80

There were a lot of islands in the Bermuda region, and Ash Howard was on one of those. He had gotten the report but still couldn’t believe his eyes.

It had only taken a day for Lee Hwan to clear the SS-rated gate. That was also what happened to the SS-rated gates in Do-Bong mountain and in London.

Some people were still doubting his capability, but realistically, it was impossible to clear an SS-rated gate in one day.

Critics argued that the video was manipulated or that the actual rank of the gate was only S-rated. Others argued that Lee Ho was only attempting to make his brother famous, even criticizing him for that. However, the same thing had happened three times already, which was proof that his skills were real.

Lee Hwan was far stronger than his brother. In fact, he was like a monster from another world. The strongest Hunter in the world had now become Lee Hwan instead of Raul.

It was certainly foolish not to form a good relationship with this man. He may look like a psychopath, but there was a good reason behind it.

The risk was manageable. All they had to do was act carefully.

Ash was ready to greet them outside the gate, but…

“Why are they not coming out?”

An hour had already passed. Were they taking their rewards from the gate? But that would only take less than thirty minutes. Were they hurt? That was not likely to happen.

Ash was with his colleagues, the Hunters from the CIA and Emilia. They wondered and thought of possible scenarios that may have happened.

What would be the answer?

After waiting for a while longer, he decided to move. Maybe they were injured.

Ash brought his members and Emilia inside the gate to help, but after looking around for them, he stopped and smiled awkwardly.

“What’s the issue?”

“Let’s return to our basecamp.”

“Huh?”

“Um… He’s fine. The gate is cleared as well.”

Ash was laughing as if he had just seen something absurd. In fact, he did see something absurd.

“…Even I’ve never done that inside a gate.”

***

The capital of China was Beijing, and that was where he lived—the SS-rated Hunter who stood a chance against Raul.

He was Jin Yong, the only unique skill holder in China now.

In front of him was Lee Ho, the person who had killed Shao Wei, the only other unique skill holder in China.

Jin Yong did not have any hard feelings about that; it was just a natural happening. The stronger being would end up taking everything. He was similar to Raul; his goal was also to become stronger.

“Are you a member of the organization?” Lee Ho asked him.

Jin Yong knew what he meant, and he shook his head.

“A guy approached me, calling himself the Godfather, but do you know what I said?”

“What did you say?”

“I told him to fight with me. “

Lee Ho frowned. “And then what happened?”

Jin Yong sipped from the cup of tea in front of him.

“It’s simple. Nothing happened.”

“Nothing?”

“Yes, he declined my offer.”

“You mean to fight?”

“Yes. He said that one of us would die if we did that. After hearing that, do you know what I said?”

Lee Ho looked at Jin Yong quietly, and the man continued to speak.

“I told him to get lost.”

“What happened next?”

“He did what I told him to, and I was never approached by that group again. I suppose Shao Wei accepted the Godfather’s offer.”

“…….”

“Speaking of him, I noticed that Shao Wei manipulated the number of gates in China. I don’t really care much, but I suppose I should tell you that.”

Lee Ho knew that Jin Yong was telling the truth.

Shao Wei had his team, and Jin Yong did not. He was more like Raul. He moved alone, doing everything by himself. A lone fighter.

If Raul was like a boar, Jin Yong was like a martial artist.

“I heard that you beat up Oda Takeshi. Is that the same reason why you are here?”

His intention may be different, but the result would be the same.

“I offered Shao Wei to join me.”

Jin Young laughed. “I don’t have to hear anything more. Shao Wei was killed.”

“He was. He rejected my offer, so I killed him. Oda Takeshi accepted my offer, so I kept him alive. Now, it’s time for me to ask you.”

“But I want to ask you something first.”

“Go ahead.”

Jin Yong put down his teacup and asked, “If you want to kill the Godfather that bad, then why are you here now? Don’t you think you’re doing things in the wrong order?”

Lee Ho gave him a mysterious smile.

“Do you really think so?”

“…You must know something I don’t.”

“I do. He won’t come out for at least two more days.”

Those words were mysterious as well.

“So allow me to get to my point.”

“Go ahead.”

“Join my force.”

Jin Yong grinned.

“Rule yourself, and you shall rule the world. It’s a Chinese idiom. So I would like to ask you…”

Jin Yong’s eyes were blazing.

“Are you ready to rule yourself?”

“Of course.”

“Then prove it to me.”

He slowly stood up. “If you win, then I’ll join your force.”

Lee Ho placed his teacup on the table.

