SMH 141

Chapter 45 – Vladimir (6)

TL: Boko

Editor: StellarRain

The Korean diplomat stated that they couldn’t control Sung Joon and emphasized that they didn’t agree with his methods.

Since the Korean diplomat made this stance, the Russian diplomat didn’t know what to say.

“We cannot intervene and have merely relayed Mr. Kang Sung Joon’s message to you. Russia will have to deal with this themselves.”

The Korean diplomat straightened out his clothes and stood up from his seat. The moment he grabbed the doorknob to leave the living room, he turned around once more time and opened his mouth.

“Please remember this. You have one week. After that, the attack will begin. The Korean government can’t stop it.”

He left the living room. Afterwards, there was an emergency meeting called at the Kremlin. The highest ranking members of the Russian government discussed the threat of Sung Joon and ultimately concluded that they could not apologize.

And that fact was relayed to Sung Joon through Jung Chul.

“So what you’re saying is that the Russian government refused to even informally apologize to me?”

“That’s correct.”

Sung Joon asked, and Jung Chul nodded his head. The information was authentic as it came directly from the Blue House.

“I’m speechless.”

Sung Joon shook his head. He gave Russia the opportunity to save face by apologizing informally, yet they had even refused that option, so he couldn’t help but be speechless.

“What do you plan on doing?” Jung Chul asked.

“I’m going to go to Russia,” Sung Joon replied without any hesitation. It seemed as though Russia wanted to wash away their sins with blood, so he decided to take them up on their offer.

“If you strike the military or civilian facilities the public may turn on you,” Jung Chul warned. Sung Joon smiled and shook his head.

“I’m aiming for the Russian intelligence agency’s mainland bases.”

“But even White Tiger or the national intelligence agency probably don’t have any information on the Russian intelligence agency’s mainland bases.”

Just as Jung Chul said, White Tiger or the national intelligence agency didn’t have enough influence to gather extensive information on Russia. However, Sung Joon’s smile didn’t fade.

“There is a solution.”

He raised his phone. Agent Jennifer was under the Delta Director’s command, which in turn, was part of the Central Hunter Bureau, and he had her phone number.

Originally, the number was made temporarily for their plan, but they maintained the number so that they could continue to maintain ties with Sung Joon. Sung Joon confirmed this just a little while ago.

He immediately called Jennifer.

“Mr. Kang Sung Joon. I was waiting for you to call me.”

It was five o’clock in the afternoon in Korean but was the break of dawn in the U.S.. Even so, Jennifer picked up her phone and spoke in fluent Korean. Befitting a special agent of the Central Hunter Bureau, Jennifer already knew what situation Sung Joon was in.

“It seems like the Central Hunter Bureau knows the situation I’m in… Is that correct?”

“It’s as you say.”

Jennifer replied, and Sung Joon smirked. He could save time on explaining, so things had turned out well.

“Do you also know what I want?”

“If we’re not wrong, you want to know where the Russian intelligence agency’s mainland bases are, correct?”

“Exactly.”

“I can tell you about a few possible spots.”

The Central Hunter Bureau wanted to maintain close ties with Sung Joon.

Therefore, Jennifer, who was their link to Sung Joon, was allowed permission to partly share their information with Sung Joon.

“Telling me a few possible spots is fine,” Sung Joon replied. He didn’t plan on fighting an all-out war with Russia. If the Russian intelligence agency’s mainland bases were attacked, rather than one in a foreign country, Sung Joon thought that they might change their mind.

“One of our agents in the field will tell you the location. You should receive the information by tomorrow morning Korean time.”

The call ended. Next morning, like Jennifer said, an American agent who could speak Korean covertly visited Sung Joon’s mansion, and passed over materials regarding the locations of the Russian intelligence agency’s mainland bases and left.

Sung Joon gave Shin Chul, Jang Hoon, and Jung Chul the tasks of supervising the mansion and keeping his father safe. He then smuggled himself into Russia.

The Central Hunter Bureau provided the ship that would smuggle him into Russia. Because of that, his trip to Russia was quite comfortable.

“We’ve arrived.”

The agent disguised as a crewman spoke in Korean, informing him that they’d arrived. Sung Joon had been eating a simple meal in his cabin, but when he heard the agent, his eyes gleamed and he stood up.

“It’s finally time for your revenge,” Rishubalt said.

It seemed like Rishubalt was also elated at the prospect of revenge. With the Central Hunter Bureau agent’s help, Sung Joon was freed of all the necessary procedures at entry and was able to leave the harbor.

“I wish you good luck.”

“Thank you for everything.”

After he parted with the agent, he took out his map and unfolded it. There was a large base not far from the harbor.

Sung Joon attacked the base and burned it to the ground. He killed everyone that looked like an agent. He didn’t spare even one of them.

And with the Central Hunter Bureau’s agents’ help, he moved along while attacking Russia’s bases.

“Our domestic bases are being attacked.”

The news was immediately relayed to the Director of the Russian intelligence agency.

“What will you do? The situation’s worse than expected.”

The executive asked as he looked at the Director. There was a new report detailing that every day, a base would be destroyed and agents were being killed.

One large base and one medium sized base had been burned to the ground while seventy agents had died.

“It may be an informal one, but we cannot allow the President to apologize.”

“Then… Are you going to mobilize the army?”

The executive asked. The Director shook his head and opened his mouth.

“You’re well aware that it’s not so easy to mobilize the army, right?”

“Then…?”

“We’re sending the intelligence agency’s SS-rank Hunter, Mikhail. Kang Sung Joon may be an SS-rank Hunter, but Mikhail underwent special training, so Sung Joon shouldn’t be able to beat Mikhail.”

