NOVEL WEB Chapter 53
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“Ah.”
It’s over.
I repeat, it’s over for me.
Lee Sung Han stared at Kang Seojin with a horrified expression. His face was half-contorted due to the stubborn arm choking him. Kang Seojin had been grabbed by the head. She shot a glance toward Lee Sung Han. It was a soft gaze.
“Please save me.”
A rigid and emotionless tone. The tension is palpable. Definitely.
“Can’t you shut up! You brat!”
Geum Shin Mi, drenched in cold sweat, firmly pressed down on Kang Seojin’s head. Her excitement was evident.
Hundreds of gun barrels were aimed at her, Lee Sung Han thought as he glanced back. He himself would probably be in the same situation.
Being an Awakened One, she used her immense strength meant to crush vehicles on a child.
“Huuuuh!”
Kang Seojin let out a groan.
Though there seemed to be skillful control of force, muffled cries could still be heard.
“Damn it.”
Soldiers filled the alley. They were the specialized Awakening Response Team. A young woman who looked like a commander climbed onto an armored vehicle.
She was a negotiation expert straight out of the movies. Grabbing a megaphone, she shouted:
-Listen up, hostage-taker! I represent the government, police, and military of South Korea. Cease all threats against civilians immediately and surrender!
The sun gradually set. Streetlights turned on, casting shadows across people’s faces.
Lee Sung Han observed the hostage drama.
Behind the building was a shopping arcade. It was a five-story building where various pieces of furniture were smashed, creating an eerie atmosphere.
If only we could turn around and enter there, that would be ideal.
“NO! There will be no surrender! Guarantee the rights of Awakened Ones! Guarantee them!”
That woman really knows how to escalate things. Politicians will likely tear this apart like dogs fighting over scraps.
-Hehe… To the Awakened One currently holding hostages: Drop your weapons and surrender! If you wish, we can offer negotiations.
“Negotiation?”
-Yes.
While the negotiator attempted verbal persuasion,
Tak tak tak.
The special forces took their positions one by one. Lee Sung Han glanced sideways.
[‘Super-Scout’ is said to be domestic long-range equipment.]
‘Do they think they can capture an Awakened One with mere optics? Insane.’
This was anti-Awakened front-line gear.
Not just one, but several units. Looks like they’ve spent quite a bit of money.
Anti-Awakened equipment was originally supposed to stay locked away in storage rooms.
One bullet costs millions, sometimes even tens of millions.
“If given the chance, Geum Shin Mi will be riddled with bullets and end up like a pepperoni pizza.”
The problem is that she’ll drag Kang Seojin along as her afterlife companion.
It seems Gang Cheon has already noticed the situation; several vehicles were visible in the alley.
“Why is she over there?”
“Yes, we requested broadcasting guidelines. Additional personnel are being deployed now. Understood.”
Lee Sung Han narrowed his eyes.
In this state, adding anything else might leave no bones left to pick.
‘Should I just not rescue her?’
Honestly, he had tried. Beating criminals and doing such work had drained his energy. If someone attacked now, he wouldn’t be able to resist—completely exhausted.
[‘Regeneration’ consumes a lot of energy. I recommend retreating temporarily.]
[‘Absolutely Capable Hunter’ agrees.]
See? My thoughts were right. Lee Sung Han stood up. His whole body felt like jelly. Why does it have to be this way when there’s a hostage involved?
“Let me contact Colonel first…”
He stuffed his hand into his pocket.
No phone.
He definitely had it earlier. Surely not? Again?!
He turned his gaze toward Kang Seojin. A familiar ringtone sounded.
“May I answer the call?”
“Call?”
Kang Seojin cleared her throat. She too seemed tense, judging by the cold sweat streaming down her face.
The Galaxy Group’s S Series.
An incredibly outdated model.
It was already discontinued, making it as rare as catching stars.
Strike!
“…Uh, they’re asking me to answer.”
“What is it?”
