ushernet Chapter 144
Chapter 144
After asking Winterer to deliver the letter, I immediately called Kkong. This was for the second phase of the Paimon search plan.
“Kkong, can you bring a necromancer to Korea?”
[What?]
“I’d like to use their abilities, so I’ll need the key to release the restrictions too.”
Like a real man, I got straight to the point. “Hey, I’m borrowing the necromancer.”
[Why all of a sudden?]
“It’s a long story. Want to hear it?”
[No. I’m not able to take that kind of request in the first place. Don’t try to charm me.]
“Come on, please? This is for a special mission approved by the chairman. I’m counting on you.”
[Ugh... Do you know what will happen if I bring that girl to Korea?]
I could hear Kkong sighing on the other end of the speaker. His exasperated breath sounded cute enough to make me a little annoyed. It was clear that the disadvantage was on my side, so I wouldn’t point that out.
“I understand that you’re sensitive about the necromancer topic...”
I continued explaining earnestly.
I understood why he wouldn’t want to bring the necromancer. She was the villain who turned the genre in Vietnam into a zombie apocalypse for years. Kkong had been tormented by her continuously, and my words must sound insane to him.
“Plus, it would cause a stir if it gets discovered. ‘That Pochikong is trying to unleash zombies in Korea!’”
[I know. It would be better to shoot a missile than this.]
It was natural for him to be hesitant about bringing her to Korea. The diplomatic burdens would be immense.
Nevertheless, why was I making this request?
“It’s okay. We just need to not get caught.”
[What? Hey, are you kidding me?]
“I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t you~ I know you can pull it off. I trust you.”
All the aftershocks would be a problem only if we got caught. If we could sneak her in without detection, there wouldn’t be an issue.
[What are you...]
“I know you brought our master into the country before. From a Korean perspective, that’s scarier, right?”
[....]
“You can get her here without getting caught. That’s why I’m asking you.”
Since he already had a track record, I was more confident.
Silence lingered on the other end of the speaker for a moment. I could picture Kkong’s troubled expression clearly.
[Fine. I can bring her. I was just being paranoid.]
“Listen, so I’m counting on you.”
[If the hero of Vietnam, Seo Yu-jin, requests it, then sure. When do you need her?]
“Not immediately, maybe in about a week?”
[Okay. I’ll contact you once I’m ready.]
But it didn’t last long. Kkong surprisingly agreed to my request without questioning it at all.
“Don’t you want to know why I need her?”
[I’m curious, but I can find out myself. Bring me some soup while you’re at it. Including the boiled meat.]
“...You little rascal. I’ll treat you to the whole course.”
I felt a bit touched. This was the moment I realized what a true friend is.
“I know a good jjimjilbang. Let’s go scrub each other’s backs and sweat it out before grabbing a bowl of soup.”
[What? No, that’s not necessary.]
“I’ll let you know when I decide when I need it! Bye!”
[Hey, that’s—.]
- Click.
Thus, I had crossed a line. Kkong had always been shy, even before the regression. He’d go to the bathroom alone and whatnot.
But there’s no such formality among true friends. I declared I’d bathe with Kkong and hung up right away. I had to forcefully pull him in, or else we’d keep being awkward. I had to do it by any means.
‘He seems to like it too, anyway.’
- Thump. Creak.
Having finished the call with Kkong, I finally stood up and headed out. I had to report the progress to my master, who was probably waiting for me.
“Master? I just spoke with Kkong, and he said he’d bring the necromancer in about a week.”
“A week? So what about the special mission during that time?”
“I probably won’t be able to go out for a while. The chairman will take a few days to approve the documents anyway. We can start once the special mission is approved.”
“......I was looking forward to starting right away.”
Hearing that it would take about a week, she looked really gloomy. What’s going on? Did she really want to try a cooperative mission that badly?@@@@
* * *
After the Monday morning that was a big deal in many ways, life at the academy flowed peacefully.
“Shia, Alice. Good morning!”
“G-Good morning, Yu-jin!”
“Good morning, darling.”
“...!!!? Shi, Shia?”
“Just kidding, just kidding~ More importantly, Yu-jin, about Ninomiya...”
“I can’t do that. I have to protect the colonel’s honor. He was a soldier above all else.”
After a moment of thought, the general left a message at the number written on the letter. He would personally deliver it.
Considering how Seo Yu-jin’s abilities
could be fatal to non-awakeners, it was a crazy act.
Colonel Seo was a person who had been his idol. Even though he had been caught up in a strange experiment due to taking the wrong line.
A soldier who had acted despite giving up his promised promotion.
He could not allow the honor of such a person to fall into the ground.
- Thud. Thud.
“Nice to meet you, Awakener Seo Yu-jin.”
“Thank you for calling me that, General Kang.”
On Wednesday night, at a Japanese omakase restaurant near Pentagon Academy, Yu-jin and he met in secret.
‘Is there no sign that he’s trying to control me with hypnosis...? Thank goodness.’
- Slide.
“First, let’s eat. I have a lot to say, so it’ll take a while.”
“Yes. I’ll enjoy this~.”
After that, he began a light meal with Yu-jin, continuing their conversation in between.
“Colonel Seo was my senior at the military academy. He was a respected person.”
“Yes. I know. He was truly an amazing person.”
“...But how did his name reach you, Seo Yu-jin?”
- Tense.
“I saw memories. Of Winterer.”
“.......”
‘Did I hear that wrong?’
His expression grew increasingly troubled as the realization set in.
The person who had led the initial Awakener breeding plan was none other than Colonel Seo himself. It was impossible for Winterer to have fond memories of him.
Indeed, as soon as the topic came up, Yu-jin’s face twisted in dismay.
He had to consider what to do. He was a soldier, so he had no choice. Orders were absolute. This wasn’t a level of excuse he could simply brush off.
- Swallow.
‘What should I do? This can’t end well.’
In the end, as their meal neared its end, he slowly turned to Yu-jin.
The anger was radiating from the young man, who chewed angrily on sushi. He was a man who had seen the torture scene of someone he cherished.
- Cough.
“Could you forgive him? Colonel Seo?”
“......What?”
“Could I take responsibility and retire? Please, just preserve the honor of that man who was inevitably sacrificed.”
And then he bent over at a 90-degree angle to make the request.
It was a shocking sight that made even the sushi chef, who had been preparing the fish, drop what he was holding.
“I understand your desire for revenge, but please...”
- Tilt.
“Why would I do that? If it’s revenge, it should be Winterer, not me, who should apologize to him.”
“......I must have misheard?”
“Yes. If you’re that close, would you like to go together on Sunday? I’ll call the necromancer from Vietnam and briefly bring him back.”
“What are you saying!!!!?”