BRDM 194

chapter 194

A few days ago.

A message, apparently from Maks, arrived on the secret phone that Lee Hyun had activated under the identity of Gweorae Pater.

“The background behind Mossad’s recent actions involved Director Astra’s intervention.”

Maks probably intended this as a way to put Gweorae in his debt and improve their future relations, but

“Maks wouldn’t have done something like this without Mossad’s permission. They’re trying to uncover something through this.”

Lee Hyun felt a chill run down his spine.

“Are you saying Astra acted in step with me hiding my identity? Can this really be just a coincidence…?”

Astra must have been completely occupied tracking Samahoe and the developments on the Near Eastern front. Covering as far as Guam would have been nearly impossible.

Yet, the director personally took action with Mossad. This was no trivial matter.

“Perhaps… Astra already knows that I am Gweorae.”

And now.

Michael Shepard appeared as if waiting for this exact moment.

He even offered to help.

Everything about it felt artificially orchestrated.

“I need to figure out what their real intentions are. If they’re plotting something else…”

Lee Hyun’s eyes flashed sharply.

“The teeth of Duokshin will reach Astra before Chairman Peng.”

He was determined to find out what they were thinking.

“Ah, if you two have matters to discuss privately and I’ve intruded rudely, I apologize.”

Michael Shepard bowed slightly, showing courtesy.

Im Won-Young glanced at Lee Hyun, signaling him to make the decision.

Lee Hyun nodded.

“That’s fine. I was planning to hear Astra’s side anyway, so this works out perfectly. Please, have a seat.”

Astra was already a key player on the Near Eastern front—a result of vast capital and time invested long ago.

But,

“And you’re willing to share that with Z-Team as if it’s nothing?”

Lee Hyun’s eyes glinted sharply.

“There’s definitely something going on.”

His suspicion turned into certainty.

“Thank you.”

Michael hesitated to get to the point even after sitting.

Im Won-Young took the hint.

“I have an urgent meeting, so I’ll leave first. Team Leader Jang, you can discuss the details later by phone.”

Lee Hyun nodded, and Im Won-Young left the conference room with a smile, signaling him to handle the discussion.

“Quite considerate, aren’t you? At this rate, the future of White Burn seems almost frightening.”

Michael grinned, pulling something from his pocket and placing it on the table.

“Then let’s begin.”

Whirrrrr—

A small flag unfurled.

It was the extra-dimensional generator Lee Hyun had seen before.

A magical field expanded.

[‘Cherry Blossom Flag’ activated!]
[Extra-dimensional space formed.]
[All external interference blocked.]

Are they finally going to speak?

“Before we begin… are you feeling better?”

Lee Hyun blinked briefly.

“Didn’t I tell you last time I visited? I was too physically exhausted. Let’s talk after I return to work.”

Ah, right. I forgot.

He recalled that Michael had met the clone he had left behind in Korea as an alibi.

The doll was created using a mix of spirit magic and cloning techniques. Although it looked like Lee Hyun, it had many flaws. He had tried to minimize exposure, but…

“The hitman sent by the City Cartel almost exposed it. Michael saved me, and I fumbled a proper excuse to buy time. Did he notice something then?”

Director Astra had long wanted a direct conversation with Lee Hyun, for reasons unknown.

“Thanks to your concern, I am much better now. I didn’t get the chance to properly thank you before, so I will do so now.”

“No need, no need. That’s not why I asked. But more importantly…”

Michael quickly scanned Lee Hyun up and down, chuckling.

“You’ve grown stronger since we last met. Did you complete a secondary awakening?”

Lee Hyun smiled silently, a wordless affirmation.

“So that explains why you couldn’t display your full strength back then. Congratulations on your achievement.”

“Thank you.”

Thankfully, Michael seemed to accept the clone’s presence without further comment.

Thwack!

Michael placed his phone on the table.

“The director still wants to speak with Zete. Can you do it today?”

“Yes. That’s possible.”

This was what Lee Hyun wanted.

“Good. I’ll make the call. Once the conversation is complete, I’ll leave, as I don’t have clearance. You can leave this phone here when done.”

“Disposable, I see.”

“That’s how thorough their security is.”

Michael pressed the “1” button.

Beep—

A normal ringing tone.

Click.

‘Hello?’

A low, calm voice.

Michael stepped out of the extra-dimensional space.

At that moment,

“Hah…!”

A long exhale.

Whirrrrr!!

Crackle—

[Duokshin’s Thunderous Breath (SSS) released!]
[‘Sacred Relic: Nimbus’ connected, adding new barriers and veils around the extra-dimensional space.]
[All connections to the outside blocked.]

…

[This extra-dimensional space is now filled with your legacy. Ownership of the domain changes.]

…

[Using Astrafe’s fragments!]
[Activating Ginkgoa to reverse-track magical devices linked to this object.]
[Using Mask of the Golden God to guard against potential external curses.]

…

Cyan lightning spread across the extra-dimensional space.

The Nimbus fully contained the area, preventing any external interference or internal alterations without Lee Hyun’s permission.

At the same time, Astrafe’s staff scanned to locate the precise position of the opponent.

