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chapter 111
Michael Shepherd had personally inspected the research institutes the Central Hero Committee had set up on the Korean Peninsula.
[Eye of Revelation]
In addition to the trait others called prophecy, he also possessed the trait psychometry.
When he touched an object imbued with strong intent, he could read the will imprinted on it through Gabriel’s bestowed eye.
Because of this,
he could witness Lee Hyun’s feats in far greater detail than what Astra had managed to uncover.
And then he realized—
Lee Hyun hadn’t just returned to his prime; he might have even surpassed it.
“The return of Jet is dangerous. That disbanded Cheongroe might rise again.”
That was what worried Michael most—
the unbreakable bond between Lee Hyun and the Cheongroe Unit.
“Pingxin was a force even we couldn’t fully assess. But Cheongroe… they crushed them utterly. Even Baekya Unit, which was supposed to succeed them, couldn’t do anything.”
A bond strong enough to bridge four years of absence wouldn’t be easily broken by political maneuvering.
If anything, interference would only provoke greater resistance.
So Michael chose not to force the issue.
Instead, he reversed his thinking.
“If the return of Jet and Cheongroe is inevitable… then what if we could make them switch sides to ours entirely?”
His superiors had also reviewed the plan favorably.
The necessary support had already been approved.
“Relations with Korea and White Burn might sour, but that can be smoothed over.”
Michael trusted in the overwhelming power of his homeland.
That was why he had sought out Kim Min-jeong under the pretext of training.
But before making a direct offer, he planned to break her will first.
He needed her to believe that choosing America was not her decision, but rather America’s salvation of her.
“…I don’t quite understand what you’re saying,” Kim Min-jeong replied coldly after a long silence.
Michael clicked his tongue inwardly.
“As expected, not easy.”
No surprise—the right hand of Jet, and the likely new commander of Cheongroe.
Breaking her spirit wouldn’t be simple.
“Don’t play dumb, Twin Shot. You were in Cheongroe then—you should know the conditions we set.”
“Conditions? This is news to me.”
“Strange. I heard the information was shared with all members at the time.”
“Perhaps my rank wasn’t high enough.”
“The first clause: no attempts to restore Cheongroe. The second: no unit system with Jet as leader…”
“Sounds like blatant interference in domestic affairs.”
She scoffed.
“The situation was urgent. Without those measures, Korea would have become easy prey for the great powers.”
“…”
“But Korea broke its word first. Will you claim the Ulleung Island operation wasn’t Cheongroe?”
“The members deployed then were only there as mercenaries—”
“You take us for fools.”
“Whatever you believe, the facts remain unchanged. Surely you’re not trying to dictate our actions? That would be a violation of international law.”
Hunters were free citizens before they were ability-users.
International law couldn’t arbitrarily control their actions and decisions.
Arms crossed, Kim Min-jeong replied icily:
“One thing I’ll say: Cheongroe disbanded four years ago. I’m a civilian now.”
“…”
“Even if Cheongroe reappears, it has nothing to do with me. And even if it did, I’ve no reason to be interrogated by you.”
She found Michael’s smug smile deeply unpleasant.
“The longer this conversation drags, the worse for us. I’ll stonewall and keep my distance.”
She already expected various powers would intervene once Lee Hyun revived Cheongroe through Z-Team.
Her goal was to deny, deflect, and end this meeting quickly.
“I only came because the committee requested my cooperation for their investigation. If this is all pointless talk, I’ll leave. Let’s go, Chief Eom. Unless you’d rather catch up with your old colleagues?”
“Of course not! I’ll return with you, Assistant Manager Kim!”
Beaming, Eom Gi-seon brushed Donovan’s arm off his shoulder and trailed after her.
Michael, watching her adjust her bag, spoke again.
“If this felt like an interrogation, I apologize. The matter is sensitive in international relations.”
She gave no reply.
His tone softened.
“In truth, Astra won’t object to Cheongroe’s revival. Our homeland and Korea are allies, and Sanshin is an important partner.”
“…”
“But other forces will. The Korean government will face immense pressure.”
“…”
“Even your backers—Lieutenant Colonel Lee Gunsan and Sanshin—will be overwhelmed. Even for superhumans, fending off the Committee alone is hard enough. If others join in, do you think they can withstand it all?”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
Kim Min-jeong could no longer ignore him.
Eom Gi-seon glared daggers at his talkative ex-superior.
Michael smiled.
“That Astra can protect you.”
Her brows knitted.
“You want us to defect?”
“Defect? Hardly. As I said, we’re allies. Think of it as a career move.”
“Semantics.”
“The Committee has already reached out to City Cartel, the Cult of the Deep, and Sons of Zeus.”
“…!”
She hadn’t known. But it was a logical step.
“The Committee is desperate. The other groups have agreed White Burn must be checked.”
With a cold smile, Michael continued:
“City Cartel and the Cult of the Deep will soon interfere with White Burn’s overseas events.”
“…!!”
“The Sons of Zeus haven’t decided yet—but those troublemakers won’t sit idle. I’d bet my fortune on it.”
She listened silently.
“And that’s not all. Our intelligence has identified at least four more factions preparing to move.”
“You’re offering to protect us from them?”
“If Jet and Cheongroe return, the backlash will only intensify. There may even be assassination attempts.”
His smile turned icy.
