Chapter 385
*”Don’t you think so, you Korean Bbangja?”*
“What did you just say, you damn mainland pig?”
At that moment, a heavy silence fell over the room.
The foreign hunters like Magic Johnson, who were using translation magic, were puzzled, not fully understanding the implications of terms like *”pig”* and *”Bbangja.”* Team Leader Choi clicked his tongue softly, while one person’s face hardened like stone.
*”What?”*
“You heard me.”
*”Say that again, Bbangja.”*
“Sure. Pig.”
*”You little…!”*
“Alright, let’s settle this. I’m a dog, and you’re a pig.”
The man’s face twisted in anger. Just as he was about to jump to his feet, the woman sitting beside him raised her hand to stop him.
*”Enough.”*
A clear, calm voice, coming from a young woman in her early twenties, who exuded an air of refreshing clarity. Her tone was composed as she continued.
*”Please, both of you, could you tone it down?”*
Tone it down…
I looked at the woman for a moment before shrugging.
“Well, if you insist.”
Her eyebrows arched slightly, perhaps surprised by my unexpected compliance.
*”I’ve heard you’re not one to back down easily, but you’re more agreeable than I thought.”*
“I know when to back down. Especially when you’re the one asking.”
*”Ah, so I’ve charmed you? Being pretty is such a hassle sometimes.”*
She swept her long hair back playfully, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Did you just laugh?”
*”You seem more amusing than I expected, Mr. Jin,”* the woman said, smiling lightly.
Her name is Pai Chen.
She might look like a college magazine model, but don’t be fooled by her appearance. Though she never married, she’s well past her fifties.
She’s also one of my seniors and a hero of the Great Cataclysm.
*”So, you knew who I was from the start. Hmm, I thought the younger generation wouldn’t recognize me.”*
Not entirely wrong. Pai Chen has had very little media exposure compared to other S-rank hunters.
There were even rumors that she had changed her identity and was living a new life somewhere out of the public eye.
But I knew her from a very young age.
“My mother has been a fan of yours for a long time. You know, from that romance movie you starred in about twenty years ago.”
*”Oh? That was so long ago. But it’s nice to meet someone who remembers it.”*
“Could I maybe get your autograph later? My mom would be thrilled if I brought her one from you.”
*”Of course. And you can just call me Chen from now on. Using my full name feels too formal. You can even call me ‘noona’ if you like.”*
“Excuse me? What are you saying? I looked you up, and you’re five years older than my mom.”
*”…You’re not easy to deal with, just as I heard.”*
But the one who truly wasn’t easy to deal with was someone else.
*”You… you bastard…!”*
A voice boiling with anger. The man who had been forgotten during our conversation now glared at me, eyes full of rage.
*”How dare a lowly Korean pig insult me? Do you know who I am?”*
“…Wow, that’s a terrible line.”
Pai Chen, watching us with a curious look, rested her chin on her hand.
*”Indeed. I was wondering, do you know who this person is?”*
It wasn’t just Pai Chen who was curious about my response.
Everyone, except for the now half-resigned Team Leader Choi, was waiting for me to answer.
The man who had been whining like a seven-year-old who lost an argument, Magic Johnson, the young man from England, and even the followers they had brought were all staring at me.
Under their gazes, I nodded.
*”Of course, I know. Wu Hye-Sung.”*
Given how often he’s in the media, he’s one of the most recognizable S-rank hunters.
At my words, Wu Hye-Sung, who had been calling me a *”Korean pig,”* widened his eyes.
*”You knew who I was and still dared to say that?”*
“Even a passing dog would know that much. That there’s a complete scumbag among the S-rank hunters.”
*”What did you say?”*
“Why? Does everyone not know that your hobbies include seeking attention and your special skill is committing crimes and then manipulating the media?”
*”…!”*
“Come to think of it, didn’t you cause a scandal last year? Something about ‘the only drug my country allows me’ or some nonsense like that, when you posted photos of a raid on your official SNS and then got caught with actual drugs a month later. Was it marijuana or something?”
“Mr. Jin.”
“Team Leader, don’t stop me.”
“It wasn’t marijuana.”
“Excuse me?”
Suddenly, Team Leader Choi, who had been quietly watching, corrected me in a calm voice.
“It wasn’t marijuana. It was cocaine and methamphetamine.”
“Oh, I see. Thanks for the update.”
“No problem. At this point, we might as well lay everything out.”
Look at that serene expression.
