It’s practically the best environment to become a superhuman, but the actual rate of becoming one is rare. Because they die before that. Therefore, people focus their attention on the limited number of S-ranks.

They thought of them as humanity’s heroes and shields. It’s natural to be enthusiastic.

And when an S-rank was removed.

-?

-What?

Is this real?

-x2

-Wow

People felt confusion.

Kang Miyoung had a duty to somehow quell that confusion.

“Are you really going?”

“If you’re scared, stay here. This elevator can even withstand a dragon’s attack.”

“I, I will wait! B, but Major, this prison is very…”

Tremble tremble.

Lieutenant Min stammered, holding onto the elevator safety bar.

It’s a prison known as the Alcatraz of Korea. A facility created by remodeling a lonely island.

It’s true that it’s scary.

Once you’re in, you can’t escape.

“It’s filthy. I know.”

One of the Republic of Korea’s strongest assets was lost.

And that too, for the highest crime an Awakener can commit, treason.

Such an S-rank was arrested. What about overseas? It created a problem for the Republic of Korea’s ironclad defense.

The media control failed.

It was widely reported, and other countries took advantage of this chaotic time to extend their reach into the Republic of Korea.

‘That can’t happen.’

Kang Miyoung walked down the hallway, her boots echoing.

Today, there’s an interrogation.

The lowest level of the prison. This place is staffed by the National Intelligence Service, the Hunter Association, the Military Manpower Administration, the Hunter Management Bureau, etc.

The best of the best are selected to handle the security here. Security personnel moved quickly, raising the bulkheads.

[Restricted area activated.]

Restricted area. An area where Awakeners cannot use their abilities. They pay a hefty price every month to renew the area. With the people’s tax money.

It’s about the price of a private jet. Kang Miyoung didn’t have a good grasp of it, but she understood roughly.

Imprisoning a psychopath like Hong Seomin, they can afford such costs.

“You look pale. It’s been a while.”

After passing through several layers of bulkheads and checkpoints, she entered the special room. Hong Seomin was sitting in her favorite chair.

With her legs on the armrest and leaning against the other side, she gave off an arrogant impression.

Also, because she was completely naked, her pale skin stood out.

“We don’t have time for idle chatter. Answer truthfully.”

Interviews can’t be long. Because of security issues.

“Should I take an oath or something?”

Kang Miyoung sat down quietly, her breath trembling.

“This place is so uncomfortable. I wish they would move the theater back.”

“A criminal making excessive demands.”

“Did I kill anyone?”

“The dolls did it all. It’s not like they can escape my control, can they? Huh? I can’t control everything.”

Bullshit.

It’s obvious she’s trying to get away with it, spitting out lies.

Hong Seomin, locked in the special room, had a bright face. You could say it was glowing.

Is it an act?

Doubt arises. Kang Miyoung frowned.

Well, she is a socialite who started as a child actress. She can act on her emotions in the blink of an eye. Admiration came first.

A genius.

That’s what they called Hong Seomin. A great actress and performer who led the Korean film industry.

She accumulated experience from the age of 20 after awakening until now, reaching the top.

She didn’t want to provoke her for no reason.

“I’ll ask the first question.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Miyoung made a cold gesture with her chin.

Several questions were exchanged.

The identity of the tower.

The justification for her actions.

Abilities, etc.

Hong Seomin, who was chewing on the questions, examined her freshly cut nails.

“Now, shall we make a deal?”

“A deal? Hah, you want me to collude with the enemy. You’re inviting foolishness. This conversation is being recorded. It will be used against you in court.”

“Recording, huh. Recording. Hmm, interesting. I have the information you want. You just need to give me one thing.”

“What is it?”

“That man.”

That man?

Kang Miyoung couldn’t understand. What is it about Lee Sunghan that she wants so much?

…She’s like that too, though.

“……………I refuse to answer.”

She flatly refused.

She’s been backstabbed too many times to trust her. Hong Seomin snorted as if it was an expected reaction.

“He’s a space shuttle that’s run out of fuel. Whooosh bang! Without the help of an expert like me, he’s bound to crash. You too. You need him.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Well. You’ll have to find out for yourself, won’t you? Hehehe. You’re already contaminated by him.”