Geum Shin Mi held the phone for a moment. Her hand was so large the device looked like a small chocolate bar. After answering a few questions, Geum Shin Mi’s face stiffened noticeably.
She realized the person she had messed with was Gang Cheon’s successor.
***
The sun slowly set.
Now, with the streetlights gradually turning on, the eerie atmosphere intensified.
Thanks to the media guidelines, the press remained silent for now, but various social media platforms and the internet were buzzing about another awakening-related hostage drama.
As for me, I don’t have much to say. I just want to go home and sleep.
All day, I helped siblings, bought meals, and took a practical exam.
This isn’t something humans should do.
I’m physically drained. Once I lie down on the bed, I feel like I’ll sleep for days.
“Damn it.”
Sitting on the nearby sidewalk, cheap training clothes didn’t matter if they got ruined.
Zzzing-
A license plate whistled by.
The Hunter Association sent a request.
Checking the client, it was stamped with the insignia of the South Korean government. This doesn’t look good, but I know.
[Request Accepted]
– Hostage situation in progress. Secure hostages and neutralize threats.
He rubbed his forehead. Why does this kind of coincidence keep happening to me? It feels like someone is messing with my fate.
The government actively uses the request system, but government requests carry compulsory obligations.
My current status is military personnel.
And soldiers must unconditionally dedicate themselves to the nation and its people, regardless of danger.
Thinking about how the Military Manpower Administration drafts unfit individuals just to claim achievements while ignoring consequences afterward, it felt like a hollow justification.
‘To handle all of this.’
This overwhelming feeling of misfortune piled on top of everything else.
Compulsory requests are sent to all hunters within range. In other words, anyone with ‘Hunter’ qualifications is eligible—but…
When quantity increases, quality naturally decreases. I personally felt the chill of a summer night.
“Hey, wanna go on a date with an older sister? She’s pretty wealthy.”
“Sorry, I’m on official duty.”
“Huh? If you rescue the hostage, will you go on a date with her?”
“No, I need to head home as well.”
“C’mon~ Don’t be like that. Let’s hang out. All our sisters are nice and kind. How about going to a bar for a drink?”
Women resembling bloated blobfish and weighing around 150kg wobbled beside him, flirting. Hoohoo, too scary.
Do I look like an easy guy? With no response, they took it as a positive sign and moved closer.
[‘Auto Combat’ is terrifying!]
[‘Block’ says touching the chest can stop the heart.]
…I don’t particularly want to touch, but what if they accuse me of harassment first?
“Sigh.”
A natural sigh escaped him.
Not an Awakened One.
A civilian Awakened One, or freelance hunter. These are ordinary people who became hunters. Unfortunately, the number of hunters is decreasing daily.
Thus, inevitably, amateurs join the ranks.
“Sorry, I’m waiting for someone.”
Pushing her away, the woman’s face flushed red. Hmm, if you want to hit, go ahead.
He glared at her.
“You damn pretty boy! Just because you have a handsome face doesn’t mean everything!”
And she clenched her fist.
Well, I’ve seen enough. Crossing a line means I become a thug too.
“Stop.”
Tak────
“Y-you… y-young lady… uh… ugh.”
“Aren’t you ashamed to be a hunter?”
Gruuuuuk.
“Aaaaahhhhhh!”
Someone grabbed the woman’s arm and twisted it hard. Then kicked her shin. Losing balance, she fell over.
A sound like paper tearing came from the bent arm.
The arm was twisted nearly 180 degrees in the wrong direction, blood gushing from the wound. Lying on the asphalt road, the woman screamed in agony.
“G-gang Mi Young!!”
“We didn’t do anything!”
The gang’s eyes widened.
However, one by one, those who saw the sight fled. The issue here is that the area is within police jurisdiction.
“Immediate arrest of the perpetrator!”
“Aaaahh!”
Thus, these fools didn’t get far before being apprehended by the police.