The Director smirked. However, he didn’t know that Sung Joon was remembering his past life, where he was a killing machine.

* * *

After Sung Joon had destroyed another medium sized base, he moved to another base while discussing a new technique he recollected once he reached a 55% synchronization rate with Rishubalt.

“It’s name is Dimension Slash? I don’t really remember.”

He had regained several memories at once when he had reached a synchronization rate of 55%. It wasn’t easy to categorize the memories even now. Compared to him, it seemed as though Rishubalt had already assimilated a portion of the memories.

“Yes, it’s called Dimension Slash.”

“I’m asking because my memories are a mess right now, but ‘Dimension Slash’ is a technique that cuts through aura, right?”

Sung Joon recollected a portion of his memories that he’d regained once he reached a synchronization rate of 55%. He remembered Roukel using the Dimension Slash in a vast plain. It wasn’t a showy technique, but it was powerful enough to cut through dimensions.

“That’s correct. But because it’s so powerful, the mana consumption is high. You must be careful when using this technique.”

“I got it.”

Sung Joon nodded his head. Despite his past self, Roukel, possessing such a large quantity of mana, he didn’t use ‘Dimension Slash’ very often. If the Illusionary Sword was his deadly finisher, then Dimension Slash was his ultimate weapon.

“Also, the restraints on the Gale Sword have been completely lifted. Now the accompanying sword winds total seventy,” Rishubalt reported. Sung Joon spoke with a satisfied expression.

“Good. Anyway, it seems like we’ve arrived.”

They had departed when it was still bright outside, but it was dark by the time they had arrived. It looked like a factory, but there were several Hunters that were wandering around as if patrolling. He was sure that this was one of the Russian intelligence agency’s bases.

“There are no civilians here. All of them have been trained in how to kill.”

“There are six Hunters and thirty-one armed agents… Not bad.”

Rishubalt reported and Sung Joon’s eyes busily darted around, checking all of the mana responses he felt. There were more than he had expected. He used stealth and began his attack on the base.

The battle ended boringly. There were six Hunters on site, but the strongest they had was two B-rank Hunters, and the trained agents were no match for Sung Joon either.

Sung Joon killed all of the agents in the base masquerading as a factory and collected all of the non-incinerated materials.

That’s because the U.S. promised that they would pay him handily if he gave them the materials.

“A mana response?”

Sung Joon, who attempted to leave the base quickly, sensed a enormous mana response coming towards him from the sky, and felt intensely anxious.

“It’s at twelve o’clock.”

In no time, Rishubalt sensed the mana response and reported on where the attack was coming from. Sung Joon stopped smiling and drew his sword once more.

“The disruptor seems to be an SS-rank Hunter…”

“I agree.”

The size of the approaching magic was ridiculously big. Sung Joon assumed that it was either a top tier S-rank Hunter or an SS-rank Hunter, and Rishubalt nodded his head in agreement.

Eventually, something shined in the air, and dozens of ice spears poured down from the sky.

‘He’s not trying to inflict a severe injury!’

The enemy was trying to divert his attention and simultaneously block his line of sight. The actual attack would come next! Sung Joon blocked all of the ice spears with his Illusionary Sword so that he wouldn’t fall for his opponent’s plan. Then, he felt a presence from behind him.

“Ha!”

Sung Joon let out a battle cry, turned around, and swung his sword. His sword cleaved through the air then was blocked by a radiant defensive spell.

“For you to block my attack, how impressive.”

There stood a Russian man with a raised staff. He had a mustache and wore a robe, which made it easy to tell that he was a Mage. This was Mikhail, the SS-rank Hunter that the Russian intelligence agency had sent.

But surprisingly, he was speaking in Korean. It seemed as though he had seen Sung Joon’s expression, as Mikhail smiled and opened his mouth.

“Are you surprised? This is also magic.”

It seemed like Translation Magic. There were several different types of magic, so it wasn’t very surprising.

‘He’s definitely a Mage Hunter. I’m engaging him close up.’

While Mikhail spoke, Sung Joon used his high-speed movement, rather than respond. He closed the distance instantaneously, but Mikhail drew a short sword at his waist, instead of widening the distance or use his magic to divert his attention.

Soon, Mikhail’s short sword was clad in aura.*

*I thought Hunters couldn’t use abilities outside of their “class” (e.g. a Mage using aura), but I assume that S-rank Hunters/above can break those rules.

“Don’t think that I’m weak close up just because I’m a Mage.”

Mikhail swung his sword. His swordsmanship was superb. He couldn’t end the fight quickly, and he didn’t have any opportunities to use the Illusionary Sword.

“Rather than the Illusionary Sword, I recommend that you use Dimension Slash as its movements are smaller!” Rishubalt advised. Sung Joon agreed with him. He took a step back and raised his mana. Mikhail expected an attack and cast a defensive spell whilst taking a defensive posture.

“Dimension Slash!”

A slash infused with mana. His strike cut through the defensive spell like paper and aimed for Mikhail’s neck.

Mikhail attempted to defend by raising his sword, but even his aura clad sword couldn’t block the Dimension Slash. It was an overwhelming ‘slash’ that could cut anything in its path, even through dimensions.

“Ugh!”

Mikhail let out a single cry and his head rolled onto the cold floor. He shot a flare and a nearby American agent (who acted as his guide) on standby approached him.

“My god… You killed an SS-rank Hunter this easily… I didn’t even see it.”

The American Hunter said. Sung Joon looked at them and opened his mouth.

“Send the severed head to the Kremlin. It should serve as a good enough warning.”

This was the day that one of Russia’s three SS-rank Hunters was killed by Sung Joon.