The conversation with Hong Seomin continued without any substance.

After returning from the prison, Kang Miyoung returned home.

The next day.

After eating, Kang Miyoung opened a cylindrical pill bottle.

It’s plastic, so the texture isn’t bad. When she opened the lid, she saw pills. White. A strong artificial scent stung her nose.

She involuntarily felt her mouth dry up. She hesitates at the small table.

She has to take this.

If she doesn’t, she’ll go crazy.

If she doesn’t?

She sees hallucinations.

She hears voices.

They attack her.

When she fights back?

They scatter and regroup. The worst kind of enemy that can’t be dealt with.

The problem is, it happens every day. Kang Miyoung hated it.

An hour, a minute, a second.

Even after taking the medicine, it doesn’t calm down.

She’s going crazy.

Even she, who is praised as the Iron Lady, can’t stand it, so would others even understand? They would probably dismiss it as trivial.

“It’s worth a shot.”

Kang Miyoung swallowed the pill.

She believes. She has to believe. This is a magical object that can cure her condition.

But is this really right? Is this really a good solution? Kang Miyoung started retching and ran to the sink.

She vomited blood. Her insides felt like they were rotting, and it had a foul smell.

When was she okay?

Kang Miyoung slowly retraced her memories.

The best time was last December and this January. What happened back then? Right, she was on official business with Lee Sunghan.

“When I was with him…”

Kang Miyoung stroked her chin. Strangely, her condition improved. She doesn’t know the exact reason.

She can only speculate.

“Did I receive some kind of reward? After defeating that Mirginos and getting the emergency quest reward. That’s probably the most likely possibility.”

Kang Miyoung leveled up further.

She gained a tremendous amount of experience.

Kang Jinyoung’s magic proficiency increased.

Now she can use high-level magic without difficulty.

Then, what about Lee Sunghan?

Since he’s a support type, wouldn’t he have received some kind of support trait?

Oh, how nice! The image of him running around on the backstage came to mind. When she was with him, a subtle change occurred.

Like taking medicine.

Her mind clears.

In fact, it was more effective than medicine.

Her face was flushed, and her body was full of energy. As if she had returned to her prime. So much so that people said she looked younger.

At first, she didn’t think much of it. Ah, I feel light today. That’s what Kang Miyoung thought at the time.

So a day.

A week.

A month.

As the time apart from Lee Sunghan increased.

Her condition rapidly deteriorated.

“M-my stomach.”

To relieve her discomfort, she runs to the bathroom. She retched several times into the sink and vomited blood.

She’s slowly dying. She can feel it instinctively. If this goes on, she will really die.

Kang Miyoung wiped the blood from her mouth. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

“I-is that me?”

The person in the mirror is not the energetic her.

This is just a corpse.

A zombie.

Yes, it resembles a zombie.

A monster that threatens humanity.

Overwork.

Her prime self, who stood proudly against the shadow of death. Compared to that, it’s utterly pathetic.

‘I need him.’

Her gaze trembles like a drug addict.

Without realizing it, she prepared to go out. A smartphone she hasn’t used in a while. It was covered in dust because it was left at home.

[Lee Sunghan 010-XXXX-XXXX]

Ring ring.

She awkwardly dialed the number and brought it to her ear.

-Yes, this is Lee Sunghan.

“W-where are you now? It’s urgent. Immediately.”

-Major?

“Just tell me where you are.”

“I’m with my sister. Uh, here.”

It was 20 minutes before she arrived at Lee Sunghan’s location.

****

Why is this happening?

Her expression won’t relax.

[‘Block’ expresses displeasure at the fact that a non-spouse is touching the body.]

[‘Regeneration’ expresses the opinion, “H-honestly, I think Major Kang Miyoung is the true love interest.”]

[‘Ultra Reconnaissance’ is surprised, saying, 『Regeneration?! What are you saying?!』]

[‘Auto Battle’ is nagging them to get back to work.]

Kang Miyoung clasped her hands demurely.

“you.”

“Ah. Yes.”

“…Stay by my side. Don’t let go.”

