NOVEL WEB Chapter 43
[At that moment, in the United States. Inside the office of a senator.]
“No matter how much we want to recruit an S-Rank Hunter, does moving an aircraft carrier even make sense?”
The old senator, with a bald head resembling a balding eagle, shouted with a flushed face.
“Tell me, both of you. Does this make any sense? Where is the procedure? Nothing is being carried out according to the process, and just because the president gives an order, we should move immediately? Does that make any sense?”
The two men standing in front of the senator did not respond. In the past, they might have engaged in some conversation, but the Black man among them held his head high, while the other White man yawned a long, exaggerated yawn, signaling that he wasn’t even listening to the senator.
“Hey, Director!”
“Listen, Senator Rockefeller.”
The yawning man gestured toward the name tag on his left chest, which wasn’t on his suit, as he opened his mouth.
“Do you think the CIA doesn’t know who the ‘Master’ is?”
“So…!”
“We know everything: the Master’s name, nationality, age, occupation, and wealth. The only thing we haven’t figured out is what abilities he has awakened and how he has gotten his [Coser]. That’s it.”
The man, the CIA director, pointed to his ear with an annoyed face directed at the senator.
“We are listening to everything. The Master knows that we are listening as well. Nevertheless, the fact that we haven’t released that information and that he is cooperating with us is due to an implicit agreement.”
“Just disclose it!”
“If we disclose it, he would gladly come to America.”
The Black man standing next to the CIA director sharply responded to the senator.
“And he would say that. He tried to target America’s tower thanks to the president’s persuasion, but the desire to go to America has disappeared because of Senator Rockefeller.”
“Damn, even the FBI director! You all don’t realize how much support I provided to help you climb that position…!”
“Senator Rockefeller, what’s wrong with transporting tactical nuclear weapons by aircraft carrier?”
“What…?”
“The Master is akin to a tactical nuclear weapon. He’s a tactical nuclear weapon that lives with intent. To ignore existing procedures for such a being, to not notify the opposing country in advance… there are values that are more important than adhering to those ‘existing procedures’ to the letter.”
“The safety of the Master. And the Master’s journey to America.”
After exchanging a glance, the two intelligence agency directors shook their heads resolutely at the senator.
“The CIA is refusing the opposition’s request for information disclosure.”
“The FBI also refuses to submit the list of awakened Americans within Korea. We have no intention of informing you personally.”
“…Do you think you can safely complete your terms like this?”
“Yes.”
“Senator, we are moving an aircraft carrier for the Master. Do you truly believe that this situation is what you have experienced as a ‘normal situation’ over your long political career?”
The senator’s face grew even redder at the words of the two directors.
“No, damn it…! America, that we would be swayed by just one Hunter…!”
“That one Hunter currently possesses more powerful abilities than any other Hunters and has already proven that strength by targeting the S-Rank Tower.”
“Whether the Coser Maid is his clone, another self, or a summoned being from some fantasy, the fact is that he has targeted two S-Rank Towers and is trying to target another right now.”
“So where is that?”
“Let’s say it’s Jeju Island.”
At the words of the FBI director, the senator stormed out of the office.
The two directors were left alone in the senator’s office.
“…Hey. Do you know why that old man is acting like that?”
“I know. His political benefactors are connected to the Japanese Yakuza.”
“I know that too, but is he really throwing a tantrum just because of that? Is that the real reason he called us here?”
“Surprisingly.”
The two directors briefly clicked their tongues.
“Does he think it’s two years ago? Does he still think of us as his underlings… sigh.”
“What do you think? Is it alright to mobilize an aircraft carrier for an S-Rank Hunter?”
“If we can build an airship for a superhero to ride, it wouldn’t be strange at all to construct one immediately, would it?”
“A superhero?”
“Many refer to those climbing the towers as Hunters, but if the consequences of their actions are to save many people and protect the Earth, then they are indeed superheroes.”
The Black director mimicked covering one of his eyes with his hand.
“If I were to be removed as the FBI director, I would request the president to establish a government organization to protect S-Rank Hunters. The name would be ‘Shield’. What do you think?”
“Shield?”
“In a world where even S-Rank Hunters are cosplaying, there’s no reason for the government not to create such an organization. There’s no need to promote a complicated organizational name to the public.”
“It’s intuitive. So what will you do? The aircraft carrier stationed in Japan is leaving Japan for Korea. Was that information not communicated properly?”
“Let’s investigate whether that old man informed his Yakuza friends immediately after and moved. Let’s find out who is secretly moving beneath the surface. Such individuals… will become a huge risk in the future that President Louis is envisioning.”
“Pax Americana?”
“Super America.”
The two directors nodded briefly at each other.
“If the Master comes to America, it will become a safer country than before.”
* * *
Caught up in the idea of summoning the fourth familiar as a ‘battleship,’ I inadvertently asked for a boat to go to Dokdo.
In retrospect, there might have been other ways to go about it.