“Especially Jet. You know how many hold grudges against him.”
“You think he’ll fall that easily?”
“Of course not. But what about you? Your families?”
“…”
“Most forces are still watching. But not for long.”
He nodded.
“Our homeland can guarantee your safety—and your families’ futures.”
Her lips twisted.
“You’re enjoying this as much as anyone. Pretending to care, but really exploiting it.”
“I won’t deny that.”
He shrugged casually.
“But at least we have honor.”
“Honor?”
“Yes. Honor. The honor of cherishing heroes who sacrificed for their country.”
“…”
She fell silent.
Michael’s lips curved.
“Honestly, what has Korea ever given its soldiers?”
“…”
“Disposable tools, used and discarded.”
“…”
“Even during the Gangneung incident. How were the victims treated?”
“…!”
“Blamed for delaying resolution and damaging national credibility. Yet never properly protected.”
Unconsciously, she bit her lip.
The betrayal by her country had been real.
That was why many had shed their uniforms when the unit was disbanded.
“…Noona.”
Eom Gi-seon gripped her hand tightly.
Michael pressed on.
“Our homeland is different. We treasure our heroes.”
“…”
“Whatever treatment you get in White Burn—we’ll give you triple. Permanent residency, citizenship, pensions, healthcare. If you have children, full tuition through university.”
His gaze pierced her.
His whispers felt demonic.
“Your team will be preserved, supported without limit. You know Astra’s gear. Imagine Cheongroe equipped with it.”
His agents subtly flaunted their specialized equipment.
All top-tier items, at least A-rank.
“And also—”
“More to give?”
“For Twin Shot, we’ll provide Soma. You’ll need it for your brother’s treatment.”
“…!!!”
Her teeth clenched.
She hadn’t expected him to bring up her hospitalized brother.
“You…”
“If background checks offended you, I apologize. But we’re desperate.”
“…”
“Don’t you want it? Isn’t that why you struggled so hard—to obtain it?”
No one in White Burn knew about this except Im Won-young.
The fact Astra knew—and could offer it—shocked her even more.
It was within reach.
With it, her brother’s illness could finally be cured…
“Noona! Snap out of it!!”
Eom Gi-seon squeezed her hand.
Her mind cleared.
“Forget Min-yul for now! Think of yourself! Judge rightly, don’t be swayed!”
He knew, too—her brother’s closest friend.
She realized her slip and shook her head.
Michael chuckled.
“A steadfast comrade, eh? No wonder you’re unsettled. Take your time, it’s a sudden proposal.”
He pulled something from his coat and tossed it to her.
“A gift. Proof of our sincerity.”
She caught it and froze.
A glass vial. Filled with white liquid.
[Soma]
A heavenly drink favored by the gods of Deva. Bestows strength and healing upon drinking.
-
Type: Recovery potion.
-
Origin: Myth of the Vedas.
“…!”
She was truly shaken.
He had handed over a cure for her brother’s incurable illness—just like that.
“Didn’t I say? Join us, and you’ll have as much as needed. Enough for a full recovery.”
“…”
“We’ll await your positive answer.”
Confidently, he extended his hand.
She stared silently, then took it.
“Got her.”
Michael smirked inwardly.
“Using her sick brother feels dirty, but… it’s necessary. For national interest, we need insurance.”
Her brief hesitation had another cause—Gabriel’s divine power.
[Gabriel’s Voice imbues your words with sincerity.]
[Your proposals gain powerful persuasive force.]
But the true danger of Gabriel’s revelation lay elsewhere—
[Gabriel attempts to read your target’s memory with the Eye of Revelation!]
Psychometry could read not just objects, but human memory.
Skill trees, inherited secrets—everything.
Michael had long used this to steal information from rankers, fueling Astra’s rise.
This time was no different.
Even if she rejected him, he would extract her memories and Cheongroe’s secrets.
If he shook hands with every member, he’d have all their data.
Even if Cheongroe didn’t side with America, Astra could still dismantle them.
“Best case, they join us. Otherwise, we’ll use their secrets against them.”
But the moment he fully clasped her hand—
“…!?”
Agony twisted his vision.
[Gabriel is alarmed by a curse breaking through the revelation.]
[Gabriel warns you to let go immediately!]
[Umasal infects your soul!]
“Gahh!!”
A bull-headed demon king’s form flashed before his eyes.
Coughing blood, Michael staggered back.
“Colonel!!”
“Are you all right!?”
His agents rushed to him.
Donovan drew his sword and pointed it at the pair.
“What did you do to him!?”
Eom Gi-seon only laughed.
“Pfft! I was suffocating, holding it in! Who told you to meddle? You brought this on yourselves.”
“What!?”
Ignoring Donovan’s glare, he turned to Kim Min-jeong.
“Noona, you can take that bracelet off now.”
“Yeah.”
With a frosty face, she removed the wooden bracelet from her wrist.
“…How?”
Michael stared at her, shaken.
She dropped the charred blackened bracelet to the ground.
“Our leader insisted I wear it.”
“Jet…?”
She gave the faintest nod—
[Inheritance skill ‘Goblin Dance’ manifests!]
KWA-ROOOOM!!
From the sky, blue-white lightning crashed before Astra.
Blinding flashes erupted—
And through them, Lee Hyun emerged.
“…!!!”
Michael’s eyes widened in shock.
