𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟖: 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 3
In the banquet hall, silence prevailed.
Nearly two hundred pairs of eyes converged on a single point.
The woman who faced Zachary exuded an aura that was incompatible with this gathering.
Pure white skin and hair, alluring features.
Above all, the combination of her magical power and demonic energy surging from her revealed at once who she was.
“T-That’s the Queen of Half-Demons. . .!”
“Is that the appearance of the current Rank 3?”
“But the Queen of Half-Demons has never participated in the Ranking Wars before, has she?”
“I heard that she even registered for the ‘Gaia System’ in secret and left quietly. . .”
The crowd began to stir at the appearance of the Queen of Half-Demons.
“Damn it, whoever you are. . .! You have nothing to do with me, so get lost!”
Zachary, his mind consumed by a surge of emotion, lashed out at the current Rank 3.
“What absurd nonsense. How dare you order me around?”
Namir, the Queen of Half-Demons, glared at Zachary, her blue eyes blazing.
“Ugh. . .! I have no quarrel with you. It’s that wretched whelp behind you that I wish to kill!”
His scornful glare fell upon Siwoo, who sat nonchalantly sipping his beer, oblivious to the unfolding drama.
“I decline. My own affairs take precedence over yours.”
“What! Do you have a grudge against him too?!”
At that moment, Namir knelt on one knee before Siwoo.
The banquet hall was once again filled with silence and astonishment.
“My apologies for the tardiness, Master.”
“Long time no see, Namir.”
Siwoo greeted Namir as he stroked her head.
The scene was so confusing that people looked on with blank expressions.
This was no ordinary matter.
The Queen of Half-Demons, who had never joined hands with anyone, had knelt before a mere Hunter.
And not just that, he had done so with the utmost respect, addressing her as “Master.”
With the exception of a select few high-ranking officials, including Edward, no one would have known that a Half-Demon had joined forces with a human, so the commotion was understandable.
Of course, that didn’t mean they weren’t surprised.
They had always assumed it was a mutually beneficial partnership, but they had never imagined that the Queen of Half-Demons herself would kneel in submission.
Siwoo took Namir’s hand and helped her to her feet. She stood beside him, a faint smile on her face as she looked at Siwoo, who she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Then, as the commotion in the central hall grew louder, people from the far end of the room began to gather.
They headed towards the figures at the center of the commotion.
“Oh my, I never would have guessed that Rank 3 was such a beautiful woman. Isn’t that right, Kim Hwan?”
“Be quiet, Haruki.”
“Nice to meet you, beautiful lady. I’m Koga Haruki, Rank 4, and this is Kim Hwan, Rank 5.”
Koga Haruki, who had introduced himself as Rank 4, extended his hand with a smile.
However, Namir neither took his hand nor smiled back.
“Ahem.”
Haruki cleared his throat as he awkwardly withdrew his outstretched hand.
“What’s this? I thought you were just an easy woman since you called that strange guy ‘Master,’ but you’re surprisingly expensive.”
His blunt sarcasm caused a flicker of anger to cross Namir’s face.
“You bastard, are you looking to lose your tongue?”
“Hehehe. Go ahead and try. I didn’t just get to Rank 4 for nothing.”
As Haruki reached out to his, a figure wearing a strange mask appeared and twisted Haruki’s arm behind his back.
“Ack! What the hell?!”
“Don’t move. And don’t even think about using your magic.”
Haruki could hear the sincerity in the voice.
“Dammit! It’s just a joke, why are you getting so serious? I won’t do anything, so let go, now!”
“If you harass my sister again, I’ll rip off your arm and shove it down your throat.”
“I got it, so let go!!”
The masked figure released Haruki’s arm and took a step back.
Haruki rubbed his shoulder, grimacing.
He never would have thought that there would be a madman who would dare to break the arm of a High Ranker.
“Crow?”
Siwoo whispered to the masked figure.
“Ahahaha. You found me out.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here as my sister’s bodyguard.”