Yeah, helping like this—where does it lead? I’m grateful for their actions.
“Are you alright, sir?”
“Sung Han!”
Kang Mi Young and Kang Jin Young rushed over simultaneously.
They looked completely distraught. Their reddened eyes searched his body and face. Anyone watching might think they hadn’t seen each other for months.
Yeah, they haven’t seen each other all day, so it makes sense.
The sisters touched him everywhere as if releasing pent-up emotions from not seeing him for so long.
This is to check for injuries.
A good thing.
“…Uh, please stop touching my stomach.”
As their hands grew increasingly inappropriate, he restrained the sisters.
The sisters glared at each other like two mats stacked together, then returned to normal. Smiling slyly, it wasn’t directed at him.
“…”
It was toward Kang Seojin’s direction. Judging by their expressions, they seemed happy to see her. Still, as younger siblings, he understood their feelings.
“Sung Han, come here.”
“Eh? Yes. What’s up?”
“Since my sister decided to handle things over there, I’ll escort you home. Haha.”
Kang Jin Young pulled him into a dark alleyway.
…
…
…
Ding ding-
While Kang Jin Young conversed with Lee Sung Han to buy time, Kang Mi Young made a call. Naturally, it was to Kang Seojin.
-Hello?
Kang Seojin’s voice flowed through.
Cold sweat visibly poured down the heads of the police officers. Whether her voice reached that far or not, few dared to meet her gaze.
Even fewer dared to listen intently.
“Kang Seojin. We’ll take care of Lee Sung Han. Whatever plan you’ve devised, it must be devious and very ‘Gang Cheon’-like.”
-What do you want?
“I understand it’s vastly different from your plans. Surprisingly dumbfounding. Since you’re a lady, I’ll make an offer you can’t refuse. You’ll love it.”
-!
“Admit defeat, and I’ll give you Lee Sung Han’s contact information.”
-…Next.
“Weekly meetings with Lee Sung Han. Specifically, dates. No sexual contact allowed. I personally permit holding hands.”
-Too stingy. Give more.
“Oh, forget it?”
-Sister, think about it.
“I am not your sister. We’re strangers. And this is purely a business deal.”
-Oppa won’t abandon me. He’ll come to rescue me! He saved me from drowning in the freezing Han River, saving my life! Why would he abandon me?!
“What will you do if we take him? You’re stupid. Did you even consider that option?”
A brief silence followed.
-Ah.
“Choose. Gain small but certain happiness or die. Even if rescued, you’ll never see Lee Sung Han’s face again in your lifetime. Or watch him on the news, pining away.”
-Shut up.
“Or silently assist Kang Jin Young with paperwork. Oh, this makes me uncomfortable. Kang Jin Young looks like a sex offender with strong lust tendencies. Indeed, someone who’d tie you to a bed and repeatedly assault you.”
-Shut up.
“But if we somehow fall in love and have children, understanding each other deeply, we might actually meet in reality. Our offspring inheriting the best traits from me and Lee Sung Han…”
She couldn’t finish her sentence.
-Aaaaaaaaah!!! Let go! Oppa, Oppa!! Save me! This woman is trying to separate me from Oppa!
A distant murmur could be heard.
A few seconds of silence passed.
Kang Seojin spoke again.
-…Where are you?
“What are you talking about?”
-Oppa. He’s nowhere to be seen. Where did you hide him?! Did you hide him?!
“What nonsense… sitting well on the sidewalk over here…”
Kang Mi Young dropped the phone. The screen didn’t break, but some cracks appeared due to the impact.
“Kang Seojin.”
-Yeah.
“I’m changing the conditions.”
Damn, that girl betrayed us first.
“Hit Kang Jin Young who’s trying to monopolize him.”
-Deal.
Tak.
Kang Mi Young flicked her hand. Screams echoed from the scene.
“M-my arm!!”
“Now’s the time! Grab the kid!”
There are no permanent allies or enemies, after all.
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