Chapter 378: Chapter 378

“We’ve been… seeing each other for a while. We just made it official recently, and I wanted to introduce her to you.”

“Tae-san told me so much about you. He said you’re practically brothers? I’m so envious! To have such a close friend…”

We moved to a nearby cafe and continued our conversation, exchanging lighthearted banter and catching up.

Kang Tae-san, a government employee working at the Supernatural Management Bureau, and Park Mi-yeong, an office worker at an ordinary company.

They had met when Kang Tae-san was investigating a supernatural incident at her office building.

“There was a sudden commotion downstairs, a supernatural crime, and everyone was scared… but then my honey came in and calmed everyone down! He was so cool!”

“Ahaha, that’s embarrassing. It wasn’t a big deal. Just a simple theft, no casualties or significant damage.”

A chance encounter, a few exchanged messages, and then, thanks to Park Mi-yeong’s proactive approach, they had started dating.

‘He was complaining about being overworked and sleep-deprived… and yet, he still found time for this.’

I looked at him again, a strange mix of emotions swirling within me, as he grinned, his arm around the beautiful woman next to him.

He was handsome, in a rugged, masculine way, his well-built physique a testament to his disciplined lifestyle, despite his perpetually tired appearance.

He worked in the Criminal Investigation Department, but as a non-Awakened, his main duties were administrative.

‘They usually work in pairs, an agent and an Awakened investigator. Though it depends on the scale of the incident.’

The investigation of supernatural crimes required the involvement of Awakened individuals with relevant abilities.

Of course, the agents weren’t just… assistants.

They were responsible for crime scene investigation, scheduling, logistics, suspect identification, information analysis, and even consulting with experts like Ahn Seong-jin, the black mage under Hans’s control.

They were valuable assets, despite being non-Awakened.

‘And their salaries are high. He’s actually quite a catch.’

My gaze shifted to Park Mi-yeong, who was smiling sweetly, her arm linked with Kang Tae-san’s.

She was a few years older than us, a beautiful woman with a cute, puppy-like face.

Her petite figure belied her… impressive curves, and I could understand why Kang Tae-san was so smitten.

I subtly observed her as we chatted.

Her cheerful and engaging personality, her genuine smile, her ability to make even the most introverted person feel comfortable…

She was the perfect conversationalist.

‘…This feels… strange.’

Too perfect, almost… artificial, like a well-rehearsed performance.

Perhaps she was just naturally charismatic… but my intuition, enhanced by my nascent divinity, was screaming that there was something more to it.

It was rude to be suspicious of his friend’s girlfriend, especially in this situation… but I couldn't ignore the unsettling feeling.

Kang Tae-san and his grandmother were practically his only family.

It was best to resolve this quickly.

Multitasking was second nature to me. I could easily maintain a casual conversation while subtly analyzing her.

“Hey! We agreed not to talk about that…”

“Oh my! Really? Honey…”

The world around me slowed down as my mind split, one part maintaining the casual conversation, the other observing and analyzing.

「Clear Mind」 calmed my thoughts, and 「Hypersensitivity」 enhanced my senses, allowing me to observe her every move in minute detail.

Her body language, her facial expressions, the subtle twitches of her muscles, the fine lines hidden beneath her makeup, the dilation of her pupils…

I didn’t have telepathy or mind-reading abilities, but my high mental stats and 「Insight」, combined with 「Analysis」 borrowed from Hubert, the head of a massive trading company, were more than enough.

-Affiliation unknown. Older than she appears. Lying and concealing her true intentions. Received instructions from someone before this meeting.

-Key Traits: Exceptional acting skills, calm and rational judgment, strong mental abilities, average physical abilities.

-Trustworthiness: 11%

…confirmed my suspicions.

An abysmal trustworthiness rating, and an incomplete analysis due to her… deceptive nature.

At this level, she was practically guaranteed to betray him.

I forced a smile, maintaining my composure.

I couldn't let her know that I was suspicious, not yet.

And just in case, I also analyzed Kang Tae-san.

-Supernatural Management Bureau, Criminal Investigation Department. Joined the Bureau with excellent grades, thanks to his unwavering determination and hard work. Harbors a deep resentment towards supernatural criminals due to the deaths of his parents. Excited about introducing his girlfriend to his friend. Still hungry despite having eaten an entire chicken.

-Key Traits: Unwavering conviction, relentless determination, strong family ties, excellent combat aptitude, strong mental abilities, excellent physical abilities.

-Trustworthiness: 94%

‘…There’s nothing wrong with him. So, it’s definitely…’

Park Mi-yeong, her name, her age, her occupation, her intentions… everything was a lie.

“I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom.”

“Sure. I’m a bit hungry, though. Are you okay with just dessert? Should we order another honey bread?”

“Just one? Let’s order one of each!”

I stood up and headed towards the restroom, my face hardening as I heard their affectionate banter.

Kang Tae-san, my childhood friend, practically my brother… He was an exceptional individual.

Unlike me, he had always excelled in both academics and athletics, and he had never been intimidated by those who bullied him for being an orphan.

He had always looked after me, even after I became a recluse following the incident, and he had worked tirelessly to join the Supernatural Management Bureau, determined to uncover the truth behind my parents’ deaths.

