Ranker Who Shatters Myths - Chapter 114

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Broken Ranker

Devours Myths

 

Chapter 114

ASTRA (5)

 

 

 

“……Colonel.”

“What do you plan to do now?”

Donovan and the other agents let out deep sighs.

At this rate, they wouldn’t even be able to properly check the Committee, let alone make recruitment offers to the former Blue Thunder team members.

An awkward atmosphere flowed between them.

However,

“I’ll take responsibility for this incident.”

“That’s not what we meant,”

Michael Shepherd shook his head and took out his mobile phone to call somewhere.

The agents had no time to stop him. His expression as he held the mobile phone was also very solemn.

Click.

『Yes. Report.』

A deep, low voice came through the receiver.

Several agents tensed up with nervous expressions.

ASTRA’s Director, Caleb Boon.

A former NSA (National Security Agency) Deputy Director who had secretly transferred to ASTRA and monopolized superhuman surveillance and operational approval authority.

His personal information was also mostly shrouded in mystery, so very few people knew about him.

Michael Shepherd was one of the few people who could communicate directly with him.

“The mission you ordered has failed.”

『Is that so? It can’t be helped.』

The agents swallowed dry saliva.

It was too calm a response.

On the other hand,

Michael’s expression was peaceful.

‘As expected, he had some idea.’

Lee Hyeon wasn’t the only person whose future Michael couldn’t read with his Eye of Revelation.

Before that, there was also Director Caleb.

『How was that person called Jet who changed?』

“He seemed very solid.”

『Solid?』

“Yes. There was no gap to wedge into.”

『What did you see to think that?』

“There was a Demon King.”

Michael calmly laid out what he had seen.

The scene of hell that was utterly unpredictable.

The agents looked at him with faces asking what on earth he was talking about, but,

『Is that so? Haha. I had a feeling… So that’s how it was.』

“Is there something that comes to mind?”

『Roughly.』

Director Caleb made a light laughing sound and then threw out a question as if testing.

『Good. Then what’s the operations officer’s opinion? What should we do now?』

Michael couldn’t answer hastily and swallowed dry saliva for a moment.

Even in that brief moment, he reviewed several times whether his judgment was correct,

but he was certain there was no choice more right for ASTRA and national interests than this.

So he slowly opened his mouth.

“I think it would be good to reconsider our relationship with Blue Thunder for the time being.”

『The reason?』

“Blue Thunder’s revival seems to already be a foregone conclusion. If we try to rashly stop it like before, we’ll only create troublesome enemies.”

Michael laid out the assessment he had thought of during his last conversation with Lee Hyeon.

Lee Hyeon’s words about only being loyal to his people and those around him kept ringing in his ears.

“Blue Thunder under the Mountain God’s protection would be like a tiger gaining wings, as they say. So I request consideration of an alliance proposal.”

『If we can’t devour it, let’s at least maintain good relations.』

“The momentum of the Mountain God and Jet isn’t something we can carelessly break anyway. We need meticulous care and effort to win them over to our side over a long period.”

It was saying to recognize Blue Thunder as an equal partner.

『Isn’t it too much to bow down to a unit that hasn’t even been officially rebuilt yet and will clearly become just one team of White Burn?』

“But I think it’s work that has sufficient value. I believe what enemies find frightening about ASTRA is not our stubbornness but our flexibility.”

『Flexibility.』

“If I’ve offered an impertinent opinion, I apologize.”

『It was impertinent. You tried to teach me.』

“I’m sor-“

『But you did what you naturally should have done. You’re the operations director, aren’t you? You’re different from those who just roll pens around in back rooms.』

“Thank you.”

Michael recognized there was laughter mixed in the Director’s voice and let out a sigh filled with relief.

At the same time, he realized that Director Caleb had already reached the same conclusion as himself.

‘He already knew the level of Jet and Blue Thunder… Is he operating other intelligence networks too? Really, he’s a frightening person.’

Didn’t it seem like he already roughly guessed what Lee Hyeon’s inheritance was, which neither he nor Gabriel could figure out?

‘Moreover, it seems like he knows something deeper about Jet. Could he have some acquaintance with him?’