Perhaps I could have quietly taken a submarine near Dokdo, or traveled quietly on a sightseeing boat.
Or maybe I could have flown through the sky.
Of course, thinking of various methods, it seemed reasonable to move by a rather large vessel, but…
“Isn’t this a bit excessive?”
I showed Patrick, who was sitting in front of me, the breaking news video that appeared on my smartphone.
-[Breaking News] A naval vessel departs from the Okinawa U.S. military base. Heading to the East Sea of Korea.
-[Breaking News] The U.S. Navy: “This is just a scheduled training exercise; there is no problem.”
“Isn’t this going to escalate into an international issue?”
“To be honest, yes.”
Patrick, the aide, replied to my question with a smile.
“Please consider this a sincere gesture from the president towards the Master.”
Isn’t sincerity reaching the point of being excessive, or what you might call overkill?
“This isn’t meant to misconstrue the Master, but in the East, S-Rank Hunters are treated like useful tools that countries can use at will. The treatment here is something that America can’t even imagine.”
“So that’s why they’re sending out an aircraft carrier…?”
“It’s a show of respect for the S-Rank Hunter.”
They think it’s excessive on this end, while on the other end, they feel this treatment is lacking and want to provide even more.
“Armored limousines are a given, and it’s normal to have private jets when flying. When crossing the sea, the safest ship is taken. Just in case.”
“If I suddenly say that I won’t target the S-Rank Tower in the U.S., it would cause a huge blunder, wouldn’t it?”
“…….”
Patrick’s expression grew serious.
“I’m joking. I have some decency. I wouldn’t think of doing something like that to those who are taking care of me this much.”
“Haha. Right. That’s quite a joke.”
“It’s a joke, but if it weren’t, what would you have done?”
“There are many who want information about the Master within the U.S. Among them, there are not just those from East Asia but also quite a few from Europe and third-world countries. For them… no, for the whole world, information about the Master would be ‘leaked,’ right? Hahaha.”
Patrick waved his hands with a smile.
It ended as a joke, but of course, if I were to break my promise, the consequences are easily foreseeable.
There is a chance that staying in Korea might lead to a better situation than going to America.
There’s nothing worse than betrayal that comes after having been treated well.
“Master. May I ask you one question?”
“What is it?”
“If there are competent government agents in Korea who are following us and are currently pursuing us, how would you respond?”
Patrick looked at me earnestly as he asked.
From the way he checked his watch every now and then…
“Are they coming soon?”
“In about three minutes?”
“Then it’s better to tell right away, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Since we were in a limousine, I couldn’t see outside, but the very fact that it was a limousine would draw even more attention.
“I see… ‘Elaine’ is drawing attention right now, so they’re not distracted by that.”
“Those agents moving by order, aside from focusing on Miss Elaine, must be concentrating on the Master, who could be the connecting link.”
“Should I be happy about the competence of the field agents, or should I be sad?”
I checked another breaking news report.
-[Breaking News] Coser Hunter appears in Yeosu.
-[Breaking News] Coser: “I’ll organize the tower while I’m here.” declaration.
The video caught Elaine wandering near the A-Rank Tower in Yeosu, drawing public attention, but from the government’s perspective, some of that attention was likely directed toward the limousine I was currently in.
“…They’ve called in an aircraft carrier, but I can’t just sit quietly and accept their goodwill.”
I pulled my smartphone closer.
‘Start.’
I sent a text message.
“…? What are you doing…?”
“It’s nothing much.”
Moments later.
“Keep them from following us, just casually.”
Boom, boom, boom!!
There were powerful thudding noises coming from the back of the limousine, not an explosion, but strong impacts occurring in succession.
“……!!”
Patrick looked at me with a shocked expression.
I quietly brandished a dagger at Patrick but didn’t make a sound.
-Commander. It’s customary to do this in situations like this~
Just as Dry had taught me.
“…….”
I lowered my finger.
My reflection in the interior equipment of the limousine looked rather unfortunate.
‘Dry looked pretty and cool when he did it.’
* * *
“Huuhh.”
In front of a computer.
“Phew, thankfully. If it had been an analog car that didn’t receive any electronic signals, I wouldn’t have been able to deplete its battery.”
Dry stretched in his chair while grinning at the CCTV footage of a four-car pileup involving a black sedan.
“The effort to follow from behind is commendable, but… oh?”
Thud.
The sound of the front door moving.
“…Heh. They really came?”
Dry quietly moved his hand toward his thigh.
“How are you going to handle the aftermath later? Hmmm, what to do.”
Click.
“If I tell you, you’ll worry, so I’ll handle it here. Hmm…”
Beep, beep.
“They look like a special forces unit… I even feel ‘magical power’ too.”
As soon as the sound of the number being pressed on the front door stopped, Dry aimed a gun at it.
“Shall we test your skills?”
Creeeak.
As the front door opened.
“Entry—”
“Why is a Russian speaking Korean?”
Bang!!
“You’re Russian, aren’t you?”
Gunshots echoed from an office building.