F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 154

Numerous reporters had anticipated his death and were working quickly on their stories. Some had already published their pieces. Understandably so, as there were only five minutes left until the end. The chance of his survival was close to 0%.

"Ah, damn it. We should've just posted about his death earlier."

A reporter clicked his tongue in regret, glancing at his junior. The junior journalist, hesitatingly, was fumbling with his laptop.

While looking at the laptop screen, the senior journalist spoke in disbelief, "The title is 'Hunter Seo Gangrim, Dramatically Survived?' There are barely three minutes left. Is that even possible? Quickly post the death article!"

In response to the sharp rebuke, the junior journalist looked around nervously. Despite this, there was still no sign of him posting a new article. He hesitated but cautiously spoke, "Senior, I still... I believe Hunter Seo Gangrim will survive."

"What? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"The main characters usually don't die, right?"

"Seriously? Are you also immersed in Dokgo Jun's novel? That's just a novel."

As the senior journalist ridiculed the junior, urgent noises came from the surrounding reporters. Startled, they saw people rushing out of the Great Demon Realm.

"S-Seo Gangrim? Is he dead?"

"I-Is he alive?"

When Shin Sooah emerged while carrying Seo Gangrim the reporters mistakenly believed he was dead. However, when they saw the notification window, they grasped the situation.

[Successfully conquered the third Great Demon Realm!]

[Conqueror: Seo Gangrim]

[Seo Gangrim's name is spreading widely!]

The reporters, initially confused, soon became even more dumbfounded. Then, camera flashes began to explode like crazy. Reporters were scrambling to cover Seo Gangrim while hastily deleting their incorrect articles.

"Seo Gangrim really came back alive?"

"Moreover, he conquered the Great Demon Realm again?"

"Delete the mistake and post an apology!"

Just now, the journalists who reported Seo Gangrim's death hastily posted new articles without saying a word. After Shin Sooah put down Seo Gangrim, she examined his condition.

"Are you okay? We should get you treatment as soon as possible..."

"Seo Gangrim, is the video posted by journalist Choi Pilyoung true?"

"Say something!"

Reporters crowded around the two, shouting questions. Shin Sooah glared at them with a powerful aura, creating an uneasy atmosphere. At that moment, a sharp voice came from behind the journalists.

"Everyone, please step back. Your cooperation is appreciated."

The journalists, with annoyed expressions, turned around to see who it was. However, whatever they saw made them quickly step back and clear the way. A group of people walked through the opening.

"Hunter Seo Gangrim, is that correct?"

The person who appeared in front of Seo Gangrim was an agent from the Destiny Protection Bureau. Even though they all knew him, they still formally asked the question. Seo Gangrim also responded formally.

"Yes, that's correct. What's going on?"

"You need to come with us right now."

Upon hearing this, the journalists started murmuring and frantically began taking pictures. Amidst the flashing lights, the agent opened his mouth.

"We have many questions about the video posted by Choi Pilyoung-ssi."

***

The interrogation room at the Destiny Protection Bureau was devoid of decorations, just plain gray. The dry and desolate space somehow brought to mind a tomb.

Team Leader Gong Joo entered with a large document bag in hand.

"Hunter Seo Gangrim, it's been a while."

As he stepped into the interrogation room, Seo Gangrim, who was already seated at the table, came into view. He didn't look well, perhaps due to recently completing the Great Demon Realm conquest. Blood stains dotted his body, and his face was notably gaunt.

"You've been told what you're here for, right?"

"Yes."

"Community forums are buzzing with stories about Choi Pilyoung-ssi and Seo Gangrim-ssi."

Gong Joo said, offering his phone to Seo Gangrim.

Choi Pilyoung's posted video was flooded with numerous comments, most of which were filled with profanity.

- Is Seo Gangrim crazy? Did he really kill someone?

- What a coward. Did he raise his stats like that?

- Is that all you're good at? Letting a murderer run loose like this?

"People can be so unreasonable. There's nothing certain yet, and everyone is getting worked up like this," Team Leader Gong Joo said, taking the phone away.

Seo Gangrim looked at him with a face still stained with blood.

"Seeing you interrogating me like this, Team Leader Gong Joo, it seems you have similar thoughts."

"That's not the case. We're conducting the interrogation as a formality, but I don't particularly think you are the culprit."

Gong Joo smiled leisurely and placed the brought document bag on the table. It made a solid thud when it landed.

"However, opinions from higher-ups differ. We need evidence to prove your innocence, Seo Gangrim-ssi."

Soon, the document bag was opened, revealing a marble piece about the size of a human head. It was indeed a carved face, with a hole pierced through the mouth.

"It's called the 'Mouth of Truth.' It's an item useful in situations like this."

The 'Mouth of Truth' was an item that distinguished between truth and falsehood, similar to Yoo Harang's ability 'Insight.' However, it had a more sinister aspect than 'Insight.'

[Item] Mouth of Truth

[Rank] Spirit First-class

[Description] An item that discerns whether the target's statement is true or false. Place the target's hand inside the mouth of the statue and ask questions. If a falsehood is uttered, the hand will be severed.