Crow said, pointing to Namir.
So that’s how IZIZ got so bold.
Siwoo couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly at the sight of a world-renowned fugitive openly attending a banquet of Rankers.
“Greetings.”
At that moment, a new figure approached the central hall with a booming voice.
Dressed in a sharp suit, with broad shoulders and rugged good looks, he was a Westerner.
Giovanni Barberini.
One of the three strongest Dealers, along with Choi Dae-soo and Shamar.
In Giovanni’s home country of Italy, he was known as the “Most Perfect Man.”
For the first time, Siwoo’s eyes lit up at the sight of Giovanni.
‘𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘪 𝘋𝘢𝘦-𝘴𝘰𝘰.’
As he entered the banquet hall, the atmosphere seemed to change instantly.
It wasn’t that he had released his aura, but his presence was so overwhelming that it seemed to consume the entire hall.
Giovanni called for a waiter and ordered a drink.
“Hahaha! I see a most amusing spectacle unfolding even as I don my banquet attire. Would you care to indulge me?”
He downed the nocino that the waiter brought him in one gulp.
“Ugh. My favorite after-dinner drink back home. It’s just the right strength, and it warms me up like nothing else. But for me to be excluded from a gathering of High Rankers—wouldn’t that make me a little sad?”
Every word he spoke carried an inexplicable weight.
It was as if a great beast was growling before him.
Siwoo turned his gaze to Harold.
Harold also acknowledged his gaze and nodded.
‘𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥.’
Siwoo scanned the crowd. scanned the gathered faces.
HSIU Special and Senior Agents were stationed at various points, and several Rankers had been called upon to assist, fully prepared.
Let’s get started.
“Not long ago, HSIU apprehended a key operative of 〈Pandemonium〉.”
Siwoo’s sudden announcement drew the attention of everyone present, including Giovanni.
“We were able to obtain crucial information from him, including the use of a lie detection Hunter, and it led us to a list of Hunters who have been colluding with 〈Pandemonium〉.”
A moment of uncomfortable silence filled the air.
“However, if you turn yourself in now, we will ensure that your punishment is as lenient as possible, so that it does not affect your career.”
Siwoo opened a sealed letter that he had been holding and read its contents.
“On behalf of Edward C. Blackwood, President of the 〈HSIU International Headquarters〉, and Charles de Bernadotte, President of the 〈World Hunter Association〉, we ask you: Are you affiliated with 〈Pandemonium〉?”
“That’s a ridiculous question. Who here would be foolish enough to answer yes?”
“I can detect the presence of lies by observing the fluctuations in magic wavelengths. Koga Haruki, are you affiliated with 〈Pandemonium〉?”
“Wha. . .!”
Haruki frowned and looked around.
All eyes were on him.
“I-I’m not affiliated. . . Don’t take every joke so seriously!”
“. . .That’s the truth.”
The magic wavelength emanating from him was closer to panic and anxiety, but it was not a lie.
Siwoo turned his gaze and directed the question to someone else.
“What about you?”
The man swallowed a nervous laugh.
“Are you asking me right now?”
“Yes, I’m asking you. Giovanni Barberini.”
Gulp.
The crowd sensed that this entire situation was a well-orchestrated show.
After all, it was absurd to ask the world’s second-ranked Hunter if he was involved with a group that worshipped demons.
“You’re quite bold, approaching this Giovanni in this manner.”
He chuckled and poured himself another glass of nocino.
The nutty and sweet aroma of the drink warmed his throat and flowed down into his stomach. He felt a pleasant heat rising in his stomach.
Giovanni raised the corners of his mouth and replied.
“Yes. I am 〈Pandemonium〉.”
“——”
“Well, the party’s over. Shut it down.”
At Giovanni’s command, Kim Hwan and Skinner unleashed their magic in all directions.
KABOOM!!!
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
ADX Florence, the highest security prison in the United States.
