NOVEL NEXT Chapter 60
Barbarian, Aiden Howard.
He was a returnee who came back to Earth 3 years ago, and according to publicly available information, he was a person who lived through 20 years of endless struggle.
His weapons were two axes.
He was the most famous Irregular among the four Irregulars in the United States. However, his fame was closer to notoriety rather than renown.
“I think you would know that Barbarian’s other nickname is the Irregular Reader.” (TN: tbh I don’t get the reader part but google says that’s the right word)
“How could I not know, when there are so many self-proclaimed Irregulars who have died at the hands of Barbarian? Japan has already been hit once, hasn’t it?”
When the returnee grade called Irregular first appeared, due to the ambiguity of the grade, many self-proclaimed Irregulars had appeared like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
However, most of those self-proclaimed Irregulars were either killed or crippled by Aiden Howard.
This was because whenever Irregular claimants appeared, Aiden Howard would come and request a sacred duel. If they had the skills worthy of being called an Irregular, they could survive, but if they falsely exaggerated their abilities, they would be smashed brutally by the enraged Barbarian’s axe.
That was the biggest reason why he was called the “Irregular Reader”.
“There are two methods. One is to send Awakener Kim Shi Yu, and the other is to not send him. In the former case, there is a risk of losing Awakener Kim Shi Yu, and in the latter case, the credibility of Kim Shi Yu as an Irregular will be threatened.”
Barbarian shows no mercy. It was clear that Kim Shi Yu had the power to single-handedly block a monster wave, but they couldn’t be sure of victory against Barbarian.
Moreover, there were even rumors circulating that the United States was trying to cut off the buds of other countries’ Irregulars through Barbarian.
Although the Korea-US alliance was being maintained, after the Dimension Opening 5 years ago, Korea-US relations had deteriorated compared to before, so all possibilities had to be kept in mind.
“Is there no way to defer the choice?”
“Even so, once the Yamata no Orochi subjugation battle is over, they will immediately visit Korea. Under the pretext of mutual exchange between allied countries.”
The president silently stroked his chin for a long time at Minister Yoo Seon-ho’s words.
Then he looked around at the rest of the people and said,
“Let’s resume the meeting in 15 minutes. The rest of you, except Minister Yoo Seon-ho, please go get some fresh air.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
A little later, the president, who was left alone with Minister Yoo Seon-ho, loosened his tightly tightened tie for a moment.
“Since the others have left, shall we talk comfortably, Minister Yoo? I will ask honestly. What do you think should be done, Minister Yoo?”
At the president’s question, Minister Yoo moistened his lips with the cold tea in front of him.
Then he opened his mouth with a faint smile.
“Actually, the order is wrong.”
“What do you mean by order?”
“It’s better to first inform Awakener Kim Shi Yu of the current situation and ask for his opinion. As you know, we do not have the control to force Irregulars like the United States or China.”
Minister Yoo said that while looking at the president sitting in front of him.
Seo Sin-woo. The 22nd President of the Republic of Korea. A man who was elected president at the young age of 53 and is being evaluated as stably leading Korea after the Dimension Opening.
Even in his third year in office, his approval rating exceeding 60% was also an indicator of how well he had been doing so far.
A negotiator who appropriately checks various Awakener interest groups, including the Former Awakeners’ Association, while skillfully negotiating with them.
That was Minister Yoo Seon-ho’s assessment of the president.
“It bothers me that an Irregular is leading a religious group. There is no frame as dangerous as favoring a particular religion.”
“I think it’s rather fortunate.”
“For what reason?”
“Isn’t it because he’s leading the Limen Denomination that we also have the opportunity to negotiate with them? Moreover, our interests align quite well.”
The president frowned for a moment at Minister Yoo’s words. Then he slowly nodded.
“You mean they both need public support.”
“Based on the tendencies of Awakener Kim Shi Yu that I have met, he won’t be too keen on getting involved with politicians.”
“Can we maintain an appropriate line while continuing the relationship?”
“If you can’t control, make a deal. That is your doctrine, Mr. President.”