Leaving behind the now-enlightened Team Leader Choi, who seemed ready to ascend to the heavens, I turned to Wu Hye-Sung with a wide grin.
“Wow, how did you come up with such a twist? You really are the Wu Hye-Sung from *The Purple Raid.*”
*”What did you say?”*
“Speaking of which, there was another incident five years ago at some club called Burning Moon or something, where you got caught drugging and assaulting someone. How did you get away with that? By Chinese law, you should’ve been executed two or three times over by now.”
*”…!”*
“I heard rumors that you’re the son of a top Communist Party official. Did you use money and power to slip through? You sneaky little bastard.”
*”Shut your mouth! How dare a lowly pig like you!”*
As Wu Hye-Sung’s face turned bright red with rage, someone who had been quietly observing finally spoke up.
*”Enough.”*
An arrogant voice flowed smoothly through the room.
*”You’re noisy and vulgar. I hear you come from a noble Chinese family, yet did your elders never teach you proper etiquette?”*
Wu Hye-Sung bit his lip as he recognized the owner of the voice.
*”Y-You’re…”*
*”You dare address me like that?”*
The well-groomed brown hair and subtle green eyes of the speaker scrutinized Wu Hye-Sung from head to toe.
*”William.”*
At the young man’s call, a middle-aged man with graying hair stepped forward from behind him.
There wasn’t a speck of dust on his polished shoes, and his suit was impeccably tailored. The middle-aged man, standing tall and surveying the room, spoke in a pleasing baritone.
*”Please rise and show respect for His Royal Highness Prince Felix Alexander Louis, Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, Baron Carrickfergus, Knight of the Garter, and Knight of the Thistle.”*
The Duke of Cambridge and Earl of Strathearn… Holy crap, what’s with the ridiculously long titles?
Anyway, this Prince Felix or whatever added one more solemn word.
*”Everyone, you may address me as Prince Felix.”*
Look at everyone’s faces—nothing could be more uncomfortable.
But the most awkward person here was, of course, Wu Hye-Sung, who had just called me a “lowly pig.”
As expected, when it comes to status, how can anyone beat a British royal?
*”T-This is…”*
*”Oh.”*
Prince Felix nodded, as if finally understanding something, as he looked at Wu Hye-Sung’s flustered expression.
*”I see. You have a stutter, then?”*
*”S-Stutter?”*
*”If not, why can’t you speak properly? Did your family never give you speech training?”*
Long live the prince.
There was no need for me to step in. Having Britain’s third in line to the throne deliver a stinging rebuke is more satisfying than anything else.
As I grinned widely, Prince Felix’s gaze shifted to me.
*”You there.”*
“Huh? Are you talking to me?”
The middle-aged man behind Prince Felix spoke up in response to my question.
*”When His Royal Highness Prince Felix Alexander Louis, Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, Baron Carrickfergus, Knight of the Garter, and Knight of the Thistle, addresses you…”*
*”Enough, William.”*
Prince Felix raised his hand, silencing his parrot-like aide, and looked at me with a gentle expression.
*”I chose to forgo formalities and speak to you directly because I believe in breaking down the barriers of status.”*
*”What does it matter if someone is a commoner or a noble? We are all equals under God. So don’t let his words hurt you too much.”*
What the hell is he talking about?
As I stood there, speechless, Team Leader Choi leaned over and whispered to me.
“He thinks you’re a commoner, Mr. Jin.”
What the hell? Is this prince out of his mind?
As I stared at Prince Felix in disbelief, he rose from his seat and extended his hand.
*”Now, go on.”*
“…Go on? What do you mean?”
The aide, who was apparently also his parrot, spoke up again with a satisfied smile.
*”You should kiss His Royal Highness Prince Felix Alexander Louis’s hand to show your gratitude for his kindness.”*
These people are completely insane.
*‘Did they all travel here in a time capsule from the 18th century?’*
My head was spinning when Team Leader Choi’s message spell reached me.
*”Don’t do it.”*
I replied through the message spell.
*”What do you mean, don’t do it?”*
*”Just don’t. Smile and let it slide. Prince Felix is already known for being a bit eccentric.”*
*”Wouldn’t he become even more famous if I broke his hand?”*
*”Absolutely not. You can’t do that!”*
*”What if I just break one finger?”*
*”No! Not even a finger!”*
I was surprised at how much emotion could be conveyed through a message spell. Team Leader Choi seemed pretty desperate.
Fine, he’s a British prince, so I’ll let it go this time. I was just calming myself down when—
*”Hey, Shibalja.”*
Now what? I turned to see Magic Johnson approaching me with a cautious look.
