Currently, America was secretly researching healers. According to the data, the treatment mechanisms of civilian-origin healers and clergy-origin healers were subtly different. The efficiency and speed, and even the texture of recovery.
America believed that difference came from ‘divine power’ derived from faith in God.
“Awakeners from clergy backgrounds. The power they use is fundamentally different from the existing magic power system.”
Alexander Gray muttered with a voice full of conviction. The golden light bursting from Ian’s fingertips on the screen. That was the specimen of ‘complete divine power’ he had been searching for so long.
“The Koreans don’t know yet. That it’s not a simple healing skill. That kind of thing is a natural diamond that can’t be cultivated in a laboratory.”
Alexander immediately stood up from his seat.
“Prepare the private jet.”
“What? Right now?”
“Yes. Every minute and second is urgent. I need to bring it before the Koreans realize how to use that jewel.”
He stroked Ian’s face on the screen with his finger. It was a gaze appraising the world’s rarest collectible placed in a display case.
“Too precious a saintess to be in Korea.”
A giant predator began moving toward its prey. Korea, which didn’t even know the concept of ‘divine power’ yet, and America, which recognized its value first. The battle over Ian was now spreading beyond the domestic league to a national confrontation.
***
A high-end villa in Seoul, quiet like the calm before a storm.
This safe house provided by Phoenix Guild Master Hong Seoyoon was the most secure place in the Republic of Korea, but at this moment, a more powerful and deadly deterrent than the cutting-edge security system was guarding the house.
“Ian, hyung’s going out. Lock the door well. Don’t open it for anyone who comes.”
Choi Jaeheon earnestly instructed while putting on his shoes at the entrance.
The Management Bureau had been turned upside down by yesterday’s hospital incident, and work was paralyzed by the flood of inquiry calls and interview requests. Because Team Leader Yoon Taegyeom was screaming over the phone begging him to come out and do something, Choi Jaeheon was reluctantly on his way to work.
“Okay, have a good day.”
Ian yawned and waved his hand. Choi Jaeheon glared at Vermouth, who was sitting on the living room sofa polishing his sword, with uneasy eyes.
“You, guard Ian well while I’m gone.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let a single scratch appear on Ian-nim’s body.”
“You talk well.”
When Choi Jaeheon shook his head and left, peace returned to the spacious living room again.
Ian sprawled on the sofa and flipped through TV channels. On the news, the video of the ‘hospital miracle’ he had caused yesterday was repeating endlessly. He didn’t want to publicize it if possible, but they said that couldn’t be done. Since he received S-rank, he had to prove his ability with something other than numbers.
“Uwaaa.”
Ian buried his face in the pillow.
On screen, he was pretending to be holy while extending his hand, and captions like [Is This the Descent of a Saint?] flowed past with cringeworthy phrases. Rather than knowing he was really a saint, it seemed like they just roughly cobbled together phrases. But excessive praise was just embarrassing.
“You look magnificent, Ian-nim.”
“Don’t tease me, really.”
“I’m sincere. I have never once spoken falsely or teased you.”
Vermouth listed praises with a serious face. Ian shook his head and closed his eyes again. Today he wanted to do nothing and just breathe. Since he caused that ruckus yesterday, he could stay quiet for a while. Just as he was thinking that, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Ding-dong—
Thinking rationally, among the people he knew, there were almost none who would press this house’s bell. If anyone, maybe Yoon Taegyeom? Everyone else knew the house’s passcode.
‘Could it be a reporter?’
But how would they know about here? Hong Seoyoon said few people knew of this house’s existence. It was an investment property, but also served as Phoenix Guild’s inner sanctum.
“Please remain seated. I’ll go out and check.”
Vermouth put down his sword and headed to the entrance. Looking at the intercom, an unfamiliar foreign man stood there. Blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a suit that looked expensive at a glance. At least it was an unfamiliar face.
“Who is it?”
When Vermouth asked, the foreigner on the screen answered in very fluent but strangely arrogant Korean.
[Open the door. I came to see the saintess.]
Vermouth’s eyes narrowed.
‘Saintess’?
