While Suho was hatching Ragnar and having a squabble with the Dragon Emperor, American society was in a state of shock.
– Thomas Andre killed Christopher Reed?!
– Oh my God!
– I guess we finally know who's stronger between the two!
– But I didn't want it to actually happen like this!
The incident of two S-rank Hunters representing the United States fighting each other for some reason, resulting in one dying, wasn't simply a murder case. The death of an S-rank Hunter was an astronomical loss for the United States. But the bigger problem was that the perpetrator of this shocking crime was also an S-rank Hunter.
– Thomas Andre should be held fully accountable and executed!
– Hey, buddy. We've already lost one S-rank Hunter, and you want to kill another? Are you trying to destroy America?
– No, but do you really think that's possible?
– Thomas Andre is currently under arrest, but if he has ill intentions, at least half of the US population will die.
– But didn't Thomas surrender to the Bureau because he admitted his guilt?
– Surrender? Do you really think that was a surrender? Didn't you see the picture of that crazy tyrant stopping by a burger joint after being arrested?
Americans were heatedly debating the issue of Thomas Andre's punishment. But there was one thing they all agreed on. It didn't matter that he was arrested for murder, if they touched him, the United States would never be safe, both economically and physically. Additionally, there was one more aspect that piqued the curiosity of all Americans.
– So where is the Hunter Bureau holding Thomas Andre right now?
– Isn't it 'Area-51,' obviously?
– Yeah, where else could it be?
Area 51. Located in the Nevada desert, it was a top-secret military base managed by the US Department of Defense, originally built as a clandestine site for developing and testing new weapons. The US government had remained silent about the questions surrounding this place, but eventually acknowledged its existence when a 355-page classified document from the CIA was released. But what really intrigued people about this secret base was the countless rumors surrounding it. Rumors that they were secretly holding aliens and conducting biological experiments. That they had recovered UFO wreckage and were conducting joint research with aliens. Area 51 was associated with all sorts of strange and mysterious rumors. And with the advent of the Hunter era, Area 51 was incorporated under the Hunter Bureau and utilized in various ways. So people's speculation that it was the only place to hold Thomas Andre was quite convincing. But…
The reality was quite different from what was suspected.
"One more glass."
"Yes. Mr. Thomas, how much ice would you like?"
Clink. The bartender's eyes, as he placed large ice cubes in the transparent wine glass, subtly glanced at Thomas Andre.
"Hey, Adam! Would you like a drink too?"
"...Thank you, but I'm still on duty, so I don't think I can."
Adam White, the head of the Hunter Bureau, who had just entered the mansion, smiled bitterly at Thomas, who was already quite drunk and waving at him. That's right. This absurdly luxurious mansion was the 'prison' the Hunter Bureau had specially prepared for this situation.
Calling it a prison was generous; it was practically a resort. Thomas Andre, who had been arrested as a criminal, wasn't wearing a prison uniform either. He was dressed in a colorful floral t-shirt and shorts, leisurely enjoying a vacation by the pool. He was also fully aware of Adam White's position, so he grinned and asked him,
"What about my punishment? It's the death penalty, right?"
"...Enough with the jokes, let's talk business." Adam White sighed and had his accompanying secretaries lay out the collected investigation materials before him.
"Ooh? Was it that much?" Seeing the amount, Thomas Andre raised an eyebrow and his eyes gleamed.
"Yes. As you said, Mr. Thomas."
Adam White, the former head of the Hunter Bureau, had immediately launched an investigation into the Outer Gods' Cult after hearing the real reason why he killed Christopher Reed. Public opinion was leaning towards Thomas Andre, who was already infamous for his foul temper, killing Christopher Reed in a fit of rage. But Adam White was relieved to learn that the truth was different.
"...There are far more Outer Gods' Cult members active across the US than we expected."
The Outer Gods' Cult. An unidentified cult that emerged out of nowhere.
"Surprisingly, their goals and actions are quite moderate compared to other cults. At most, they're just proselytizing and selling Stardust."
"That's to be expected. Their goal was to remain hidden, after all. So, did you recover the Stardust and Star Pieces?"
"Yes. We confiscated everything we could find. There was no legal basis to arrest them, so we bought everything… And we're keeping them under surveillance."
"Hehe. As always, your work is impeccable."
"..."
Thomas Andre raised his wine glass as if making a toast and drank it all in one gulp. The subordinate staff members beside Adam White couldn't help but feel indignant. They were offended by the way he treated Adam White, the head of the Hunter Bureau, like his underling. But what could they do? Thomas Andre. That man had the qualifications and power to act that way. Even Adam White himself didn't seem to mind his disrespectful attitude. Rather, at a time when an unidentified group was operating in the US, Thomas' help was needed more than ever to maintain peace in the country.
"But... it's true, isn't it? That the mana-restricting cuffs don't work on you."
"Ah, that's right." Thomas Andre shrugged nonchalantly at Adam White's words.
Currently, Thomas Andre's wrists and ankles were bound with mana-restricting cuffs designed to restrain villains. Those cuffs were a remarkable invention developed by the Korean Hunter Association and widely used worldwide. But during the arrest, Thomas Andre wore those cuffs, yet mana was still surging from his body.
