Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 162

Chapter 162: S-rank Outbreak （6）

Immediately after the incident occurred.

Kim Chun-sik’s Special Forces were initially deployed to Cheongdam-dong.

Seeing the Werewolves rampaging in all directions, Kim Chun-sik leaped forward and shouted to his subordinates who were following him.

“I’ll take the lead. I request rear support.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hook━

He easily jumped over the collapsed debris.

The moment the Werewolves recognized Kim Chun-sik’s presence, the gun he was holding in one arm emitted a strong flash of light.

Tatatatatatang━!

The Werewolves’ bodies shook.

Leaving behind their comrades who were pushed back by the powerful magic bullets, dozens of Werewolves charged at him simultaneously. For Kim Chun-sik, it was a moment that suddenly reminded him of the past. Back then, he had to risk his life even against a single Werewolf, but the current Kim Chun-sik had changed completely, to the point where it could be described as a world of difference.

Thud.

Bang, bang, bang━!

He retreated while continuously firing his gun.

Then, the moment a Werewolf reached close range.

Hook.

Crack━!

The machete hanging from his waist drew a curve and plunged into the Werewolf’s neck.

With his powerful strength, the head was blown off in an instant, and he plunged into the swarming space without retreating in a situation where he was surrounded by enemies. Thump, thump, brutal sounds were heard. Swinging the machete alternately with his right and left hands, he sliced through the Werewolf’s tough hide. His face was soon covered in blood. Just as he had dealt with almost all the monsters that showed hostility towards him, a hole appeared in the head of the last remaining one.

Thud━

It was a sniper shot.

Looking back, there was Sergeant Park, whom he once called Private Park.

“Nice shot, Sergeant Park.”

“You’ve worked hard, sir.”

They cleared the area.

Kim Chun-sik ordered his soldiers to take care of the situation, and fortunately, the Link incident in Cheongdam-dong did not cause any further variables.

But his rank insignia.

A single bamboo flower, signifying the rank of Major, was in full bloom.

He, who had been granted the rank of Second Lieutenant when he took charge of the Special Forces, had been recognized for his achievements while carrying out numerous missions. Especially the Link incident that occurred on Ulleungdo Island, overseas. Despite it being a B-rank Link, he was deployed to the scene and proved his overwhelming ability to wipe out the enemies. As a result, Kim Chun-sik’s position in the military rose day by day. As a representative of the military, a symbolic figure of the military.

Click, click.

He lit a cigarette.

In the billowing smoke, Kim Chun-sik looked around with a frown.

In fact, his development was a mystery even to himself.

He worked hard, but a secret ability that others didn’t know about bloomed from time to time.

『Awakening』

1. Stats increase when certain conditions are met.

‘What are the certain conditions for Awakening?’

Present.

Kim Chun-sik’s stats had reached a whopping B-rank.

With his rapid development, there was even talk among some officials that Kim Chun-sik should be studied.

It was then.

Sergeant Park approached and said.

“The area is cleared, sir.”

“Good work.”

“…But did you hear by any chance? The Outbreak that occurred in Pohang. Kang San-nim is there right now.”

He had received orders from the higher-ups a while ago.

The Special Forces were to remain in Cheongdam and prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.

Kim Chun-sik threw the cigarette, which could still be considered a long one, to the ground and stamped out the rising flames with his military boots.

“I know. From now on, we will hand over the situation in Cheongdam to nearby units and withdraw. And then we will go to Command Headquarters and get permission to be dispatched to Pohang.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Command Headquarters conference room.

Major Kim Chun-sik glanced at the high-ranking officials.

Chief Secretary Kim Mu-hyeok was seated at the head of the table, and on either side were high-ranking officials from the Hunter Management Bureau and the military.

Kim Chun-sik spoke.

“Please send me to Pohang.”

“That brat!”

“I apologize. The military will take responsibility for today’s incident.”