“This is why I have no choice but to strongly dissuade Minister Yoo from retiring. Haha!”
The president burst into laughter. Then, with a face full of smiles, he said to Minister Yoo,
“Alright. I will soon summon Awakener Kim Shi Yu here… no, I will go visit him myself.”
“Will it be alright?”
“Who would say anything about the head of state going to directly express gratitude to the hero who successfully prevented the terrorism at the second office of the Awakening Management Department?”
He said that and drank the tea in front of him.
Then, in a softer voice, he asked Minister Yoo,
“This is a really personal question, Minister Yoo.”
“Please speak comfortably.”
“If that Barbarian and Awakener Kim Shi Yu were to fight, who do you think would win?”
Minister Yoo answered immediately to that question.
“Awakener Kim Shi Yu will win.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll stake my position on it. Barbarian can’t even reach the toes of Awakener Kim Shi Yu.”
*****
The next morning, after productively solidifying our internal affairs.
I, who woke up late in the morning, was faced with quite perplexing news.
「A national crisis-level magic beast Yamata no Orochi appears in Japan. The scale of damage immeasurable!」
「Japan requests help from neighboring countries.」
「The United States decides to dispatch Irregular ‘Barbarian’ Aiden Howard!」
「Will Korea’s Irregular Kim Shi Yu be included in the dispatch?」
“What the hell is this about?”
Amidst the unprecedented terrorism making all of Korea noisy, another topic was thrown in.
It was news about a national crisis-level magic beast that appeared in Japan, called Yamata no Orochi.
Meow-
“Yes, Baekseol. Did you sleep well?”
I smiled while stroking the head of our cute munchkin cat-type divine beast, Baekseol, who ran to me when it saw that I was awake.
By the way, the name Baekseol was, of course, given by Si-yeon.
It was given because it’s pretty like white snow. I don’t know for sure, but when the divine tree grows, this cute appearance will probably disappear, but if Si-yeon likes it, then it’s good.
Thinking of the sight of biting off the heads of magic beasts or demons with the cute and pretty name Baekseol, my heart naturally feels grand.
“It’s really interesting. Because of Si-yeon’s cat allergy, when she went to a cat cafe, she sniffled all day long? But no matter how much she rubs against Baekseol, the allergy doesn’t come up.”
In Wook said while bringing a sandwich that he seemed to have made himself.
I ate the sandwich and shrugged my shoulders.
“It may look like this, but it’s a divine beast.”
“Divine beast? Like a unicorn or something?”
“You can think of it as similar, but actually, I don’t know the details either. Even in our denomination, it’s a divine beast that appeared after 500 years.”
“Will it grow bigger?”
“Of course it will grow bigger.”
Meow?
Baekseol pricked up its ears while listening to our conversation.
“It seems to understand human language too.”
“It’s not that it seems to understand, it does understand.”
For a divine beast, it should at least understand human language. Moreover, seeing it playing well with Si-yeon, it seems useful in many ways.
“I barely managed to calm Si-yeon down this morning when she begged to take Baekseol to school.”
“Hmm, that’s not a bad idea either.”
“What?”
“If Baekseol grows a little more, it will be able to crush average players, and it would be reassuring to have it stay with Si-yeon.”
Yesterday, agents from the Awakening Management Department were assigned because Si-yeon proved she was my sister.
I also stacked several blessings on Si-yeon.
Still, I’m a little anxious, but if Baekseol grows up and can protect Si-yeon, one of my worries will be lessened.
“Grow a lot. Our Baekseol.”
Meow-.
“But Baekseol, why are you eating the sandwich?”
I looked at Baekseol, who had already stuck its head in the sandwich plate, with a dumbfounded expression.
Just in case, I bought cat food too, but it’s not eating that and instead stealing my sandwich.
Indeed, as expected of a divine beast, its taste is also special.
I can’t let the last remaining sandwich be taken away.
I quickly ate one sandwich and then looked at Baekseol as if it were ridiculous.
“You still have a long way to go, beast.”
“Hyung. I have to work on a video today, so I can’t go pick up grandma. Can you go alone and come back well?”