Gong Joo briefly explained the item's effect. It was a rather gruesome object, and yet, Gong Joo remained composed.

"Place your hand inside and answer questions truthfully. If you speak honestly, nothing will happen."

"What if I refuse this process?"

"If you have committed no crime, there should be no reason to refuse, right?"

In other words, if he refused, it would be interpreted as an acknowledgment of guilt. Seo Gangrim remained silent for a moment before inserting his hand into the mouth of the carved piece. The stone teeth were surprisingly sharp.

Looking at Seo Gangrim, Gong Joo spoke, "Let's ask then. Is the video posted by Choi Pilyoung-ssi real?"

Silence lingered like death. Seo Gangrim didn't answer the question; he just bowed his head. It was a seemingly undeniable appearance of a criminal.

"Did you really kill someone, Seo Gangrim?"

Gong Joo observed Seo Gangrim with an indifferent gaze, whether he was a murderer or not seemed largely inconsequential to him. In fact, it might even be better if Seo Gangrim were a murderer.

"Seo Gangrim-ssi, if you have indeed committed a crime... depending on the conditions, I might be able to help you."

If he had committed indiscriminate murder, it would create a vulnerability that couldn't be ignored. Seo Gangrim hesitated, revealing the possibility that he might have committed murder.

Just as Gong Joo was about to persuade him further, Seo Gangrim spoke, "No need. The video posted by Choi Pilyoung is fake, and I've never done such a thing."

"..."

As if to prove his words were true, the item didn't move.

Gong Joo smiled skillfully, "It's fortunate that you have nothing to do with that crime. Then, I have one more question."

"What is it?"

"Now that it's confirmed that the video posted by Choi Pilyoung is fake, we should be investigating that side... Currently, Choi Pilyoung cannot be contacted."

It was only natural. The person in question had died and disappeared with the Great Demon Realm.

"When he posted the video, Choi Pilyoung-ssi mentioned something. He said you threatened him, and he might be murdered by Seo Gangrim."

Gong Joo said it as if joking, "Did you really kill Choi Pilyoung-ssi, leading to the loss of contact?"

After posting the article, Choi Pilyoung headed toward the Great Demon Realm, and since then, contact with him has been lost. Could he have been killed by the demons in the Great Demon Realm?

However, the timing was too perfect for that.

"Did you kill Choi Pilyoung or cause harm to him?"

"..."

"Seo Gangrim, answer..."

Knock knock.

As Gong Joo was pressing for an answer, a knock came from the direction of the mirror. He glanced in the direction of the noise before shifting his foot.

"Ah... Excuse me for a moment."

Gong Joo left the room as if annoyed.

Beyond the room, guards had gathered, observing the interrogation room. Gong Joo asked irritably, "Why did you call for me?"

"Team Leader, you should see this."

The guard urgently showed him a video, and Gong Joo's eyes widened in disbelief after seeing it.

He said incredulously, "That guy... is it Choi Pilyoung?"

Just a moment ago, Choi Pilyoung had started a live broadcast and many people were currently watching it.

Choi Pilyoung, with a somewhat haggard face, lowered his head and continued speaking.

"I sincerely apologize for causing trouble. The article related to Hunter Seo Gangrim that was posted about a week ago was all fabricated."

"All the videos were edited, and besides that, I manipulated numerous articles, exposing the private lives of awakened individuals..."

Watching the video, Gong Joo's face became dumbfounded. He expressed disbelief and asked another guard, "Is it a manipulated or pre-recorded video?"

"No. We've checked, and the live video that just aired is genuine. He's answering questions from the chat in real-time."

Staring at the video, Gong Joo glanced briefly beyond the mirror.

Seo Gangrim seemed to be looking inward, gazing at Gong Joo.

Gong Joo clicked her tongue.

"...Release Seo Gangrim. And bring Choi Pilyoung here."

***

"Mas—Master! You've been through a lot! Is everything okay? Are you alright?"

As Seo Gnagrim exited the Destiny Protection Bureau's building, people hurriedly approached him. It was Yoon Bom and Father Yohan.

"Why were you waiting? What about the others?"

"The others went to find Choi Pilyoung. They watched the video and are on their way back. Sooah-unni is especially angry..."

Even when Seo Gangrim was dragged into the Protection Bureau earlier, Shin Sooah, out of everyone, expressed the most hostility towards them.

Father Yohan hastily used his healing ability on Seo Gangirm.

"I'm glad you're safely released. The Protection Bureau is going too far, taking someone who just came out of the Great Demon Realm..."

"Well, they couldn't help it either."

Saying so, Seo Gangrim glanced down at his body. Despite Yohan's earnest healing efforts, his recovery was slower than usual. It seemed like the damage from the deification was taking a longer time to heal.

Yoon Bom, looking at him with a worried expression, spoke, "By the way, that person, Choi Pilyoung. What made him change his mind? After manipulating the video, why confess now..."

Indeed, Choi Pilyoung was not someone who would readily admit to wrongdoing. The only reason he would confess was that the one who confessed wasn't the real Choi Pilyoung.

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