The high-ranking officials looked bewildered.

It was a direct order from the President.

It was natural for the Hunter Management Bureau to be hostile, but even the military officials, who considered Kim Chun-sik a representative of the military, were taking a step back this time. It was because of President Jang Beom-seok’s reputation. If anyone fell out of his favor, no matter how high their rank, they would pay the price, so they tried their best to please him.

Chief Secretary Kim Mu-hyeok said.

“Why? The higher-ups clearly told you to stay in Cheongdam.”

“Cheongdam has already secured its safety. I judged that there would be no problem even if we didn’t stay.”

“That’s your opinion. The higher-ups’ judgment could be different, couldn’t it?”

Kim Chun-sik’s eyebrows twitched.

He had been prepared for this since he came to Command Headquarters.

If it were a situation where communication was possible, a sufficient agreement would have been reached through radio communication.

“…Is it because of those elders again?”

“Major Kim Chun-sik. I’d appreciate it if you watched your language.”

“Everyone, please be reasonable. Anyone can see that the situation in Pohang is more serious than in Seoul. Based on what we know so far, it’s at least an A-rank Outbreak, a situation that can be described as a catastrophe, but we haven’t sent troops yet. What are those brilliant higher-ups thinking? Even if we send troops quickly, we’re bound to miss the golden time due to the distance, but they’re reacting leisurely as if disasters outside of Seoul aren’t urgent!”

“Stop it!”

“Be quiet!”

There was an uproar from both sides.

It could be interpreted as insubordination.

He didn’t care about that.

With his stomach churning, Kim Chun-sik had to say what he had to say.

“Are you delaying support because of some ridiculous rumors? I clearly remember what kind of person Kang San-nim is. Back when he was a nobody, an F-rank human shield, he risked his life to help me even though he had nothing to gain. You say what happened in Japan was a coincidence? A fluke? You’re talking nonsense. It might not make sense in terms of common sense, but for people who always sacrifice and dedicate themselves to others, that’s their daily life. The incident in Pohang, the reason Kang San-nim is there. It must be because he’s truly sacrificing himself for others.”

“Watch your language. That position isn’t permanent.”

It was a threat from Kim Mu-hyeok.

At the low, sharp voice, Kim Chun-sik chuckled.

“Yes, do as you please. Whether you strip me of my rank or discipline me, I must go down to Pohang!”

Swish.

He turned around.

Shouts were heard from behind, but he left the conference room as if he didn’t care.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Thud.

The conference room door closed.

He was about to move on when a familiar face caught his eye.

It was Kim Myeong-min.

Kim Myeong-min asked with a calm face.

“Are you going down to Pohang?”

“Yes.”

“…It’s not an order authorized by the higher-ups, is it? If it were, the conference room wouldn’t be so noisy.”

He stared intently at Kim Myeong-min.

He had met him through Kang San and knew his relationship with Kang San, so he had a favorable impression of him.

But that was all.

There was no more time to talk.

“That’s how it turned out.”

“I understand. If you go down first, I’ll follow soon.”

Kim Chun-sik nodded and started walking.

The words ‘I’ll follow soon’.

With the sense of camaraderie formed by those words, he felt the need to at least show him courtesy.

Kim Myeong-min watched Kim Chun-sik’s retreating figure.

He took a deep breath.

“Phew━.”

This situation.

It was confusing.

If he said he would go down to Pohang as a Ranger, there was a very high probability that he would face strong resistance, just like Kim Chun-sik. Would that really be the right thing for him? The social reputation and stable welfare he gained as a Ranger, he might lose all of those at once. Of course, with B-rank abilities, he could make a living doing anything, but Kim Myeong-min was proud and happy to live his life as a ‘Ranger’.

Nevertheless.

He had no intention of avoiding the choice.

The reason he lived as a Ranger was to help people, and Kang San was a person who was absolutely necessary for this world.

He didn’t deliberately stall for time.