Evening, as darkness fell and the cries of coyotes could be heard occasionally.
Crowel lay on his bunk, carefully considering the situation ahead.
‘𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥.’
It would be impossible to investigate people in different locations all at once.
Even if it was a burden, it would be the most logical approach for HSIU to gather them in one place and carry out their operation.
‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘪𝘴. . .𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘺𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘔𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘪𝘸𝘰𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴.’
As far as he knew, there were about twenty Rankers who had joined hands with 〈Pandemonium〉.
From the Hunters’ perspective, their records were far from spotless, so it might be in their best interest to turn themselves in quietly.
However. . .
‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.’
Rank 7 Skinner.
Rank 5 Kim Hwan.
These two were the 3rd Hierarchy of the organization.
And Rank 2 Giovanni Barberini was the 2nd Hierarchy of 〈Pandemonium〉.
He was literally one of the core members of the organization.
The hierarchy of the organization was not simply determined by strength or weakness, but Giovanni had risen to his position solely through his power.
With the exception of the ‘Mistilteinn’, the only people who could possibly restrain him by force were Choi Dae-soo and Shamar, so it was no wonder that he had ascended to the 2nd Hierarchy.
In other words, if Choi Dae-soo and Shamar were not present at the banquet,
‘𝘕𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘎𝘪𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘥𝘶𝘦 𝘎𝘪𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘱𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮.’
Citing international law would only work on Hunters who were simply involved.
For those who were originally members of the 〈Pandemonium〉 organization, HSIU’s warrants would be meaningless.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a guard knocked on Crowel’s door.
“Your posture is poor. Go stand against that wall.”
Crowel glared at the door, wondering what the fuss was about.
How could anyone complain about someone’s posture when they were lying down trying to sleep?
“What? Hurry up and go to the wall.”
“Damn it.”
Grumbling under his breath, he did as instructed, placing his hands behind his head and facing the wall.
Clank.
Thud, thud.
The sound of the cell door opening approached him, and the guard came up to him.
“Your bedding is a mess, and your clothes are wrinkled.”
“I don’t know what you want me to do about it when I was just lying down trying to sleep.”
“Normally, you’re so meticulous about keeping everything neat and tidy. This is quite unlike you.”
Crowel frowned at the familiar voice and turned around.
“Ahahaha. Long time no see, Crowel.”
“Damn it. . . Ryu Ji-hwan.”
There stood Ryu Ji-hwan, wearing a jester’s mask and a guard’s uniform.
“How the hell did you get in. . . No, that’s not the question.”
Crowel trailed off, noticing the bloodstains on the guard’s uniform.
“Pack your things. Not that you have much, I suppose.”
“I don’t. But. . .isn’t this place crawling with security? Even if you managed to kill your way in, it shouldn’t be this easy to get around.”
“Don’t worry about that. The prison’s key security personnel are all attending the Rankings.”
“Ah. . .”
He had certainly timed his operation well.
Crowel used the key that Ryu Ji-hwan handed him to unlock the shackles on his wrists.
They were restraints that interfered with the flow of magic.
“If you’re ready, let’s go.”
“Just one question. Did the organization approve of my escape?”
No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for 〈Pandemonium〉 to take such a risk to save him.
They had likely long since abandoned any expectations of him.
“Actually, this isn’t an escape plan for you.”
Ryu Ji-hwan hesitated for a moment, but then decided to come clean, figuring he would find out eventually anyway.
“Then?”
“I’m going to take advantage of the situation to break someone else out. . . and I’m taking you with me.”
Ryu Ji-hwan remembered how Crowel had saved his life from Siwoo in the past.
“As I thought. . . the organization. . .”
“We’ve been eating losses left and right, so it’s only natural.”
“Right, I guess there’s no other way.”
“Anyway, shut up and get ready.”
“You’re breaking someone else out?”
“That’s already taken care of.”
KABOOM!!!
The moment Ryu Ji-hwan snapped his fingers, every cell door in the prison exploded.!!
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