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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: The Recapture Squad
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“Excuse me, a moment ago…”
Yun Hui-su, who had been about to ask Kang-jun something, found herself swallowing the words she had been holding back.
*Right, there's no way...*
Even if the man before her perfectly matched the description of the young Hunter who had entered the Doom-grade Gate all alone…
*It's just not possible.*
If this man had truly entered a Doom-grade Gate by himself, how could he have possibly returned completely unscathed?
“A moment ago, what?”
As Kang-jun pressed the trailing Yun Hui-su for an answer, Lee Su-bin, who was standing beside him, suddenly cut in.
“Kang-jun, is this someone you know?”
When Kang-jun simply shook his head in response, Yun Hui-su gave a polite bow and apologized in a low voice.
“I'm sorry for approaching you so suddenly.”
“Hm?”
“I mistook you for someone I know…”
Kang-jun replied to Yun Hui-su as if it were no big deal.
“Well, it happens.”
Just as Kang-jun finished speaking and was about to continue on his way.
“Your daughter is absolutely beautiful.”
Yun Hui-su spoke with a smile, crouching down in front of Seol-i to meet her gaze.
“Sweetie, what's your name?”
“I'm Seol-i!”
“And how old are you?”
Seol-i slowly folded her short, stubby fingers one by one before answering with a bright, innocent smile.
“Fowr!”
“I see,” Yun Hui-su replied, stroking Seol-i's hair as she added.
“My, what a smart girl.”
Then, with a somewhat sad expression, she gave a small wave and spoke again.
“Alright, take care on your way.”
She added in a wistful tone.
“You have to grow up healthy and strong.”
At her words, Seol-i gave a deep bow from the waist before turning to follow Kang-jun and Lee Su-bin.
Yun Hui-su stood still, her expression growing darker as she silently watched Seol-i's retreating back.
“Hyeon-ju…”
It was because the image of her own daughter, lost to a Gate incident, was overlapping with the sight of little Seol-i toddling away.
[ Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol has announced that the 'Doom-grade Gate,' which had shown signs of appearing near Insadong today, has self-destructed... ]
[ In response, the academic community will launch a large-scale investigation into this unprecedented phenomenon of a Gate's self-destruction... ]
Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol, who had been staring blankly at the TV screen with a troubled expression, picked up the remote and shut the power off completely.
*Beep—!*
He then clutched his throbbing forehead and muttered to himself in a voice so low only he could hear.
“What in the world is going on…”
The Doom-grade Gate that had been on the verge of opening over Insadong had vanished.
Testimonies had poured in about an unidentified Hunter entering the Gate alone, but…
No matter how powerful a Hunter might be, could they truly conquer a Doom-grade Gate single-handedly?
Absolutely impossible.
Just as Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol was lost in his solitary thoughts, the man sitting across from him spoke calmly.
“Still, perhaps you should try to look on the bright side.”
He added in a soft, measured tone, repeatedly lifting and lowering the tea bag in his cup.
“We've overcome the immediate crisis that was right in front of us. For now, isn't that enough?”
The speaker was the Guild Master of 'Solitude,' undeniably one of the top guilds in the country…
…and the nation's 5th-ranked S-grade Hunter, Kang Seong-hyeon, the 'Black Wolf.'
“But from the recent sweep of the 'Anti-Bureau Alliance' to now, a series of unfathomable events have been occurring one after another…”
Not only did today's Doom-grade Gate suddenly self-destruct…
…but just a short while ago, didn't someone dismantle the 'Anti-Bureau Alliance,' a long-standing thorn in the Bureau's side, in a single night?
*Tap, tap, tap...*
Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol, who had been drumming his long fingers on the armrest of his sofa, cautiously added.
“Just who…”
To this, Kang Seong-hyeon carefully offered his opinion.
“It is certainly a perplexing situation, but it's not a problem we can solve just by mulling it over, is it?”
He then immediately handed over a file he had prepared.
“I've compiled a list of Hunters who might be suitable to join the 'Southeast Asia Recapture Squad'.”
At those words, Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol began to slowly scan the names of the Hunters listed in the document from top to bottom.
The Recapture Squad.
A short while ago, an official document had arrived from the World Awakener Association, formally requesting cooperation in the Southeast Asia Continent Recapture Project.
