Tiamat (1)

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The Godfather was not his actual name. However, he did leave a trace, with which the police did their best to track his information.

He was a Korean-American orphan. He had been raised by the homeless and worked as a hitman. The orphan then grew up into a named criminal.

When he was twenty-eight, the world had changed, and he became an awakener. He then created the Shilla, a group of anarchists.

They got this story, and so on. It was interesting to know about him.

Yet, it was true that he had deserved to die. He, along with his companions, had been punished for what they had done.

After the Godfather’s death, people related to him were killed. It was like a witch hunt.

It was because one of the Godfather’s businesses had been human trafficking. He and his colleagues had kidnapped awakeners and ordinary people and exploited them.

It was even found that they were active in sex trafficking. Everyone was outraged to hear that. That was why the Godfather’s people were being hunted.

It had been the Godfather’s immoral way to stimulate people’s greediness and persuade them to join him.

All who had contacted the Godfather for such a reason were sent to jail, to condemned cells. The crimes they were convicted of were horrifying.

Meanwhile, countries that had abolished the death penalty reported that a lot of people had been accidentally killed at the gate on the same day.

That was what had been going on.

Everyone who hadn’t known about the Godfather finally knew who he was and what he had done. And today, the Hunters’ Authority was officially disbanded, and the Hunters’ Union was formed.

It was quite similar to the Hunters’ Authority, but did not require taxes and was focused on supporting the hunters’ welfare. These were significantly big differences.

The world was indeed changing.

***

A man was standing in the territory of North Korea. In fact, it was a united Korea now. The man was Cho Peal-Yeon, the current president of Korea.

He could see that North and South Korea were now one. Everyone had dreamed of that, and it had become a reality.

Lee Ho had made that possible. Peal-Yeon remembered what Lee Ho had told him before.

“The task was more difficult than I thought. I admit that my responsibilities were heavier than any others.”

Peal-Yeon had once asked what made him suffer the most. Ho answered that he’d made a promise to himself.

“I had my people, those who started the business with me. I promised them that I would protect them. I told them that if they died for me, I would take revenge for them. Then, they could know that their death was not meaningless.”

He had said that at night, while he and Peal-Yeon were sitting in a quiet room. Ho had drunk a cup of wine.

“That land is where my people died. I don’t want their deaths to be meaningless. I want to unite Korea so that their deaths can be more meaningful. But I suppose that the previous president did not like that idea.”

“So you killed him?”

It was top-secret, but Lee Ho had not hidden it.

He nodded slowly. “I’m not the hero that people think. My hands are bloody now. I told that to the previous president as well.”

Even though the man was younger, Peal-Yeon had not been able to look down on him.

“Some may call you a puppet controlled by me. I won’t defend you. But I won’t control you either.”

Some might call politicians idiots. However, they were not.

Politics was a hard game. Becoming the president was especially difficult. Peal-Yeon was smart enough to understand Ho’s words.

Lee Ho was saying that they would manage their business by themselves. Ho would not interfere with him, but he also did not want Peal-Yeon to interfere.

“You can do your best to accomplish your dream of eliminating the gate. I won’t touch that business.”

“Good.”

“Also, you are planning to work to get North Korea’s territory back. I won’t interfere with your business there either.”

“Perfect.”

“I’ll do my job as president. You may do your best to do your job.”

“I appreciate that. Let’s each do the best with our tasks.”

Things were quite clear. The two of them had an agreement.

Some had indeed criticized him for being a puppet of Lee Ho, but Peal-Yeon had not said anything. That was true indeed.

That had happened two years ago.

Now, because of Lee Ho, Korea had developed a lot. Its economy and standard of life had significantly increased. Furthermore, Korea was united now.

Peal-Yeon had achieved what he wanted. His ultimate goal had been to make his country stronger.

“Lee Ho… What an impressive man.”

***

Ash closed his eyes for a bit. He was thinking of previous days.

“I want to join the Hunters’ Union in Asia.”

“…What?” Ash doubted his ears.

But Raul smiled and repeated what he’d just said.

