"We've been seeing each other for a while. We just made it official recently. I wanted to tell you."
"Tae-san told me so much about you. He said you're like brothers. It's so wonderful that you have such a close friend."
We moved to a nearby cafe, chatting casually. Kang Tae-san, a government employee at the Supernatural Management Bureau, and Park Mi-young, an office worker at an ordinary company. They had met when he was investigating a supernatural crime at her office building.
"There was a supernatural crime downstairs, and everyone was scared, but then my honey came in and calmed everyone down. He was so cool!"
"Ahaha, it's nothing. It was just a minor theft, no casualties or anything."
They had exchanged numbers, and thanks to her proactive approach, they had started dating.
'He was complaining about being overworked, but he still found time for this.'
I never imagined he would be the first to find a girlfriend. I felt a strange mix of happiness and jealousy for my childhood friend.
I observed him, a goofy grin on his face as he sat beside the beautiful woman. He was handsome, with rugged features and a well-built physique, even in his tired state. He took good care of himself, considering his desk job at the Criminal Investigation Department.
'He usually works in pairs with an Awakened investigator. Depending on the scale of the incident.'
An Awakened individual was essential for investigating supernatural crimes. But the non-Awakened agents weren't just sidekicks. They handled crime scene investigations, scheduling, logistics, suspect identification, information analysis, and even consulted with experts like Ahn Sung-jin, the dark mage under Hans's control. They were valuable assets.
'And their salaries are high. He's actually a great catch.'
I looked at Park Mi-young, smiling as she linked arms with Kang Tae-san. A charming woman, a few years older than us, with a petite figure and surprisingly curvaceous body. I understood why he was so smitten.
'But…'
I observed her discreetly as we chatted. Her cheerful demeanor and enthusiastic responses could make even the most taciturn person talkative. Her smile was disarmingly innocent. The perfect conversationalist.
'…Something feels off.'
It was too perfect, like a well-rehearsed performance. It could be her natural personality, but my intuition, sharpened by my awakening divinity, told me otherwise.
'This is strange.'
It was rude to be suspicious of my best friend's girlfriend, but I couldn't ignore my instincts. Kang Tae-san and his grandmother were practically my only family.
'I hope I'm wrong.'
I needed to dispel my doubts. Multitasking was second nature to me. I could easily analyze her while maintaining a casual conversation.
"So then he said…"
"Hey! We agreed not to talk about…"
"Oh my! Really? Honey…"
My mind split, one persona engaging in casual banter, the other coldly observing. 「Clear Mind」 and 「Hypersensitivity」 allowed me to scrutinize her every move: her body language, facial expressions, micro-expressions, even the faint wrinkles hidden by makeup and the subtle dilation of her pupils.
I didn't have telepathy, but my high mental stats, 「Insight」, and Hubert's 「Analysis」 were almost as effective.
And the result—
-Unknown affiliation. Older than she appears. Lying and concealing her true intentions. Received instructions from someone before this meeting.
-Key Traits: Exceptional acting skills, sharp judgment, high mental capacity, average physical abilities.
-Trustworthiness: 11%
An alarmingly low trustworthiness score, with limited information revealed due to her deception. This practically guaranteed betrayal.
'…I can't believe it.'
I maintained my composure, forcing a smile. I couldn't let her know I was suspicious until I knew her motives.
I also analyzed Kang Tae-san, just in case.
-Employee at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Supernatural Management Bureau. Joined the Bureau with excellent grades thanks to his unwavering determination. Harbors a strong resentment towards supernatural crimes due to the death of his parents. Excited about introducing his girlfriend to his friend. Still hungry despite having eaten a whole chicken.
-Key Traits: Unwavering conviction, tenacious spirit, strong family ties, excellent combat aptitude, high mental and physical capacity.
-Trustworthiness: 94%
'…The skill is working normally. Which means…'
Everything about "Park Mi-young" was a lie: her name, age, occupation, and intentions.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
"Sure. I'm a bit hungry. Are you sure you're okay with just dessert? Should we order another honey bread?"
"Just one? Let's order one of everything!"
"…Should we? Then…"
I headed towards the restroom, my face hardening as I heard their affectionate banter. Kang Tae-san, my childhood friend, was exceptional. Unlike me, he excelled in both academics and athletics, never backing down from bullies who taunted him for being an orphan. He had always looked out for me, even after I became a recluse after the accident. He had even joined the Supernatural Management Bureau to investigate the incident, a true genius.