"Didn't I tell you? I can absorb the mana of the outer universe. And these mana-restricting cuffs don't work on that. It won't work on Stardust amplifiers or Outer Gods' Cult members either."
"...You said the person who shared that information with you was Hunter Sung Suho from Korea?"
"Hehe. That's right. He's a very promising young man."
"Anyone who sees your expression now would think he's your hidden son."
"Oh, it's similar. He's the son of my longtime best friend."
Adam White shook his head at Thomas Andre, who was smiling proudly as he thought of Sung Suho. He was simply dumbfounded. This was the first time he felt so powerless since becoming the head of the Hunter Bureau, which protected the United States.
"I'm very sorry to say this, but I'm truly anxious. What's happening on Earth right now?"
"It's an interstellar war, I tell you."
"Sigh..." Adam White, who couldn't believe nor disbelieve those absurd words, could only press his forehead and sigh. Seeing Thomas leisurely drinking here after saying such things made him even more frustrated.
"By the way, did you ask the Korean Association for cooperation?"
"Yes. We heard the Chairman is currently in North Korea, so we sent someone there."
"Good. It has to be the Chairman himself. Our Suho said not to trust anyone else."
'...Sung Suho again.'
"Ah, and do you have any spare high-grade magic stones in the Bureau's warehouse? If you do, it would be great if you could send them all to our Suho. He said he needs a lot of magic stones these days."
"...Those are expensive."
"I'll pay for them."
"The auction price... Never mind. I'll do that."
"Hey, lighten up. This is all for Earth, you know? Do you think America will be safe if Earth falls? Ah, if you don't have many high-grade ones, scrape together some mid-grade magic stones."
"..."
Honestly, wasn't this just extortion? It began with a hamburger, but once they started giving in, he was demanding more and more. The Hunter Bureau staff couldn't hide their frustration at the sight of this super criminal. And the more brazenly he acted, the more curious they became. Just who was this Korean Hunter, 'Sung Suho,' whom Thomas Andre was so blatantly doting on?
'I guess I'll have to meet him myself. It would be a disaster if Thomas Andre is being deceived by him.' Adam White resolved to schedule a visit to Korea soon.
"Ah! And to our Suho..."
"..."
''Please stop.''
* * *
Meanwhile, after the missing Sung Il-Hwan returned home safely, Park Kyung-Hye and Sung Jinah, who had been worried about him, finally calmed down. Of course, that didn't mean all the problems were solved. Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In, their precious family members, were still missing, and their worries couldn't help but grow even more after this incident. But the solution was actually quite simple. Suho used the key to the Shadow Dungeon on them without hesitation.
"...!"
"...These memories?!"
Park Kyung-Hye and Sung Jinah, who suddenly regained all their memories from their past lives, were temporarily in shock, but soon accepted the truth. Suho honestly told them everything about Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In's whereabouts. Of course, that didn't erase all their worries, but at least it prevented them from having vague and endless anxieties like before.
[Little Monarch, are you sure this is alright?] Beru looked a bit concerned as he watched Suho's actions.
[If you restore people's memories indiscriminately like this, it could cause chaos in the world.]
Of course, Sung Jinwoo didn't give any specific instructions on how to use the key to the Shadow Dungeon when he handed it over to Suho. He only advised that it would be good to restore Yoo Jinho's memories, as he could provide the most practical help to Suho, but the rest was entirely up to his discretion. Even so, if he restored everyone's memories indiscriminately, some might use this knowledge for evil deeds, and above all, some might be exploited by Itarim. But Suho confidently dismissed Beru's concerns.
"So what if it's indiscriminate?"
[Kiek?]
"I can't let my family worry about my father's life and death, can I? Besides..." Suho looked at Beru with a serious gaze. His eyes were burning hotter than ever.
"I don't like the fact that people in this world have forgotten all about my father. If I could, I'd make everyone in the world remember him again, but I'm holding back."
[...] Beru couldn't say anything, feeling Suho's sincerity.
As he said, people in this world had completely forgotten that Sung Jinwoo saved Earth long ago. Suho's wish was that everyone would at least remember his father's noble and selfless sacrifice, even if they couldn't all be grateful… While speaking, he was recalling his recent battle against the Dragon Emperor.
'I've always been curious since I was young. How my father got that burn scar on his hand.' Suho had vaguely realized the greatness of his father, who fought a war alone against the terrifyingly dangerous Dragon Emperor and emerged victorious. That's why he made up his mind.
"Therefore, I'll continue to make as many people as possible remember my father whenever I get the chance."
He realized. "No matter how I think about it, that's the only 'gift' I can prepare before going to see him."
[...] Beru was crying.
That's right. A gift. The single word Suho had muttered to himself when he first encountered Itarim's apostle. Beru, who had walked alongside Sung Jinwoo for a long time, was deeply moved by Suho's sincerity. He had been thinking about what he could do for his father since then...
Hot tears streamed down the shadow ant's face. Endlessly.