“My bro is now a leader of Asia’s hunter union. Shouldn’t I support him?” Ash was shocked to hear that. “You do know that you are American, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Why would an American person join the Hunters’ Union in Asia? Just become the president of America’s hunter union.”

Raul seemed to be dissatisfied to hear that.

“President?”

“You heard correctly.”

“I’m not good at such things. Can’t someone do it instead?”

‘…What kind of nonsense is this idiot saying?’ Ash wanted to say out loud. Instead, he tried to smile.

“You are the only one. Both Taylor and Emilia are dead. We’ll do our best to support you.”

“Then what about Anthony Gallerger?”

Ash sighed. Anthony was another unique skill holder in the US.

Originally, the US had produced four unique skill holders: Raul, Emilia, Taylor, and Anthony.

“…Do you think Anthony is a suitable person?”

“I’d bet he is better than me.”

Not at all. Compared to him, Raul was an angel.

Even if they spoke the same languages, they couldn’t communicate with each other. Anthony was a maniac.

Ash smiled and worked hard to persuade Raul.

“You are the one who’s close to Mr. Hwan and Mr. Ho.”

“That’s true. They are my bros.”

“If you want to support them, please become the president of the Hunters’ Union in America.” Raul thought about it carefully and grinned.

“I guess I have no other choice.”

However, his smile was bright.

That had happened in previous days. Ash sighed. He was now facing Lee Hwan. “…Good to see you, Mr. Hwan.”

At this, Hwan smiled. They shook hands.

“But I notice that you are alone. I thought Yoo-Jeong or Gi-Hoon would come along with you.”

“They are busy right now. They are clearing the gates.”

Ash and Hwan exchanged smiles and sat down.

Lee Hwan then asked, “You checked the recorded files?”

“…I did. Emilia was the Godfather’s man. Though, it would have been better if I could have checked that with my own eyes.”

At this, Lee Hwan shrugged. “I had to do what I promised to Emilia.”

“Promised?”

“She had that tattoo in an inappropriate spot. I promised her that I would kill her kindly and delete the photos of it. And so, I did.”

Emilia had been an enemy, but she’d served as a hunter for a long time. Even people like Gi-Hoon had respected her.

Lee Hwan had done his best to treat her well. Also, he never lied.

Because of his father’s lie, his mother had suffered a lot. Lee Hwan didn’t want to be like that jackass. Ironically, that relieved Ash; it was clear that Hwan was a reasonable man. Anyway, it was time to discuss the main topic.

“Congratulations.”

Hwan smiled. He looked behind his back.

Lee Ho, Raul, Sophie, and other leaders of the world were taking photos together. “I’m not the person who should get those.”

“But no one can deny that you were the MVP for this mission. If it weren’t for you, more people would have died.”

Lee Hwan peered at Ash. He knew that Ash was saying something more. “Do you know what people called your brother?”

“What?”

“They called him the last hope of this world. Even if the world was about to end, Lee Ho could save it. That’s what people thought.”

That was true indeed. But now…

“The last hope is now you.”

Lee Hwan laughed. That was what Ash had been saying.

“Please take care of my brother.” Lee Hwan grabbed his shoulder tightly. Yet, Ash seemed to be pressured.

‘What’s wrong with him?’ Hwan wondered.

Hwan had no idea he was so powerful that, to Ash, Hwan’s request was a duty that he had to complete.

“By the way, that’s my way of encouraging each other. It’s not meant to be threatening.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

Yet, Ash knew what type of man Hwan was. So he smiled. ‘If we do our best, then he will do his best for us.’ Ash and Hwan had an agreement.

Lee Ho would become the king of Asia, and Hwan had just made his PMC. Its name was Night King.

Ash had said congratulations to Hwan because of that reason.

Night King suited Hwan well.

He moved behind the scenes. When the world couldn’t clear a certain gate, he would appear and deal with it.

It was quite cringy, but it described Hwan well.

Ash left for his job, and Lee Hwan was now alone. Sitting down, he could see that Ho was still there. ‘I’m glad that he has grown up well.’ Hwan smiled.

He drank the wine in front of him. It indeed tasted sweet.