By maximizing his brain’s computational power with Ginkgoa, Lee Hyun was able to do all of this, feeling as if his mind was flooded with electricity.

‘Hello?’

“Director of Astra… is that you?”

Lee Hyun spoke as casually as possible.

“Keep the conversation long. Keep the magic hidden.”

‘Ah, so it’s you, Zete. Finally, we can speak directly. Glad to meet you.’

The director of Astra. A veiled figure whose true identity was known to no more than five people, whether in shadow or sunlight.

‘We should have spoken like this earlier.’

The director’s voice was full of goodwill.

But,

‘We could have offered more assistance in Tenjin or even Guam. Such a shame.’

As expected, Guam was mentioned.

“Guam? Why mention Guam now?”

Lee Hyun tried to brush it off, but

‘There’s no need to feign ignorance. I already know that you are Gweorae, Zete.’

The director’s voice had a trace of amusement.

Lee Hyun’s eyes darkened.

“Who… exactly are you?”

‘Didn’t you know before you called? I am Caleb, in charge of Astra.’

“You know I’m not asking that.”

‘Oh? You want a different answer…? By the way, is the demon king you rescued a few days ago safe? He must be struggling with the madness planted by the Uma king.’

“…!!”

Lee Hyun stiffened, but his mind chilled like ice.

“You’re… not human.”

Mentioning matters related to the Seven Stars so casually indicated a figure closely tied to Peng Jinghao, likely connected to the Celestial Realm or perhaps that person themselves.

‘You can relax. Only I manage information regarding Zete and Gweorae within Astra.’

“Good to know no one else knows about me. But…”

At that moment,

“That statement was your mistake.”

[Reverse tracking successful.]
[Opponent’s location identified. Activating ‘Eagle’s Nest’ to create a new passage.]
[Portal generated!]

Flash!!

Lee Hyun’s eyes blazed.

Eagle’s Nest.

A magical invention remodeled from the drug lord’s rabbit hole finally revealed its power.

[Eagle’s Nest]
A key taken and remade by the eagle from the white rabbit seeking Wonderland. Allows free movement across the global dungeon gate network, and the creation of new ‘doors’ at specific coordinates with lightning speed. Costs are high.

• Type: Miscellaneous, Spatial Transport

• Origin: ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Lee Hyun drew the hand axe, the front tooth of Duokshin, from Kibisis and slashed the air.

Shing!!

A long scar appeared in the void, connecting to a new space.

Spatial transfer.

It consumed more than half of the treasures stored in Kibisis but worked flawlessly.

[Connected to opponent’s coordinates.]

A wide room shrouded in darkness.

A middle-aged white man, mid-conversation, sensed something and turned toward the source.

His pupils reflected Lee Hyun leaping through space.

Flash!

Rumble—

Simultaneously, the hand axe shot forward.

“……!!!”

The man rolled on the floor to dodge it. The axe struck the ground, sending sparks flying in all directions.

Bang!!

The room was instantly devastated.

“Damn!!”

Director Caleb sprang up and hit the emergency button on the wall.

Beep!

Thud! Thud! Thud…!!

A shielding curtain descended, isolating the director’s office.

‘What’s happening, Director!? Is it an attack…!’

From the ceiling, an emergency intercom responded.

“Nothing to worry about! A relic we were experimenting on suddenly went berserk! I’ll handle it shortly!”

‘Understood. We’ll lift the level-one alert as instructed, but will keep security on standby just in case.’

“That won’t be necessary… understood.”

The intercom ended. Caleb could finally exhale.

“Phew… almost died playing a prank. Be careful. Unlike you, I’m not that skilled as a hunter. If you stretch a finger, my head’s gone. Anyway,”

Caleb awkwardly wiped the cold sweat from his face with a handkerchief.

“Why not put that dangerous weapon down and talk peacefully?”

Seeing Lee Hyun, eyes sharp, shoulders draped with the massive Duokshin tooth axe over 2 meters long, Caleb felt suffocated by the sheer aura of menace.

“What are you thinking?”

Crackle! Crackle!

Lee Hyun unleashed Duokshin’s Thunderous Breath, eyes narrowed.

Apparently, this was Astra’s headquarters.

If he were an enemy, he could summon agents, but preventing access hinted at another intention.

“What I’m thinking… is simply strengthening our connection,”

“One more unnecessary word, and I’ll split your head before leaving.”

“…Executioner, you and your master… do you always speak like this? I don’t recall the master teaching this.”

Executioner?

Lee Hyun’s eyes widened.

“Executioner! Master! What are you doing! They must recognize me! If I stay, your student’s head will be crushed!!”

“Thought it was noisy, and here you are—truly a noisy one!”

“Kak kak! Seems even more chaotic since you’ve been in the lower realm?”

Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing appeared above Lee Hyun’s shoulders.

Wukong crossed his arms, displeased; Wujing laughed.

Lee Hyun’s eyes went wide.

“Daeseong, Ojeong… could it be… that person…?”

“Kak kak! Your guess is correct! That’s our master, Zhu Bajie!”

“…!!”

Lee Hyun quickly averted his gaze.

Director Caleb—or rather, Zhu Bajie—was awkwardly smiling, wiping the cold sweat from his face.