The Imperial Hunter

The organization members I’d recruited owe me at least one life, from the higher-ups to the grunts. Whether it was their own life, the life of someone they love, or the life of an irreconcilable enemy they couldn’t live under the same sky with. My organization and I had dealt with problems that neither morality, nor the law, nor even the gods could solve. I’d fed starving families and untangled the knots of sworn vendettas. In return, they agreed to pay with their own lives. It was a deal to repay life with life.

Therefore, I had the right to order my subordinates to die.

Suyeon was the only exception.

Ten years ago, during the summer, when she came to my office and kneeled, pledging to inherit her deceased brother’s debt, this kid was nothing more than a high school student.

Good talents were rare. If a sprout showed promise, it might be worth reaping and nurturing, but that was a different story when it came to whether the deal was finalized. As a creditor, I did not recognize co-signing, then or now. Life debts couldn’t be collected in such a manner.

So, the debt this kid said she would repay vanished along with his own brother’s death. Even if that death was caused by a battlefield, it was enough as long as he remained loyal until the moment he died.

“I don’t owe you anymore… I never expected to hear those words again after all these years.”

Suyeon, as she said this, had an embarrassed expression.

“Did I lack something?”

“It’s not like that.”

I wasn’t careless enough to keep someone around who was still lacking.

“Then why…?”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying I’m casting you aside. I’m giving you a chance to rethink your own path.”

The situation hadn’t changed much from when I initially accepted this kid.

“My answer is already decided.”

“Too hasty.”

“I apologize.”

She didn’t seem very sorry.

“Listen.”

I snapped my fingers to get Suyeon’s attention.

“If the era of magic returns, my master’s former allies will receive protection from national authorities. Well, by the time I’m ready to fight, there’s a high chance they’ll already be in positions of power themselves. What do you think that means?”

“….”

“It means we need to strip away the facade called ‘England’ first. We need to scatter the military, and paralyze security and administration, making the Imperialists’ headquarters defenseless. We need to remove everything that protects them except for their own power. I’m determined to use any means necessary to achieve that.”

“Are you suggesting that the method might be… terrorism?”

“It’s more than terrorism. If it’s possible and necessary, I’ll even smuggle a nuclear device to detonate it. In a city of nine million people.”

This was a highly unlikely scenario. However, it was a suitable example to convey my determination. Something like a Dirty Bomb might actually be used. From the perspective of causing social chaos and exhausting the nation’s response capabilities, it was an incredibly cost-effective weapon. It was relatively easy to acquire or manufacture, and even just detonating it in half a dozen places would create significant turmoil throughout the UK. The chaos didn’t necessarily have to last long. It only needed to be sustained during a surprise attack and retreat.

I wouldn’t kill people indiscriminately. But I wouldn’t hesitate to minimize collateral damage. This wasn’t an opponent that warranted excessive concern.

“I don’t owe you any real debt,”

I gave Suyeon some time to ponder those words before continuing.

“Unlike the others, you have the right to get off the train before it derails. How about taking on a role that’s safer, somewhere else, where your hands won’t get any dirtier?”

My executive route was usually a shortcut to becoming a senior official. In a business analogy, it was akin to becoming a subsidiary CEO or vice president. So, in Suyeon’s case, it would simply mean postponing the predetermined future for a few years. She had the potential.

“…I understand what you’re saying, but my answer won’t change.”

Suyeon’s eyes met mine with politeness but determination. It was probably safe to assume that she’d bring forward the scheduled promotion, much like her late brother. Her older brother had held a good reputation within the organization. He was expected to be the future head of the secretariat.

That was why I accepted her. If I had left her alone, she might have really died, and with the bloodline she inherited, she would have been more than capable. She had shown promise, and, in reality, she had lived up to the expectations she inherited.

“Hyungnim.”

After a brief silence, Suyeon calmly nailed her point.

“Even if you wish it, I can leave right now with a knife and stab anyone who stands out, regardless of age. So, there’s no need for this consideration. My brother would have said the same thing if he were alive.”

“…Your brother is dead, and you’ve been living for me for the past ten years.”

“That’s true.”

“Alright. I won’t bother you with this issue any longer.”

“Thank you.”

Suyeon bowed deeply. I apologized.

“I’m sorry if I made this difficult.”

“Don’t mention it.”

She didn’t say no. She wasn’t the type to tell lies, rather, she would remain silent if need be.

An awkward silence followed. From in front of me, where she was staring intently, I could feel that she was shifting the conversation unnaturally.

“Last night, as I was reviewing what you said yesterday, I had a thought.”

“What is it?”

“You mentioned that the world wouldn’t change drastically overnight, and there’s no need to rush concrete preparations. However… what if we stockpile certain things within the country that are hard to obtain and could run out in the future?”

“For example?”

“For example… weapons and ammunition. These things may become impossible to acquire in the future.”

Indeed.

“It’s a good point.”

What I said to Kyung-tae was also partly due to a sense of unease; I didn’t want to think deeply about it. In the black market, weapons and ammunition supply was inflexible. Ammunition, in particular, was scarce. Because of its importance as a means to protect myself, it took priority. In the worst-case scenario, if I didn’t have any other choice, I could supply various rebel groups in Southeast Asia or to the yakuza.

