Chapter 199: Chapter 199
Around the same time Suho hatched Ragnar and was struggling against the Dragon Emperor, American society was facing a great shock.
-Thomas Andre murdered Christopher Reed?!
-Oh my God!
- The curiosity of people who have been wondering who is stronger out of the two has finally been resolved!
-But it shouldn't have been like this!
For some reason, two S-rank hunters representing the United States fought for their lives, and as a result, the consequences were not only just a matter of murder. The death of an S-rank Hunter was truly an astronomical loss for the United States. However, the bigger problem was that the person who committed this shocking crime was also an S-rank himself.
-Hold all the blame on Thomas Andre and put him to death!
- Hey, buddy. We've already lost one S-rank Hunter, and you're asking to kill another? Are you thinking of ruining America?
-You don't really think that such a thing is possible, do you?
-Thomas Andre is quietly under arrest for now, but if he suddenly has a change of heart, at least half the American population will die.
- But since Thomas admitted his crimes, hasn't he been arrested by the Federal Bureau?
-Arrest? You don't seriously consider that an arrest, do you? Didn't you see the picture of the Goliath stopping at a burger joint on the way to his arrest?!
The disposition of Thomas Andre was hotly debated among Americans. But there was one fact they all acknowledged. No matter how much Thomas Andre was charged for murder, it was a fact that the United States would never be safe economically and physically if he was touched. Furthermore, there was also something that Americans were most curious about.
-So, where is the Federal Bureau confining Thomas Andre?
- It's in 'Area-51' right?
- Yeah, Area-51, that's the only place he has to be in, no?
Area 51. A first-class military base managed by the US Department of Defense located in the desert of Nevada, USA. Originally, this place was built as a thoroughly secret base for the development and testing of new weapons. In the meantime, the US government has consistently refused to answer questions about this place, but eventually acknowledged the reality of this area with the release of 355 pages of classified documents from the CIA. However, the reason why this secret base was particularly interesting to people was because of the lush rumors about this area.
Inside, aliens are secretly imprisoned and living organisms are being experimented on!
Area 51 was full of all sorts of ugly and mysterious rumors, such as recovering the remains of a UFO and conducting joint research with aliens. And in fact, with the opening of the Hunter era, Area 51 was also an area that was incorporated under the Federal Bureau and used in many ways. So, people guessed that the only place where Thomas Andre could be accommodated in, was Area 51.
However, logic and truth are very different.
"One more drink."
"Yes Mr. Thomas, how much ice would you like in your drink?" Clank**.** The bartender, who was setting a large ice cube in a clear wine glass, glanced at Thomas Andre.
"Hey, Adam! Would you like a drink too?"
"Thank you, but I'll have to reject it, I'm still in my working hours."
Adam White, the director of the Federal Bureau of Hunters– who had just entered the mansion– smiled bitterly at Thomas Andre, who was drunk and waving at him. Yes, this extravagant mansion was a 'prison' specially prepared for Thomas Andre by the Federal Bureau. It's a prison, so to speak, but it's actually more like a resort. Thomas Andre, who was caught as a criminal, was also enjoying a leisurely vacation at the swimming pool, wearing a colorful floral short-sleeved tee and shorts, not a prison uniform at all.
Thomas Andre, clearly aware of Adam White's position, asked him with a single smile. "So, how is my trial going? Will I get the death penalty?"
"Stop joking around and let's talk about work." Adam White sighed and ordered the accompanying secretaries to lay out the research materials in front of him.
Seeing the amount of data, Thomas Andre raised one eye and his eyes lit up. "Hoo? Were there too many?"
"Yes. It was as you said."
The previous day, the director of the Federal Bureau, Adam White, heard the real reason Thomas Andre killed Christopher Reed, and immediately launched an investigation onto the Foreign Religion. Although the public opinion was leaning toward Thomas Andre– who was usually known for his filthy personality– to have killed Christopher Reed in a fit of anger, Adam White was quite relieved to learn that the truth was different.
"...It turns out that far more Foreign believers are active all over the United States than I thought." Foreign Religion. An unknown pseudo-religion of unknown origin. "Surprisingly, when I investigated, their goals and actions were quite moderate compared to other pseudo-religions. At best, they would propagate or sell Stardust."
"I guessed the same. After all, the goal must have been to stay quietly hidden. So, did you recover the Stardust and Star Pieces?"
"Yes. All visible kin have been retrieved. There was no justification for arresting them, so the solution was to buy them all with money. Surveillance was attached separately."
"Haha, man you really are good at your job!"
"..."
Thomas Andre raised his wine glass in the air, as if toasting, and drank it down. Seeing this, Adam White's subordinates couldn't help but cry. It was incredibly unpleasant to see Adam White, the director of the Federal Bureau of Hunters, being treated as if he were a mere subordinate. But so what if you are offended? Thomas Andre, That man had the qualifications and strength to do so. Even Adam White himself seemed to have no feelings for this disrespectful attitude towards him. Rather, at the point when he learned that there was an unidentified group working secretly in the United States, Thomas' help was more desperate than ever for the peace of the United States.
"Back then... You told me the magic restraints doesn't work on you anymore."
"Ah, that's right."
At Adam White's words, Thomas Andre shrugged his shoulders carefreely. Right nowThomas Andre's both wrists and ankles were filled with magic restraints used to arrest the villains. Those handcuffs were developed by the Korean Hunter Association, and we're a great invention widely used around the world. However, during the arrest process, Thomas Andre obediently put on that restraint, and despite this, his magic was still flowing through his body.
