Chapter 433 – Part 2 – Conversation with Heo Yun-ji

The two entered the nearby Hunter Management Department.

The employees had already fled, leaving it empty.

“It would be good to talk here.”

“What do you need to tell me…”

“First, let me explain the current situation.”

Choi Seong-min explained the current situation to Heo Yun-ji.

“What? A coup?”

Heo Yun-ji was surprised by the explanation, but there was an even more surprising fact.

“The Revolution that Team Leader Heo knew isn’t a bad organization. It’s just a group of people trying to correct society’s injustices.”

“But they’re terrorists. They’ve carried out countless acts of terrorism…”

“Have there ever been any deaths in those terrorist acts?”

“……”

Heo Yun-ji was speechless at the direct question.

Thinking about it carefully, while there had been injuries in incidents so far, there had been no deaths.

“But Seong-min… as I understand it, Revolution has connections to human trafficking organizations…”

“That was just someone in Revolution’s personal misconduct, not a problem with the entire organization. Revolution also discovered this fact later and expelled that member.”

“So you’re saying Revolution had no connection at all?”

“Yes. Rather, Investigation Department Minister Am Pil-yeon is the main culprit who used prostitution in the human trafficking organization.”

“What? Our Minister?”

Heo Yun-ji opened her eyes wide like a surprised rabbit at this unknown fact.

‘Could that be why the Minister went into hiding…?’

Reading her thoughts, Choi Seong-min nodded.

“The reason he ordered Team Leader Heo to stop investigating was because he was worried his crimes would be exposed. The Minister not coming to work is because of the Black Mask.”

“The Black Mask…?”

“A grateful person who supports our organization. You could say he’s an apostle of justice.”

Though it was embarrassing to say with his own mouth, Choi Seong-min was so accomplished at acting that his expression didn’t change at all.

“Currently, all human trafficking organizations in the country have been completely destroyed. Thanks to the Black Mask’s activities. The Minister not coming to work is probably because of that. He was probably afraid of being dealt with by the Black Mask himself.”

“If that’s true, your information network is superior to mine as an Investigation Department team leader. How do you know all this?”

“That’s not important. What’s really important is that what I’m saying is undoubtedly true, and that the Great Heroes who created the class system and try to rule citizens with power through dictatorship are the real bad guys. Team Leader Heo knows too, don’t you? How worthless the treatment that commoners receive is.”

Heo Yun-ji slowly nodded.

Being from a commoner background, she couldn’t help but empathize.

“Slaves, commoners, merchants, military. This society where status is divided only by money and power is wrong. That’s what Revolution is trying to correct.”

“So is that why Choi Seong-min is also part of Revolution? Because you were from a commoner background?”

“Background doesn’t matter. Just feeling that something is wrong is qualification enough to join the organization.”

“I don’t understand. Just because the class system was created wrongly, lumping all the Great Heroes together as bad…”

“I’m not lumping them together, I’m stating facts. The Great Heroes all have rotten aspects. Who do you think operated the human trafficking organization?”

“Who?”

“Association President Kwak Min-cheol.”

Heo Yun-ji’s eyes widened, but then became squinty as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Rather than saying it a hundred times, it’s better to see it once. Take a look at this.”

Choi Seong-min suddenly showed her a video on his phone.

It was the massacre video of Kwak Min-cheol that he had shown to Revolution before.

“Th-this is…”

“This is the true nature of the Association President you knew. Shall I show you something else?”

This time he showed a video of Kwak Min-cheol and Christopher conspiring.

“Do you still think the Great Heroes are good people even after seeing this?”

“……”

“All the Great Heroes are in cahoots. The more you dig into their true nature, the more disgustingly ugly it becomes. They’re just so high up that people below didn’t know.”

“Such…”

Choi Seong-min ended the video and put his phone back.

“The videos I just showed you will be spread on the internet as soon as the coup ends. Then all citizens will know the true nature of the Great Heroes.”

“Then the coup will receive some support.”

“Exactly. If we can’t persuade public sentiment, we’d just be simple terrorists, not revolutionaries.”