In particular, Filipino rebels had been acquiring more weapons since they signed peace agreements with the government. They were getting more arms in exchange for disarmament and other concessions. So, more weapons ultimately meant more rights for them. It was a situation where, in case negotiations failed, we needed insurance. We needed more weapons than what was being handed over.

Since the profit margins were high in this market, I wouldn’t incur losses no matter what happened. I nodded in agreement, and Suyeon asked me.

“Should we contact Daegu and set up the appointment?”

“Yes.”

“Who will you send?”

“I’ll go. It’s important.”

I was the trump card. No matter how skilled someone might be, there was no replacement for me when it came to negotiating while watching vital signs.

“Alright. When would be a good date?”

“Anytime, tomorrow afternoon or the day after is fine.”

“I’ll check.”

The domestic weapons vendor I dealt with was an organization within the US military. While there were other suppliers, I’d practically monopolized the trade. They did business without any concept of cost, and it was also because of my control over the transactions.

We started off by pilfering general military and duty-free goods from them, but over time, we’d grown to trade-sensitive items through a relationship built on trust. The power of well-laundered dollars attracted officers and generals alike.

I waited for Suyeon to finish taking notes and then extended my hand.

“Let me see for a moment.”

“Yes.”

The notebook she handed me contained recent schedules and information on the organization’s overall operations. However, since I already knew the contents, I could immediately decipher the various coded information, metaphors, personal codes, and modified shorthand that someone unfamiliar with it would find incomprehensible.

On the first page, along with his SNS address and direct phone number, there was a selfie of someone else attached, along with a note to contact them if acquired. I looked at the picture and then handed the notebook back.

“Is this your idea?”

“…Yes.”

“Well done.”

Suyeon included a note in the notebook that allowed her to send a message through a smartphone messenger to a business in Daegu. It was a minimal notification.

After that, we discussed what kind of investment might be needed. When it reached 7 o’clock, Kyung-tae joined us. After finishing his morning exercise, he sent a text and knocked on the door.

“Good morning, Hyungnim. Noonim seems to be in a hurry today.”

We decided to have room service for breakfast again. The quality of the food was adequate, and there was no need to use the buffet when we had a spacious suite with a dining area. There wouldn’t be much open at this hour anyway, probably just a toast shop if you went out.

While sipping on post-meal tea, Suyeon suddenly asked a question, as if something had just crossed her mind.

“Hyungnim, how much of the magic power information should we spread out?”

“Hmm.”

After giving it some thought, I replied.

“For those who already know my secret, you can open it all up. The others I’ll think about it slowly.”

“Understood.”

Within the organization, there were more people than one might think who were aware of my unusual abilities. Many within the organization had experienced mysterious power at some point, and more importantly, one of the organization’s main objectives was to serve as a safety net to prepare for the worst-case scenarios.

In case my Master’s old associates or the trackers they might send were to confront us, it would be crucial that even the core members who were responsible for stopping them understood magic. Otherwise, there was a high probability that they might panic when faced with the situation.

So, informing them in advance about the potential intensity of the ‘real situation’ that the organization might need to prepare for made sense. They were not people you could easily betray, especially given that they were now considered a higher risk.

Also, in the gift market, you had to spend money, and for that, you couldn’t hide information from people like Kim on Yeouido.

The sound of a cell phone rang out. It was Suyeon’s. She glanced at the screen, furrowing her brow slightly.

“I’ve received a response from the US military. It’s surprisingly fast. But…”

“But what?”

“The rank doesn’t seem right. They say a Lieutenant is coming as the responsible party, even though it was clearly conveyed that you would be coming in person.”

“That should be fine.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Considering the pride of those American guys, they probably think a Lieutenant is good enough. They’re personnel with different qualifications than South Korean Lieutenants, after all.”

“But it’s still the pride of the cartel that smuggles military goods.”

“And what would poking at it get us, other than a potential shootout?”

“…”

“Don’t worry about the minor details. The fact that they responded so quickly in itself shows they respect me enough.”

More accurately, it was probably about respecting the money I had.

Above all, superficial ranks might not match the hierarchy within the cartel. For example, the Lieutenant could be a higher-ranking key player. Otherwise, they wouldn’t send him to negotiate with me.

“Anyway, did they confirm the date and location they proposed?”

“It’s tomorrow at 6 PM, at the usual meeting place.”

“Lock it in.”

“Okay.”

And so, my schedule for tomorrow was set.

If I could stay overnight in Incheon on my way back and take a domestic flight the next day, that would be ideal, but there probably wouldn’t be a flight available at the right time. Incheon wasn’t a city with a high demand for air travel, especially to and from Daegu. Moreover, there was no way there would be a direct flight from Singapore to Daegu.

With my schedule for the day ahead settled, I decided to spend the afternoon at the National Library, which I had been eyeing since yesterday. Even though I couldn’t make full use of it due to its late opening hours, the vast space filled with bookshelves gave me a sense of psychological comfort.

Knowledge was power, and it was a light that guided you even in the darkest of times. This was one of my deeply held beliefs.

Disclaimer:

This novel is a work of fiction! While it may incorporate elements inspired by our "real" historical world, including historical events, settings, and cultures, it is important to note that the story and characters are entirely products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work should be enjoyed and interpreted as a work of fiction and not as a representation of historical facts or reality.

Also, if you find some error in translation please do let me know by tagging me (@_dawn24) in our Discord server. Since this series is kinda hard to translate. But I'll try my best to make it at least readable :)

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