Six months ago, humanity had lost an entire continent to the monsters that poured out of a 'Doom-grade Gate' in New Delhi, India.
Southeast Asia.
The request was to form and dispatch a 'Recapture Squad' to reclaim that land of death, a place where humans could no longer set foot.
Due to various political issues, South Korea had also accepted the request, and the Solitude Guild was given full authority over the organization of the Recapture Squad.
*Rustle, rustle...*
Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol, who had been engrossed in reviewing the document, suddenly let out a deep sigh and continued speaking.
“If the Doom-grade Gate in Insadong hadn't self-destructed, South Korea would have undoubtedly met a similar fate…”
Kang Seong-hyeon nodded once in agreement and replied.
“Yes, most likely…”
After his vague response, Kang Seong-hyeon added.
“The official objective for the Recapture Squad dispatched from our country will be to subjugate the monsters occupying Southeast Asia and clear the Gates, but…”
He then took a sip of his tea and continued.
“Our nation's Recapture Squad will have the ultimate goal of rescuing 'him,' who went missing six months ago during the New Delhi Gate suppression.”
At this, Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol narrowed his eyes as if trying to grasp the true meaning and carefully asked.
“A considerable amount of time has passed since then. Do you truly believe he could still be alive?”
The man who had steadfastly held the 'Number 1' rank among South Korea's S-grade Hunters ever since the strange phenomenon of Gates began.
Time Ripper, Jeong Yun-chan.
A national hero and asset, he had gone missing during the suppression of the New Delhi Gate six months ago.
Because his body was never recovered, he was officially listed as missing, but considering the grade of the Gate where he was lost…
“Wouldn't the 'golden hour' be long past by now…”
To Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol's skeptical remark, Kang Seong-hyeon replied in a firm tone.
“Considering his unique ability, I believe he is surely waiting to be rescued.”
At those words, Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol ran his tongue over his dry lower lip.
Every high-ranking Hunter who had a connection to Jeong Yun-chan said the same thing—that he was alive.
“I will review this matter of the Recapture Squad's formation with more time and give you an answer later.”
Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol neatly organized the papers and added in a solemn tone.
“If I may add one more thing, my only wish is that the ultimate goal of our nation's Recapture Squad is neither suppression nor rescue, but 'survival'.”
As he finished speaking, his gaze shifted to a 'picture frame' resting on the side table.
Inside the frame was a cherished photograph of his late wife, whom he had lost so suddenly.
“Yes, I understand…”
Kang Seong-hyeon replied in a heavy tone, thinking to himself.
*A world stained with scars, no matter where you look.*
“Ah.”
Kang Seong-hyeon let out a small sound as if recalling something he had forgotten, and then continued.
“And although I haven't included his name in the document, there is one more Hunter I would like to have included in the Recapture Squad.”
Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol simply looked at Kang Seong-hyeon without a word, prompting him to add in an extremely cautious tone.
“B-grade Hunter, Kim Bong-gu, the Filial Son.”
Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol's brow furrowed slightly.
“If you mean Hunter Kim Bong-gu, the Filial Son, I recall he was ultimately judged to be B-grade in the recent ranking evaluation…”
The majority of the Hunters being assigned to this Recapture Squad were either 'S-grade' or high-ranking 'A-grades'.
Of course, it was clear that Kim Bong-gu was a 'hot rookie' whose stock was rising thanks to his recent outstanding performance, but…
“To have Hunter Kim Bong-gu join the Southeast Asia Continent Recapture Squad… I believe he is lacking in several areas, including experience and skill.”
Kang Seong-hyeon immediately replied.
“I happened to obtain the footage of Hunter Kim Bong-gu's last promotion test and have analyzed it several times.”
Kang Seong-hyeon paused for a moment before adding.
“He possesses a truly astonishing level of talent.”
“Then…?”
“With the right guidance, reaching S-grade wouldn't be impossible for him.”
In other words, it seemed he wanted to nurture Kim Bong-gu's potential, even if it meant forcing experience upon him, provided the man himself agreed.
“Kim Bong-gu…”
Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol murmured the familiar name that he seemed to hear every so often, then nodded once and replied.
“I understand for now.”
*Squeak, squeak, squeak...*
Every time Seol-i took a wobbly step, an adorable sound echoed around her.