“You must be very busy.”
“I have to row the boat while the water is coming in. These days, the views are coming out well, so I’m in such a good mood. These days, even foreigners are leaving a lot of comments? Chinese people are leaving weird comments though… But it’s still fun.”
Certainly, In Wook has become brighter than when I first came home.
At that time, In Wook was almost exhausted.
It doesn’t look much different now either, but at least his eyes were alive.
He has his own MeTube channel that he directly manages, and that channel is growing, so it’s natural to feel proud.
“Then I’ll get to work first, so hyung, wash up and come back on your own. Okay?”
“Yeah, thanks for the sandwich.”
With those words, In Wook went back into his workroom-cum-bedroom, and I smiled while looking at In Wook’s back.
We’re planning to move soon, so we should move to a place with a slightly bigger room.
Or rent a separate studio for In Wook.
As the manager of our denomination’s MeTube channel, I can at least do that much for him.
“Shall I get ready now?”
The effect that I find most comfortable and satisfying since acquiring divine power is usually this.
[Using active skill
[The divine power removes impurities and secretions attached to your body, aiding in maintaining a pious appearance.]
It’s a skill with an effect similar to the
In Eden, it’s commonly called the
Meow-.
Baekseol, who sensed my divine power, meowed pleasantly once again.
As expected of a divine beast, it likes divine power.
I said while stroking Baekseol’s head a few times.
“I’ll be back, so take good care of In Wook. If In Wook is having a hard time, go and give him some aegyo. You know what I mean, right?”
Nod nod.
A kitten nodding its head at my words, this is truly precious. Is this why everyone wants to become a butler?
After saying goodbye to Baekseol like that, I immediately went out of the house.
As I take the elevator and come out to the entrance, the sunny weather soon greets me.
The sunlight is also appropriate, perfect weather for someone to return home.
But I could soon sense a different atmosphere than usual.
“What is it?”
The number of agents guarding around here is higher than usual. The number of agents may have been increased because the place we live has been exposed, but it was a bit excessive for that.
“Shi Yu.”
“Ah, Team Leader Kim.”
Just as I was getting curious, Team Leader Kim approached from behind.
“If you’re going to see get your grandmother, we will escort you.”
“The Awakening Management Department is not my personal secretary, and I already called a taxi through the app in advance. People have a sense of shame, it’s embarrassing to keep asking for help.”
“Don’t say such modest things. Shi Yu’s business is our business. We will comfortably escort you. This way.”
It’s not polite to refuse when they insist this much. Yes.
I looked at Team Leader Kim and smiled awkwardly. Then, stepping towards that direction, I said,
“You shouldn’t do this… Ahem.”
The place his guidance led to had a vehicle waiting, clearly different from the passenger cars I had ridden so far, with mana permeating the car body itself.
It was a huge luxury sedan that looked like it would be ridden by corporate presidents.
“I won’t be taking the wheel today. Instead, I will quietly follow in the car behind.”
“Pardon?”
“You’ll find out the details when you get in the back seat. Then, I’ll see you later.”
After saying that, he quietly stepped back.
I tilted my head while looking at the back of Team Leader Kim like that.
Is Minister Yoo Seon-ho riding in it? No, if it was Minister Yoo, Team Leader Kim would have driven directly. That’s how it usually was.
Then who the hell is riding in here?
The security forces are also considerable, did someone like the Prime Minister come?
I pondered a few times but couldn’t easily come to a conclusion. So I just muttered to myself while opening the car door.
“If someone sees this, they’ll think even the President is riding…”
That’s when it happened.
“Oh, how did you know? I deliberately told the security personnel to keep some distance, but I guess it was still noticeable.”
“Pardon?”
A man was sitting in the spacious back seat.
A middle-aged man wearing a neat black suit with a purple tie, and his hair neatly combed back in a 2:8 part.
The man, whom I seemed to have seen a few times on TV, offered his hand to me with a leisurely smile.
“Nice to meet you, Awakener Kim Shi Yu. I am Seo Sin-woo, holding the undeserved position of President.”