On Earth, they call them healers, not saintess. At most, it’s a word fanatics might use. Yet that man accurately uttered that word. Moreover, that arrogance in his voice. It was familiar.
The royalty who coveted the saint’s power in Lancia, or those corrupted mage bastards who tried to put him on an experiment table had exactly those eyes.
‘Something troublesome has come.’
Vermouth clicked his tongue while still opening the front door.
When the door opened, Alexander Gray frowned.
What greeted him wasn’t the expected saintess but some burly man. He had brilliantly shining blonde hair and violet eyes, but his impression was cold. A rare beauty, but not Alexander’s taste. Too perfect also lacks humanity. Having finished scanning him in an instant, Alexander asked him.
“Move aside. Where’s the saintess?”
Alexander spoke in Korean as if it were natural while pushing his shoe forward. The pronunciation was perfect, and even the accent was standard Seoul dialect. All of this was because he was a genius in the language department. He had already mastered Korean long ago.
But his foot couldn’t enter inside.
Tap.
Because Vermouth grabbed the doorframe with one hand and blocked the entrance with his massive body.
“No peddlers allowed.”
“…What?”
Alexander let out a hollow laugh.
America’s number one ranked, Empire Guild’s master. When he moves, even the White House opens its doors. For some mere Korean awakener to call him a peddler.
“You don’t seem to know who I am. I’m Alexander Gray. I’ll suggest you move aside while I’m being nice. Yes, if you want something, speak up.”
Alexander arrogantly lifted his chin.
He was certain. On this small piece of land called Korea, there was no human who could refuse his proposal. Can remain aloof from money? That’s because the money offered is too little. If it doesn’t work, it’s just because there’s not enough money.
“A proposal.”
Vermouth smirked.
That smile felt strangely unpleasant. Not servility or embarrassment, but clear derision.
“As expected, disgusting things exist in any world.”
“What did you say?”
“I’m talking about your eyes. They’re filthily gleaming. I don’t know who you are, but didn’t you learn to observe etiquette in front of someone else’s door?”
Hearing that, Alexander’s expression hardened.
“You arrogant bastard! How dare you lecture me. You’re the one who should know your place. Do you know who I am?”
Wooong—!
Blue magic power explosively burst from Alexander’s body.
An S-rank hunter’s intimidation. An ordinary person would have foamed at the mouth and fainted on the spot, and it was an intense aura that would make most awakeners kneel. He intended to crush this arrogant gatekeeper with his aura and enter inside confidently.
But the man before his eyes didn’t budge.
No, rather he was rolling up his lips as if delighted.
“Ho. Your aura is worth seeing. For an Earth awakener, you’re quite something.”
“H-how is this happening?”
While Alexander was flustered, the world flipped.
Psh—
There wasn’t even time to blink.
Before he knew it, Vermouth’s face was right up to his nose. And a cold hand blade was pressing against Alexander’s Adam’s apple.
It wasn’t a sword. It was Vermouth’s bare hand. But Alexander instinctively felt it. If that hand blade dug in just a little more, his neck would be severed like tofu.
“You should know your place.”
Vermouth whispered softly.
“How dare you use force in front of whom? Saint-nim is resting now. It’s not time for insects to buzz around.”
“Wh-who are you?”
Cold sweat ran down Alexander’s spine.
Korean or whatever, words didn’t come out properly due to fear. He was S-rank. Moreover, a top predator within the world’s top 10 rankings. Yet he was subdued by Korea’s unknown hunter? With pure physical ability without even using magic power?
This didn’t make sense.
“I asked who you are!”
“You don’t need to know. I’m not kind enough to tell my name to a guest who will soon be kicked out.”
Bloodlust bloomed in Vermouth’s eyes.
It was different in quality from the intimidation Alexander had emitted. The real smell of death that only one who had roamed thousands upon thousands of battlefields, piling bodies into mountains and filling rivers with blood, could possess.
‘Crazy! This isn’t an ordinary guy. He’s a murderer.’
Alexander’s breath was cut off. His legs trembled. Money and power, honor and such were useless before this overwhelming terror.
“Leave. While your head is still attached.”
Just as Vermouth was about to apply force to his hand.
“Vermouth?”
Ian’s voice was heard from inside the living room.