This was the last challenge. This man was the biggest obstacle to his goal. To rule the entire region of Asia, Ho needed Jin Yong.

After checking his stats and finding everything to his satisfaction, he was ready to go.

“There’s an A-rated gate nearby. Let’s go there.”

“Sounds good.”

With this, the two men immediately moved.

***

We went out of the gate to meet up with Ash, who was waiting for us.

He was smiling.

“What’s with that smile?”

“I don’t know what word to use to best describe it, but just… Wow, you were amazing.”

That made me smile. I knew what he meant. “You should have knocked before entering.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

I asked him.

“How much did you see?”

Ash blinked at my question then laughed as soon as he understood what I meant.

“I didn’t see Yoo-Jeong, what I saw was your hip. You’ve got quite a scar on it.”

That was alright, but did he really just stare at my hip?

“Don’t tell me you’re gay.”

“I’m not. I have a wife and two children.”

I could suppose he was telling the truth.

After the slight ribbing, Ash handed me a pile of documents.

“Is this written in your language?”

“Yes, but I also included a translated version. This one has the information you and your brother are looking for.”

I looked at him. “I suppose you’re giving this to your brother. Am I correct?”

I nodded. I had no use for these documents; I don’t do politics. I hate complicated issues, and if I dove into politics, then that world would be screwed.

“Also, I think your brother is preparing for a war against the Godfather.”

“You got that right.”

“The CIA’s database is the best in the world.”

As Ash continued to explain, I looked around and saw Emilia standing behind him.

“This document also has information on the Godfather’s basecamp. Right now, he is in Switzerland.”

I smiled. Ash smiled as well. “I know that you were already aware of that, but did you know that he is clearing an SS-rated gate there?”

I nodded.

That was the reason why Lee Ho had headed to Japan instead of going straight to Switzerland. He had a very good reason.

“These documents will help you and your brother. Consider it a small gift from our country.”

Ash was a better person than I had expected. No wonder he was the director of the CIA; I liked him. However, there was one thing I needed to get rid of.

“I guess that’s settled, then. But Emilia Mills?”

“Yes, that’s my name.”

“Why should I trust you?”

It was Ash who intervened for her. “Mr. Lee, she is not one of them.”

“Are you sure? Can you cross your heart and hope to die?”

“…Not that extreme, but I can risk my own arm.”

That made me smile.

“Is she your daughter?”

“Nope.”

“Then is she your wife or a relative?”

“…No.”

“Then how can you trust her?”

Ash was serious, and Emilia expressed her anger immediately. However, we had to get this clear.

“That organization can easily attract awakeners. Even SS-rated Hunters might consider it reasonable. Have you checked her body? There might be a tattoo on her symbolizing the group.”

I trusted my instincts, so I turned to Ash.

“She will join me until the Godfather is dead. I want that as my reward.”

Ash frowned. He knew the reason why I said that.

Emilia was angry about it. “Are you implying that I’m one of them?”

“Are you not?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“How would I know that? You are covering your entire body. Just come and stay with me until the Godfather is dead, then I’ll trust you.”

She then smirked.

“You know I’m quite an expensive person to keep.”

“I just earned a lot of money. What’s the matter?”

“……..”

“Well then, let’s go back to my home country.”

With this, I then called out to Yoo-Jeong.

“Let’s use teleport. You, me, and Emilia will be coming.”

“As you wish.”

I waved at Ash. “I’ll see you later.”

And that was how we returned to Korea.

***

Ash looked at the place where Lee Hwan had just teleported back to Korea.

To be honest, he thought that this man was easier to deal with than his brother. He was a straight and bold man, but that boldness caused this to happen.

Yesterday was the first time they had met, so it was understandably hard to trust each other. He supposed that was why Hwan took Emilia as a ‘hostage,’ to make sure that he wouldn’t get deceived.

That singular action held a warning inside. There was nothing to complain about. He had adjusted to this world well.

Ash chuckled.

Lee Hwan was quite dangerous. Compared to his strength, the Godfather, Lee Ho, and Raul were just children. He wanted to be friends with Hwan, but for now, it was far better for him to make a deal through his representatives.

Ash knew that the Godfather was powerful and that he and Ho could not live under the same sky. Their characteristics were completely different.

They were preparing for war. That war would more than likely end in a week and would decide how the world looks from here on out.

Ash recalled a previous incident. Emilia was a supportive woman who would certainly not cooperate with the Godfather, but what if Hwan had spotted something that they couldn’t?

He took a deep breath and moved to his desk.

It was now time for him to work.