“But that doesn’t justify merciless beatings…”

“You mean those foreigners from before.”

When Heo Yun-ji nodded, Choi Seong-min said:

“Those guys are rebels from Westland called Wings of Hope. Though they’re allies who came to support the coup, I didn’t know there were rotten parts among them.”

“So it wasn’t Revolution’s intention?”

“No. Originally we intended to subdue without injury and then release them after taking control of the association. Those guys are just thugs making trouble independently. They’ll probably receive appropriate punishment, so don’t worry about that part.”

“Ah…”

Learning all the circumstances, Heo Yun-ji felt dejected.

‘To think Revolution, which I thought were terrorists, was actually a beneficial organization trying to reform society…’

Revolution was a volunteer organization that cleaned up trash for free.

The Great Heroes turned out to be trash that couldn’t even be recycled.

‘To think I was working under a rotten tree… How could I be so stupid…’

Emptiness, self-blame, doubt, and self-loathing rushed in like a tide, tormenting Heo Yun-ji.

She had joined the Investigation Department to contribute to society, but it was rotten from the roots.

She even felt sorry toward the organization called Revolution.

Because she had been thinking of gathering evidence against them to present to the association.

“I was a fool… Looking only at the leaves of trees instead of seeing the forest…”

“Don’t blame yourself too much. Not many people know the true nature of the Great Heroes.”

“Still, as an Investigation Department team leader, to have such poor information gathering ability… Choi Seong-min, you’re really amazing.”

Heo Yun-ji was genuinely admiring.

There was no jealousy, just pure emotion.

“So the world will change after today?”

“Yes. As long as the Black Mask is here, the coup will end successfully. Of course, I’ll help if I can too.”

If someone with 10 million combat power stepped in, Kwak Min-cheol with 1.8 million could be easily crushed.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“Not particularly. Just surrender like other people and follow instructions, and nothing will happen.”

“There won’t be riots breaking out nationwide because of the coup, will there? Contrary to expectations, people might defend the Great Heroes and instead condemn the rebel side. Saying the videos are fake and they can’t believe them.”

It was a possible scenario.

Choi Seong-min had this in mind too.

“That might happen.”

“Ah… then let me make a quick phone call. To tell my sister to evacuate in advance…”

“There’s no need for that.”

At those words, Heo Yun-ji looked at him as if asking what he meant.

“Team Leader Heo’s family has already been evacuated to a safe place.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes. They’re with my family now. I took precautions in advance for any possible situations.”

“Ah…”

“A trustworthy hunter is safely protecting them, so there’s nothing to worry about. This was what I wanted to tell Team Leader Heo. If you want to confirm, try a video call.”

“Ah, then let me check.”

Heo Yun-ji immediately made a video call to her sister.

Soon, Heo Sol-ji appeared with a worried expression.

“Sister? Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Judging by how she immediately asked about her wellbeing, she seemed to have heard about the situation to some degree.

“Huh? Oh, no.”

While answering, Heo Yun-ji was bewildered.

Her sister showing such concern was unfamiliar.

“Phew, that’s a relief. Mom and I were incredibly worried because of the coup or whatever. Though Hunter Choi Seong-min said he would protect us.”

“Ah… so you’re with Choi Seong-min’s family now?”

“Yeah. The hunter said there might be danger, so we should stay together until things calm down.”

Then Choi Seong-min suddenly interjected into the screen.

“Oh, Hunter Choi Seong-min? Hello.”

“Yeah. You’re getting along well with the family, right?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, we’re doing well.”

“If Han Sae-bom is nearby, could you switch to her for a moment?”

“Just a moment. Sister Sae-bom!”

After a moment, the screen moved and Han Sae-bom appeared.

“Did you call?”

“Thank you for your hard work, Han Sae-bom. First, thank you for protecting my family.”

“Of course I should help since you’re the Black Mask’s acquaintance.”

The hunter protecting the families was Han Sae-bom.

Naturally, he had asked in the name of the Black Mask, and she had gladly agreed to help.

“Are there any unusual circumstances yet?”