Since Kim Chun-sik went down first, Kim Myeong-min intended to prepare thoroughly and then go down.

He turned around.

He had ruled out arguing with the command from the start.

And then he immediately picked up his phone and called someone.

If the government’s support was delayed.

“Contact the Rangers in Seoul right now. Tell them I need to see them immediately.”

He had no choice but to bring in more forces in preparation for that time.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Korea’s disaster situation.

Management Cheonsang received an official letter of cooperation bearing the President’s seal.

The content was to help the government and secure the safety of Seoul, and Jeong Hye-mi was deeply troubled by the series of events.

‘…What should I do?’

The government’s stance was clear.

Seoul was a priority over Pohang.

They said they would organize support troops soon, so for now, cooperate with the government and secure Seoul’s safety.

The problem was Kang San’s existence.

The fact that Kang San was stopping the Outbreak in Pohang had made her mind complicated since then.

‘If we refuse the government’s order, the government will pressure Cheonsang, both financially and politically, to prove what happens to groups that disobey them. The problem is whether it’s necessary to gain Kang San’s favor even while taking such risks. Kang San is such a good person, and a role model for Chan-woo, but Cheonsang’s position itself could be shaken if I push for it.’

She bit her lip.

In fact, the biggest reason she was agonizing over this was that Kang San’s reputation wasn’t what it used to be.

The incident in Japan.

Controversy arose.

With question marks attached to Kang San’s rise in skill, it was a situation where recruiting him might be like drinking from a poisoned chalice. If he was just a fleeting talent with no real meaning, Cheonsang would have organized support troops even if it meant going overboard, but as of now, the scales weren’t tipping towards Kang San.

There was a risk.

That risk was a price that a company could never welcome, a risk of turning against the government.

Nevertheless.

‘I can’t ignore Kang San-nim.’

The events so far.

She believed in Kang San.

The Kang San she had seen and experienced firsthand wasn’t an artificially created person, she had that belief.

If the controversy died down.

If Kang San’s true value was revealed.

Then it would be irreversible.

Kang San had clearly said that he would soon decide his course of action, so the current situation was a very important crossroads.

“Okay, let’s try to persuade him. This might be an opportunity.”

The other factions would be hesitating.

Jeong Hye-mi stood up from her seat.

She was going to meet the Master.

As she opened the door and stepped out, she happened to run into an employee.

“Team Leader-nim! What we were worried about has happened!”

“…No way?”

Her eyes wavered.

She had ordered the employee.

If the situation she was worried about occurred, tell her immediately.

The employee exclaimed.

“That’s right. Just now, we heard that Daeyang has sent support troops!”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

The series of events.

Daeyang’s team leader, Gu Jun-ho, thought.

‘This is an opportunity.’

When Kang San’s reputation plummeted.

He was convinced that was the bottom.

Kang San was a blue-chip stock that was bound to rebound, but some petty rumors were diminishing his value.

Gu Jun-ho obtained full authority from the Master.

He immediately summoned the troops.

He asked the Hunters belonging to the management to help him just this once, promising them a definite reward.

Right before departure.

While waiting for the troops that hadn’t gathered yet, Gu Jun-ho said to an employee.

“Do you know why it’s good to be a foreign company in this Republic of Korea?”

“…I don’t know, sir.”

He grinned.

Being the first to arrive in Pohang.

That fact would definitely be a major factor.

If Kang San was human, it was only natural for him to be drawn to the group that sacrificed and cared more for him, regardless of Daeyang’s reputation.

Daeyang was like Cheonsang.

They had received the government’s official letter of cooperation, but the difference was that they had roughly glanced at it and thrown it in the trash.

“We don’t need to worry about the eyes of a foreign government. From now on, our Daeyang intends to stake everything on rescuing Kang San.”

Around the time Kim Chun-sik stormed out of the conference room.

The giant corporation called Daeyang was the first to start sending support troops.