Chapter 29 …
Find the Martial God
“Find the Martial God.”
At Baek Hyun-ho’s words, I swallowed my dry saliva.
‘…Huh?’
Something about this felt strange. Find the Martial God…?
‘An unregistered superhuman, and the greatest risk factor…?’
When did such intense modifiers get attached to him? Just listening made my head spin. My mouth filled with saliva at what Baek Hyun-ho was saying.
“The Martial God…?”
Irene frowned. It was the clearest expression I’d seen on her face recently.
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. At present, both the Association and the government believe the Martial God is Korean.”
“……”
Her eyes trembled at that.
“The timing matches as well. If we consider that the very first gate only contained Koreans—then the probability becomes even higher.”
The first gate.
He must be talking about the one I participated in. There had been a lot of talk about it back then. A gate made up entirely of Koreans. If the Martial God had participated, that meant he was Korean too.
“You’re saying you’ll send the Knight Order to find the Martial God…? Why…?”
Irene asked, her brow still tightly furrowed.
“Because it’s important to identify risk factors in advance.”
“…Is the Martial God… a risk factor to you?”
“Can you say with certainty that he isn’t?”
Baek Hyun-ho asked Irene with an expressionless face.
“……”
She couldn’t answer.
“I believe you already know this well, Hail Irene. The Martial God is an extremely dangerous individual.”
That hit uncomfortably close.
“He’s an unregistered superhuman, for one. And Irene, even you can tell how strong he is, can’t you?”
“……”
“The government estimates him to be at least SS-rank. Which, in other words—”
Tap. Tap. Baek Hyun-ho drummed his fingers on the desk.
“SS-rank. A human-level national disaster, who could potentially participate in terrorism. Do you really think only Korea would be concerned about this?”
As he spoke, Baek Hyun-ho handed something to Irene.
“This was sent to you by the United States.”
“…The U.S.?”
“That’s right. Not just the U.S., but other countries are closely watching the Martial God as well. Especially since they understand how dangerous he could be.”
“Hmm…”
“The reason he’s been described as potentially linked to terrorists is precisely because of that.”
If the Martial God were to oppose the government—or harbor malicious intent—
“The situations that could arise would be catastrophic.”
“…So the newly formed Knight Order won’t just be hunting terrorists, but will also be tasked with finding the Martial God?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then—”
I cut in at that point.
“What will you do if you find the Martial God?”
Baek Hyun-ho looked at me. The weight of his gaze felt heavy, almost oppressive.
“First, we’ll attempt a conversation. Why he’s unregistered, what he wants—those are things we need to talk about, aren’t they?”
“…Hmm.”
So that was why they wanted to find him.
But—
[■ The Hero’s Enhanced Perception has activated.]
“……”
Why did I find those words so unconvincing? As my enhanced perception activated, my anxiety only deepened.
“…Fine.”
Irene cut in.
“I’ll do it… But how exactly?”
“We’ll relay information as we obtain it. Please proceed with the search accordingly.”
Was Korean law really that simple? Just going around searching for someone?
“In the end, you’ll be searching for a criminal. An unregistered superhuman is illegal under government regulations.”
“Hm.”
Irene nodded.
“…Alright.”
She stood up and looked at me.
“Get up.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s go.”
“…Ah, yes.”
I rose awkwardly. That was when Baek Hyun-ho spoke to me.
“I’ve already informed Miss Irene, but since things are moving rather quickly, we plan to recruit members in a week. Jinwoo, please attend according to schedule.”
“…In a week?”
“Yes. There will be a simple test. And considering the terrorist incident, wouldn’t it be better to relocate your residence?”
“My residence?”
“Yes. If possible…”
Baek Hyun-ho glanced at Irene.
“…?”
“Wouldn’t it be best for him to stay near Miss Irene?”
“…What?”
Irene’s face twisted.
“In my room…? This… thing?”
This “thing”?
She pointed at me like I was some unpleasant object.
“Ahaha.”
Baek Hyun-ho laughed and explained.
“No, not the same room. Since her current residence was provided by the Association, I meant somewhere nearby would be better for Mr. Lee Jinwoo.”
“…So.”
Click. Irene clicked her tongue.
“I have to… protect this guy too…?”
“I’d appreciate it.”
“….”
Her brow creased deeply.
She turned her back—and suddenly, my body began floating.
“W—what?”
“…I’ll take him.”
* * *
The door closed. Even while walking down the corridor, I was still floating in midair.
“Uh… Ms. Irene.”
“Quiet…”
“Yes, ma’am.”
At her warning, I shut my mouth. Snap—! With the sound of her snapping her fingers, something enveloped the two of us.
What was this transparent barrier?
“Soundproofing…”
“Oh.”
Even sound?
“There are ears everywhere…”
She walked forward without looking back. I could see the small crown of her head.