“No. We’ll have to wait until the situation there ends to know if there are signs of riots.”

“I understand. Then please continue your hard work.”

After ending the call, he returned the phone to Heo Yun-ji.

Unlike before, Heo Yun-ji had a quite moved expression.

“To think you prepared and took care of us even for such contingencies… What are our families to you…”

“I can’t pretend not to know when I’m close to Ah-yeon. Besides, you visited our house before. Of course I should take care of you.”

“Thank you so much. Now I can feel at ease.”

“For now, stay with us until the situation ends.”

“Okay.”

In Heo Yun-ji’s eyes looking at Choi Seong-min, deep trust had settled.

* * *

Taking control of the association facilities and capturing employees took only 1 hour.

“How many employees did we capture in total?”

To the Black Mask’s question, Ryu Jong-ik answered.

“220 in total. Originally about 400 work here, but the rest seem to have left work early or we missed them.”

“220… That’s quite a lot.”

Nearly three times as many employees as rebels were sitting clustered in the lobby.

Yet they weren’t rebelling because of the severe difference in force.

The intimidating atmosphere also played a part.

“What should we do now, Black Mask? We’ve captured the employees as you instructed.”

Capturing the employees was the Black Mask’s instruction.

It was natural for leader Ryu Jong-ik to ask.

“Now that we’ve taken control of the facilities as planned, should we release them?”

“Yes. You can release them now.”

At those words, Ryu Jong-ik smiled with relief.

Though they had subdued them out of necessity for the coup, he actually felt sorry toward the employees.

Most would be innocent people unrelated to the Great Heroes’ crimes.

“Everyone, you may stand up now. Since you cooperated well with us, we’ll send you home as promised.”

The large group of 220 people stood up.

Some were suspicious about whether they would really be released, but most had joyful faces.

On the other hand, there was someone sighing deeply.

Wings of Hope vice-leader Don Hall was like that.

“Leader Ryu.”

“Yes, Vice-leader.”

Don Hall beside him bowed apologetically to Ryu Jong-ik.

“I’m truly sorry that our members caused trouble. I didn’t know there were such thugs among our members.”

30 minutes ago, Kyle’s group had come before the two and confessed all the atrocities they had committed.

Not only beating up employees who came to surrender, but even murders they had committed in the past.

“Ah… no. It’s not like members have ‘thug’ written on their faces. You can’t be expected to filter them all out, Vice-leader.”

“Still, I can’t say I have no responsibility. So I want to take the problematic members with us.”

“Will you do that?”

“Yes. I’ll take responsibility for those guys and give them appropriate punishment, so please leave them to me.”

“Understood.”

Ryu Jong-ik answered without complaint.

Since they were Westland people anyway, it would be awkward for him to punish them.

Looking around, he saw the captured association employees moving stealthily.

Heo Yun-ji was among them.

“Just as Seong-min said. We really were safely released… huh?”

Heo Yun-ji looked around.

‘He was here just a moment ago, where did he go?’

She turned her head this way and that looking for Choi Seong-min, but finding him was impossible.

Choi Seong-min was currently using stealth.

‘Probably no one here can see me.’

With his appearance hidden, Choi Seong-min freely moved among the employees.

His target was none other than those with karma exceeding 100.

This was why he had the Black Mask gather the employees.

To see karma levels at a glance.

’96 people have karma exceeding 100.’

Nearly half of the 220 people were criminals.

Of course, Kyle’s group was included in this.

Choi Seong-min made eye contact with them while using stealth.

After using Mind Control, he whispered quietly in their ears.

“Pretend to go home but gather in the association’s backyard. If you understand, nod slightly.”

The mind-controlled target slightly nodded.

Choi Seong-min gave orders to all 96 people like this.

Since he was using stealth, there was no worry of being discovered.

‘Now 96 people will gather in the backyard.’

It wasn’t because of greed for traits.

It wasn’t because of righteous indignation either.

It was simply to test whether he could obtain Divine Force.

‘Damn bugs. I’ll kill you all.’

Choi Seong-min was confident.

Exterminating bugs was his specialty after all.