He was practically my family, the one who kept me connected to the ‘real world’, the one who allowed me to maintain a semblance of normalcy.

Without him, my life would have fallen apart long ago.

‘…They dare to… touch him?’

He was a symbol of my… humanity, a reminder of my past, my only connection to the world outside my avatars.

The thought that he might be… manipulated, used as a pawn in someone else’s scheme…

I entered a bathroom stall and took out a burner phone from my 「Subspace Storage」.

It was the phone I used for my underworld activities, not my personal one.

It was actually the one I used more often.

‘…Let’s see who you are.’

I sent a message to Jin So-ran, Heinz the Second’s representative, and then put the phone away.

I washed my hands, looking at my reflection in the mirror, my gaze lingering on my eyes, their unnatural brilliance a stark contrast to my otherwise ordinary appearance.

The Blood Alliance, a vampire organization, had long since taken control of Korea’s underworld.

They had been careful not to attract too much attention from the authorities, avoiding excessive expansion… but their influence was undeniable.

“Oh, you’re here? I ordered some food. I’ve been working overtime, and I’m starving.”

“What’s new? You’re always hungry.”

“Right? What are we going to do with our Tae-san? He eats so much.”

“Hahaha! I have a high metabolism…”

…knew everything that was happening in the shadows of Korea.

“It’s good to see you. We should do this more often. Get some fresh air.”

“I had fun today. Let me know if you’re interested. I have a cute junior who would be perfect for you.”

“Ahaha, I’m fine. I prefer… natural encounters.”

“You’ll be single forever at this rate.”

“Leave him alone. He’s still in his early twenties.”

“Hmm… I guess you’re right. Well, let me know if you change your mind. Take care.”

As the night deepened, it was time to part ways.

I exchanged farewells with them and headed towards the parking lot.

I could guess why Kang Tae-san had called me.

He wanted to introduce his girlfriend to his best friend, of course… but more importantly, he was probably worried about me, still a recluse despite having overcome my fear of the outside world.

He wanted me to make new connections, to socialize.

‘…And it seems he asked Park Mi-yeong to help him.’

He probably asked her to set me up on a blind date.

It was an unnecessary gesture, as I already had… numerous connections with women from various worlds, even across dimensions.

‘…Though they’re not exactly… romantic relationships.’

I smacked my lips slightly and took out my phone, checking a message from one of those… ‘connections’.

It had been a little over an hour since he had given the order.

He hadn't provided much information.

After all, everything about Park Mi-yeong, her name, her occupation, her address… it was all a lie.

‘Good. They finished quickly.’

But an hour was more than enough for his capable subordinates to gather the necessary information.

They prioritized his orders above all else.

I read the report, my face hardening with each passing line.

“…Ha! So that’s how it is.”

Having grasped the situation, I closed my eyes.

My fingers tapped rhythmically against the steering wheel.

‘…Though there’s not much to plan.’

I opened my eyes, started the car, and gently pressed the accelerator.

The luxurious car, a sleek, black machine, glided through the night.

There was only one punishment for those who dared to cross him.

Thanks to Hahoe Mask, Phantom, and the Blood Alliance’s vigilante activities, violent crimes in Korea had decreased significantly.

But their focus was on ‘violent crimes’, not all criminal activity.

As long as human desires existed, crime would never disappear.

Like some kind of… law of conservation of crime, as one type of crime was suppressed, another began to flourish.

With the crackdown on violent crimes, criminals had shifted their focus to less… conspicuous activities, like fraud, extortion, and embezzlement, which were more difficult to detect and prosecute.

And among those who exploited this situation were the established elites, those who already held positions of power and influence.

The chairman’s office of Daeryong Group, a major corporation ranked within the top 30 in Korea.

An elderly man in a suit and glasses spoke casually, and the head of the strategic planning department, standing next to him with a tablet, bowed respectfully and replied.

“The recruitment is proceeding smoothly, Chairman. We’ve set up multiple layers of plausible deniability, and we can cut off any loose ends if necessary.”

It wasn’t difficult to find disgruntled individuals, those who harbored resentment towards society but were too afraid of the consequences to act.

After all, their desires were simple: money, power, and… destruction.

If he could satisfy those desires, he could use them as tools, even if only temporarily.

And even minor, seemingly insignificant misfortunes, if they occurred frequently enough, could be enough to cripple their rivals.

‘And if they’re too… conspicuous for domestic operations, we can always send them overseas.’

He had built his empire using any means necessary.

Maximizing profits, regardless of the methods, was the true mark of a successful businessman.

The chairman, adjusting his glasses, smiled faintly, his lips curling into a sinister grin, as the strategic planning director continued his report.

Money laundering, bribery, corruption… and finally, the last item on the agenda.

“…We’re also infiltrating various organizations. We’re using the Cheonjong Construction line, but there haven’t been any significant developments.”

“Hmm, tell them there’s no need to rush. Just make sure it’s done properly. It could become a useful weapon later.”

As the report neared its end,

…the strategic planning director’s eyes twitched slightly as he glanced at his tablet.

An unexpected variable had appeared.

“…Chairman, we have a breaking news report. Cheonjong Construction…”

They didn’t know it yet,

…but because of their seemingly insignificant actions, the King of Shadows, the ruler of Korea’s underworld, had begun to… take notice.