Chapter 98

Chapter 98

“……”

Constantine stepped outside, sinking deep into thought.

She had watched Argos for a long time, but this was the first time he had ever said something like that.

She had operated primarily in Europe for many years. Because of that, she didn’t know much about the recent Head Breaker issue. Some upstart who’d appeared in East Asia?

“Can things really change this much while I’m busy with Europe?”

The epithet she’d earned there: Witch Doctor.

Her entirely new combat method using curses had thrown Europe into an uproar. After all, she had reduced Romania to ashes with her own hands.

Constantine still thought about the time her gift awakened.

The government and the guilds that had coveted her gift. If they hadn’t targeted her family to get at her ability, she wouldn’t be standing here now.

It still came to mind often.

The house ablaze. Her parents burning to death. Her terrified older sister and younger brother.

The government officials who had giggled at the sight.

That was how the Witch Doctor was born.

If that day had never happened, she wouldn’t have become a villain.

“There’s no point in what-ifs.”

Just as no grave is without a reason, every villain who joined the League had their own circumstances.

Some, like her, had been dragged into villainy by their pasts with no way out. Others had been trash from birth.

If they stayed out of her sight, she didn’t care—but if they pulled trashy stunts in front of her, she dealt with them without mercy.

Though she was a member of the League’s Twelve Zodiac, Constantine was stricter about evil than anyone.

The League claimed to stand for black—the color that devours all evil and darkness in the world—but she believed there was a line even they shouldn’t cross.

That was why Head Breaker had piqued her curiosity.

Just how evil was he, that even Argos would refuse?

There weren’t even five people in the world who could earn that kind of assessment.

No—actually, Argos simply wasn’t overly expressive toward those close to him.

As her curiosity grew, she happened to spot Blackhound approaching from the opposite direction and raised a hand.

“Heinz!”

“Constantine.”

“Good timing. You were inside, not out?”

“Because this is where I belong.”

Constantine was startled by his composed tone.

Was this really the mad dog Heinz she knew? He was the type who couldn’t let go of his desire to grow stronger, the kind who roamed the world complaining it was too small.

Seeing the person hardest to find at the base say something like that—it couldn’t help but be surprising.

“Are you really the Blackhound I know? Your behavior’s completely different.”

“People adapt. They change with circumstances.”

“Amazing.”

Did people really change as time passed?

It was a look that couldn’t possibly be called the world’s public enemy.

As she stared, Blackhound changed the subject.

“Did you meet Al?”

“Yeah. I got assigned a mission this time.”

“What mission?”

“He asked me to eliminate Head Breaker.”

“…Head Breaker.”

Constantine’s eyes sparkled at Blackhound’s frighteningly stiff expression.

“Come to think of it, you’ve clashed with Head Breaker before, haven’t you?”

“If he entrusted it to you, Al must have decided to eliminate him for certain. Head Breaker is strong.”

“That strong?”

“He’s a strong one—I can’t guarantee the outcome of a fight against him.”

“Now that is surprising.”

Constantine meant it. Blackhound was polite in how he treated people, but ruthless in assessing ability. He never placed anyone above himself, and recognized only Argos as both comrade and leader.

And that Blackhound was saying he couldn’t guarantee the outcome?

So far, she’d heard that assessment for fewer than five people, including Hell Master.

Head Breaker had only just become a transcendent, as far as she knew.

First Argos, now Blackhound.

If both assessed him the same way, then Head Breaker really was a dangerous transcendent.

“Looks like I’d better prepare thoroughly.”

“You be careful too.”

“You know me. Once anyone steps into my domain, I’m confident against anyone.”

“I nearly died, so I know. But Head Breaker is different.”

“In what way?”

A bottomless reserve of strength that was impossible to measure—that was Head Breaker’s terrifying quality.

Just the fact that Blackhound was giving serious advice made the danger tangible.

“Aren’t you disappointed? Head Breaker will die at my hands.”

“As long as he can be eliminated, I don’t care by whose.”

“Head Breaker will die. Watching himself be devoured by the very image he hates most.”

It was a vow to herself, and a declaration.

“……”

Blackhound nodded quietly.

* * *

To Lee Sehee, Choi Junho was a truly fascinating person.

How could someone like him even exist?

That was why she felt a sense of pride in herself. After nearly dying from trying to pull a trick on their first meeting, she had quickly readjusted her strategy and succeeded in getting close to him.

Most people refused to admit their mistakes—they chose to look away and avoid rather than accept things at face value.

She believed that quickly readjusting her strategy had been the best choice of her life.

‘Looking at it that way, I’m pretty impressive too.’