She has a lot of hair, I thought absentmindedly.
“And—”
“Y—yes?”
“…What was that reaction?”
“N-no, it’s just fascinating to be floating like this…”
“…Ridiculous…”
Apparently unconcerned, Irene continued.
“Be careful next time…”
“Careful about… what?”
“That power. The one you used.”
Power… She meant the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword?
“You should hide it well. Especially that sword.”
“…!”
She noticed it? My eyes widened, and Irene chuckled.
“You were practically flaunting it. Anyone who didn’t notice would be an idiot…”
“…That’s—”
“I’m not planning to tell anyone.”
Swish.
A staff appeared in Irene’s hand, neatly carved from wood.
“That sword is a high-grade relic. S-rank?”
“…Ah, yes. That’s right.”
It was actually SS-rank, but there was no need to correct her.
“A weapon stronger than its owner. Hard to wield. When a relic’s rank is higher…”
“…It adjusts to its owner.”
“…It adjusts?”
“Relics that follow you through reincarnation show potential. Sometimes their rank even increases.”
“I’ve heard of that.”
I’d heard of people whose relics rose from C-rank to B-rank. A miracle-level probability.
“Relics reveal their potential. It only looks mismatched because your body hasn’t caught up yet.”
“…I see.”
“If you want to hide it, do so. I don’t care either way, but—”
She glanced at me.
“If Korea finds out about that relic, it’ll be troublesome. So I’m telling you—if you don’t have the strength to protect it, hide it well.”
“……”
If you don’t have the strength to protect it, hide it.
Her words pierced straight into my chest.
“Do you have things to move?”
“…Ah, yes. I do.”
“Then take care of that yourself. For now, let’s go…”
“Go where—?!”
Suddenly, a gust of wind surged. Irene opened a window and flew out, dragging me along. And she was fast.
“Ms. Irene—!!”
I tried to speak, feeling like I was about to die, but she ignored me. She’d even put on sunglasses, flying at insane speed.
How long that hellish time lasted, I couldn’t say.
“We’re here…”
Thud—!!
“Ghk…!”
I collapsed to the floor the moment we landed.
“Aaaah, the ground…!”
I’d never been so grateful for solid ground in my life. As I trembled, Irene looked at me with disgust.
“Coward…”
Coward?
Flying wasn’t exactly a human-compatible activity. Of course I’d be scared.
“…People don’t usually fly.”
“You’ll see much scarier things soon…”
“Why would you say something like that…?”
“Get inside. Do I have to carry you again?”
At her urging, I looked ahead. A large building stood there.
An officetel. And this location—
‘…Where is this?’
After flying so far, I had no idea. As I stood there confused, Irene spoke.
“This is the residence the Association provided me. I live on the top floor. You can stay… anywhere.”
“Just like that…?”
“How else am I supposed to protect you if you’re far away?”
“Ah… I mean, still…”
“The floor below should be fine.”
Whoosh—!!
“Ah!”
My body lifted again, and I was dropped directly onto the floor beneath hers.
Irene leaned over the railing and spoke.
“Unpack your stuff yourself. I’m going to rest now…”
A chilling gaze pierced me from behind her sunglasses.
“Don’t disturb me. Got it?”
“…Yes…”
That sounded genuinely terrifying.
* * *
I’d moved without warning. Without bringing anything.
I awkwardly opened the door.
“…Why is it so big?”
The place was huge. Come to think of it, it seemed like one unit per floor.
“Wow…”
Never in my life had I imagined living somewhere like this. Was it really okay for me to stay here?
As my thoughts drifted—
“Ah.”
I snapped back to reality.
“…This isn’t the time to think about that.”
A terrorist had targeted me, and the Association and government were actively searching for the Martial God.
“…Tsk.”
My head hurt. What should I do?
Then—
Ding.
My phone rang. It was Jin Gyeong-beom.
“What?”
—Where are you?
“At home.”
—What home? I’m at your place.
“……”
Why the hell was this lunatic at my house again? I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“…Then why are you at my place?”
—Forget that. Where are you?
“How do you just ‘forget that’?”
—Hey, hurry!
“I moved. I moved.”
—Huh?
He sounded flustered.
—Moved? With what money?
“The Association gave it to me. They said it’s dangerous, so I should live close to Ms. Irene and—”
—What?
My words stopped. Jin Gyeong-beom’s voice suddenly turned ice-cold.
—…What did you just say?
“I mean—”
“Um…”
“Whoa, what the—!”
A sudden voice startled me. I dropped my phone.
—Hey! What was that voice just now—!
“What… what is it?”
Irene was standing right in front of me. Inside my apartment.
“Do you have… money?”
“…Excuse me?”
I stared at her, confused by the sudden question.
What is this—extortion?