Like a parent who doesn’t want to lose their child. Kang Miyoung’s grip was large and strong.

The guests inside didn’t notice.

Lee Sunghan.

Kang Miyoung.

Kang Jinyoung.

This three-way confrontation was going downhill to a level as cold as a blizzard, unlike the heatwave outside.

“Ma, Major.”

Sniff.

“Don’t open your mouth, s, stay quiet. You don’t have to use honorifics. I’m not here officially either. Besides…”

Kang Miyoung’s strong hand covers his mouth.

Thump!

Her hand is soft yet firm. There are calluses, but it’s still a woman’s hand.

A popping sound could even be heard.

His breathing was instantly blocked.

“You. Will you be quiet?”

Lick.

Something rough on her palm, a familiar sensation. It’s something she’s stirred many times before.

A tongue.

It’s definitely a tongue.

“……”

‘Crazycrazycrazy.’

Thoughts. Judgment. Execution.

Just 3 seconds.

“Y-you!”

Kang Miyoung’s arm quickly fell away.

She was breathing heavily, as if out of breath.

She periodically trembled, as if from a chilling sensation.

“Are you crazy?!”

Her face is as red as a ripe tomato. Is there no sense of chastity? What is she, a dog?

This man is incomprehensible. He makes her heart race and lose control of herself.

“I’m not crazy. I thought I was going to suffocate. Besides, I didn’t have any other way to talk to you, Major. I’m sorry.”

“……”

Kang Miyoung puts her hand in her bosom.

“Do you have no sense of propriety?! H-how can you lick a woman’s hand!”

H-hand licking?

The incident in Gongbang-ro overlapped in her mind.

A woman harassing a man wildly while he was pinned down. A man struggling while lying down.

To put it nicely, it was a romantic comedy(?), to put it bluntly, it was a s*x crime (fact).

“…You looked like a female pervert. Were you crazy, sister?”

Kang Jinyoung smiled faintly. Her date (self-proclaimed) was ruined by her sister.

Kang Miyoung didn’t get flustered by the sudden attack, but rather counterattacked.

Her skin was revitalized, and her body was filled with energy.

‘There’s definitely something about this man.’

Kang Miyoung could feel it instinctively.

“I, I heard that you’ve been having a hard time with anti-terrorism issues lately. I thought the head of the 10th Bureau shouldn’t be slacking off here. I have personal business with you.”

“The terrorist attacks by the Awakeners have already ended. If you’re talking about business-“

She cut her off.

“Why did you take a military Awakened soldier?! Military Awakened soldiers are under the jurisdiction of the Hunter Management Bureau! Not the National Intelligence Service.”

“Ah, that only applies to ‘women’.”

Kang Jinyoung snorted.

“The management of male Awakeners is the 10th Bureau’s job. Not yours, sister.”

Zing. Sparks flew from their eyes.

“Let’s stop talking about that.”

Kang Miyoung wiped her hand with a few napkins. Then she tucked them into her pocket.

“Wouldn’t his opinion be the most important?”

The two gazes focused on Lee Sunghan.

“You, if this b*tch is bothering you, tell me. I’ll cut her down myself.”

“Hah. As if you could make my sister disabled, remember last time? If Sunghan wasn’t there, you would be dead already.”

“Have you ever been hit by an Aura Blade? It cuts through anything. I can show you, where should I cut you?”

“You never even got to hold my hand.”

“A small chest is better than a shamelessly large one.”

Kang Jinyoung proudly pointed at her crop top with both hands.

“You’ll starve the baby with that small thing.”

“Are you done?”

The sisters’ war of nerves was put on hold by the owner, Kim Yeon’s, venomous gaze. But the war wasn’t over yet.

Their battle eventually moved elsewhere.

“Coffee.”

[-Order complete.]

“Fruit.”

[-Order canceled.]

“Coffee!!!”

[Order complete.]

“Fruit!!!”

[-Order canceled.]

…

“H-hey.”

I just want a glass of water.

Lee Sunghan’s hesitant voice went unheard.

He sighed.

“I have to go to the exam soon. Ugh.”

The promotion exam.

The essential course for an Awakened soldier awaited him.

.