Not only did she have the title of being “close” to the youngest transcendent, but the Big Bang Series had been a hit as well.

Shinseong Group had earned astronomical sums, and her position had become incomparably more solid than before.

Lee Sehee still remembered.

The Plus-tier monster Soye being terrified of Choi Junho.

They said even transcendents had shed the limits of humanity, but Choi Junho seemed to be on another level entirely.

So inwardly, she was certain that even the League’s Three Evils couldn’t compare.

But even a transcendent like him didn’t live in the world alone.

‘It’s thanks to Dahyun.’

Lee Sehee believed that if Jung Dahyun hadn’t strongly urged him to become a public service Hunter when she first met Choi Junho, he would have become a villain.

There was a clear disconnect in his understanding of the world.

Even now, most people chose to look away from and reject what they didn’t understand rather than accept it.

Choi Junho’s existence was alien to the world.

There were quite a few cases where that kind of misunderstanding piled up and piled up until someone became a villain.

The emergence of a villain with Choi Junho’s abilities.

…It was horrifying just to imagine.

‘I had a hand in it too.’

Lee Sehee had actively helped from the sidelines to prevent Choi Junho from becoming a villain.

The result had taken the bizarre form of grafting on an idol’s lore and an internet broadcast, but at the very least, the possibility of Choi Junho becoming a villain had dropped dramatically.

She thought it might be one of her greatest achievements.

She ought to spread the word far and wide so people would recognize her for it.

Sometimes she thought she might have saved the world.

Well, it benefited her too, after all.

Lee Sehee could no longer imagine a life without Choi Junho.

That was how large a part of her life he had become.

So when she heard about his trip to Japan, she reacted so strongly that even she was surprised.

“It’s dangerous.”

Why on earth had he accepted that proposal?

Even if it was the President’s suggestion, this was by no means a good thing.

The person in question was making a face like he had no idea what she was talking about, though.

She let out a silent sigh and explained.

“Since you’ve already accepted, I can’t stop you, but their intentions can’t be good. Because a transcendent visiting another country is something that requires tremendous resolve.”

If it were a goodwill exchange, it wouldn’t matter much. As a diplomatic envoy, that kind of exchange could happen freely.

But a joint operation meant multiple heads and multiple tangled interests—the worst outcome could easily come about rather than the best.

Before international relations had entered a stable period like now, incidents of inviting and killing another country’s transcendent had been commonplace.

Under the threat of monsters, humanity had to unite its strength—but even amid the suffering caused by monsters, no power ever tolerated another growing stronger.

Even now that things had entered a stable period, if you asked whether it was 100% safe, it wasn’t.

“Is that so?”

No matter how much she shouted, the person in question answered with a serene face.

That was just like Choi Junho.

Honestly, Lee Sehee also couldn’t imagine Choi Junho going on a mission and ending up in danger.

“The proportion of transcendents who died participating in foreign operations is overwhelmingly high.”

“So it’s a good place to eliminate someone.”

“Yes. A large number of transcendents in another country ultimately means a neighboring country’s strength is great. There’s nowhere that would be happy about a neighbor growing stronger.”

No matter how she thought about it, the proposal had more losses than gains.

That said, it wasn’t as if the Blue House had deceived Choi Junho into it.

They had promised profit-sharing, and the President’s attitude in making the request had been respectful.

If anything, they had been as considerate as possible.

Still, she couldn’t stress safety enough.

“Of course the Blue House wouldn’t have recommended it without knowing that. There’s probably confidence in your abilities, Junho, along with a desire for the concessions Japan has agreed to give up.”

“Being trusted doesn’t exactly make me happy.”

“Is that so? What I’m talking about is Japan’s intentions. They’ve suffered from the League for a long time, so if they can use your hands to deal with it, all the better…”

“And if I die in the process, even better.”

“Yes. It’s a heartless world.”

Though there was no way that would happen.

If anything, they should be prepared for their little schemes to end with their heads smashed by Choi Junho’s hands.

But was there no opposition within Japan?

She hadn’t heard anything about them being pushed that far into a corner.

The thought that something was strange struck her, and she caught herself.

She realized her nagging had gone too far. Choi Junho was tolerant of nagging from acquaintances, but no one actually enjoyed it.

“Even saying all this, on the big picture, I agree with the Blue House.”

“About what?”

“That no matter what they try, you won’t even flinch, Junho.”

“You read that well.”

The corners of Choi Junho’s mouth curled upward. Confidence and conviction blended within, radiating a dazzling aura.

Lee Sehee thought that sight was blinding. Unable to bear facing it, she turned her head away.

For some reason, her cheeks felt hot.

