NOVEL NEXT Chapter 201
Chapter 201: The Gathering of Awakened Beings
The clock pointed exactly at 7 o’clock.
Almost simultaneously, the voice of an aide was heard from outside.
“Director Lee Si-hyun of the Security Department has arrived.”
“Please escort him inside.”
Ryu Geon-woo, the association head, said with a welcoming expression.
The door soon opened, and Si-hyun stepped in.
Ryu Geon-woo stood to greet him.
“I’m sorry for having troubled you with your busy schedule.”
“It’s nothing. It’s an urgent and important matter, so of course I should come.”
“Come, come, please take a seat.”
After shaking hands with the National Intelligence Service Director beside him, Si-hyun sat down.
The National Intelligence Service Director spoke first.
“As I mentioned before, the President prioritizes the opinions from the field. I want to emphasize that this meeting is of significant importance.”
“I understand what you mean.”
Si-hyun nodded.
Regarding gates, monsters, and awakened beings, the Hunter Association and the National Intelligence Service are more specialized than any other government department.
And with the addition of the demon realm and demons.
For ordinary people, these matters may seem abstract.
However, the severity of their importance was anything but abstract.
Such issues could potentially endanger the country’s fate. Thus, as the ultimate decision-maker, even the President had no choice but to respect the field’s opinions as much as possible.
Especially Si-hyun’s opinions, having directly fought against demons, were invaluable.
The National Intelligence Service Director adjusted his seating and continued.
“The information you brought is quite credible. Fantastic work.”
“Oh? Does that mean we have some results from the interrogation?”
Si-hyun asked.
Currently, the Demon King captured was being held in the interrogation room deep inside the National Intelligence Service’s headquarters.
And under the strict supervision of S-Class awakened beings, they were in the process of interrogating him.
Although he had been reduced to a state resembling a beaten dog, it didn’t change the fact that he was an incredibly dangerous individual.
Thus, while a part of him felt worried, it seemed the interrogation was going smoothly.
“Indeed. Thanks to you, Director, he’s become like a tail-between-the-legs puppy, cooperating willingly. Honestly, I’m curious about how you managed it.”
The National Intelligence Service Director looked at Si-hyun with a peculiar smile.
“I did handle the situation a bit more forcefully than usual.”
Si-hyun replied with a playful grin.
“Haha, if I were to use force against him twice, he’d surely have ten lives, and they wouldn’t survive!”
Nonetheless, thanks to that, the interrogation went well. And…
The National Intelligence Service Director paused momentarily before speaking again.
“Regarding the information you provided earlier, most of it was accurate. The existence of the demon realm and demons, their conquest of the human population in the Reiter continent, their resemblance to humans, and their intense dislike for humans, among other things.”
“I see.”
“However, there are some discrepancies.”
“What part is that?”
“According to your information, the demons were targeting Earth, but he claims that it’s the first time hearing of it. He believes the only demon aiming for such is the deceased Renchik.”
“Oh, really?”
Si-hyun rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
Miriam, the wielder of the Death Bow, had never lied to him. She wasn’t that type of person, and if she did lie, it wouldn’t explain why the other information aligned so well.
Then again, it could be that the Great Sage from the United States or Taiwan was mistaken.
No matter how great a sage one was, they weren’t a deity, making mistakes entirely possible.
“Regardless, he acknowledged that if he knows about humans living here, there must be demons coming to conquer. Even if there are slight discrepancies with the correction officer’s information, the premise that they are a serious threat to humans holds true.”
Ryu Geon-woo stated.
“That is indeed the case. However, it does leave me with some concerns. Given the high reliability of the Director’s information, it’s quite possible that the U.S. is indeed planning a demon conquest. They might be poking a sleeping lion, which worries me.”
The National Intelligence Service Director voiced his concerns.
Ryu Geon-woo nodded, understanding what he meant.
“I, too, have considered that. Of course, I have my worries. However, the country I know as the U.S. will never act recklessly. They’ll likely have made meticulous considerations before determining that such a plan is feasible. After all, demons will continue to be a major threat to humanity. They harbor an intense dislike for humans, so they won’t adhere to peace treaties. Thus, a final confrontation is inevitable, no matter when it occurs.”
Ryu Geon-woo took a sip of green tea and continued.