"Didn't I tell you? I can absorb the mana of outer space. And this magic restraint tool doesn't work on outer space mana. Similarly, it won't work for Stardust boosters or Foreign believers."
"...And you said the one that shared all this information with you was the Korean Hunter Sung Suho?"
"Hehe, yup. He has a very promising future ahead."
"If someone sees your expression now, they will think he is your secret love child."
"Oh, it's similar. He is the son of my old best friend."
Adam White shook his head at the sight of Thomas Andre smiling proudly at the memory of Sung Suho. He was just frustrated. It was the first time he felt so helpless after becoming the director of the Federal Bureau of Hunters that protects the United States. "I am very sorry to say this, but I feel quite nerved. What the hell is going on on Earth right now?"
"A space war, duh."
"Ha..." Adam White, who could neither believe nor disbelieve that absurd statement, simply raised his forehead and sighed. Even after saying that, he felt even more sickened when he saw the carefree look of Thomas, who was drinking to his heart's content.
"By the way, did you seek cooperation from the Korean Association?"
"Yes. I heard that the current president of the association is in North Korea, so I sent someone there."
"Good. It must be the president of the association. Our Suho told us to never trust other guys."
...He is going to talk about Sung Suho again.
"Oh, and do you have any high-level Essence Stones left in the Federal Bureau's warehouse? It would be nice if you could send all of them to our Suho. He says they need a lot of Essence Stones these days."
"...They are expensive."
"If this is about money, I have plenty."
"The auction price– Nevermind, I will see to it."
"Oh come on. Look at it this way, this is all for the earth. If the earth perishes, do you think our America will be alright? Oh and, if you don't have a few high-grade ones, feel free to collect intermediate Essence Stones instead."
"..."
At this point, aren't you just being a thug? First, it was a hamburger, but once they started listening to it, the staff of the FEderal Bureau couldn't hide their dejection at the sight of the super criminal who kept robbing them of their resources. And the more shameless that human being came out, the more curious everyone became. Just who the hell is the Korean hunter 'Sung Suho' whom the world's Thomas Andre so blatantly cherishes?
'I guess I'll have to meet him in person. In any case, if Thomas Andre is being tricked by him, then this will cause a huge problem.' It was Adam White, who was determined to schedule a visit to Korea sooner or later.
"Ah! And about our Suho..."
"..."
Please, shut up.
* * *
Meanwhile, Sung Il-Hwan, who had been missing all this timem finally returned home safely. Park Kyung-Hye and Sung Jin-Ah, who were worried about him, barely regained their stability. Of course, that didn't solve all the problems. It remained unchanged that their precious family members, Sung Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In, were still missing, and this incident forced them to worry even more than before. However, the solution to this was very simple.
Without hesitation, Suho used the key to the Shadow Dungeon on them.
"Ah!!"
"This memory?!--"
Park Kyung-Hye and Sung Jin-Ah, whose memories of their previous lives suddenly returned, were temporarily in great shock, but soon began to accept the whole truth. Suho honestly told them all about the whereabouts of Sung Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In. Of course, that didn't mean all the worries were resolved, but at least it made it so that he didn't have to worry about keeping things vague as he had done up until now.
[My young liege, is it really okay to do this?]
Beru watched Suho's behavior from the sidelines and showed a little concern.
[If you indiscriminately return people's memories like this, the world could become confused.]
Of course, when Sung Jin-Woo handed over the key to the Shadow Dungeon to Suho, he did not give specific instructions on how to use it. At least, he gave advice that it would be good to bring back Yoo Jin-Ho's memories, which can provide the most practical help to Suho, but the rest was entirely up to Suho's choice. Even so, if everyone's memories were returned indiscriminately, there would be those who would use those memories to do bad things, and worse, be tempted by the Itarim. However, Suho boldly dismissed Beru's concerns.
"So what if it's reckless?"
[Kiek?]
"I can't keep letting my family grieve for my father who they don't know whenever he is still alive or dead. Besides..."
Suho looked at Beru with serious eyes. Those two irises were burning hotter than ever.
"...In the first place, I don't like the fact that the world has forgotten all about my father. If I can, I want to make everyone in the world remember my father again, but I'm holding back."
[...]
Beru, feeling Suho's sincerity, had no choice but to keep his mouth shut. As he said, the people of this world have completely forgotten that Sung Jin-Woo saved the earth a long time ago. Although not everyone can appreciate his noble sacrifice, it is Suho's wish that someone could at least remember. While saying this, Suho thought about the fight he had with the Dragon Emperor a few moments ago.
'Ever since I was little, I've always been curious. How did the burn marks on my father's hands come about?' The breath of destruction exhaled by the Dragon Emperor. It was Suho who vaguely realized the greatness of his father, who fought and won a war alone against that terribly dangerous being.
"So I..." Suho decided. "I will continue to make as many people as possible remember my father when the opportunity arises." He realized. "No matter how much I think about it, that seems like the only 'gift' I can prepare before going to see my father."
[...]
Beru cried.
Yes.
Gift.
That day, when Suho met the apostle of Itarim for the first time, he had promised to himself since then, on what to do for his father.
Hot tears were flowing from Beru's eyes, he who had walked the road with Sung Jin-Woo for a long time, without any hesitation.
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