Michael had various thoughts.

『Good. I’ll reflect your opinion. Improve relations with Blue Thunder. If necessary, with them…』

Director Caleb gave several additional orders.

Michael straightened his posture and answered.

“Roger that. I’ll carry out the new orders.”

『Good work.』

Click.

The call ended there.

“Phew.”

Michael sighed as he lowered his mobile phone.

He felt like he had aged several years.

“What did the Director say?”

Donovan and the agents pressed their faces close.

“Orders to remain on the Korean Peninsula for additional time and provide full support to Blue Thunder.”

“Su-support, you said!?”

“I thought we’d be lucky if our heads didn’t get cracked…”

“Blue Thunder will become an important partner.”

“So does that mean we beat up the Committee together with Blue Thunder?”

Michael nodded, thinking Donovan’s rough expression was quite apt.

“For now. He said he’ll send down additional necessities, so we’ll join White Burn for the time being.”

“Roger that.”

“Roger that.”

The ASTRA agents felt a strange sensation.

Meeting Blue Thunder as allies.

They were very curious about how it would be.

And,

They also renewed their vow for revenge, determined not to show such a pathetically defeated appearance as they had just moments ago.

 

* * *

 

“Senior, something’s changed about you, hasn’t it?”

“What are you talking about out of nowhere again.”

“You had a bunch of skills I’d never seen before. Now you seem much stronger than even four years ago.”

Z Team, gathered together after a long time, enjoyed a not-quite-company-dinner at a nearby barbecue restaurant.

Kim Min-jeong examined Lee Hyeon from top to bottom with sharp eyes.

Pfft.

Lee Hyeon chuckled lightly.

This was the problem with having a junior who knew him too well.

But fortunately, this time he had something to counter with.

“I had over a week of vacation, so this much is natural, right?”

“Wow… Lucky bastard.”

“But Manager Kim and Chief Eom don’t seem to have changed much?”

Kim Min-jeong bristled.

“Comparing us to you is cheating!”

“It’s been quite some time since you returned from the .”

“Ah, that’s…”

“Haven’t you been unable to properly digest that fortune all this time?”

Kim Min-jeong couldn’t answer rashly.

Lee Hyeon’s words weren’t simply referring to training.

Ranker.

He was asking why she still hadn’t crossed that threshold.

“……”

Eom Gi-seon had also been quiet since earlier.

It had already been several years since he’d been blocked at the Ranker threshold.

He thought he could reach a turning point when he encountered that fortune, but he was still in a stagnant period.

Just one step.

He was lacking just one step.

“Don’t tell me you’re still organizing things. Chief Seo already said she’s risen from B-rank to A-rank.”

Chief Seo Ae-ri silently scratched her cheek from the middle.

Finally, Kim Min-jeong let out a sigh.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Come to the training room during the remaining vacation period. I’ll keep clocking in too.”

“Senior, could it be…?”

“If we spar to our heart’s content, something should come out of it, right?”

“……!?”

“Really, Team Leader! You’ll keep helping us with sparring?”

While Kim Min-jeong was flustered, Eom Gi-seon’s eyes sparkled as he leaned his face closer.

Actually, he’d been thinking a lot after clashing with his former workplace colleagues. There were even juniors who had caught up to his skill level.

Kim Min-jeong, who had turned pale, sent signals from the side several times that this was absolutely not okay,

but he failed to notice and made his eyes shine brightly.

Lee Hyeon smiled.

“Right. The reason you can’t leap to Ranker right now isn’t because you’re unprepared, but simply because you lack the trigger. If I can properly open the floodgates, you’ll be able to develop on your own from then on.”

“Are you saying you’ll make me a Ranker…?”

“One week. Let’s try it within exactly that time. But the difficulty will be quite intense, so follow along well.”

“Even if you told me to drink poison, I’d drink it! Thank you, Team Leader! I’ll devote my lifelong loyalty!!”

Eom Gi-seon now seemed like he’d gulp down anything if Lee Hyeon said it.

On the other hand, Kim Min-jeong felt like grabbing Eom Gi-seon by the collar right now, asking if he was crazy.