It was because she was wearing shoes that made a cute noise whenever pressure was applied to the soles.
“They're cute.”
Bong-gu, visiting Kang-jun's home for the first time in a while, had felt awkward coming empty-handed and bought the shoes as a gift.
Seol-i seemed to like them quite a bit; once they were on her feet, she showed no intention of taking them off.
“Yeah, she's cute…”
Seol-i seemed to have taken a liking to walking these days.
It was more like she wanted to wander everywhere…
After watching Seol-i for a while, Kang-jun casually asked.
“Anyway, how have you been?”
Bong-gu nodded at the question and replied in his usual polite and gentle manner.
“I've been stuck at home almost every day recently. My mother was bedridden for so long that she still has trouble getting around…”
As Bong-gu trailed off vaguely, Kang-jun asked with a hint of confusion.
“Then how did you get out today?”
“I asked my younger sister.”
He quickly added.
“There's something important I need to discuss with you, Hyung-nim, and a few other things I wanted to ask.”
“What is it?”
“It's about the Gate that appeared in Insadong a few days ago and then self-destructed…”
Bong-gu glanced left and right before asking again.
“You're the one who cleared it, right, Hyung-nim?”
Kang-jun answered without hesitation.
“Yeah.”
*Hmph.*
He replied as if it were nothing special, then turned his gaze back to Seol-i, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“I knew it…”
As Bong-gu nodded a few times as if he'd expected it, Kang-jun turned back to him and asked curiously.
“So what was it you wanted to say?”
“Ah!” Bong-gu muttered, as if remembering what he'd forgotten. He took out his phone and showed Kang-jun his messages.
“Actually, a few days ago, I suddenly received an 'official request for cooperation' from the Bureau.”
“Official request?”
“They said a Recapture Squad is being dispatched soon to subjugate the monsters occupying Southeast Asia and deal with the abandoned Doom-grade Gate…”
Kang-jun asked.
“They want your help?”
“Yes.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
“Tsk, tsk,” Kang-jun clicked his tongue, then added in a sneering tone.
“They must be really short on manpower…”
Just then, Seol-i, who had been excitedly toddling all over the house, came squeaking back to Kang-jun and jumped into his arms.
Bong-gu gently caressed Seol-i's soft cheek with his fingertips and began to voice the concern that had been weighing on him.
“The thing is, I couldn't decide what to do, so I haven't even replied yet. That's why I wanted to ask for your advice, Hyung-nim…”
Kang-jun's response was firm.
“Don't go.”
He added.
“Why would you walk into danger?”
“But…”
“Does a sense of justice put food on the table?”
Kang-jun finished and turned to Bong-gu.
“Besides, someone else will do it even if you don't, right?”
“Yes…”
“And you have to think about your mother, who just recovered.”
Just then, Seol-i suddenly looked up at Bong-gu and asked.
“Unca, where you goin'?”
Bong-gu gave an awkward nod and then explained in a simple, soft voice that Seol-i could understand.
“There's a country where lots of bad monsters live. My friends asked me to go with them to fight the monsters, so I was thinking about whether I should go or not.”
“Wooooow…” Seol-i gasped, her eyes sparkling as she replied.
“Unca, you're so cool…”
Then she turned to Kang-jun and added suggestively.
“Dada go too?”
“No, I'm…”
“Dada fight too!”
“Me too?”
“Dada is stwong!”
“Well, that's true, but…”
Seol-i finished by pretending to shiver in fear, then started babbling again.
“'Cause Seol-i is mostest scared of monsters…”
“You're scared?”
“Uh-huh, and I'm worried 'bout the fwends in the monster country…”
Hearing that, Kang-jun replied without a shred of hesitation.
“Alright, then Daddy will go and beat them all up for you.”
He then turned back to Bong-gu and asked again.
“Hey, when are they leaving?”
“Huh?”
“Take me with you.”
Bong-gu's eyes went wide at Kang-jun's unexpected words.
“Got it?”
Bong-gu nodded, a dazed look on his face.
*Is he actually serious?*
He was probably serious.
Looking back…
It was always like this.
Bong-gu's gaze soon shifted to Seol-i, who was smiling brightly without a care in the world.
*Maybe...*
…the thought crossed his mind that a day might come when the world could find peace, or conversely, face destruction, all because of a single word from this child.