“If a war is unavoidable, it might be wiser to make the battlefield the demon realm instead of Earth, minimizing damage. Moreover, if the U.S. takes the lead, other nations might achieve peace without suffering losses. What do you think, Director?”
Ryu Geon-woo inquired about Si-hyun’s opinion.
Si-hyun thought for a moment before speaking.
“Like the Association Head said, the U.S. is a country that calculates its gains and losses thoroughly. Naturally, they only plan the demon conquest if they believe it’s a viable option. Additionally, the person leading this plan, as far as I know, is the Great Sage from Taiwan…”
“The Great Sage from Taiwan?”
Ryu Geon-woo interrupted with wide eyes, unknowingly cutting off Si-hyun.
“Exactly.”
“…So they’re in the U.S. I see. If it’s a plan set forth by them, then…”
“Who is this Great Sage from Taiwan?”
The National Intelligence Service Director asked with curiosity.
He was the only one in this room who didn’t know about the Great Sage from Taiwan.
Ryu Geon-woo took the time to explain the Great Sage to him.
After hearing the explanation, he muttered with a slightly surprised expression.
“Someone like that is in the U.S…. Well, it makes sense that if it’s the U.S., they would have such remarkable figures.”
“In fact, a friend who provided me with information seemed to have heard about this from the Great Sage.”
Si-hyun added.
“I was wondering if that might be the case when I heard their name, and it turns out I was right. It’s surprising that there might be incorrect information.”
Ryu Geon-woo appeared to hold the Great Sage from Taiwan in high regard.
Considering they’re an S-Class Awakened Being with reincarnated memories, it makes sense that he would.
For Si-hyun, who had no such memories, it was hard to empathize fully, but it seemed evident that S-Class Awakened Beings all regarded the Great Sage highly.
“Regardless, it seems our best course of action is to simply observe how this situation unfolds.”
Ryu Geon-woo said, glancing between Si-hyun and the National Intelligence Service Director.
“Are you saying that we won’t publicize anything regarding the demon realm?”
Si-hyun asked.
In light of the recent Abnormal Gate incident, while other matters were publicized as they were, the information concerning the demon realm and demons was thoroughly concealed.
Considering the enormous uproar if that information were to hit the news, that decision seemed understandable.
But this wasn’t solely an issue for Korea.
It related to the entire world.
Thus, it might be correct to make it public.
The entire world needed to unite against this matter.
“Shouldn’t that be the case?”
The reply came from the National Intelligence Service Director.
He continued speaking.
“Going public will already hinder the U.S.’s plans. Starting with questions about why such information was kept hidden… A battle of opposition against the U.S. will surely arise. If the U.S. intends to reap the rewards, they would have everything lined up, and to have someone challenge them would be audacious. If such a situation arises, the retaliation they might face is chilling to even think about.”
That was a valid point.
Si-hyun had considered the same.
“So basically, handing everything over to the U.S.?”
“That’s right. For a country like ours, remaining still is the best strategy. Moving first could result in unnecessary losses. If the U.S. succeeds, then that’s great; if they fail, they bear the blame alone. Regardless of success or failure, by that time, other countries will naturally be aware of the situation. Then we can coordinate responses with them then.”
Having worked in intelligence for a long time, the National Intelligence Service Director made a skillful assessment.
And it only made sense that he prioritized his country’s interests.
“I agree. Russia has its Emperor, and the U.S. has the Great Sage from Taiwan. You, the correction officer, probably know well that those two do not get along. If the Emperor discovers the U.S.’s plans, he wouldn’t sit idly by. It could lead to a significant collision that could harm humanity.”
Ryu Geon-woo expressed his agreement.
‘They don’t get along… I wasn’t aware of that.’
Si-hyun chuckled inwardly.
He had no memories of another world.
After all, now that he was an acknowledged S-Class Awakened Being, it would be normal for others to believe he had memories.
“Understood. I also think your points are valid. However…”
Si-hyun looked at the two of them with a pensive expression.
“The demons, I mean, for them, two of their kin leading countless monsters ventured forth and did not return. If they learn of this, they surely wouldn’t remain passive. How do you plan to deal with that?”
This was the most pressing issue in Si-hyun’s mind.
They had been fortunate this time to prevent harm without a single casualty, but there was no guarantee that luck would favor them again.
“Oh, that’s…”
As if he expected such a question, the National Intelligence Service Director replied immediately.