'And yet…'
He was practically the foundation of my normal, peaceful life as Han Sung-hyun. Without him, my life would have fallen apart long ago, even before I acquired 「Avatar」.
'…They dared to touch him?'
He was a symbol of my shattered humanity. The one who knew my past, my only connection to it, one of the reasons I clung to morality, desperately trying to retain my former self.
The thought of him being manipulated enraged me.
I entered a restroom stall, retrieving a burner phone from my 「Spatial Storage」. This phone, used for underworld business, saw far more use than my regular phone.
'Let's see… who you really are.'
I sent a message to Jin Soran, Heinz II's representative, then returned the phone to my spatial storage. I washed my hands, staring at my reflection in the mirror, at my cold, gleaming eyes.
The Blood Alliance, primarily composed of vampires, had long since seized control of Korea's underworld. They had refrained from absorbing too many smaller organizations to avoid attracting unwanted attention from the authorities, but their influence was absolute.
"Oh, you're back? I ordered some food. I'm starving after all those late nights."
"Since when have you not been hungry?"
"Right? Our Tae-san has such a big appetite."
"Ehaha! I have a high metabolism…"
And I, the master of the Blood Alliance, knew everything that happened in the shadows of Korea.
***
"It's good to see you. We should do this more often. Get some fresh air."
"I had a great time. If you're interested, Sung-hyun, let me know. I have a cute junior who might be a good match for you. I'll introduce you sometime."
"Ahaha, I'm good for now. I prefer meeting people naturally."
"Seriously, you'll be single forever at this rate."
"Leave him alone. He's only in his early twenties."
"Hmm… I guess so. Well, let me know if you change your mind. Get home safe."
As the night deepened, our meeting came to an end.
I said goodbye and headed towards the parking lot. I understood why Kang Tae-san had called me. He wanted to introduce his girlfriend, but he also wanted me to socialize more, to overcome my agoraphobia.
'He probably asked Park Mi-young to help.'
He must have asked her to set me up with someone. An unnecessary gesture, considering my "extensive" social network, spanning multiple worlds.
'Though not in a romantic sense.'
I licked my lips, getting into my recently purchased imported car, pulling out my smartphone. To check a message from one of the women I had "connections" with.
"…Let's see."
It had been about an hour since he issued the order. He hadn't provided much information, considering Park Mi-young's name, occupation, and address were all fake.
'Excellent work.'
But an hour was more than enough for him to receive a detailed report. His subordinates prioritized his orders.
I read the report, my expression hardening.
"…Hah! I should have known."
Having learned the truth, I closed my eyes, formulating a plan. My fingers tapped the steering wheel rhythmically.
'There's not much to plan, actually.'
I opened my eyes, started the car, and gently pressed the accelerator. The luxurious car glided smoothly through the night.
There was only one punishment for those who crossed him.
***
Violent crime in Korea had decreased significantly thanks to the efforts of unofficial Transcendents like Hahoe Mask and Phantom, and the Blood Alliance's increased vigilante activity.
But their focus was limited to "violent crimes," not all criminal activities. Criminals would always exist as long as human desires remained.
As one area was suppressed, another flourished. With violent crime becoming more difficult, criminals shifted their focus to fraud, blackmail, embezzlement, and other white-collar crimes, harder to detect and prosecute.
"How are things progressing?"
And among those exploiting the situation were those already entrenched in positions of power.
In the chairman's office of Daeryong Group, a top 30 conglomerate in Korea, an elderly man in a suit and glasses spoke casually.
"Recruitment is proceeding smoothly. The chain of command is layered to avoid tracing, and we can cut off any loose ends if necessary."
It wasn't difficult to recruit radicals dissatisfied with society but too afraid of the consequences to act. They were driven by greed and a desire for destruction. He could use them as temporary tools, and that was enough. Even minor misfortunes, if frequent enough, could cripple his rivals.
'And if domestic operations are too risky, I can deploy them overseas.'
He had built his empire using all means necessary. Maximizing profits by adapting to the situation was the mark of a true businessman.
The chairman adjusted his glasses, a sinister smile on his face, as the head of strategic planning continued his report, detailing money laundering schemes, corruption, and finally, the last item.
"…We're also infiltrating various organizations. We're using the Cheonjong Construction line, but there are no significant developments yet."
"Good. There's no need to rush that. Make sure it's done discreetly. It could be a useful tool later."
As the report concluded, the head of strategic planning glanced at his tablet and paused. An unexpected variable had appeared.
"…Chairman, urgent report. Cheonjong Construction…"
They didn't realize that their actions had attracted the attention of the king of Korea's shadows.