‘That guy went through all that suffering for two weeks and still…! Hell is coming… Hell is coming…’

Having been tormented by Lee Hyeon several times during her Blue Thunder days, she only wanted to escape.

The unit members commonly called such training periods ‘Hell Week.’

‘Isn’t there some way to run away…?’

“Manager Kim, don’t think about running away. You’re following me to the very end of hell.”

“…My mouth is the problem. My mouth is the problem…”

While Kim Min-jeong muttered to herself with a soul-drained expression,

“Oh, and there’s something to tell Chief Eom and Chief Seo. There will be a large-scale personnel addition to the team soon.”

Lee Hyeon announced new information.

Eom Gi-seon’s eyes sparkled.

“Well, four people is hardly enough to call a team. Who’s coming in?”

“It’s not confirmed yet, but I’m thinking of bringing people from outside. But… if you don’t work hard, you’ll get eaten alive. They’re all veterans.”

Instantly, the eyes of Eom Gi-seon and Seo Ae-ri sharpened.

“So that’s why you told us to become Rankers quickly. I understand well.”

“Can I participate in the training too?”

“Of course. If a team member wants to get stronger, I should provide whatever help I can.”

While having various conversations, the meat they ordered came out in abundance.

“Let’s eat meat to our heart’s content for now. From tomorrow, we’ll have to run hard again.”

Lee Hyeon grinned as he placed meat on the grill.

 

* * *

 

After the company dinner ended.

Lee Hyeon and Kim Min-jeong parted ways with the two chiefs and walked through the park together, each with an ice cream in their mouth.

“…Um, I,”

Kim Min-jeong kept glancing at Lee Hyeon.

Pfft.

Lee Hyeon let out a small laugh.

“You wanted to say thank you, didn’t you? Just be comfortable about it.”

Kim Min-jeong let out an awkward laugh.

“Was it that obvious?”

“Roughly.”

“Thank you, Senior. For saying that when you sent Michael away.”

Kim Min-jeong couldn’t forget what Lee Hyeon had said when he argued with Michael Shepherd.

The words about not questioning the rudeness in exchange for giving the soma.

If the relationship with ASTRA had continued to worsen from there, she might have carried that uncomfortable feeling forever.

“Even if it wasn’t just because of you, there’s nothing good about making enemies with ASTRA for no reason. Don’t worry about it too much.”

“Still. I’m so grateful.”

“How’s Min-yul doing these days?”

Lee Hyeon knew Kim Min-jeong’s younger brother well too.

He was also a cadet at the military academy.

He had dreamed of the Thunder Unit, but due to an unexpected accident, he ended up hospitalized.

“Still the same. He hasn’t woken up… and the money keeps piling up.”

Most of Kim Min-jeong’s income was going to her brother’s hospital bills.

“They say this is the last treatment medicine left, so I have to try it.”

Lee Hyeon nodded his head.

“I hope it goes well.”

“Me too.”

Kim Min-jeong muttered quietly while examining the glass bottle containing soma.

Then she put it back in her pocket and said to Lee Hyeon.

“Oh, and about the gathering, like I mentioned this morning, everyone said they’d attend if possible? They’re all just people who want to see their senior’s face, so don’t be late.”

She was talking about the Blue Thunder Alumni Association meeting on Friday.

“I’m scared to death. I’m scared to death of how much they’ll fleece me.”

“That’s what you call reaping what you sow.”

“Can’t argue with that.”

Lee Hyeon’s steps paused for a moment.

“How many do you think will follow me?”

“Well, everyone has their livelihood and work to consider, so I’m not sure how many will be able to join… You’ll have to persuade them well, won’t you? You’re the leader, after all.”

A playful response.

Lee Hyeon ended up laughing along.

“Right. You’re correct. I’ll have to persuade them well. I am the leader, after all.”

Lee Hyeon threw the wooden stick from his finished ice cream into the trash can.

It was a perfect shot.

“I’ll have to do well.”

His eyes sank deep in thought.

A slight smile hung on his lips.

 

And then…

Time passed and the day of the alumni meeting arrived.

It was early May, full of spring breeze.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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