“Yes…”

The heat just wouldn’t cool.

* * *

Finally, the day to go to Japan arrived.

My destination was Fukuoka. The Japanese cabinet suspected the League’s branch was located there and had informed us it was the most likely rally point.

“Be careful.”

“You mean I should kill as few opponents as possible?”

“Of course not. I’m telling you to take care of yourself.”

“Understood.”

Something about the way he said that was suspicious.

I accepted the President’s words as he averted his gaze, then boarded the government’s private plane and headed for Fukuoka.

After a short flight, the person who came to meet me was a man in his late thirties with a square jaw and piercing eyes.

He greeted me with crisp, disciplined movements.

“Thank you for coming, Transcendent. I’m Park Younghoo, assigned to attend to you.”

“Good to meet you.”

He was affiliated with the Awakened Security Office and said he had been staying at the Korean Embassy in Japan gathering intelligence. He was a capable man fluent in English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Judging by Level, he was roughly a stretch to call Level 5. If his combat ability wasn’t particularly outstanding, he must have been exceptionally skilled in other areas.

“From now on, I’ll be attending to you.”

“Let’s go.”

I followed Park Younghoo to the lodging. After unpacking in the luxurious room and sitting on the sofa, Park Younghoo approached and reported the situation.

“The current situation in Japan is in a lull. They recently succeeded in arresting a hundred League villains and intend to pull the organization up by the roots while they have the chance.”

“But then the League sent two transcendents?”

“Yes. Given that a member of the Twelve Zodiac is also coming, I believe pressing them with sheer numbers won’t be easy.”

“Who’s coming from the Twelve Zodiac?”

“Three are currently considered candidates, but the most likely is Witch Doctor.”

“Witch Doctor?”

It was a name I’d never heard before.

Park Younghoo began to explain.

“She’s a villain who once plunged Eastern Europe into terror. Rather than direct combat, she uses curse-type gifts. Once certain conditions are met, she’s said to be more terrifying than the Ten Great Transcendents, and her curses can kill even a transcendent.”

“Curses…”

With Immunity to All Poisons or Full Recovery, it didn’t seem like much of a concern for me.

But gifts weren’t omnipotent. It seemed I’d need some degree of caution.

“You must be careful. One of the transcendents who fought Witch Doctor went mad and killed himself.”

That was worth being careful about. Surely I wouldn’t go mad and Blood Lord would pop out.

Since returning to the past, one question I’d been carrying was that I couldn’t tell whether he was quietly lurking beneath the surface or had vanished entirely.

“And there’s one more thing you should be careful about.”

“What is it?”

“The Japanese transcendents joining this operation are Tsuyoshi of the Immovable Heart, and Gunji—known locally as Mamorigami. Of them, Gunji opposed bringing you in.”

Where weren’t there people who disliked me?

I didn’t particularly care.

…Still, let’s find out the reason.

“What’s the reason?”

“That there’s no need to ask a foreign country for help with something they can handle themselves.”

“Just that?”

“Yes. It’s a matter of pride.”

“I can see that.”

Japan’s power hadn’t been significantly diminished yet.

It was inevitable that they’d resent outside personnel stepping in when they believed they could resolve it themselves.

But what could be done? It had been decided from above.

If they had complaints, they could sort it out among themselves.

If they wanted to send me back, they should hand over all the promised concessions.

Their internal affairs were theirs to handle—no need for me to concern myself.

The next day, Park Younghoo and I headed to Fukuoka City Hall.

When I entered the conference room, quite a few people looked at me with unfriendly eyes.

Among them, the only one who approached with a smile was Tsuyoshi, whom I’d seen at the World Transcendent Day event.

“Thank you for coming! Junho!”

“Good to see you.”

We shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

Immovable Heart was still a gift I coveted. I wanted Synchronization, and I wanted Immovable Heart too. My greed showed no sign of diminishing.

“I’ll be counting on your help this time.”

“I’ll do my best to help.”

After Tsuyoshi stepped away and before the meeting began, my eyes met Gunji’s.

As I’d heard, his gaze was considerably insolent.

Looks like I’ll have to sort out the internal affairs before dealing with the League.

The trouble erupted not long after the meeting began.

Gunji stood up and started spouting something at me.

Park Younghoo, who had been interpreting, hesitated before speaking to me with difficulty.

“Gunji says he wishes to know the Transcendent’s gift for the operation.”

“Why would I tell him?”

I said, looking at Park Younghoo.

“Tell him I have no intention of sharing it.”

“…Yes.”

When Park Younghoo relayed my words without any embellishment, Gunji’s expression turned cold.