I didn’t have any expectations from Wu Hye-Sung, who’s notorious for his controversies and bigotry, but my excitement about meeting S-rank hunters I’d only seen on TV was quickly dwindling.
“Please, not Shibalja. Call me by my name. Would you like it if I called you Johnson instead of Magic?”
*”Hmm, you’re right. Then, Jin?”*
“Much better. But why are you asking?”
*”It’s no big deal, but… are you not planning to kiss the prince’s hand?”*
That sounds like a pretty big deal.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, so I asked back.
“Of course not. This isn’t the Middle Ages. Would you want to do it?”
*”I would.”*
“…Excuse me?”
In that moment, a flash of realization struck me.
I had completely forgotten—Magic Johnson is not only a national hero in the United States, but also one of the most influential LGBTQ+ figures in the world.
The man who Time magazine named the “Most Influential LGBTQ+ Person in the World” was now earnestly offering to take my place.
*”So, what I’m saying is, I’d like to express my gratitude to the prince on your behalf.”*
He really knows how to spin it. But unlike Magic Johnson, Prince Felix quietly withdrew his hand.
*”We are all equal under God. Such outdated formalities should be abolished. I’ll accept your kindness at a later time, Magic Johnson.”*
Is this the same guy who was just holding out his hand for me to kiss? Even Pai Chen, who had been watching with amusement, muttered in disbelief.
*”Wow, that’s bold. He might be even more shameless than Wu Hye-Sung, even if he hasn’t committed any crimes.”*
“No matter how bad he is, he’s still better than Wu Hye-Sung. That guy should’ve been executed according to the law.”
*”That’s true.”*
As the situation unfolded and the heavyweights took center stage, Wu Hye-Sung’s eyes filled with anger.
*”Y-You damn pig!”*
“Why don’t you drop the ‘pig’ nonsense already? It’s getting as tiring as trying to sing the second verse of the national anthem. I’m getting bored of tolerating you too.”
*”Tolerate me? You think you’re superior enough to ‘tolerate’ me?”*
His tone implied he couldn’t comprehend my words, so I nodded.
“Yeah. It’s crystal clear now.”
I had a pretty good idea of what level Wu Hye-Sung was on, but it was obvious he hadn’t figured out anything about me.
In any conflict, it’s crucial to assess your opponent first. But this one was over before it even started.
“So don’t go picking fights. Take my advice and focus on what you need to do.”
*”You’re just an A-rank hunter, yet you think you’re something special because the Chairman has expectations of you? You’re nothing but a—!”*
“Oh.”
I was wondering why he was so aggressive from the start, but now it made sense. The reason was so obvious and petty that I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Honestly, I’d call this cute if you weren’t so damn old.”
*”…!”*
“What’s wrong? You’re mad because you realized the Chairman’s expectations and attention aren’t on you, but instead on some Korean guy you despise?”
By now, everyone’s attention had turned to us. Wu Hye-Sung could probably feel the disdain in their gazes as sharply as I could.
And with people like him, when things reach this point…
*’They’re bound to cross the line.’*
My prediction was spot on.
*Swish.*
I noticed Wu Hye-Sung’s hand subtly moving toward his sword.
Chairman Shao Yang, in his show of trust, had not asked anyone here to disarm, but that trust would be Wu Hye-Sung’s downfall.
*’Go on. Don’t hesitate.’*
Even though I tend to act recklessly, I always consider the circumstances.
Up until now, I had held back out of respect for the Chairman and my mission to assist China. But if Wu Hye-Sung dared to draw his weapon, that would give me all the justification I needed to put him in his place.
*’Just a little more. Almost there.’*
As if he was under my control, Wu Hye-Sung’s hand inched closer to his sword. But just as he was about to grab it—
*Thud, thud, thud.*
The sound of multiple footsteps echoed down the corridor outside the quiet underground bunker.
Wu Hye-Sung’s hand froze, and the tightly shut door swung open almost simultaneously.
The moment I saw who had entered along with Defense Minister Wei Fenghu, Wu Hye-Sung vanished from my mind completely.
*”Sorry I’m late. Did I keep you waiting?”*
With his strong, sculpted features and the solid build that even his clothes couldn’t hide, the middle-aged man who entered looked like he was in his early forties. But beneath that exterior was the soul of an old tiger and a cunning snake.
*’Lee Cheong-Ryong.’*
Our eyes met, and a deep smile spread across Lee Cheong-Ryong’s face.