“I don’t think the probability is high. According to him, demons are each like demon kings. This aligns with the information you provided. In essence, each is a sovereign with their territory. This is possible because demons possess a highly independent nature. They indeed pay no mind to others and do not interfere whatsoever. No matter how they live or what they do. So even if a couple of demons fail to return, it’s likely that the others won’t care too much.”
The National Intelligence Service Director elaborated based on what had been learned from the interrogation.
But Si-hyun couldn’t shake off the odd feeling from that explanation.
“Did he really say that? That’s strange. This incident was instigated by the gray-haired demon king who narrowly escaped the Ganghwa Island Disaster by being defeated in the process of calling for their allies. If what he claims about not caring for other demons is true, this incident shouldn’t have occurred in the first place.”
“That’s true. However, according to him, that demon called Renchik was an unusual outlier. He was rather annoying to the point he begged his fellow demons for help, and eventually, they couldn’t stand seeing that anymore, so he moved. Now that Renchik is dead, such events are unlikely to occur again.”
The National Intelligence Service Director didn’t seem overly troubled by this matter.
Having worked in intelligence for a long time, he possessed a sharp insight into whether the person was stating the truth.
From his perspective, Jin had initially been nothing more than a puppy with its tail tucked between its legs.
His eyes were devoid of any power, filled only with fear, and he couldn’t even make eye contact.
He truly exhibited the appearance of a defeated soldier.
Additionally, as a warning, the interrogation had begun with intense pain inflicted on him.
From his experience, nobody could lie in such a state.
And as he believed, most of what Jin had confessed aligned with the information Si-hyun had provided.
Thus, he considered the remaining details to be highly reliable as well.
Si-hyun was also able to predict that the National Intelligence Service Director had deep trust in what Jin had revealed.
Of course, the Director’s judgment was likely to be accurate.
Interrogation experts would have handled the process, mentally and physically torturing him day and night, continuously asking the same questions, scrupulously testing if his statements made sense.
Besides, hadn’t the majority of what he had brought matched earlier?
However.
Si-hyun spoke up again.
“Even if it’s a low probability, what if something happens? It could lead to significant damage. We must prepare thoroughly.”
“Of course, you’re absolutely right. We are indeed making preparations.”
“What kind?”
At Si-hyun’s question, the National Intelligence Service Director glanced at Ryu Geon-woo once.
“All S-Class Awakened Beings in Korea, including the Association Head here, will closely monitor where he is. Of course, since he’s visited the Special Detention Center twice already, it’s possible he might come around again. We also plan to send one S-Class individual there. With you there, we can adequately respond to any incidents that may arise.”
“…I see.”
Si-hyun nodded.
It was a relief that they were trying to deploy every available strong force for preparedness.
However.
There was still something hanging over his heart.
“If you have any better suggestions, please feel free to speak. That’s what this gathering is for.”
Ryu Geon-woo said with a smiling expression.
“No, just do it that way.”
Si-hyun replied.
At the moment, he had no particularly prominent thoughts.
And amidst the choices the government could take, there were no viable options that could mobilize forces above S-Class.
Unless they sought help from other countries.
‘Still…’
At present, Si-hyun had Rachel from Sinchang by his side.
He had offered to help him any way she could and in reality had provided significant assistance in this situation.
With her around, he felt somewhat relieved.
“Then we shall proceed with that, and now moving on to the next topic…”
The National Intelligence Service Director opened his mouth to introduce the next subject.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Were you unable to predict the Abnormal Gate incident that occurred in South Korea this time?”
A middle-aged man with a vacant gaze that seemed as if he had seen it all began to speak.
That man was none other than the Sword Master.
“No.”
Someone replied briefly.
A young man with sparse, brown hair and pale skin lacking sunlight, he had an unusual feature: his left eye was blue while his right eye was red.
“What then?”
The Sword Master asked, throwing him a vacant look.
“Because there was no need to inform you.”
“Ah, so everything is going according to plan.”
“Precisely.”
The young man smiled gently.
His words continued.
“There are five demon kings in the demon realm, each holding tremendous power. They are the demon kings’ demon kings. Their stars shine with such a blinding light that none can spot the gaps. However…”
“…”
“One of their stars has taken on a faint light of death. Pondering over it, I was able to visualize the entire situation. Thus, I chose not to inform South Korea. For the sake of leading that demon king onto the path of death.”